What is Amazon Logistics? A Comprehensive Guide to Fast Delivery

Amazon's own in-house delivery network is specifically designed for the final leg of your package's journey to your door. This is what makes Amazon an incredible platform.

Understanding this system is key to knowing how your orders arrive with such remarkable speed and precision. This guide dives into the network, explains how it works, and compares it to other shipping services.

What is Amazon Logistics?

Amazon Logistics is a delivery network established by Amazon. It handles that “last mile” of the delivery process, which includes delivering the parcel at the local warehouse to your doorstep. Amazon uses its own service to serve customers better and minimize the reliance on external delivery service providers.

Amazon has created a fleet with thousands of dedicated Delivery Service Partner (DSP) vans and independent contractors. This massive fleet handles parcel delivery at a very large scale. It ensures quick delivery without any exorbitant cost. And that’s what makes Amazon’s delivery exceptional.

How Does Amazon Logistics Work?

Order Fulfillment: Once the order is confirmed, it is picked and packed from the nearest fulfillment center. It's consolidated at a Sortation Center (SC), and then shipped to a local Delivery Station (DS) near the customer's address.

Sorting and Routing: Once the parcel reaches the Delivery Station (DS), it's sorted on racks and a route is decided according to the location.

Dispatching: Amazon's delivery service partners or independent contractors pick up the parcel for delivery.

Delivery: Finally, the parcel is delivered at the doorstep. It might require a confirmation from the customer or proof of delivery.

Returns and Reverse Logistics: In the event of a return, Amazon has a comprehensive system for processing them, including inspection, repair, restocking, and sending a new/repaired item to the customer.

Benefits of Amazon Logistics

The Amazon Logistics network provides significant advantages that benefit both Amazon and its customers, reshaping expectations for e-commerce delivery.

Unmatched Delivery Speed: Enables reliable Same-Day, One-Day, and Two-Hour Prime Now delivery by controlling the entire last-mile process.

Increased Delivery Capacity: Provides a scalable, flexible workforce that can expand during peak seasons to prevent the delays common with national carriers.

Superior Tracking Transparency: Offers detailed, real-time tracking with live maps and granular status updates (e.g., “Driver is a few stops away”).

Delivery 7 Days a Week: Operates consistently through weekends and holidays, providing greater convenience and faster order cycles.

Cost Efficiency for Amazon: Reduces long-term reliance on third-party carriers, giving Amazon greater control over its largest operational expense.

Customer-Centric Features: Supports innovative services like in-garage delivery (Amazon Key) and photo-on-delivery confirmation for peace of mind.

Amazon Logistics vs. Other Shipping Carriers

While Amazon Logistics handles a massive volume of parcels, it operates differently from legacy national carriers. Here’s how it compares to the big three.

Amazon Logistics vs. UPS

Scope: Amazon Logistics is a last-mile specialist. UPS is a full-spectrum global logistics company that handles everything from cross-country freight to international air shipments.

Network Control: Amazon uses a mix of contracted DSPs and gig workers. UPS employs a unionized workforce, operates company-owned vehicles, and maintains a vast, established hub-and-spoke network.

Service Offering: Amazon Logistics almost exclusively delivers Amazon packages. UPS serves millions of business and residential shippers worldwide with a broad portfolio of services.

Amazon Logistics vs. FedEx

Business Model: FedEx operates distinct express (air) and ground networks for a wide client base. Amazon Logistics is a dedicated, ground-only network built for its own e-commerce platform.

Customer Base: FedEx’s primary customers are other businesses (B2B). Amazon Logistics’ sole “customer” is Amazon’s own retail operation, serving end consumers (B2C).

Pricing Structure: FedEx charges market-based rates to its clients. Amazon Logistics is a cost center for Amazon, subsidized to enable fast, free shipping for Prime members.

Amazon Logistics vs. USPS

Service Mandate: USPS has a Universal Service Obligation to deliver to every address in the U.S. Amazon Logistics focuses only on high-density, cost-effective routes, often leaving remote deliveries to USPS.

Delivery Days: USPS typically does not deliver on Sundays. Amazon Logistics delivers seven days a week, including Sundays.

Final-Mile Partnership: In many suburban and rural areas, Amazon uses a hybrid model where it transports packages to a local USPS office for the “last mile” delivery, known as Parcel Select.

Bonus: How to Prevent Your Package from Being Stolen

Package theft is a frustrating reality, but strategic actions can drastically reduce your risk.

• Use the delivery management options within your Amazon account to provide specific instructions, like asking the driver to place the parcel behind a large planter or inside a side gate, out of plain sight from the street.

• For high-value items, always select the “Require a one-time password” option at checkout, which forces the driver to obtain a code from you before releasing the package.

• Redirect your delivery to an Amazon Hub Locker or an Amazon Counter at a partner location like Whole Foods or a local convenience store.

• For monitoring and deterrence, opt for Reolink Video Doorbells and security cameras. They can detect your parcels and send real-time alerts. You can remotely view the parcel and receive instant notifications if someone is nearby.

FAQs

What does it mean shipped by Amazon Logistics?

It means the final leg of your package's delivery is being handled by Amazon's own delivery network, not by USPS, UPS, or FedEx. You will likely see updates in the Amazon app from an Amazon-branded van or driver, and delivery often occurs seven days a week, including evenings.

What is the difference between Amazon and Amazon Logistics?

Amazon is the entire e-commerce company and its ecosystem. Amazon Logistics is specifically the in-house delivery and logistics arm within that company. Think of Amazon as the retailer and Amazon Logistics as its dedicated delivery service for getting purchases from its warehouses to customers' doors.

Conclusion

Amazon Logistics takes modern e-commerce to the next level with convenience. It’s more than just delivery vans; it’s a seamlessly integrated system of technology, logistics, and flexible workforce designed for one goal: getting your order to you with unprecedented speed and reliability. We have explained every step to help you understand how your parcels are delivered to your doorstep.