Upcoming changes in shipment confirmation
UPDATE
May 21, 2021
Hello Sellers,
As highlighted in the message below, you are now required to provide the carrier name when confirming shipments via bulk feeds, APIs, or integrators. Please review the Frequently asked questions to know more about entering the accurate carrier names. A special note when using bulk feeds or APIs - Provide the carrier name in the carrier-code (‘CarrierCode’ for APIs) field during shipment confirmation for each order. If you are using an unlisted carrier, set the carrier code as ‘Other’ and then provide the carrier name in the carrier-name field (‘CarrierName’ for APIs). To learn more about the carrier-code and carrier-name fields, see here.
ORIGINAL ANNOUNCEMENT
February 15, 2021
To improve the delivery experience of seller-fulfilled orders for our customers, we want to ensure customers can see detailed shipment tracking information wherever possible. We have found that this also reduces customer contacts, order-related defects, and lost-shipment costs, while improving seller feedback ratings.
What is the new requirement?
Today, for seller-fulfilled orders, you are required to provide the carrier name when you confirm shipment through the Manage Orders page on Seller Central. We are making the following changes to the shipment confirmation process:
- Beginning April 5, 2021, you will be required to provide the carrier name (that is, the carrier-code field) when you confirm shipments via bulk feeds, APIs, or integrators. Some of the commonly used carrier names are USPS, UPS, and FedEx.
- Beginning May 3, 2021, Amazon will validate tracking details (including carrier name and tracking ID) for all seller-fulfilled orders, and show warnings for invalid tracking details.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I enter the carrier name?
In order to provide the carrier name during shipment confirmation, do the following:
- When using Manage Orders on Seller Central, select the carrier name from the drop-down list. If you don’t see your carrier listed in the drop-down list, select ‘Other’ and input the carrier name in the text field. We will add more carriers over time.
- When using bulk feeds or APIs, provide the carrier-code (‘CarrierCode’ for APIs) during shipment confirmation for each order. If you are using an unlisted carrier, set the carrier code as ‘Other’ and then provide the carrier name in the carrier-name field (‘CarrierName’ for APIs). To learn more about the carrier-code and carrier-name fields, see here.
Note: If you are using an integrator, work with your integrator to ensure the carrier details are provided to us when confirming a shipment.
- When using Buy Shipping, there is no action required. We automatically collect data on carriers and ship methods used through Buy Shipping.
- What happens if I provide an incorrect tracking ID during shipment confirmation?
During the shipment confirmation process, you will receive a warning message “Please enter a valid tracking ID to confirm shipment.” Once you have entered a valid tracking ID, you will be able to confirm your shipment.
- Do I need to provide shipping service (or ship method) details during the shipment confirmation process?
Shipping service (or ship method) details are not required to confirm a shipment, but we highly recommend that you provide these details. This helps Amazon to provide accurate shipment tracking information to customers.
150 replies
Seller_e1yXSIZG2kRpA
What am I missing, we’re following these exact steps when uploading tracking IDs in bulk already and nothing I read appears to be new or different except possibly this …
Again, this is exactly how the system behaves currently unless in reading between the lines one can derive that what Amazon is really saying is that the order won’t be allowed to get ship confirmed with the warning (it currently does allow the order status to change with that warning) until and unless a verifiable tracking ID is in fact provided, thus keeping the order in an Unshipped status?
If so, why not just specifically spell that out? (rhetorical question).
If this is the case, this update would be a plus for customers of sellers who upload fake or blank tracking IDs to stop the Late Shipment Rate and then subsequently update the tracking ID days later (we have had this happen to my wife and I and is how we know).
Seller_kIukTwdhvntAp
This MIGHT uncover a bunch of (generally offshore) sellers that have been gaming the system. Of course the theory versus the reality is that AMAZON will actually do something.
#1 – will they REALLY check the numbers.
#2 – will they actually do anything to those caught? Suspensions, kicked to the curb, account balances frozen?
