Short answer
Amazon Relay accepts 16 ft and 26 ft dock-height box trucks with a working tuck-under liftgate, but not cargo vans. Box truck carriers need a DOT number active at least 180 days, a valid MC number and Relay's insurance minimums.
Box Truck Equipment Specs
Amazon's box truck requirements are precise:
- 16 ft box truck with a working tuck-under liftgate
- 26 ft box truck with a working tuck-under liftgate
- The liftgate is required: Amazon will not accept a box truck without one
Cargo vans are not supported. That includes sprinter vans and Ford Transit vans. Amazon says cargo vans can't be used on Relay.
Amazon lists these box trucks as dock height (straight truck) with a working tuck-under liftgate. It doesn't explain the reason on its requirements page, so treat the liftgate as a hard requirement and check relay.amazon.com for current specs.
Box Truck Load Availability
Amazon describes several kinds of box truck work:
- One-Way Loads: Amazon says one-way loads will most likely need a box truck or your own trailer.
- Spot Loads: Last-minute loads you book right away on the board.
- Contracts: Box truck contracts include 8-hour and 13-hour solo contracts with round trips.
- Post A Truck: Amazon lists box trucks as eligible, so you can post availability with a minimum rate per mile.
- Peak Seasons: Amazon says load volume nearly doubles during Prime Day and the holidays.
Amazon doesn't publish how box truck volume or pay compares with tractor-trailer freight. For more on getting loads, see our guide to Amazon Relay box truck loads.
Finding Box Truck Loads on the Board
When you log into the Amazon Relay load board, you'll filter by equipment type. Set the equipment type filter to the box truck size you run, and the board shows only loads that your equipment can haul.
Good loads disappear in seconds. This is why many box truck carriers use auto-refresh tools or auto-booking extensions:
- Refresher Extension: Automatically reload the board on an interval you set so you see new loads sooner.
- Alert Mode: Get an alert when a load that meets your minimums appears.
- Auto-Book Mode: Automatically book a load if it meets your minimums, such as load pay or pay per mile.
Even with an extension, competition is fierce. A good rate at a convenient time can book within seconds. That's why many box truck carriers add a refresher or alerts.
Rate Variability for Box Trucks
Amazon says a Relay rate shows a base rate, a fuel surcharge that tracks fuel prices, and tolls. What moves it:
Distance Including deadhead and trip direction.
Equipment Type and Availability What's available in the market for your kind of truck.
Load Characteristics For example, live loads.
Seasonal Demand Amazon says load volume nearly doubles during peak periods like Prime Day and the holidays.
Regional Market Conditions What's happening in the area you pick up from and deliver to.
Amazon Relay does not publish "typical" box truck rates because they vary so much. Check the board yourself during your target hours and see what's posting. A rate that's good one day might be soft the next.
The Economics of Box Truck Work
To evaluate whether a Relay load makes sense, you need to calculate net profit:
Gross Rate (what Amazon pays) minus Fuel, Maintenance, Deadhead to Pickup = Net Profit.
On every load, calculate the posted rate minus your estimated fuel, maintenance and deadhead costs. The remainder is your profit for that run. Many carriers set a profit floor: the minimum net profit below which they won't take a load. This protects you from unprofitable work.
Amazon Relay auto-booker extensions like NudoIQ let you set a profit floor automatically. They calculate net profit on every load and only book if it meets your minimum. This removes the guesswork and prevents low-margin mistakes.
Advantages of Running a Box Truck on Relay
- Listed Prices: Spot loads show an all-in price you can book as listed. On select urgent loads, top-performing carriers can name a price through Relay Assistant, and Post A Truck lets you set a minimum rate per mile.
- Several Ways to Get Work: The board, contracts and Post A Truck all work for box trucks.
- Weekly Pay: Loads completed by 11:59 pm Saturday are paid the following Friday. Invoices are automatic.
- Set Shift Lengths: Box truck contracts come in 8-hour and 13-hour solo versions, so you can plan your week.
Disadvantages and Challenges
- Rate Swings: Rates move with distance, season, region and load type, so the same lane can pay differently.
- Board Competition: You're competing with other box truck carriers for the same loads. Speed and automation matter.
- Limited Deadhead: If you're far from the pickup, the deadhead eats into profit.
- Scorecard Pressure: Amazon grades on-time, acceptance, app usage and disruption-free, and your score is the lowest of the four. Late loads and cancellations can pull your grade down and limit access to contracts and early loads. See our scorecard guide.
Getting Started with a Box Truck on Relay
- Confirm Equipment Requirements: You have a 16 ft or 26 ft box truck with a working tuck-under liftgate.
- Meet Amazon's Eligibility Requirements: DOT authority active for at least 180 days, valid MC number, an acceptable safety rating and BASIC scores, insurance minimums.
- Sign Up at relay.amazon.com: Submit your application and insurance certificates.
- Set Up Your Account: Invite your drivers (each needs their own Relay profile) and add your equipment.
- Start Browsing the Load Board: Log in, filter by your equipment type, and refresh to see available loads.
- Consider an Auto-Refresh Tool: To keep up with competition, many carriers use an extension to refresh the board automatically and get alerts when new loads post.
- Set Your Profit Floor and Rules: If using an auto-booking extension, configure your minimum net profit and max-books cap.
Driving without a CDL? Read Amazon Relay non-CDL for the weight rule and the DOT medical card Amazon still requires.
Using NudoIQ with Your Box Truck
NudoIQ is designed for carriers on Amazon Relay. It works with box trucks, tractors, trailers and containers.
NudoIQ features that help box truck carriers:
- Auto-Refresh: Reload the board on an interval you set.
- Auto-Book with Rules: Book loads that clear your Min Net Profit and Min $/Mile, up to your max-books cap.
- Net Profit per Load: See what you'll actually keep after fuel, maintenance and deadhead.
- Instant Book: Book from the control bar in one click instead of the multi-step Relay process.
- Lane Intelligence: Check a posted rate against that lane's 90-day history to know if it's a deal or soft.
- Scorecard Dispute Letters: If Amazon dings your score, NudoIQ reads the violation and drafts a dispute letter that cites policy.
- Backhaul Finder: Search loads from where your current run ends, headed back toward home, to minimize deadhead.
NudoIQ costs $49.99 per month for all features. Try it free for 7 days. No card required. Only $49.99 after the trial is over. Cancel anytime. 5.0 rating on the Chrome Web Store. Used by 300+ carriers.