Ship five identical boxes to create shipments with no inbound fee
I just received this email with the following info and now I'm confused:
"To offer you more control over your Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) shipment plans, we've added a new guideline that ensures you receive the Amazon-optimized inbound option. To qualify for Amazon-optimized option with no inbound placement service fee, your shipments must include at least five identical boxes or pallets per item. Each box or pallet must contain the same quantity per item and the same item mix. For more information, go to 2024 FBA inbound placement service fee."
Does this mean we won't incur a placement fee if we have a minimum of 5 identical boxes per item? How do we apply this to our shipments; I don't see an option -or- is this automatically done by Amazon upon receiving? Also, if we have 5 identical boxes per item on a pallet but one item does not meet the 5 identical boxes requirement, does that invalidate the entire pallet from no inbounds placement service fee?
50 replies
Seller_DPetgMN6a9UZU
Yes from my understanding this is just an additional requirement to not pay the placement fee. Before, you could ship multiple items/cartons and as long as they shipped to 4+ locations, you didn't incur the fee. So really you could ship 4 different items in 4 different cartons and not incur the fee.
However now you need to ship 5 identical cartons. So if you wanted to ship four different items, you now need to ship in 20 cartons total to not incur the fee.
To answer your last question, you should be able to select how many cartons you send in, then select the amount of shipments you'd like on the next page to apply for the Amazon-Optimized shipment (4+ locations).
Seller_UKfAz1VIAECNG
No explanation and Fees i still have even 5 identical boxes per item or more
Seller_TTG0TX5GOhqmW
I was just going to write about the same thing -- so check out this page on IPC (NOTE: Has this page been changed recently??)
Specifically scroll down to the section "How do I receive the Amazon-optimized shipment splits inbound option?" that shows an example table. Read that section and examples now imagine these scenarios:
SCENARIO #1:
Red Widgets come 10 to a box. You want to send 49 (versus 50 as one is damaged and you only have 49 in total It's impossible to be compliant as 49/5 is not an even amount and one box will be uneven. You are non-compliant = FEE.
SCENARIO #2:
You have 50 red widgets -- and create a shipment. During processing one becomes damaged or is found to be poor quality. You adjust one of the shipments down to 9 units in a box. You are non-compliant = FEE
SCENARIO #3:
You want to send in: 25 red widgets, 25 blue widgets, 25 green widgets, 25 yellow widgets. These widgets come 10 per box You request splits and are told to send 5 of each color to 5 different centers... no problem, right? Not so fast.
One of your packing team sends in the following two boxes to Center #1:
BOX A = 5 red, 5 blue
BOX B = 5 green, 5 yellow
Then a different packer is sending units to Center #2:
BOX A = 5 red, 5 green
BOX B = 5 blue, 5 yellow
** NON COMPLIANT ** = FEE
SCENARIO #3 -- ** AND MAJOR CONCERN **
We use the API to generate shipment splits. I ran two tests on a SKU where we are sending in 60 units packed in case packs of 12:
TEST #1: I told Amazon this item comes in cases of 12. Amazon returned the following splits: 12 + 12 + 12 + 24 = 60
Good news: It split on even case packs, Bad news -- one of the cases has a different quantity than the others (24 vs. 12) ... ** NON COMPLAINT ** FEE
TEST #2: I opted NOT to provide Amazon case size information. Amazon returned the following splits: 15 + 16 + 10 + 19 = 60 ** NON COMPLAINT ** FEE
Notice that? Amazon is intentionally sending us non-compliant split information(!)(!)
The good news, we have checked the FBA Inbound Placement Fee report for the past 90 days and only have $14 in fees -- with those coming from some April shipments that were sent during an Amazon glitch time period.
The bad news, I am concerned that this email is a new policy that has not been implemented yet and will be ** HERCULIAN ** to comply with.
SEAMODS, What's the deal? Is this a policy change?? If so, this is insane on top of the other fees.
@Bryce_Amazon @KJ_Amazon @CR_Amazon
Seller_G1dITKzjrjqtm
I am on the west coast, Whenever I create a shipment of boxes that are all the same, it is always cheaper to incur the placement fee and have them shipped to the west cost centers than it is to ship them with no placement fees. Shipping to the east coast is expensive and costs more than the placement fees. 2 boxes, 5 boxes, 10 boxes, it does not matter.
Seller_TTG0TX5GOhqmW
It's becoming more and more clear that Amazon is indirectly forcing sellers to use STAR/AWD through increased FBA fees.
Seller_WtOwWhtSrFjva
Of course one of the boxes will get "lost" which will negate the whole thing.
And if you have to depend on Amazon to apply the fee once they receive it then I can think of many things that will go wrong especially with all the complaints on the forums about the time taking to receive inventory.
FBA is not what it was when I started selling 15 years ago. For many years we dominated the seed category. We made money. But things went slowly down hill.
There are many reasons why we stopped selling on FBA, but the straw that broke the camels back was when they claimed we sent three empty boxes. Even though we had the UPS receipt that showed the weight.
There are guys sitting in a fantasy world making these new things up and there are those in the real world just shaking their heads wondering when the insanity will end.
Like the new inventory program. I am not sure what they were trying to solve with this but there is way too much information on the screen, Very confusing.
