What Does Amazon’s Temporary Freeze on Incoming Shipments Mean for You?
In early June 2024 Amazon froze all new inbound shipment plans for several weeks, blocking creation in Seller Central and rejecting unapproved cartons. Sellers can use a discounted expedited removal program (≈30% lower fees) and see a projected lift date of July 15 for US East.
Overview
In early June 2024 Amazon announced a temporary suspension of all new inbound shipments to its fulfillment centers. The pause, which is expected to last several weeks, is intended to rebalance warehouse capacity after a surge in inventory during the holiday season and recent supply‑chain disruptions. Sellers who depend on Amazon’s logistics must adjust their operations to avoid stockouts, unexpected fees, or stranded inventory.
Key Points
- All new inbound shipments blocked — Regardless of seller performance or product type, any shipment plan created after the freeze date cannot be submitted.
- Reason: capacity rebalancing — Amazon cited an over‑accumulation of inventory and the need to align warehouse space with forecasted demand.
- Existing in‑transit inventory still processed — Shipments that cleared Amazon’s dock before the freeze continue to be received and stocked as usual.
- Risk of extra storage fees — Inventory that remains in “in‑transit” status beyond the normal 30‑day window may trigger additional long‑term storage charges.
- Discounted expedited removal offered — Sellers can request fast removal of stuck inventory at reduced fees to free up space and cut holding costs.
- No firm end date disclosed — Amazon says the freeze will end once capacity matches demand, but the timeline varies by region.
How the Temporary Freeze Works
- Shipment plan creation blocked — When a seller attempts to generate a new shipment plan in Seller Central, a “Temporarily unavailable” banner appears next to the “Create shipment” button. For example, a vendor trying to schedule a June 10 shipment of 1,200 units of a top‑selling kitchen gadget will be stopped from finalizing the plan.
- Carrier rejection of unapproved cartons — Delivery trucks that arrive with pallets not approved before the freeze receive a rejection code, and drivers are instructed to return the load to the origin warehouse. A seller shipping 500 units of a seasonal toy on June 8 would see the entire shipment turned back, incurring carrier fees and a delay of roughly 3‑5 business days.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
The block can cause stockouts, trigger long‑term storage fees for in‑transit inventory beyond 30 days, and force a 2–3‑week sales gap. Adjusting safety stock, using discounted removal, or shifting to 3PLs can protect revenue and Buy Box eligibility.
Key Takeaways
- All new shipment plans created after early June 2024 are blocked with a “Temporarily unavailable” banner in Seller Central.
- Discounted expedited removal reduces fees by about 30% and ships inventory back in 7‑10 days.
- US East region freeze is projected to end around July 15, while EU regions have no specific end date.
- Inventory in‑transit before the freeze (e.g., 2,000 units arriving May 30) is processed normally.
Recommended Actions
- →In Seller Central, go to Inbound Shipments > create a new plan and verify the freeze banner; if blocked, pause new shipments.
- →Submit removal orders for slow‑moving stock via Inventory > Manage Inventory > Create Removal Order to use the 30% discount.
- →Open a case in Seller Central > Help > Contact Us > Inbound Performance to request an exception for high‑priority SKUs.
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