Amazon Now Requires Delivery Windows for FBA Shipments Sent Via Non-Partnered Carriers
In early 2024 Amazon added a mandatory “Delivery Window” field to the Send to Amazon tool for all FBA shipments using non‑partnered carriers. Sellers must enter a 7‑day domestic or up to 14‑day international arrival range, which can be edited before the start date.
Overview
Amazon has introduced a mandatory delivery‑window field for all FBA shipments that are sent using carriers outside its partnered network. The requirement, which went live in early 2024, forces sellers to enter an estimated arrival‑date range when they create a shipment in the Send to Amazon tool. Providing this window helps Amazon’s fulfillment centers schedule dock staffing and processing, which can shorten the time inventory spends in receiving and become available for sale faster.
Key Points
- Mandatory field for non‑partnered carriers — Every small‑parcel or LTL shipment that uses a third‑party carrier must include a delivery window; a shipment from a seller in Texas using a regional freight broker now triggers a required “arrival window” entry.
- Window length varies by shipment type — Domestic shipments are limited to a 7‑day range (e.g., March 1 – March 7), while cross‑border shipments may use up to a 14‑day range (e.g., March 1 – March 14) to reflect longer transit times.
- Editable before the start date — If a carrier reports a delay, the seller can adjust the window any time before the originally scheduled start date without penalty; a change from March 1‑7 to March 3‑9 is accepted as long as it is made before March 1.
- Partnered carriers are exempt — Shipments that use Amazon‑partnered carriers such as Amazon Freight or Amazon‑contracted UPS automatically feed tracking data to Amazon, so the delivery‑window field does not appear for those routes.
- Compliance tied to receiving efficiency — While Amazon has not announced formal fines, shipments that arrive outside the declared window may be placed on a “late‑arrival” queue, delaying put‑away and potentially affecting sales during peak periods.
- Impact strongest for high‑volume non‑partnered shippers — Sellers who move more than 5,000 cubic feet per month via independent LTL providers will see the greatest operational benefit and also face the highest risk of non‑compliance if windows are inaccurate.
How Delivery Windows Work
- Create shipment in Send to Amazon — When a seller selects “Create a new shipment,” a new field labeled “Delivery Window” appears; a seller shipping 200 units from Ohio to the Dallas fulfillment center might enter “April 10 – April 16.”
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
The window gives fulfillment centers visibility to schedule dock staff, cutting average inbound processing from 48 hours to about 30 hours for compliant shipments. Missing the window can place a shipment in a late‑arrival queue, delaying put‑away and sales, especially for high‑volume shippers moving >5,000 cu ft/month.
Key Takeaways
- Delivery Window field is mandatory for all non‑partnered carrier shipments in Send to Amazon (effective early 2024).
- Domestic windows are limited to a 7‑day range; international windows can be up to 14 days.
- Sellers can adjust the window any time before the original start date without penalty.
- Shipments arriving outside the declared window may be placed in a “late‑arrival” queue, delaying put‑away.
Recommended Actions
- →In Seller Central, go to Send to Amazon > Create a new shipment and fill the “Delivery Window” field for every non‑partnered carrier shipment.
- →Update your SOP to include a carrier‑transit reference table and set realistic 7‑day (domestic) or 14‑day (international) windows before submitting...
- →Check the Inbound Performance report regularly; if a shipment is flagged late, edit its window via the shipment detail page before the start date.
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