Overview

Amazon has added a new shipping option called ShipTrack for sellers moving inventory from China to U.S. fulfillment centers using non‑partnered carriers. The service links approved third‑party logistics providers directly to Amazon’s tracking system, delivering real‑time milestone updates without manual effort. Sellers who rely on Chinese suppliers will notice tighter visibility and more reliable delivery forecasts, which can affect replenishment planning and cash flow.

Key Points

• Pre‑approved carriers — Amazon has vetted a set of third‑party freight forwarders that can automatically feed tracking data into Seller Central.
• End‑to‑end updates — Every key event, from pickup in Shanghai to receipt at a U.S. fulfillment hub, appears in the Shipments view without the seller needing to log into separate carrier portals.
• Fits “own carrier” workflow — ShipTrack is accessed through the existing “use your own carrier” path, giving sellers an alternative to Amazon’s partnered‑carrier program.
• Future route expansion — Amazon plans to roll the service out to China‑to‑UK and China‑to‑EU lanes later this year.
• Warehouse efficiency boost — More accurate arrival predictions help Amazon allocate dock space and labor, potentially smoothing inbound processing for sellers.

How ShipTrack Works

1. Select a ShipTrack provider — While creating a new inbound shipment, the seller chooses “Or use your own carrier” and then picks a ShipTrack‑listed forwarder, such as XYZ Logistics, which is approved for China‑to‑U.S. lanes.
2. Book and ship — The seller books the freight, drops the pallets at the forwarder’s warehouse in Shenzhen, and the forwarder generates a ShipTrack‑compatible tracking number.
3. Automatic data push — As the cargo moves—e.g., loaded onto a vessel in Ningbo, cleared at Shanghai customs, arrives at the Port of Los Angeles—the forwarder’s system sends each event to Amazon’s API. The milestones instantly populate the Shipments page in Seller Central.
4. — The seller can view the same timeline that Amazon sees, including estimated time of arrival (ETA) updates that adjust automatically when the vessel’s schedule changes.