Short answer
Yes, Amazon Relay has reefer loads, including grocery shipments, available to all carriers based on performance score. Trucks must be food grade, units pre-cooled at least 1.5 hours before pickup, and cargo insurance at least $100,000 including reefer breakdown coverage.
Does Amazon Relay have reefer loads?
Yes. Amazon's reefer post says: "Reefer loads are currently available on Amazon Relay to all carriers based on performance score."
Amazon names the freight: "On Amazon Relay, you'll find grocery shipments." It says mixed loads are the most common.
Amazon expects more. Its 2026 freight expansion post says: "Amazon's grocery business is growing fast. That means reefer loads on Relay are, too." It adds: "40+ new sites are launching, and same-day grocery delivery is increasing from 1,000 to 2,300 locations," with primary hubs in California, the Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic.
Amazon doesn't publish which sites run reefer freight.
What temperatures do Relay reefer loads run at?
From the reefer post:
- Chilled loads: 33 degrees Fahrenheit
- Frozen loads: -10 degrees Fahrenheit
"Reefers can be single temp throughout the trailer or multi-temp with two different temperatures in one trailer."
Amazon doesn't publish a temperature tolerance range.
What are the pre-cooling and delivery rules?
Pre-cool before you get to the dock. Amazon says "reefer units must be turned on and pre-cooled to their load temps at least 1.5 hours before pick-up to receive cargo."
At delivery, "an associate will use an infrared thermometer to check a pallet's temp."
Amazon doesn't publish how pre-cooling is verified at pickup.
What equipment can run reefer on Relay?
Amazon says: "Live loads and unloads are available for 53' and 48' reefer trailers (yours or ours)." It also uses "26' reefer box trucks to handle small loads over quick distances."
Amazon doesn't say whether its own reefer trailers come as power-only reefer loads.
What are the food safety and insurance rules?
Food safety comes first. Carriers must meet "the FDA's Sanitary Transportation Rule," and trucks must be "food grade, clean, dry, pest-free, allergen-free, chemical-free, and odor-free."
Insurance has one extra piece: "Carriers need cargo insurance with a limit of at least $100,000 (including reefer breakdown coverage)." Our Relay insurance requirements guide covers the other minimums.
Beyond that, it's the same bar as dry van: "Reefer carriers are held to the same performance, safety, and insurance standards required for dry loads." And "There's no extra training for Relay carriers to get into this type of trucking."
What's the work like on a Relay reefer load?
Expect stops and unloading. Amazon says: "Each trip will include multiple stops and drivers are required to unload freight using Amazon-provided equipment."
Amazon doesn't publish unload or lumper pay on these multi-stop grocery runs, or who pays reefer fuel. Build that time and fuel into your own numbers. Our free Relay load calculator shows a load's net, net per loaded mile and break-even rate from its pay, miles, fuel and your other costs per mile.
How do you book reefer loads on Relay?
Spot loads. Amazon says to filter by "53' Reefer," "48' Reefer," "26' Reefer," and/or the load's temperature setting, and you book "at one all-in price." Our Relay load board guide covers the filters.
Auctions. High performers can bid on reefer contracts "based on rate per mile." Amazon warns: "You won't know the exact lanes while you're bidding." Reefer auctions have a grade bar: Amazon's rates post says "reefer auctions require at least a B." Our auctions guide and Relay scorecard guide explain grades and bidding.
Are there California rules for reefers?
Yes. Amazon says to register your reefers in CARB's ARBER system and meet CARB's Airborne Toxic Control Measure standards, even if you're based outside California. Our Amazon Relay CARB guide covers Clean Truck Check and the reefer steps.
What should you check before your first Relay reefer load?
A short list, all from Amazon's rules above:
- Insurance. Your cargo policy is at least $100,000 and includes reefer breakdown coverage.
- The trailer. It's food grade, clean, dry, pest-free, allergen-free, chemical-free and odor-free.
- The temperature. You know the load's setting, chilled at 33°F or frozen at -10°F, or multi-temp.
- Pre-cooling. The unit is on and at load temperature at least 1.5 hours before pickup.
- The driver. Your driver knows the trip has multiple stops and that they'll unload with Amazon-provided equipment.
- California. If the load runs through California, the reefer is in ARBER and the truck has Clean Truck Check.
- Your score. Reefer access depends on performance score, and reefer auctions need at least a B.
Does Amazon Relay have flatbed loads?
Not as a load type. The Relay FAQ equipment list (day cab, sleeper cab, 26' and 16' box trucks, 48' trailer, 53' dry van, 53' reefer, containers) has no flatbed.
Amazon's winter loads post pitches power-only work to flatbed carriers instead. It says the holidays are Amazon's busiest season, when most of its loads are power-only, and that no trailer investment is needed because Amazon provides the equipment. Our Relay power-only guide explains how that works.
What doesn't Amazon publish about reefer loads?
- Reefer rates or pay premiums
- Temperature tolerance ranges
- How pre-cooling is verified
- Who pays reefer fuel
- Unload or lumper pay on grocery multi-stops
- Which sites run reefer
- Whether Amazon's own reefer trailers come as power-only loads
- Any flatbed load program
Where does NudoIQ fit?
NudoIQ is an independent Chrome extension for the Relay load board. It shows net profit and lane price history on each load, from costs you set once, so you can check a reefer load's numbers before you book. It's free for 7 days with no card needed to start, then $49.99 a month.