Deleted and abandoned shipments.
When we ship a regular split shipment to Amz, this is just impossible to comply with this rule that all shipments in an approved multi-destination plan must arrive within 30 days after the first shipment arrives at a fulfillment center.
How possibly can this be achieved when if shipping from China to multiple warehouses that are all in different states your products are loaded into different containers, that are then loaded into different vessels, that have different schedules and do not depart on the same date and of course there is a gap between arrival dates.Not mentioning that there might be delays with customs, picking up containers from port or booking an appointment with Amazon due to all sorts of reasons.
In the end a batch designated to California usually will be delivered to AMZ promptly, but the next FBA to Texas comes 32 days later.
In this case , even though the shipment was delivered and just because it did not arrive in this 30 day delivery window Amz will consider your shipment non compliant and mark it as Deleted and abandoned shipments. Which will affect your performance metrics and you will be charged an inbound defect fee.
These fees and performance defects seem to be totally unfair when the whole delivery process from China to the US is out of your control.
3 replies
Christine_Amazon
Hi @Seller_bz0zy47sScL87
I’d like to offer some clarity and share a few practical strategies that may help.
The 30-day window is in place to support efficient inventory management across our fulfillment network. While challenging at times, it helps ensure consistent service and availability for customers and sellers alike.
Best practices to help meet the requirement:
Consolidated shipping strategy
- Partner with freight forwarders that offer deconsolidation services.
- Route your shipment to a single U.S. port, then distribute domestically to different destinations.
- This method generally offers better visibility and control over transit times.
Strategic shipment planning
- Consider smaller, more frequent shipments instead of large, multi-destination ones.
- Organize shipments by geographic region to reduce transit complexity.
- Use separate shipment plans for destinations known to have longer transit times.
Build in buffer time
Only confirm your shipment plan once your inventory is fully prepped and ready to ship.
Include a 5–7 day buffer when booking delivery appointments.
Account for seasonal fluctuations and potential weather delays in your planning.
In case of unavoidable delays
If you encounter issues beyond your control—such as customs holds, port congestion, or natural disasters—please contact Seller Support as soon as possible with supporting documentation. We’re happy to review these cases individually, and exceptions may be granted when the circumstances are clearly documented.
Additionally, consider using Amazon’s Partnered Carrier Program, which often offers more predictable delivery timelines and can help reduce the risk of non-compliance.
If you believe fees were assessed unfairly due to unforeseen delays, you may open a case with Seller Support and submit documentation for review.
Christine.