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Amazon Order Management System

Understanding Automated Handling Time on Amazon

Amazon Seller Central

Understanding Automated Handling Time on Amazon

If you're a seller on Amazon, you can leverage the automated handling time feature to streamline your order processing and provide customers with more accurate delivery estimates. Here's everything you need to know about this helpful tool.

What is Automated Handling Time?

Automated handling time is a feature that dynamically sets your handling time and order handling capacity based on your historical performance for each SKU (stock keeping unit). This automated setting ensures that customers see a more precise delivery date, typically resulting in shorter delivery promises and increased sales.

Benefits of Automated Handling Time

Here's why automated handling time can be beneficial for your Amazon business:

  • Accurate Delivery Estimates: Customers receive more accurate and shorter delivery promises, which can lead to higher conversion rates and customer satisfaction.
  • Optimized Order Processing: Avoid manually updating handling times for individual SKUs by letting automated handling time configure the most optimal settings based on your performance history.
  • Increased Sales: Shorter delivery promises are more appealing to customers, potentially boosting your product visibility and sales.
  • Efficient Order Fulfillment: Automated handling time helps prevent late shipments by adjusting handling times based on your past performance.

How Automated Handling Time Works

Automated handling time uses your historical data to determine:

  • The most accurate handling time for each SKU, optimizing delivery promises.
  • Order handling capacity based on the maximum number of orders you've fulfilled in the last 90 days.

Once your order handling capacity limit is reached, customers browsing your products will see a delivery promise that's one day longer, and you'll have an additional day to fulfill these orders.

Enabling Automated Handling Time

Follow these steps to enable automated handling time on your Amazon seller account:

  1. In Seller Central, go to Settings and select Shipping settings.
  2. Under the General shipping settings tab, locate Handling time and click Edit.
  3. Toggle to turn on Automated handling time and click Save.

By enabling this feature, Amazon will use your performance data to automatically optimize handling times and order capacity for improved efficiency and customer experience.

Automated Handling Time with Prime Orders

For Prime orders with one-day or two-day delivery options, the same-day handling time will continue to apply. Standard Prime orders default to a one-day handling time, unless you have a same-day default handling time configured for your account.

Note: Handling time calculations only consider business days and exclude weekends, unless you've enabled weekend operations through Order fulfillment settings.

With automated handling time, you can enhance your Amazon selling experience by providing customers with reliable and efficient order processing, ultimately driving more sales and positive feedback.

For more detailed information, refer to Amazon’s guide on shipping temperature-sensitive goods.
Amazon Order Management System

Understanding Amazon Order Handling Capacity

Amazon Seller Central

Understanding Amazon Order Handling Capacity

Amazon offers sellers the ability to optimize their order processing capabilities with the Order Handling Capacity feature. This tool allows sellers to set daily limits on the number of orders they can manage efficiently, ensuring customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. Let's explore how this feature works and its benefits for sellers.

What is Order Handling Capacity?

The Order Handling Capacity feature enables sellers to specify a maximum daily order limit that they can effectively process and fulfill. Once this limit is reached, any additional orders will automatically have an extra day added to their handling time.

Benefits of Using Order Handling Capacity

Setting your Order Handling Capacity offers several advantages:

  • Protection Against Late Shipment Rates: By setting a limit, you can avoid exceeding your fulfillment capacity, reducing the risk of late shipments and potential penalties.
  • Fulfillment Capacity Management: Particularly useful during peak seasons like holidays, this feature helps sellers manage their workload efficiently.
  • Enhanced Delivery Estimates: Faster handling times result in quicker estimated delivery times visible to customers, which can lead to increased sales.
  • Improved Customer Experience: Customers prefer faster deliveries and are more likely to purchase products with shorter estimated delivery times.

How Does Order Handling Capacity Work?

Here's how you can effectively use the Order Handling Capacity feature:

  • Set Your Capacity: Define the maximum number of orders your business can handle per day within 0-2 days.
  • Automatic Adjustment: Once your daily limit is reached, additional orders automatically receive an extended handling time of one extra day.
  • Customer Visibility: Buyers browsing your products will see an adjusted expected ship time reflecting the increased handling time for additional orders.

How to Set Order Handling Capacity

Follow these steps to configure your Order Handling Capacity:

  1. In your Seller Central account, navigate to Settings and click on Shipping Settings.
  2. Under the General Shipping Settings tab, locate Handling Time and click Edit.
  3. Scroll down to Order Handling Capacity.
  4. Enter your desired daily order handling limit and click Save.