#3 – WHY is this NEW and has not been done for years or decades even?
#4 – I wonder if AMAZON is EVER going to do anything to BUYERS who flagrantly lie about “where’s my stuff.”
Seller_gRqkURGXViRYG
im sure it only applies to united states sellers like everything else amazon does
the counterfeit and black hat sellers will keep on keeping on
Seller_xlf3vF516IRli
How does this affect sellers with tracking exemptions? Most of my items fit in a flat envelope and are under $10. Anything over $10 gets tracking numbers, but under that is shipped First Class Stamped mail… and there is no tracking on those orders.
Seller_qMgi7qxvEo7f1
Is this a joke? I sell really cheap products. Why would someone pay 6 dollars for shipping for a $2.99 product? Why would someone pay 8 dollars for a product they can get on Aliexpress for $1.50, tracked shipping included?
Seller_Cx64f5IJZT6ZD
Are shipments for items under $10 now required to do tracking?
Seller_fES06yRlGgMc4
The change should help me a little bit.
On a small per cent of my orders I type in the tracking # manually.
Sometimes, when I look at my metrics, I see that I have an invalid number or two.
It doesn’t happen often enough to be a real concern, but still, if the automated system alerts me
when I’ve reversed a couple of digits, I can fix it, and add to the list of “satisfied” customers.
Seller_4K7eqIN4GuF2E
All well and good - but is Amazon going to follow their own WRITTEN policies regarding accepting USPS Confirmation of Delivery as PROOF that a package was in fact delivered and NOT taking 3P seller’s money for refunding buyers that claim non receipt (including denying appeals with the bogus statement that the Post Office record is “not sufficient” proof)?
Or the Amazon WRITTEN policy that refunds are NOT automatically granted until a returned item is actually physically received by the seller (here Amazon actually uses tracking against the 3P seller) giving the 3P seller 48-hours to grade the return and process the appropriate refund?
And will Customer Service STOP issuing automatic refunds and allowing the buyer to keep the item in contradiction with the 3P seller’s compliance with Amazon written policy requiring a return before a refund is issued?
Seller_LwUhSN3kUAXlg
I would like to see that when we use shippers not in the list (including major shippers, larger than some of the piddly shippers in the list), that these orders be removed from our VTR metric. Between bots, hidden Buy Box algorithm, uninformed CSRs, etc. It’s just too unnerving to have a sub-par metric displaying on a page saying “we will shut you down if you don’t get your act together”, regardless of whatever asterisks written policy puts on that metric. I don’t trust Amazon to act as a smoothly integrated set of over-silo’d divisions; I expect Amazon to rely on too much automation and a poor sense of statistical significance (especially for a company so reliant on metrics).
Upcoming changes in shipment confirmation
UPDATE
May 21, 2021
Hello Sellers,
As highlighted in the message below, you are now required to provide the carrier name when confirming shipments via bulk feeds, APIs, or integrators. Please review the Frequently asked questions to know more about entering the accurate carrier names. A special note when using bulk feeds or APIs - Provide the carrier name in the carrier-code (‘CarrierCode’ for APIs) field during shipment confirmation for each order. If you are using an unlisted carrier, set the carrier code as ‘Other’ and then provide the carrier name in the carrier-name field (‘CarrierName’ for APIs). To learn more about the carrier-code and carrier-name fields, see here.
ORIGINAL ANNOUNCEMENT
February 15, 2021
To improve the delivery experience of seller-fulfilled orders for our customers, we want to ensure customers can see detailed shipment tracking information wherever possible. We have found that this also reduces customer contacts, order-related defects, and lost-shipment costs, while improving seller feedback ratings.
What is the new requirement?
Today, for seller-fulfilled orders, you are required to provide the carrier name when you confirm shipment through the Manage Orders page on Seller Central. We are making the following changes to the shipment confirmation process:
- Beginning April 5, 2021, you will be required to provide the carrier name (that is, the carrier-code field) when you confirm shipments via bulk feeds, APIs, or integrators. Some of the commonly used carrier names are USPS, UPS, and FedEx.
