Do I need an appointment for inbound?

Appointment requirement varies; confirm with carrier or Amazon Seller Central.

What are the receiving hours?

Receiving hours are not publicly listed; check with the facility or your carrier.

JFK8 — Amazon Fulfillment Center JFK8

JFK8 Amazon Fulfillment Center – Staten Island, NY 10314 (2025 Complete Guide)

Warehouse code: JFK8
Facility type: Sortable Amazon fulfillment center (small and medium items)
Full address: 546 Gulf Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10314, United States
Coordinates: 40.6142° N, 74.1905° W
Opened: 2018 (local coverage reports the facility opening in late 2018)
Workforce size: Several thousand associates across multiple shifts (public reports and legal filings describe 2,000+ full‑time employees, with higher staffing during peak season)

Note: This guide summarizes common practices and experiences for JFK8. For any shipment, Amazon’s current Seller Central and Carrier Central documentation always takes priority.

1. Why JFK8 matters in Amazon’s network (2025 snapshot)

JFK8 is Amazon’s flagship sortable fulfillment center serving New York City’s five boroughs. The facility sits on Staten Island’s West Shore and covers roughly 855,000 square feet of floor space, dedicated mainly to smaller, sortable consumer goods (AMNY facility overview). For FBA sellers, it is one of the key nodes Amazon uses to position inventory close to Prime customers in the New York metro area.

Inside, JFK8 combines thousands of workers with robotics and conveyor systems to move totes and bins between storage and packing areas. Public documents such as the Palmer v. Amazon complaint describe the site operating with thousands of employees across multiple shifts, with headcount increasing significantly during Q4 (public justice case filing).

The facility has also been at the center of high‑profile worker‑organizing and safety discussions. For shippers and drivers, the practical takeaway is that procedures at JFK8 tend to be strict and standardized: appointment compliance, paperwork accuracy, and packaging rules are enforced closely.

2. Core questions from FBA sellers & truck drivers (2025 answers)

2.1 Do I need an appointment to deliver to JFK8?

For LTL and FTL inbound freight, yes – an appointment is required. Appointments are managed through Amazon Carrier Central, usually by your carrier or 3PL:

In regular months, carriers commonly target 7–14 days in advance to secure a convenient slot.
In Q4 (October–December), it is safer to aim for 2–3 weeks ahead, because capacity around major shopping events can tighten quickly.

Same‑day or next‑day appointments may appear in off‑peak periods, but they should be treated as exceptions, not as a planning baseline.

2.2 How long does unloading usually take?

Amazon does not publish a guaranteed unload time for JFK8, but patterns from driver reviews and warehouse‑review sites are relatively consistent:

Early‑morning check‑in (roughly 4–7 a.m.) often sees the fastest turn times, when docks and staff are ramping up and inbound queues are shorter.
Afternoon and evening, particularly in peak season, can mean multi‑hour dwell times if many trucks arrive close together or if appointments are running behind.

When you plan FBA replenishments into JFK8, assume that unload and yard time can vary widely. Build buffer into delivery windows and make sure drivers still remain within legal hours‑of‑service even if unloading runs long.

2.3 Can I send floor‑loaded containers or hand‑stacked freight?

Amazon’s network does accept floor‑loaded freight, but the rules are strict and the risk of delay is higher:

The carrier should clearly indicate “floor‑loaded” when booking the appointment in Carrier Central.
Floor‑loaded trucks that arrive without prior notice may be refused or held for extended time, while the facility decides if they can be unloaded safely.
Third‑party guides to Amazon logistics (for example, this overview of Amazon’s floor‑loading policy) emphasize that floor‑loaded cartons must still comply with all FBA carton‑label and safety rules.

Where possible, sending palletized freight that meets Amazon’s pallet standards will almost always produce a smoother experience at JFK8.