Check out this video from Seller Central to learn more about how the Order Handling Capacity feature can optimize your order processing:

Considerations for Seller Fulfilled Prime and Premium Shipping Orders

It's important to note that Order Handling Capacity does not apply to Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP) orders or orders with Premium Shipping options. Sellers can set separate volume limits for SFP orders in their shipping settings.

For instance, if you set a daily volume limit for SFP orders, any SFP orders exceeding this limit will count towards your general Order Handling Capacity.

By leveraging the Order Handling Capacity feature, sellers can optimize their order management processes and enhance customer satisfaction by providing reliable and efficient order fulfillment.

For more detailed information, refer to Amazon’s guide on shipping temperature-sensitive goods.

Guidelines for Shipping Temperature-Sensitive Goods

Manage your delivery time

Shipping temperature-sensitive goods requires careful consideration in selecting the right carrier, proper product packaging, and adherence to specific guidelines to avoid damage during transit. Items such as chocolate, yogurt, and probiotics are highly susceptible to minor temperature variations and improper packaging, which can compromise their quality.

Selecting an Appropriate Carrier

When choosing a carrier for shipping temperature-sensitive goods, ensure the company meets the following criteria:

  • Equipped to handle temperature-sensitive products
  • Knowledgeable about legal rules and regulations regarding temperature-controlled shipments
  • Able to provide appropriate packing solutions for maintaining product integrity

Packaging Guidelines

Proper packaging is essential to maintain consistent temperatures during shipping. Follow these guidelines:

  • Use appropriate insulation materials to minimize the need for coolant. For example:
    • For hard items that require minimal cooling, insulated foam planks or thermal bubble wrap can be sufficient.
    • For healthcare shipments with specific temperature requirements, opt for thermo-regulated packaging.

Coolant Selection

Choose the right coolant based on the temperature requirements of your goods:

  • Dry ice is ideal for freezing temperatures.
  • Gel packs maintain temperatures between 32°F and 60°F.

Ensure proper padding and secure placement of coolants within the packaging to prevent direct contact with the product.

Fast Shipping

Minimize transit time to preserve product quality:

  • Consider overnight shipping with a maximum transit time of 30 hours.
  • Avoid shipping during holidays to prevent extended storage in warehouses.

Providing Tracking Information

Keep customers informed by sending delivery notifications and shipment-tracking details.

Recommendations for Product Packaging

Additional tips for effective packaging of temperature-sensitive goods:

  • Prevent leakage by enclosing frozen or liquid items in watertight plastic before placing them in insulated containers.
  • Use room-temperature gel packs around perishable goods within insulated containers to maintain consistent temperatures.

By following these guidelines meticulously, you can ensure the safe and timely delivery of temperature-sensitive goods to customers, maintaining product quality and customer satisfaction.

For more detailed information, refer to Amazon’s guide on shipping temperature-sensitive goods.

Setting Faster Transit Times for International Sellers on Amazon

Manage your delivery time

Configuring faster transit times for your products as an international seller is crucial for enhancing customer experience and boosting sales on Amazon. Faster transit times lead to quicker estimated delivery times displayed on product detail pages and during checkout, which in turn increases the likelihood of buyers purchasing your items. Moreover, products with faster delivery times are more likely to win the Buy Box on Amazon, further driving sales.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to set faster transit times than the default, international sellers must meet specific performance requirements based on their order history within the past 30 calendar days:

  • Valid Tracking Rate for all categories > 95%
  • On-Time Delivery > 97%
  • Fulfilled more than 10 orders
  • Non-domestic Shipping Location

It's essential to regularly monitor your performance metrics to ensure compliance with these requirements. Failure to maintain a Valid Tracking Rate of > 95% and On-Time Delivery of > 97% may result in the revocation of eligibility to set faster transit times. If eligibility is revoked, any faster transit times set will revert back to the default.

How to Set Faster Transit Times

Once eligible, international sellers can set faster transit times by adjusting the transit time in their Shipping Settings. Here's how to modify transit times:

  1. Access Shipping Settings in your Seller Central account.
  2. Modify the Transit Time to the desired faster option.
  3. Save your changes to update the transit time for your shipping templates.

When eligible, Amazon will automatically update transit times for shipping from specific regions to the United States to new, faster transit times as follows:

Updated Transit Times for Shipping Locations
Shipping Location Default Transit Time New Transit Time
China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau 14-28 days 10-20 days
United Kingdom 10-20 days 7-14 days
Germany 14-28 days 10-20 days

These updated transit times are applied to all new shipping templates created after eligibility is established.