- Beginning May 3, 2021, Amazon will validate tracking details (including carrier name and tracking ID) for all seller-fulfilled orders, and show warnings for invalid tracking details.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I enter the carrier name?
In order to provide the carrier name during shipment confirmation, do the following:
- When using Manage Orders on Seller Central, select the carrier name from the drop-down list. If you don’t see your carrier listed in the drop-down list, select ‘Other’ and input the carrier name in the text field. We will add more carriers over time.
- When using bulk feeds or APIs, provide the carrier-code (‘CarrierCode’ for APIs) during shipment confirmation for each order. If you are using an unlisted carrier, set the carrier code as ‘Other’ and then provide the carrier name in the carrier-name field (‘CarrierName’ for APIs). To learn more about the carrier-code and carrier-name fields, see here.
Note: If you are using an integrator, work with your integrator to ensure the carrier details are provided to us when confirming a shipment.
- When using Buy Shipping, there is no action required. We automatically collect data on carriers and ship methods used through Buy Shipping.
- What happens if I provide an incorrect tracking ID during shipment confirmation?
During the shipment confirmation process, you will receive a warning message “Please enter a valid tracking ID to confirm shipment.” Once you have entered a valid tracking ID, you will be able to confirm your shipment.
- Do I need to provide shipping service (or ship method) details during the shipment confirmation process?
Shipping service (or ship method) details are not required to confirm a shipment, but we highly recommend that you provide these details. This helps Amazon to provide accurate shipment tracking information to customers.
Upcoming changes in shipment confirmation
UPDATE
May 21, 2021
Hello Sellers,
As highlighted in the message below, you are now required to provide the carrier name when confirming shipments via bulk feeds, APIs, or integrators. Please review the Frequently asked questions to know more about entering the accurate carrier names. A special note when using bulk feeds or APIs - Provide the carrier name in the carrier-code (‘CarrierCode’ for APIs) field during shipment confirmation for each order. If you are using an unlisted carrier, set the carrier code as ‘Other’ and then provide the carrier name in the carrier-name field (‘CarrierName’ for APIs). To learn more about the carrier-code and carrier-name fields, see here.
ORIGINAL ANNOUNCEMENT
February 15, 2021
To improve the delivery experience of seller-fulfilled orders for our customers, we want to ensure customers can see detailed shipment tracking information wherever possible. We have found that this also reduces customer contacts, order-related defects, and lost-shipment costs, while improving seller feedback ratings.
What is the new requirement?
Today, for seller-fulfilled orders, you are required to provide the carrier name when you confirm shipment through the Manage Orders page on Seller Central. We are making the following changes to the shipment confirmation process:
- Beginning April 5, 2021, you will be required to provide the carrier name (that is, the carrier-code field) when you confirm shipments via bulk feeds, APIs, or integrators. Some of the commonly used carrier names are USPS, UPS, and FedEx.
- Beginning May 3, 2021, Amazon will validate tracking details (including carrier name and tracking ID) for all seller-fulfilled orders, and show warnings for invalid tracking details.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I enter the carrier name?
In order to provide the carrier name during shipment confirmation, do the following:
- When using Manage Orders on Seller Central, select the carrier name from the drop-down list. If you don’t see your carrier listed in the drop-down list, select ‘Other’ and input the carrier name in the text field. We will add more carriers over time.
- When using bulk feeds or APIs, provide the carrier-code (‘CarrierCode’ for APIs) during shipment confirmation for each order. If you are using an unlisted carrier, set the carrier code as ‘Other’ and then provide the carrier name in the carrier-name field (‘CarrierName’ for APIs). To learn more about the carrier-code and carrier-name fields, see here.
Note: If you are using an integrator, work with your integrator to ensure the carrier details are provided to us when confirming a shipment.