2.4 What pallet and packaging rules are most critical?

JFK8 applies the same inbound standards Amazon documents for the entire FBA network. Exact numbers and tolerances can change, so always refer to the latest FBA and Carrier Central manuals (for example, the Amazon Carrier Central Manual PDF). In practice, the most important principles are:

Pallet height and footprint: Amazon commonly expects pallets to stay within a standard 40" x 48" footprint and roughly 72 inches or less in height (including pallet) unless you have explicit approval. Oversized or unstable pallets are a major cause of delays and rework.
Stability and wrapping: Use corner boards, stretch‑wrap and proper stacking so pallets remain stable when moved by forklift. Leaning or collapsing pallets can be rejected on safety grounds.
Carton labeling: Every shippable carton must have a clear, scannable FBA label placed on a flat surface, not on seams or edges, and not covered by shrink‑wrap. Pallets with missing, unreadable or covered labels are likely to be held or refused.
Mixed vs. single‑SKU pallets: Mixed‑SKU pallets are allowed if correctly labeled, but single‑SKU pallets with clear labels typically move more quickly through receiving.
Appointment timing: Carriers who arrive significantly late to their booked time (often more than about one hour) may be pushed back in the queue or asked to reschedule.

If you design your pallets to match these network‑wide rules, JFK8 is more likely to receive them without incident.

2.5 Does JFK8 handle hazardous materials or very heavy items?

JFK8 is generally described as a sortable fulfillment center for standard consumer goods, not as a specialized hazardous‑materials site. Amazon normally routes hazmat and certain regulated items to specific “dangerous goods” fulfillment centers that are equipped and authorized to handle them.

If an ASIN is flagged as dangerous goods or hazmat, always confirm eligibility and destination through the FBA Dangerous Goods section in Seller Central before creating a shipment.
Very heavy or bulky products are often stored in non‑sortable or specialty fulfillment centers rather than at JFK8, so many oversized items will never be routed here.

For most FBA sellers, it is safe to think of JFK8 as a standard sortable FC for non‑hazardous, small‑to‑medium products.

2.6 What are the most common causes of rejection or delay at JFK8?

From Amazon documentation plus carrier and seller feedback, the main issues tend to be:

Appointment problems – no valid Carrier Central appointment, or the truck arrives substantially earlier or later than the booked window.
Non‑compliant pallets – too tall, unstable, damaged, or outside the expected footprint.
Labeling errors – missing labels, labels placed over seams, labels covered by shrink‑wrap, or cartons with the wrong shipment ID.
Ineligible goods – hazardous materials or restricted items routed to JFK8 instead of the correct dangerous goods facility.
Paperwork mismatch – BOL, ASN or shipment ID does not match what Amazon expects in its system.

Double‑checking these five areas before the truck leaves the shipper is one of the easiest ways to avoid problems at the gate.

3. Traffic, routing and parking tips for truck drivers

3.1 Recommended approach route

Most drivers approaching from New Jersey use:

I‑278 West toward Staten Island
Exit 9 (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway)
Follow signs for the industrial area along Gulf Avenue and continue toward the Amazon complex

A truck‑specific GPS is strongly recommended around New York City to stay on legal truck routes and avoid low bridges or local “No Trucks” restrictions on side streets.

3.2 On‑site check‑in and staging

At JFK8, a typical arrival flow looks like this:

Stop at the security gate and present identification plus the BOL and Amazon reference numbers.
Wait for dock or staging instructions; you may be directed to a specific lane or yard area before being assigned a door.
Follow all posted speed limits, PPE requirements and chocking rules at the dock.

Short‑term queuing is often permitted while docks turn over, but overnight parking at the facility is generally not allowed, so drivers should plan off‑site rest if they are near the end of their hours‑of‑service.

3.3 Nearby parking, showers and rest options

Because New York City has limited truck parking, many drivers delivering to JFK8 plan their breaks using facilities in New Jersey:

TravelCenters of America (TA), Newark, NJ – a full‑service truck stop with fuel, food, showers and paid parking, located a relatively short drive from Staten Island.
Cheesequake Service Area (New Jersey Turnpike) – a Turnpike service plaza south of the city, often used for shorter rest breaks when running along the corridor.

Availability and pricing at these locations can change, so it is wise to check a current truck‑parking app or call ahead, especially in the evening when lots fill up.

4. Nearby hotels and food (practical picks for drivers & sellers)

The area immediately around JFK8 is industrial, but within a short drive there are hotels and 24‑hour dining options that many drivers and visiting sellers use.