Appeal Process

If your eligibility to set faster transit times is revoked due to performance issues, you have the option to appeal. Respond to the Performance Notification in your Account Health dashboard with a detailed plan addressing the identified problems in your delivery performance and the steps taken to resolve them. Common remedies include:

  • Using Amazon integrated carriers that provide tracking.
  • Consistently uploading tracking information with each shipment confirmation.
  • Utilizing Buy Shipping Services to purchase tracked shipping labels.
  • Reducing handling time to expedite order processing.
  • Opting for faster shipping methods.

By appealing and demonstrating proactive measures to improve delivery performance, international sellers can regain eligibility to set faster transit times and enhance their selling capabilities on Amazon.

For more detailed information on setting faster transit times, refer to Amazon’s guide on faster transit times for international sellers.

Understanding Default Transit Time on Amazon

Manage your delivery time

Default transit time plays a significant role in setting delivery expectations for sellers on Amazon. When creating new shipping templates, Amazon automatically populates default transit times based on the region and shipping destination. It's essential for sellers to understand and, if necessary, modify these transit times to meet their shipping capabilities and provide accurate delivery estimates to customers.

Default Transit Time for Domestic Sellers

For sellers shipping within the United States, Amazon sets default transit times based on the destination region:

Default Transit Times for Domestic Sellers
Region Ship from Country Destination Default Transit Time Available Transit Time Options
1 U.S. Lower 48 States 2-4 days 2-3 days, 2-4 days, 5-8 days
2 U.S. Hawaii, Alaska 5-8 days 2-3 days, 2-4 days, 5-8 days, 7-14 days
3 U.S. U.S. Protectorates APO/FPO 14-28 days 5-10 days, 7-14 days, 14-28 days

For each region, sellers have the option to select from available transit time options that best align with their shipping capabilities and carrier services.

Default Transit Time for International Sellers

International sellers shipping from countries outside their home marketplace also have default transit times established by Amazon. The default shipping times to the United States vary based on the origin country:

  • Canada: 7-14 days
  • Japan: 10-20 days
  • Korea: 10-20 days
  • United Kingdom: 10-20 days
  • Rest of Asia: 14-28 days
  • Rest of Europe: 14-28 days
  • Middle East: 14-28 days
  • Africa: 14-28 days
  • South America: 14-28 days

International sellers can choose from a range of available transit times to meet their shipping needs and ensure accurate delivery estimates for customers.

Modifying Default Transit Time

To adjust default transit times according to your shipping capabilities, follow these steps:

  1. Visit Shipping Settings on Seller Central.
  2. Under the Shipping Templates tab, select the template you want to edit.
  3. Click Edit Template and navigate to the desired Shipping Option, Regions, and Rates.
  4. Modify the default transit time by selecting from the available options.
  5. Save your changes to update the transit time for the selected shipping template.

By customizing default transit times, sellers can provide more accurate delivery estimates and enhance the overall customer experience when shopping on Amazon.

For further information on setting faster transit times, refer to Amazon’s guide on setting faster transit times.

Understanding and Modifying Transit Time on Amazon

Manage your delivery time

Transit Time (formerly known as Shipping Time) is a crucial component of the delivery time calculation displayed to customers on Amazon offer listings and checkout pages. It represents the duration between when you hand the order over to your carrier and when it's delivered to the buyer's address.

The total delivery time is calculated as follows:

Total Delivery Time = Handling Time + Transit Time (+ any holidays)

Amazon calculates both handling time and transit time in business days to provide accurate delivery estimates to customers.

Modifying Transit Time

If you have opted to manually define transit times instead of using Shipping Setting Automation, you can modify transit times by following these steps:

  1. Go to Shipping Settings.
  2. Under the Shipping Templates tab, select the shipping template that you want to edit.
  3. Click Edit Template on the right side of the screen.
  4. Select the Shipping option, Regions, and Rates that you want to configure.
  5. Modify the transit time by selecting the drop-down menu under the Transit Time excluding handling time column.
  6. Repeat the above steps for as many Shipping options and Regions as needed.
  7. Click Save to apply your changes.

Note: Standard shipping requires you to be able to ship everywhere in the continental U.S. Learn more about Amazon's shipping requirements.

Transit Time Requirements

To view the default transit times, refer to Amazon's Default transit times documentation.

By effectively managing and modifying transit times, sellers can optimize delivery estimates and enhance the overall customer experience on Amazon.

