How to Sign Up for Amazon Relay: Step-by-Step
Amazon Relay offers carriers direct Amazon freight with no broker fees and fast payment. Getting approved requires meeting specific requirements and completing a multi-step application. This guide walks through every step from preparation to booking your first load.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon Relay signup is free — there are no broker or membership fees, only the standard carrier costs you already carry.
- You need an active USDOT number, active MC authority (6+ months preferred), $1M auto liability insurance, and cargo coverage to qualify.
- The application has five main steps: create your account, submit documentation, download the Relay app, wait for approval, and book your first load.
- Approval typically takes 1-2 weeks; insurance below the $1M minimum and name mismatches with FMCSA are the most common causes of delays.
- The Amazon Relay app is required for all operations, including facility check-in, load management, and delivery confirmation.
5 Steps
Application Process
1-2 Weeks
Typical Approval Time
$0
Application Cost
$1M+
Insurance Required
Ahmad Qazi
Founder & CEO, O Trucking LLC
Fact-Checked by O Trucking Dispatch Team
5+ years helping carriers navigate Amazon Relay onboarding
Sources:
Written by Ahmad Qazi, founder of O Trucking LLC, drawing on 9+ years dispatching for owner-operators. Learn more about us.
O TruckingHow to Sign Up for Amazon Relay: Step-by-Step (2026)
Before You Start: Requirements Checklist
Gather these before beginning the application:
Active USDOT number — Must show active status on FMCSA SAFER.
Active MC authority — Preferably 6+ months old (new authority may face restrictions).
$1 million auto liability insurance — Certificate of insurance showing $1M minimum. Higher than FMCSA's $750K minimum.
Cargo insurance — Certificate showing cargo coverage (typically $100K+ required).
W-9 form — Completed and signed tax identification form.
Bank account info — For direct deposit payment setup (ACH).
Smartphone — iOS or Android for the Amazon Relay app (required for operations).
For the full requirements breakdown, see our Amazon Relay requirements guide.
Step 1: Create Your Account
Go to relay.amazon.com and click the carrier signup button. Enter your USDOT number — Amazon pulls your company details from FMCSA records. Create your login credentials (email and password) and verify your email address.
Step 2: Submit Documentation
Upload or enter the following in the Relay portal:
Insurance certificates (auto liability + cargo)
W-9 tax identification form
Bank account information for ACH payments
Equipment details (truck type, trailer type, quantity)
Service area preferences (regions where you want loads)
Step 3: Download the Amazon Relay App
Download the Amazon Relay app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android). The app is required for all Relay operations — check-in at facilities, load management, documentation, and delivery confirmation all happen through the app. Log in with your Relay account credentials.
Step 4: Wait for Approval
Amazon reviews your application, verifies your authority and insurance, and approves or denies your account. Typical processing time is 1-2 weeks. During this period, Amazon may request additional documentation or clarification. Check your email and Relay portal regularly for updates.
Common Reasons for Delayed Approval
Step 5: Book Your First Load
Once approved, open the Relay app and browse available loads in your area. For your first load, choose a shorter, simpler route to get comfortable with Amazon's facility procedures and check-in process. Arrive early, follow all facility instructions, and prioritize on-time performance — your first loads establish your performance score.
Protect Your Performance Score from Day One
How Our Team Helps with Relay Signup
At O Trucking LLC, we help carriers navigate the Amazon Relay signup process — from ensuring their documentation meets Amazon's requirements to advising on the best initial load selections. We also help carriers build a freight strategy that combines Relay with spot market loads for maximum earnings.
Amazon Relay Signup FAQ
How long does Amazon Relay approval take?
Approval typically takes 1-2 weeks after you submit a complete application. Amazon verifies your USDOT and MC authority against FMCSA records and reviews your insurance certificates. Missing or non-conforming documents (especially insurance below the $1M minimum) are the most common cause of longer delays.
Does it cost anything to sign up for Amazon Relay?
No. Creating an Amazon Relay carrier account and applying is free, and Amazon does not charge broker or membership fees to book loads. Your real costs are the standard carrier requirements you already carry: active operating authority and the required $1M auto liability plus cargo insurance.
Can a new authority sign up for Amazon Relay?
You can apply with a new authority, but Amazon prefers MC authority that is at least 6 months old, and brand-new carriers may face restrictions or closer review. Make sure your USDOT shows active on FMCSA SAFER and your insurance is fully compliant before applying to avoid delays.
Do I need my own trailer to haul for Amazon Relay?
Not always. Amazon Relay offers both power-only loads (you supply the tractor and Amazon provides the trailer) and loads where you run your own dry van. You select your equipment type during signup, so power-only owner-operators and small fleets can both qualify.
Related reading: Amazon Relay requirements, how Amazon Relay pay works, and Amazon Relay vs. freight brokers.
Need Help Getting on Amazon Relay?
Our team guides carriers through the Relay signup process and helps build a freight strategy combining Amazon loads with spot market freight.