Amazon Delivery Service Partner Program (DSP): What is It & How Does It Work?

If you’ve been considering entering the logistics industry, the Amazon Delivery Service Partner (DSP) program presents a strong opportunity. 

Designed for entrepreneurs who want to build a business backed by Amazon’s trusted delivery network, the DSP program lets you manage operations, lead a team, and deliver smiles every day.

Launched in 2018, this initiative continues to grow, helping individuals turn their passion for leadership into successful delivery businesses. 

As e-commerce demand continues to surge, becoming an Amazon DSP partner could be a rewarding step forward.

Here’s everything you need to know before you apply.

What is the Amazon DSP Program?

Many new entrepreneurs wonder what the Amazon DSP Program really is, just like this Reddit user who asked:

“Can someone explain Amazon DSP like I’m five? I feel a bit lost.”

But don’t worry, we are here to explain. 

Simply speaking, the Amazon Delivery Service Partner (DSP) Program lets you run your own delivery business with Amazon’s backing. 

You’re not an employee but a business owner who recruits drivers, manages operations, and ensures packages get delivered safely and on time. 

Amazon provides the vans, technology, and ongoing support so you can focus on running your team efficiently.

Over 4,400 Amazon Delivery Service Partners associated with Amazon work in different countries. 

The DSP program is fully operational in the United States and offers multiple opportunities for American delivery partners. 

Apart from the United States, the DSP Program is active in countries including Italy, Ireland, Brazil, India, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Germany.

The DSP program is continually expanding, and you can check the latest updates regarding the list on Amazon’s website.

How Much Does it Cost to Start an Amazon Delivery Business?

Starting an Amazon DSP business typically requires an initial investment of around $10,000, which covers setup costs such as:

• Business formation
• Licensing
• Training
• Basic equipment

In addition, Amazon expects potential partners to show at least $30,000 in liquid assets before joining the program. 

This ensures that new owners can handle early operational expenses and sustain cash flow during the initial months. 

The startup cost is relatively low compared to other franchise-style opportunities because Amazon negotiates vehicle leasing, uniforms, and equipment discounts for its partners. 

However, it’s important to note that operational costs such as driver salaries, fuel, insurance, and vehicle maintenance quickly add up once your business is running. 

While the initial investment opens the door, maintaining profitability requires ongoing financial discipline and efficient route management.

How Profitable is Amazon’s Delivery Business?

According to Amazon, DSP owners generally earn between $75,000 and $300,000 in yearly profits, depending on fleet size and performance. Profitability mainly comes down to how well you handle costs such as fuel, insurance, and driver wages. 

Amazon guarantees a steady flow of deliveries, which helps keep revenue consistent, but the real challenge is controlling expenses and maintaining efficient operations.

Many successful DSP owners say their profit grows steadily after the first year once they’ve optimized routes and built a reliable team. 

So, while it’s not a “get rich quick” model, it can become a sustainable and rewarding business for hands-on entrepreneurs.

How Does the Amazon DSP Program Work and How to Get Started?

Becoming a DSP owner involves a few key steps that ensure you’re prepared to run your own delivery operations, and if you are just as confused and nervous as this Reddit user, “I Want To Own a DSP,” here are the steps to get started. 

1. Fill Out the Online Application

You begin by completing a simple application form on Amazon’s DSP portal. This initial form asks basic questions to verify your eligibility and readiness for the program, including:

• Do you have a strong credit history?
• Can you commit to being a full-time DSP owner?
• Do you have at least $30,000 in liquid assets?
• Do you have experience hiring, training, or managing people?
• Do you have prior business management experience?

These questions help Amazon confirm that you have the financial capacity and leadership mindset to operate a delivery business successfully.

2. Go Through the Screening Process

After the initial form, qualified applicants move on to the screening phase. You’ll complete a detailed application, share your resume (highlighting community involvement and management experience), and provide your driving and credit records. 

Amazon values integrity and reliability, so a clean background check is essential. You may also be asked questions like:

• Have you led or trained a team in your community?
• How would you engage local networks to help with hiring?

This phase ensures that you’re not only capable of running a business but also aligned with Amazon’s community-driven values.

3. Attend In-Person Interviews

If you pass the screening, you’ll be invited for in-person interviews at the nearest Amazon fulfillment center. 

This multi-round process can take several months and involves discussions around leadership, team management, and business strategy. 

Once selected, you’ll receive a formal acceptance into the DSP program.

4. Complete Training and Onboarding

Accepted partners undergo a two-week training program: One week of virtual webinars and one week of hands-on training at a delivery station. 

During this period, you’ll learn about Amazon’s operational standards, delivery technology, on-road issue handling, and driver management. 

You’ll also receive access to Amazon’s operations manual and be assigned a business coach who will guide you through day-to-day challenges as you scale your business.

5. Build Your Fleet and Launch Operations

Once training is complete, you can start operations with an initial fleet of five delivery vehicles and drivers. It’s important to hire skilled, reliable individuals, ideally those with logistics or delivery experience. 

Look for drivers who are detail-oriented, tech-savvy, and great communicators. Many new DSP owners also hire independent contractors from the Amazon Flex program, as they’re already familiar with Amazon’s delivery system.