Understanding Same-day Handling on Amazon

Manage your delivery time

1. What is the difference between Same-day handling time and Same-day delivery?

Same-day handling time applies specifically to Domestic Standard and Expedited delivery options. It ensures that orders are picked, packed, shipped, and confirmed on the same day they are received, subject to order cut-off times. In contrast, Same-day delivery is a premium shipping option where orders are delivered to customers on the same day they are placed.

2. What are my options to update Same-day handling time?

You can update Same-day handling time through SKU-level handling time settings or by adjusting the default handling time:

  • SKU-level Handling Time: Update handling time for specific SKUs by navigating to Inventory > Manage All Inventory in Seller Central, selecting the SKU, and editing the Offer to set the Handling Time to 0 (same day).
  • Default Handling Time: Change the account-wide default handling time by going to Settings > Shipping settings > General shipping settings and selecting "Same day (0 day)" as the default handling time.

To update handling time via feed file uploads, you can use Inventory Loader, Price and Quantity file, or Listing Loader.

Steps to Update SKU-specific 0-day (Same-day) Handling Time via Feed File:

  1. Using Inventory Loader: Download the Inventory Loader file from the Inventory file templates section, fill in the required fields for each SKU, save the file in text-tab-delimited format, and upload it through Catalog > Add products via upload.
  2. Using Price and Quantity File: Download the Price & Quantity file, fill in the required fields for each SKU, save the file in text-tab-delimited format, and upload it through Catalog > Add products via upload.
  3. Using Listing Loader: Download the Listing Loader file, fill in the required fields for each SKU, save the file in text-tab-delimited format, and upload it through Catalog > Add products via upload.

3. How does this feature apply to Prime orders?

Prime orders with Standard delivery are typically shipped the next day after receiving an order. Enabling Same-day default handling time for seller-fulfilled Prime orders requires shipping orders on the same day for all shipping methods associated with Prime orders.

4. Is Same-day handling time applicable to scheduled delivery?

No, Same-day handling time does not apply to scheduled delivery options. However, it can be utilized for arranged delivery options. For more information on arranged delivery, refer to Freight-shipping templates for less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments.

5. Do I need to ship every order the same day I receive it?

All orders received before the order cut-off time must be shipped and confirmed on the same day to avoid late shipments. Orders received after the cut-off time should be shipped and confirmed by the following day after the order was received.

Note: The default cut-off time is 2 p.m. local time, but you can customize this time in your Shipping settings.

6. Does Same-day handling time apply to all of my products?

The application of Same-day handling time depends on how it is configured:

  • Default Account Handling Time: When set as the default handling time, it applies to all ASINs without a specific handling time configuration.
  • ASIN-specific Handling Time: Configuring a handling time for specific ASINs will override the default handling time for those products.
  • Shipping Template Setting: Enabling Same-day handling time on shipping templates applies it only to assigned ASINs that do not have an ASIN-specific handling time.

By understanding and effectively utilizing Same-day handling time options, sellers can optimize delivery promises, enhance customer satisfaction, and meet performance metrics on Amazon.

Understanding Same-day Handling on Amazon

Manage your delivery time

Same-day handling time is a crucial feature for sellers on Amazon, allowing them to promise customers faster delivery timelines by ensuring products are picked, packed, and shipped on the same day as the order is received. This feature helps enhance customer satisfaction and contributes to increased sales. Let's delve deeper into how you can utilize and manage same-day handling effectively.

Setting Same-day Handling Time

To implement same-day handling time, you have two options:

  1. Account Level Default Handling Time: You can switch your account's default handling time to same-day by following these steps:
    • Sign in to Seller Central and navigate to the Shipping Settings page.
    • Go to the General Shipping Settings tab.
    • Scroll down to Default Handling Time and click Edit.
    • Select "Same-day (0 Day)" and click Save.
    • Optionally, set your order handling capacity to manage the volume of orders efficiently.
  2. Shipping Template Specific Handling Time: If you meet specific performance requirements, you can enable same-day handling on individual shipping templates:
    • In Seller Central, go to Settings and select Shipping Settings.
    • Create a new shipping template or edit an existing one.
    • Navigate to the Handling Time settings in the General Shipping Settings tab.
    • Check the box to enable "Same-day handling time" for eligible shipping options.
    • Assign SKUs that can be shipped the same day to this shipping template.

Performance Requirements for Same-day Handling

To qualify for same-day handling time on shipping templates, sellers must meet the following performance criteria on a trailing 30-day basis:

  • An on-time delivery rate of at least 97% across all shipments.
  • A late shipment rate of less than 4% across all shipments.