- When using Buy Shipping, there is no action required. We automatically collect data on carriers and ship methods used through Buy Shipping.
- What happens if I provide an incorrect tracking ID during shipment confirmation?
During the shipment confirmation process, you will receive a warning message “Please enter a valid tracking ID to confirm shipment.” Once you have entered a valid tracking ID, you will be able to confirm your shipment.
- Do I need to provide shipping service (or ship method) details during the shipment confirmation process?
Shipping service (or ship method) details are not required to confirm a shipment, but we highly recommend that you provide these details. This helps Amazon to provide accurate shipment tracking information to customers.
150 replies
150 replies
Seller_e1yXSIZG2kRpA
What am I missing, we’re following these exact steps when uploading tracking IDs in bulk already and nothing I read appears to be new or different except possibly this …
Again, this is exactly how the system behaves currently unless in reading between the lines one can derive that what Amazon is really saying is that the order won’t be allowed to get ship confirmed with the warning (it currently does allow the order status to change with that warning) until and unless a verifiable tracking ID is in fact provided, thus keeping the order in an Unshipped status?
If so, why not just specifically spell that out? (rhetorical question).
If this is the case, this update would be a plus for customers of sellers who upload fake or blank tracking IDs to stop the Late Shipment Rate and then subsequently update the tracking ID days later (we have had this happen to my wife and I and is how we know).
Seller_kIukTwdhvntAp
This MIGHT uncover a bunch of (generally offshore) sellers that have been gaming the system. Of course the theory versus the reality is that AMAZON will actually do something.
#1 – will they REALLY check the numbers.
#2 – will they actually do anything to those caught? Suspensions, kicked to the curb, account balances frozen?
#3 – WHY is this NEW and has not been done for years or decades even?
#4 – I wonder if AMAZON is EVER going to do anything to BUYERS who flagrantly lie about “where’s my stuff.”
Seller_gRqkURGXViRYG
im sure it only applies to united states sellers like everything else amazon does
the counterfeit and black hat sellers will keep on keeping on
Seller_xlf3vF516IRli
How does this affect sellers with tracking exemptions? Most of my items fit in a flat envelope and are under $10. Anything over $10 gets tracking numbers, but under that is shipped First Class Stamped mail… and there is no tracking on those orders.
Seller_qMgi7qxvEo7f1
Is this a joke? I sell really cheap products. Why would someone pay 6 dollars for shipping for a $2.99 product? Why would someone pay 8 dollars for a product they can get on Aliexpress for $1.50, tracked shipping included?
Seller_Cx64f5IJZT6ZD
Are shipments for items under $10 now required to do tracking?
Seller_fES06yRlGgMc4
The change should help me a little bit.
On a small per cent of my orders I type in the tracking # manually.
Sometimes, when I look at my metrics, I see that I have an invalid number or two.
It doesn’t happen often enough to be a real concern, but still, if the automated system alerts me
when I’ve reversed a couple of digits, I can fix it, and add to the list of “satisfied” customers.
Seller_4K7eqIN4GuF2E
All well and good - but is Amazon going to follow their own WRITTEN policies regarding accepting USPS Confirmation of Delivery as PROOF that a package was in fact delivered and NOT taking 3P seller’s money for refunding buyers that claim non receipt (including denying appeals with the bogus statement that the Post Office record is “not sufficient” proof)?
Or the Amazon WRITTEN policy that refunds are NOT automatically granted until a returned item is actually physically received by the seller (here Amazon actually uses tracking against the 3P seller) giving the 3P seller 48-hours to grade the return and process the appropriate refund?
And will Customer Service STOP issuing automatic refunds and allowing the buyer to keep the item in contradiction with the 3P seller’s compliance with Amazon written policy requiring a return before a refund is issued?