Pro Tip: As your business grows, you can expand your team and optimize delivery performance using tools like Upper for route planning and team management, which helps you increase productivity and reduce delivery times

Perks and Drawbacks of the Amazon DSP Program

Now that you know the process and tips to start the Amazon DSP program seamlessly, let’s also understand its advantages and disadvantages. 

Advantages

1. Low Initial Investment

The costs required to become a DSP are low regarding other delivery-based startup expenses. The startup expenses are as low as $10,000 if you start with only five vans.

But you can get a great return on investment if you follow the right tips and strategies to achieve maximum efficiency.

2. Great Benefits 

Being an Amazon DSP, you can enjoy discounts on essential business assets, like vehicle leases. You can also access Amazon’s comprehensive toolkit equipped with delivery technology and processes. 

It can help you cut your operational hiccups and deliver professional results. 

3. Expert Training

Although you’ll be working as an Amazon partner, you still represent the business. Amazon wants its customers to get the best delivery experience, so it provides you with expert training. 

The company offers training and on-demand support to its DSP partners to streamline business operations and provide you with essential requirements.

4. Continuous Business Opportunities

The brand presence of Amazon provides you with a steady, high volume of orders. You won’t have to stress marketing and attracting delivery business opportunities because Amazon can handle all aspects.

5. Hassle-Free Business Operations 

Starting as a DSP partner requires effort and dedication, but once you develop a delivery process and integrate the right tools and technology, things will simplify.

Drawbacks

1. Limited Control Over Business Decisions

Although you own your delivery company, you operate strictly under Amazon’s rules and standards.

From delivery routes to uniforms and operational processes, most decisions are dictated by Amazon. This limits your flexibility to innovate or change business practices.

2. High Operational Pressure

Amazon’s delivery timelines are tight, and performance metrics are demanding.

DSP owners are responsible for maintaining delivery speed, driver safety, and customer satisfaction, all under continuous performance monitoring.

Missing targets can affect your business rating or even result in contract termination.

3. Low Profit Margins in the Beginning

While startup costs are relatively low, profit margins can be thin during the first year due to expenses like fuel, insurance, payroll, and vehicle maintenance.

It takes time and strong operational efficiency to reach steady profitability.

4. Dependence on Amazon’s Ecosystem

Your business success depends almost entirely on Amazon’s delivery demand.

Any change in Amazon’s logistics strategy, policy updates, or contract terms can directly impact your revenue and workload, leaving little room to diversify.

5. Employee and Fleet Management Challenges

Hiring, training, and retaining drivers can be one of the toughest parts of running a DSP business.

High turnover, vehicle maintenance issues, and managing compliance add to the daily operational stress.

6. Intense Competition for Acceptance

The DSP program is highly competitive. Many applicants go through months of screening, interviews, and background checks before approval.

Even after joining, maintaining consistent performance is necessary to remain in the program.

Tips for Successful Amazon DSP Business Operations

Being a DSP partner, you are responsible for your success. Amazon offers the same support and resources to all its DSPs, but still, not all are successfully managing the overall delivery ecosystem.

From finding the right location to building your team, from interviewing a driver to choosing from a pool of administrative candidates, you have to manage everything professionally. 

Here are a few tips to strengthen the foundation of your Amazon DSP business for its future success.

1. Use the Diversity Grant (If Applicable)

You can negate the startup costs once you access a diversity grant. Amazon offers $10,000 to Latinx, Black, or American Indian applicants.

The opportunity can help you cover the initial investment cost and launch your business with no funding arrangement burdens.

2. Use the Training to the Maximum Potential

You must ensure that the training provided by Amazon experts is fully utilized to streamline your delivery operations. Also, implement the Amazon company guidelines and training on hiring and training people, and building a team.

You should know your job market and the workforce status in your location. Manage your workforce well using a route scheduling software or a route planner like Upper, and minimize your inefficiencies.

3. Access Amazon Support

You can access Amazon support if you don’t have extensive logistics experience. Amazon offers  24/7 support to DSP partners to help them bypass different dynamic issues while managing delivery operations.

4. Assemble Your Delivery Team

Running a successful business requires a strong leader who can guide the team and set great examples from the front. You should be comfortable in leadership roles in a business and have the know-how to build a solid team.

It can help you leverage the opportunity provided by Amazon to maximum effect and help you earn great profits.

Using Upper Route Planner for Efficient Delivery Service

An efficient delivery team is equipped with the best tools and technologies to automate time-consuming and redundant tasks. 

Using Upper, you can save your delivery team’s route planning time and effort with the help of an automated delivery process. 

Once you create multiple-stop routes for drivers within a few clicks, you can assign and edit driver information for specific route plans.

Your ​dispatch managers can visualize the entire route plan using the timeline view features.

The feature gives an in-depth idea of the driver’s route plan. The user can view mapped routes, swap drivers, reassign routes to a different driver, and manually make last-minute adjustments as well.

Our software can help you minimize the initial troubles of starting a new business under the DSP program and ensure you complete all your deliveries for Amazon on time.

Take a 7 days free trial to get hands-on experience with Upper Route Planner.

Conclusion: Start Your Amazon Delivery Business Today

The Amazon DSP program is great if you want to step into the delivery business and gain experience in managing professional teams.

But you require the best strategies, tools, and equipment to increase delivery efficiency and execute the operations with finesse.

Upper is a modern route planner that can eradicate half of your delivery management and route planning troubles. Access the 7 days free trial now to know more about its advanced features.