September 18, 2026
Will Kremer
Amazon Relay Box Truck Requirements: Size, Liftgate and What to Bring
By Will Kremer, Truck Insurance Agent · Last updated September 18, 2026
Box trucks are how a lot of carriers get into Amazon Relay, and the Amazon Relay box truck requirements are short but strict. The right size truck, a working liftgate, and a few pieces of gear you bring to every load. We insure box trucks running Relay, and the first question is usually simple: will my truck qualify? Here’s exactly what Amazon accepts, the one thing that trips people up most, and how the truck gets insured. For the coverage side, see our Amazon Relay insurance requirements.
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The short answer Amazon Relay accepts 16′ and 26′ dock-height box trucks with a functional tuck-under liftgate, and there are more loads for 26′ trucks. You also bring a pallet jack and load straps, display your DOT number on the truck, and load and unload the freight yourself. Cargo vans can’t be used on Relay. |
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Key takeaways
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The Amazon Relay box truck requirements
Amazon lists these in its truck requirements and its guide to box truck loads:
| Requirement | What Amazon wants |
|---|---|
| Truck size | 16′ or 26′ box truck, dock height |
| Liftgate | Functional tuck-under liftgate |
| Condition | Clean, free of debris and holes |
| Markings | DOT number clearly displayed |
| Gear | Pallet jack and load straps |
| Driver | DOT medical card, smartphone with the Relay app |
The truck is only half of it. Your company also needs an authority aged at least 180 days, clean safety scores and Relay-compliant insurance, all covered in our guide to getting approved for Amazon Relay.
The liftgate: the requirement people miss
If there’s one box truck requirement to check before you buy or rent, it’s this one. The most common equipment mistake we see with new Relay carriers is a truck without a liftgate. Amazon requires a functional tuck-under liftgate, the kind that folds under the truck bed, so drivers can load and unload quickly. A box truck without one doesn’t qualify, however good the rest of the truck is.
Functional matters too. A liftgate that’s broken on the day of a load leaves you unable to unload, so keep it on the same maintenance schedule as the brakes and tires.
26′ or 16′? Which box truck to run on Relay
Both sizes qualify, and both have to be dock height. Amazon says there are more loads for 26′ trucks, and that post office shipping loads, which make up most of its box truck hauls, need a truck that holds at least 12 pallets. If Relay is the core of your plan, a 26 footer gives you the most loads to choose from. A 16 footer still qualifies and can make sense if you’re mixing Relay with local freight.
Most box truck loads on Relay are local: post office shipping, same-day service and sort-center-to-sort-center runs. You can book them as spot work, through Post A Truck, or on contracts.
What you bring to every load
On box truck loads, Amazon expects the driver to load and unload the freight, and drivers can’t use the facility’s equipment. That’s why the gear is part of the requirement:
- A pallet jack. You’ll move the freight on and off the liftgate yourself.
- Load straps. To secure the freight in the box.
- A smartphone with the Relay app, which runs the load from booking to delivery.
Since you’re handling the freight, make sure your cargo coverage meets Amazon’s $100,000 minimum and covers the truck you’re running that day.
or call 855-281-2924 Relay-ready coverage for your box truck, with the certificate sent to RMIS. |
Do you need a CDL for a box truck on Relay?
Often not. Amazon notes that you may not need a CDL to drive a box truck rated under 26,000 pounds, which covers many 16′ trucks and some 26 footers. Check the weight rating on the door plate, since some 26′ trucks are rated above the line. Either way, Amazon requires a DOT medical card to drive anything commercial. Our guide to non-CDL box truck insurance covers how the weight rating affects your policy.
Reefer box trucks, cargo vans and Sprinters
- Reefer box trucks. We don’t see reefer box trucks running Relay unless the reefer unit isn’t being used, so plan on a dry box truck for Relay work.
- Cargo vans and Sprinter vans. Amazon says cargo vans cannot be used for loads on Amazon Relay. If you’re running a van today, Relay means stepping up to a 16′ or 26′ box truck.
Renting or leasing a box truck for Relay
You don’t have to own the truck. We write rented and leased box trucks for Relay carriers, as long as the truck meets Amazon’s equipment requirements, liftgate included, and it’s listed on your own policy. The rental company has rules too, and they differ a lot between companies. Our guide to renting from Penske, Ryder or Enterprise covers which ones work with a trucking policy and what the certificate needs to show.
Insuring a box truck for Relay
A box truck is rated the same way for Relay as it is for broker freight. What Relay changes is the coverage list: Amazon wants $1,000,000 in auto liability, $100,000 in cargo and general liability on top of it, verified through RMIS. On the Relay box truck policies we write, a year typically runs $11,000 to $18,000. The full breakdown is on our Amazon Relay insurance page, and our box truck insurance page covers the policy itself.
Before you buy or rent a box truck for Relay
- 16′ or 26′, dock height. 26′ if Relay is your main freight.
- A working tuck-under liftgate. Test it before you sign.
- Room for at least 12 pallets if you want post office loads.
- A clean box with no holes.
- Pallet jack and load straps in the truck.
- Your DOT number displayed on the outside.
- The VIN to your agent, so the truck is on your policy and your certificate is at RMIS before the first load.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use a 26 ft box truck for Amazon Relay?
Yes. A dock-height 26′ box truck with a functional tuck-under liftgate qualifies, and Amazon says there are more loads for 26′ trucks than for 16′.
Does Amazon Relay accept 16 ft box trucks?
Yes. Amazon accepts dock-height 16′ box trucks with a functional tuck-under liftgate. Post office loads need room for at least 12 pallets, so a 26′ truck opens up more of the work.
Can I use a cargo van or Sprinter van for Amazon Relay?
No. Amazon says cargo vans cannot be used for loads on Amazon Relay. Relay box truck work calls for a 16′ or 26′ dock-height box truck with a liftgate.
Do I need a CDL to run a box truck on Amazon Relay?
Not always. Amazon notes you may not need a CDL for a box truck rated under 26,000 pounds, but it requires a DOT medical card to drive anything commercial. Check your truck’s weight rating on the door plate.
Can I use a reefer box truck on Amazon Relay?
We don’t see reefer box trucks running Relay unless the reefer unit isn’t being used. For Relay box truck work, plan on a dry box truck with a tuck-under liftgate.
Can I use a rented box truck for Amazon Relay?
Yes, if the truck meets Amazon’s equipment requirements and is listed on your own trucking policy. Check the rental company’s insurance rules before you sign, since some won’t work with a trucking policy.
Got the truck? Let’s get it Relay-ready.
Send us the VIN and tell us Relay is the plan. We’ll quote a policy built to Amazon’s list, add the truck, and get your certificate to RMIS so your first load isn’t waiting on paperwork. The owner of this agency ran her own trucks before she wrote a single policy, and we still think like the operator who needs the truck booked tomorrow.
Get your quote → or call 855-281-2924 and talk to an agent who insures box trucks running Relay.
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About the author Will Kremer, Truck Insurance Agent A truck insurance agent at Trucking Insurance Services since 2011, Will Kremer specializes in owner-operators, new ventures, and fleets, and helps truckers pick the coverage that fits how they actually run. |
Equipment requirements are summarized from Amazon Relay’s published truck requirements and box truck guide, and can change, so confirm the current requirements with Amazon before buying or renting a truck. Premium figures are estimates based on the Relay policies we place, for general guidance only. Trucking Insurance Services LLC — 380 Dahlonega St #212, Cumming, GA 30040 — 855-281-2924
Categories: Blog, Trucking Insurance