Seller_LwUhSN3kUAXlg
I would like to see that when we use shippers not in the list (including major shippers, larger than some of the piddly shippers in the list), that these orders be removed from our VTR metric. Between bots, hidden Buy Box algorithm, uninformed CSRs, etc. It’s just too unnerving to have a sub-par metric displaying on a page saying “we will shut you down if you don’t get your act together”, regardless of whatever asterisks written policy puts on that metric. I don’t trust Amazon to act as a smoothly integrated set of over-silo’d divisions; I expect Amazon to rely on too much automation and a poor sense of statistical significance (especially for a company so reliant on metrics).
Seller_e1yXSIZG2kRpA
What am I missing, we’re following these exact steps when uploading tracking IDs in bulk already and nothing I read appears to be new or different except possibly this …
Again, this is exactly how the system behaves currently unless in reading between the lines one can derive that what Amazon is really saying is that the order won’t be allowed to get ship confirmed with the warning (it currently does allow the order status to change with that warning) until and unless a verifiable tracking ID is in fact provided, thus keeping the order in an Unshipped status?
If so, why not just specifically spell that out? (rhetorical question).
If this is the case, this update would be a plus for customers of sellers who upload fake or blank tracking IDs to stop the Late Shipment Rate and then subsequently update the tracking ID days later (we have had this happen to my wife and I and is how we know).
Seller_e1yXSIZG2kRpA
What am I missing, we’re following these exact steps when uploading tracking IDs in bulk already and nothing I read appears to be new or different except possibly this …
Again, this is exactly how the system behaves currently unless in reading between the lines one can derive that what Amazon is really saying is that the order won’t be allowed to get ship confirmed with the warning (it currently does allow the order status to change with that warning) until and unless a verifiable tracking ID is in fact provided, thus keeping the order in an Unshipped status?
If so, why not just specifically spell that out? (rhetorical question).
If this is the case, this update would be a plus for customers of sellers who upload fake or blank tracking IDs to stop the Late Shipment Rate and then subsequently update the tracking ID days later (we have had this happen to my wife and I and is how we know).
Seller_kIukTwdhvntAp
This MIGHT uncover a bunch of (generally offshore) sellers that have been gaming the system. Of course the theory versus the reality is that AMAZON will actually do something.
#1 – will they REALLY check the numbers.
#2 – will they actually do anything to those caught? Suspensions, kicked to the curb, account balances frozen?
#3 – WHY is this NEW and has not been done for years or decades even?
#4 – I wonder if AMAZON is EVER going to do anything to BUYERS who flagrantly lie about “where’s my stuff.”
Seller_kIukTwdhvntAp
This MIGHT uncover a bunch of (generally offshore) sellers that have been gaming the system. Of course the theory versus the reality is that AMAZON will actually do something.
#1 – will they REALLY check the numbers.
#2 – will they actually do anything to those caught? Suspensions, kicked to the curb, account balances frozen?
#3 – WHY is this NEW and has not been done for years or decades even?
#4 – I wonder if AMAZON is EVER going to do anything to BUYERS who flagrantly lie about “where’s my stuff.”
Seller_gRqkURGXViRYG
im sure it only applies to united states sellers like everything else amazon does
the counterfeit and black hat sellers will keep on keeping on
Seller_gRqkURGXViRYG
im sure it only applies to united states sellers like everything else amazon does
the counterfeit and black hat sellers will keep on keeping on
Seller_xlf3vF516IRli
How does this affect sellers with tracking exemptions? Most of my items fit in a flat envelope and are under $10. Anything over $10 gets tracking numbers, but under that is shipped First Class Stamped mail… and there is no tracking on those orders.
Seller_xlf3vF516IRli
How does this affect sellers with tracking exemptions? Most of my items fit in a flat envelope and are under $10. Anything over $10 gets tracking numbers, but under that is shipped First Class Stamped mail… and there is no tracking on those orders.
Seller_qMgi7qxvEo7f1
Is this a joke? I sell really cheap products. Why would someone pay 6 dollars for shipping for a $2.99 product? Why would someone pay 8 dollars for a product they can get on Aliexpress for $1.50, tracked shipping included?