4.1 Hotels within a short drive

Name	Approximate distance from JFK8	Typical nightly rate (2025)	Practical notes
Hampton Inn & Suites Staten Island	Around 4 miles	Roughly US$140–190	Popular choice; some truck‑friendly parking, confirm before booking
Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Staten Island	Around 4 miles	Roughly US$130–180	Includes breakfast; 24‑hour front desk

Truck parking policies can change quickly. Drivers should call the front desk to confirm whether the hotel can take a tractor‑trailer on‑site or whether they should park at a nearby truck stop and use a rideshare or taxi.

4.2 Food and 24‑hour options

Several diners, fast‑casual chains and 24‑hour restaurants in Staten Island and nearby New Jersey communities are popular with JFK8 drivers for their long hours and easy access from truck‑friendly roads.
Many drivers coordinate a meal break at or near the Newark TA, where multiple restaurants sit within walking distance of truck parking.

Because New York‑area traffic can be heavy, scheduling meals and fuel stops outside of the tightest rush‑hour windows can save significant time.

5. Worker and driver perspectives on JFK8

Reviews from warehouse workers and truckers on public sites such as Warehouse Worker Network and major job boards suggest a few consistent themes (JFK8 profile example):

High volume, high pace: JFK8 operates at very large scale, especially in Q4. For shippers, this means inventory is physically close to demand, but it also means dock schedules are tight and backlogs can form quickly.
Structured check‑in: Drivers who arrive with complete paperwork and correct reference numbers generally report smoother gate experiences than those who do not.
Variable wait times: Some loads are turned in a few hours, while others may wait much longer depending on time of day and season. Planning for variability is essential.
Strict safety culture: Given the facility’s size and public profile, safety procedures—PPE, speed limits, dock‑plate rules—tend to be enforced consistently on the yard and at the docks.

For FBA sellers, the key lesson is that “clean” shipments—correctly labeled, palletized and scheduled—tend to receive fewer surprises once they hit JFK8’s yard.

6. Nearby Amazon facilities (for network awareness)

If you ship frequently into the Northeastern U.S., you will likely see other Amazon facility codes in addition to JFK8. Common nearby sites include:

TEB8 – Carteret, New Jersey – a major fulfillment center across the river in New Jersey
EWR5 – Avenel, New Jersey – another large facility in the broader Newark / Elizabeth logistics cluster
LGA9 – Queens, New York – an Amazon facility closer to the New York City core

You cannot control exactly which FC Amazon assigns to a given FBA shipment, but understanding where these facilities sit relative to JFK8 helps when planning transit times, routing and carrier capacity.

7. Quick FAQ for FBA sellers shipping to JFK8

Q1: Is JFK8 open 24/7?
JFK8 typically runs operations across multiple shifts close to 24/7, but inbound appointment windows are limited to what appears in Carrier Central. Always trust the times shown in Amazon’s systems rather than assuming true 24‑hour dock access for LTL/FTL.

Q2: Can a truck deliver to JFK8 without an appointment?
For Amazon‑contracted LTL/FTL freight, an appointment is required. Trucks that arrive at JFK8 without a valid Carrier Central appointment or with mismatched paperwork are very likely to be delayed or turned away.

Q3: As a seller, do I book the appointment myself?
Normally, no. You create the FBA shipment in Seller Central, then your carrier—or Amazon’s partnered carrier—uses that information to book a slot in Carrier Central. You should still monitor shipment status and follow up if your carrier has not secured an appointment in a reasonable time.

Q4: Does JFK8 receive small‑parcel FBA shipments (UPS and similar)?
Yes. When Amazon assigns JFK8 as the destination for small‑parcel FBA shipments, they are handled through standard SPD processes rather than dock appointments. Cartons must still meet all FBA labeling and packaging standards.

Q5: Where can I see the latest official rules for shipping into JFK8?
Amazon does not usually publish facility‑specific rule pages for sellers. Instead, check:

The FBA help pages in Seller Central for packaging, labeling and dangerous‑goods rules.
The Carrier Central Manual and related PDFs for pallet and appointment requirements.

Those documents define the network‑wide standards that JFK8 applies at its docks.

Last updated: November 24, 2025

This guide is based on publicly available news, Amazon documentation and community feedback as of the date above. Always verify the latest requirements in Seller Central and Carrier Central before scheduling a delivery to JFK8.