Order Cut-off Time

For products with same-day handling time enabled, the order cut-off time is set to the local time based on the time zone of your default shipping address. You can adjust this cut-off time in the General Shipping Settings tab of the Shipping Settings page.

Managing Same-day Handling Settings

To enable or disable same-day handling on shipping templates:

  • Access the Shipping Settings in Seller Central.
  • Create or edit a shipping template.
  • Navigate to the Handling Time settings.
  • Check or uncheck the box to enable or disable "Same-day handling time" for applicable shipping options.

It's important to note that even if same-day handling time is disabled for standard and expedited shipping, sellers are still required to ship orders the same day for premium shipping options such as same-day, next-day, and two-day delivery.

By leveraging same-day handling effectively, sellers can provide customers with faster delivery promises and enhance overall satisfaction, ultimately driving sales and improving seller performance metrics on Amazon.

FAQs about Two-day Default Handling Time Deprecation on Amazon

Manage your handling time

Why is Two-day Default Handling Time Not Available?

As of October 24, 2023, the default handling time for seller-fulfilled orders transitioned from two-day to one-day for SKUs that are already processed within one day or less. This change reflects the high percentage of seller-fulfilled orders shipped within one day, aiming to provide customers with more accurate delivery estimates. However, you still have the flexibility to set two-day handling times for specific SKUs based on your business needs.

Why Did the Default Handling Time Change from Two-day to One-day?

The decision to shift default handling time to one-day is driven by data showing that over 85% of seller-fulfilled orders are processed within one day. By aligning default handling times with actual seller performance, Amazon enables sellers to offer customers realistic and appealing delivery promises. Nonetheless, sellers retain the ability to designate two-day handling times for specific SKUs as required.

What Options Do I Have to Update My Handling Time?

To manage and update your handling times:

  1. Visit the Manage Your Handling Time section on Seller Central.
  2. Access your shipping settings and navigate to general shipping settings to adjust default handling time.
  3. Utilize SKU-level handling time settings to customize processing times for specific products.
  4. Consider automated handling time adjustments based on historical performance to optimize delivery estimates.

For comprehensive guidance on handling time management and best practices, refer to Amazon's resources on handling time adjustments.

Stay informed and responsive to changes in default handling times to enhance customer satisfaction and maintain operational efficiency.

Manage Your Handling Time on Amazon

Manage your handling time

Amazon provides estimated delivery times to buyers, calculated based on handling time and transit time. Handling time refers to the duration between when a buyer places an order and when you hand it over to your carrier.

Types of Handling Time

There are different types of handling time settings on Amazon:

  1. Automated Handling Time: Amazon sets handling time based on your account's historic performance, ensuring accurate delivery estimates and potentially boosting sales.
  2. SKU-level Handling Time: Set unique handling times for specific SKUs to override default settings.
  3. Default Handling Time: Account-level setting that applies to products without SKU-specific or template-specific handling times.

Automated Handling Time

Follow these steps to enable automated handling time:

  1. Go to Settings → Shipping settings → General shipping settings.
  2. Scroll to Handling time and click Edit.
  3. Select Automated handling time and click Save.
  4. You can also set your order handling capacity to manage high order volumes effectively.

SKU-level Handling Time

To set SKU-specific handling times:

  1. Go to Inventory → Manage all inventory.
  2. Locate the SKU and click Edit → Offer → Handling time.
  3. You can also use feed files via Feeds API or Seller Central for bulk updates.

Default Handling Time

Set default handling time at the account level:

  1. Go to Settings → Shipping settings → General shipping settings.
  2. Scroll to Handling time and click Edit.
  3. Choose Same day (0 day) or 1-day handling time and click Save.

Impact on Account Performance

Handling time affects the expected ship date and late shipment rate (LSR) performance metrics. Ensure timely shipment to meet Amazon's requirements:

  • Ship orders by the expected ship date to avoid late shipments.
  • For Same-day handling time, ship orders before the cut-off time to meet delivery promises.
  • Monitor and update handling times regularly to support accurate delivery estimates.

Seller Fulfilled Prime and Premium Shipping Orders

Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP) and Premium Shipping require same-day shipping for orders received before the cut-off time.

Product Level Handling Time Recommendations

Amazon provides handling time recommendations based on your actual performance:

  1. Go to Inventory → Manage seller-fulfilled products.
  2. Click the Recommendations tab to view suggested handling time updates.
  3. Accept or ignore recommendations to optimize delivery estimates.

By managing handling time effectively, sellers can enhance customer satisfaction and maintain performance metrics on Amazon.

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