Attention! Amazon blocks some delivery windows in December!

Amazon warehouse overflows are an increasingly serious problem for sellers, especially as the peak season approaches, when the pressure on inventory management and delivery scheduling increases significantly.

Especially since Amazon recently implemented significant restrictions, resulting in a two-week delivery darkness period during the holiday peak period.

It is reported that Amazon has completely blocked the delivery window of its US distribution centers between December 15 and December 31, 2024 due to unprecedented demand and limited capacity.

This situation will definitely cause some blows to sellers who rely on Amazon's logistics (FBA) services, such as decreased sales, seller complaints and return rates, which may affect sellers' store ratings and future traffic.

However, it should be noted that Amazon warehouses have indeed stopped accepting goods, but it only happened in some warehouses and did not affect a large area!!!

From December 15 to January 1, the Amazon team normally received [already created shipments, shipments in transit (expected delivery period 12.15-1.1)] these goods. However, given the surging volume of goods, the recent signing and listing time have decreased. Therefore, when sellers create goods, if Amazon predicts certain logistics risks, a "rejection" prompt will pop up !

Also, not all sellers will experience a rejection notification when trying to create a shipment.

A small number of sellers can successfully complete the creation and delivery of shipments, and some warehouses can also receive shipments normally. Therefore, sellers can choose the appropriate warehouse according to the actual situation during operation.

Before adjusting your plans, it is recommended to use inventory planning tools such as SoStocked to conduct a comprehensive forecast to ensure that you have enough inventory for the holiday season. If you can afford to postpone delivery, the subsidy amount may bring considerable savings when the new year arrives.

1. Review current inventory levels, review existing delivery appointments, calculate inventory duration through January, assess the financial impact of rescheduling eligible deliveries, consider potential congestion at distribution centers in January, and plan accordingly.

2. Adjust Q4 strategy : Adjust Q4 marketing spend to accommodate inventory availability; consider alternate FBM fulfillment methods and prepare a January promotional strategy to take advantage of fresh inventory.

3. Pay attention to Amazon system notifications : Amazon will regularly release updates on warehouse receiving conditions. Sellers should pay close attention to Amazon backend notifications and related updates to ensure that they are aware of the latest warehouse conditions in a timely manner.

4. Consult customer service in a timely manner : If the seller finds that his shipment cannot be created or sent normally, he can verify the specific reasons through Amazon’s customer service channels and obtain the latest information about the warehouse receiving status.

While these restrictions present challenges, they also create opportunities for well-prepared sellers. During this period, sellers can stay proactive and plan properly as an opportunity to optimize future fulfillment strategies through careful inventory management, strategic use of subsidy programs, and smart preparation for January restocking.