Amazon identifies shipment problems that include labeling errors, quantity discrepancies, and safety issues. We then notify you to help you prevent these and other problems in the future.
While we recognize that one-time mistakes can happen in the supply chain, repeated issues with a particular FNSKU or ASIN can indicate a pattern that requires correction. In these cases, we provide coaching to help you fix the problem and avoid potential consequences such as suspension of shipping capabilities for certain products, unplanned service fees, or required Amazon prep services.
To address problems with a shipment, check your Inbound Performance report and visit Resolving inbound performance alerts.
Amazon measures your shipment problem rate over the past four months for each problem group and then assigns a performance coaching level based on your problem history. Your performance coaching level (Standard, Elevated, or Critical) is determined by comparing your problem rate vs. the acceptable problem rate.
“Acceptable” refers to the maximum number of problem rates allowed for a problem group. The acceptable problem rate is based on the performance of all FBA sellers and is updated periodically. Your coaching levels could be different based on your performance on each individual problem group.
How to return to Standard coaching level
If your problem rate remains below “acceptable” for four months from the date of escalation to Elevated or Critical, your level will be lowered to Standard. If you were at Critical, you may be asked for a plan of action to show that the problem or problems have been corrected.
Follow the steps below to see your problem rate, acceptable problem rate, coaching level, and criteria for levels.
You can also use the Inbound Performance report to see your coaching level by defect type.
Amazon calculates the problem rates below over a four-month period:
If your problem rate exceeds the acceptable problem rate, your coaching will be escalated to the next level for that problem group. To learn more about mapping between different problem groups and problem types, visit Inbound performance summary.
The problem rate for all of the following problems is calculated at the product level:
Problem group | Problem type | Coaching levels and actions | ||
Standard
Below acceptable problem rate |
Elevated
Above acceptable problem rate for 21 days |
Critical
Above acceptable problem rate beyond 21 days after being raised to Elevated |
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Unplanned prep - Bagging | Poly bagging required | FBA will reach out to you and help identify and solve the problems if you are approaching the maximum permitted rate. | FBA will ask you for a plan of action for correcting the problems. | FBA will suspend your ability to choose the prep owner, label owner, or both. Instead, FBA will conduct prep, labeling, or both for the problematic FNSKUs on your behalf and charge a planned per-unit fee. |
Opaque poly bagging required | ||||
Unplanned prep - Bubble wrap | Bubble wrap required | |||
Unplanned prep - product related | Taping required | |||
Other labeling problems - product related | Labeling required | |||
Label missing - product related | Amazon barcode missing | |||
Manufacturer barcode missing | ||||
Incorrect label - product related | Barcode cannot be scanned | |||
Barcode is not accessible by scanner | ||||
Unit mislabeled |