Short answer
Amazon Relay intermodal loads are power-only drayage runs between Amazon sites and rail ramps, typically under 3 hours of driving one way. You need a Class 8 truck, UIIA certification and Amazon's online intermodal safety courses.
What is intermodal drayage on Amazon Relay?
Short container runs to and from the rail. Amazon's intermodal post says its drayage loads go to and from rail hubs and are "typically less than 3 hours of driving one way."
"In trucking, domestic drayage shipments are over-the-road moves for 53' containers." Relay carriers run them between Amazon sites and rail ramps, and some over the road between Amazon locations.
"Each drayage run is one shift." Amazon says that even with several moves, drivers are typically home by the end of the day.
What do you need for Amazon Relay intermodal loads?
- A Class 8 truck. "Our intermodal loads are power-only, so all carriers need is a driver and a Class 8 truck" that meets Relay's standards.
- UIIA certification. "Intermodal loads require a certification from the Uniform Intermodal Interchange Agreement (UIIA)."
- Amazon's courses. Amazon requires approved carriers "to take our online intermodal safety courses before booking drayage loads."
You don't upload the certificate by hand. "We get a direct feed from UIIA confirming that carriers are certified." Amazon says it then enables your company for the loads tied to the addenda you've filed in the portal.
Do you need railroad addenda?
Amazon recommends adding addenda for all of its railroad providers to your UIIA certification. "There's no cost to add railroad addendums. Some railroads might run a credit check."
Check your insurance too. Amazon says there may be extra insurance requirements for intermodal, and "Most rail addendums often require worker's compensation coverage." Talk to your agent about exclusions. Our insurance requirements guide covers Relay's standard minimums.
What does Amazon provide?
The chassis. "Amazon partners with railroads to provide the chassis for all shipments, so carriers don't pay rental charges when they use rail ramps."
You also don't need to bring a container to swap. Amazon says it has no requirement to bring a container into a railyard, and "we allow drivers to bobtail into pick-up."
Containers are a different story. The intermodal post describes domestic drayage for 53' containers. Separately, Amazon's FAQ lists "20', 40', and 45' high cube containers (UIIA compliant)" among the equipment it works with. That's not a list of what Amazon provides.
Drop/drop or live load?
Mostly drop/drop. "Amazon's intermodal drayage saves time using drop/drop with pre-loaded containers already on the chassis." At Amazon facilities, Amazon says everything will be on the chassis.
Some ramps work differently. "Certain ramps are live load only, but carriers will know ahead of time when they sign a railroad's addendum." In a live load, the driver picks up a chassis first, then the railroad lowers a container onto it by crane.
What kinds of drayage trips are on Relay?
"Approved Relay carriers can book one-way shipments and two-leg tours on Relay for either empty or loaded shipments." Amazon says there's no pre-work or post-work beyond what you sign up for.
Ports come up only in passing. The intermodal post mentions moving containers from ports or railyards. Amazon's Prime Day post says: "Book port and rail drayage loads if your company is UIIA certified." And its RelayCon 2025 write-up says third-party shippers bring "drayage from rail and shipyards."
How do you book drayage on Amazon Relay?
Three ways, on desktop or in the Relay app:
- Load board. Much of it is spot freight. Filter power-only loads by container equipment type and your rail certifications.
- Contracts. "Book weeks to months of drayage." Amazon says reserved blocks pay for the time even if it doesn't use the full duration.
- Post A Truck. Build an order to auto-tender at your rate. Amazon suggests stacking short moves that start around the same time. Our Post A Truck guide explains orders.
Short moves can look small on the board. Our free Relay load calculator shows a load's net and net per loaded mile from its pay and miles, deadhead included.
What doesn't Amazon publish about intermodal?
- Which railroads and ramps it uses
- Extra insurance amounts for intermodal
- Drayage rates
- Port drayage details beyond a few passing mentions
Where does NudoIQ fit?
NudoIQ is an independent Chrome extension for the Relay load board, not affiliated with Amazon. It shows net and net per mile under the price on every load card, from costs you set once, and Lane Intelligence (the first button under a load) shows a lane's price history. It's free for 7 days with no card needed to start, then $49.99 a month.