Seller_qMgi7qxvEo7f1
Is this a joke? I sell really cheap products. Why would someone pay 6 dollars for shipping for a $2.99 product? Why would someone pay 8 dollars for a product they can get on Aliexpress for $1.50, tracked shipping included?
Seller_Cx64f5IJZT6ZD
Are shipments for items under $10 now required to do tracking?
Seller_Cx64f5IJZT6ZD
Are shipments for items under $10 now required to do tracking?
Seller_fES06yRlGgMc4
The change should help me a little bit.
On a small per cent of my orders I type in the tracking # manually.
Sometimes, when I look at my metrics, I see that I have an invalid number or two.
It doesn’t happen often enough to be a real concern, but still, if the automated system alerts me
when I’ve reversed a couple of digits, I can fix it, and add to the list of “satisfied” customers.
Seller_fES06yRlGgMc4
The change should help me a little bit.
On a small per cent of my orders I type in the tracking # manually.
Sometimes, when I look at my metrics, I see that I have an invalid number or two.
It doesn’t happen often enough to be a real concern, but still, if the automated system alerts me
when I’ve reversed a couple of digits, I can fix it, and add to the list of “satisfied” customers.
Seller_4K7eqIN4GuF2E
All well and good - but is Amazon going to follow their own WRITTEN policies regarding accepting USPS Confirmation of Delivery as PROOF that a package was in fact delivered and NOT taking 3P seller’s money for refunding buyers that claim non receipt (including denying appeals with the bogus statement that the Post Office record is “not sufficient” proof)?
Or the Amazon WRITTEN policy that refunds are NOT automatically granted until a returned item is actually physically received by the seller (here Amazon actually uses tracking against the 3P seller) giving the 3P seller 48-hours to grade the return and process the appropriate refund?
And will Customer Service STOP issuing automatic refunds and allowing the buyer to keep the item in contradiction with the 3P seller’s compliance with Amazon written policy requiring a return before a refund is issued?
Seller_4K7eqIN4GuF2E
All well and good - but is Amazon going to follow their own WRITTEN policies regarding accepting USPS Confirmation of Delivery as PROOF that a package was in fact delivered and NOT taking 3P seller’s money for refunding buyers that claim non receipt (including denying appeals with the bogus statement that the Post Office record is “not sufficient” proof)?
Or the Amazon WRITTEN policy that refunds are NOT automatically granted until a returned item is actually physically received by the seller (here Amazon actually uses tracking against the 3P seller) giving the 3P seller 48-hours to grade the return and process the appropriate refund?
And will Customer Service STOP issuing automatic refunds and allowing the buyer to keep the item in contradiction with the 3P seller’s compliance with Amazon written policy requiring a return before a refund is issued?
Seller_LwUhSN3kUAXlg
I would like to see that when we use shippers not in the list (including major shippers, larger than some of the piddly shippers in the list), that these orders be removed from our VTR metric. Between bots, hidden Buy Box algorithm, uninformed CSRs, etc. It’s just too unnerving to have a sub-par metric displaying on a page saying “we will shut you down if you don’t get your act together”, regardless of whatever asterisks written policy puts on that metric. I don’t trust Amazon to act as a smoothly integrated set of over-silo’d divisions; I expect Amazon to rely on too much automation and a poor sense of statistical significance (especially for a company so reliant on metrics).
Seller_LwUhSN3kUAXlg
I would like to see that when we use shippers not in the list (including major shippers, larger than some of the piddly shippers in the list), that these orders be removed from our VTR metric. Between bots, hidden Buy Box algorithm, uninformed CSRs, etc. It’s just too unnerving to have a sub-par metric displaying on a page saying “we will shut you down if you don’t get your act together”, regardless of whatever asterisks written policy puts on that metric. I don’t trust Amazon to act as a smoothly integrated set of over-silo’d divisions; I expect Amazon to rely on too much automation and a poor sense of statistical significance (especially for a company so reliant on metrics).