Seller_TTG0TX5GOhqmW
I'm amazed this post has not gotten more traction.
I don't think sellers have paid attention for fully understand what this new rule means.
Also note, there is no specific information on how the fee will be implemented... will the entire shipment be subject to fees, or will just the non compliant units or boxes?
If fees are applied, what are the fees? Are they the 2-3 center split fees? or the 1 center fees?
So many questions.
Seller_E5UQlfc48JDhW
I tested it with a sample shipment. For that particular single box, multi SKU shipment; Shipping cost was $9.33 and placement was 13.80 The total was $23.13
Then I break down the shipment into 5 equal quantitiy boxes. The shipping cost for 5 boxes was $4.20 + 5.13 + 6.45 + 6.20 + 5.30 = $27.28 - no placement cost.
This costs more.
Seller_Sram36TnVt73c
this is not news.
It has been this way since the beginning of these placement fees.
Seller_Sram36TnVt73c
you enter the total quantities you are going to send in amongst all 5 shipments.
Then you select Items Will NOT fit in one box.
On the resulting web form, you can indicate quantities per box. I e., if you are sending in a total of 60 umbrellas, 12 would go into each box.
Just follow the workflow...it is fairly self-explanatory.
Ship five identical boxes to create shipments with no inbound fee
I just received this email with the following info and now I'm confused:
"To offer you more control over your Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) shipment plans, we've added a new guideline that ensures you receive the Amazon-optimized inbound option. To qualify for Amazon-optimized option with no inbound placement service fee, your shipments must include at least five identical boxes or pallets per item. Each box or pallet must contain the same quantity per item and the same item mix. For more information, go to 2024 FBA inbound placement service fee."
Does this mean we won't incur a placement fee if we have a minimum of 5 identical boxes per item? How do we apply this to our shipments; I don't see an option -or- is this automatically done by Amazon upon receiving? Also, if we have 5 identical boxes per item on a pallet but one item does not meet the 5 identical boxes requirement, does that invalidate the entire pallet from no inbounds placement service fee?
Ship five identical boxes to create shipments with no inbound fee
I just received this email with the following info and now I'm confused:
"To offer you more control over your Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) shipment plans, we've added a new guideline that ensures you receive the Amazon-optimized inbound option. To qualify for Amazon-optimized option with no inbound placement service fee, your shipments must include at least five identical boxes or pallets per item. Each box or pallet must contain the same quantity per item and the same item mix. For more information, go to 2024 FBA inbound placement service fee."
Does this mean we won't incur a placement fee if we have a minimum of 5 identical boxes per item? How do we apply this to our shipments; I don't see an option -or- is this automatically done by Amazon upon receiving? Also, if we have 5 identical boxes per item on a pallet but one item does not meet the 5 identical boxes requirement, does that invalidate the entire pallet from no inbounds placement service fee?
50 replies
50 replies
Seller_DPetgMN6a9UZU
Yes from my understanding this is just an additional requirement to not pay the placement fee. Before, you could ship multiple items/cartons and as long as they shipped to 4+ locations, you didn't incur the fee. So really you could ship 4 different items in 4 different cartons and not incur the fee.
However now you need to ship 5 identical cartons. So if you wanted to ship four different items, you now need to ship in 20 cartons total to not incur the fee.
To answer your last question, you should be able to select how many cartons you send in, then select the amount of shipments you'd like on the next page to apply for the Amazon-Optimized shipment (4+ locations).
Seller_UKfAz1VIAECNG
No explanation and Fees i still have even 5 identical boxes per item or more
Seller_TTG0TX5GOhqmW
I was just going to write about the same thing -- so check out this page on IPC (NOTE: Has this page been changed recently??)
Specifically scroll down to the section "How do I receive the Amazon-optimized shipment splits inbound option?" that shows an example table. Read that section and examples now imagine these scenarios:
SCENARIO #1:
Red Widgets come 10 to a box. You want to send 49 (versus 50 as one is damaged and you only have 49 in total It's impossible to be compliant as 49/5 is not an even amount and one box will be uneven. You are non-compliant = FEE.
SCENARIO #2:
You have 50 red widgets -- and create a shipment. During processing one becomes damaged or is found to be poor quality. You adjust one of the shipments down to 9 units in a box. You are non-compliant = FEE
SCENARIO #3:
You want to send in: 25 red widgets, 25 blue widgets, 25 green widgets, 25 yellow widgets. These widgets come 10 per box You request splits and are told to send 5 of each color to 5 different centers... no problem, right? Not so fast.
One of your packing team sends in the following two boxes to Center #1:
BOX A = 5 red, 5 blue
BOX B = 5 green, 5 yellow
Then a different packer is sending units to Center #2:
BOX A = 5 red, 5 green
BOX B = 5 blue, 5 yellow
** NON COMPLIANT ** = FEE
SCENARIO #3 -- ** AND MAJOR CONCERN **
We use the API to generate shipment splits. I ran two tests on a SKU where we are sending in 60 units packed in case packs of 12:
TEST #1: I told Amazon this item comes in cases of 12. Amazon returned the following splits: 12 + 12 + 12 + 24 = 60
Good news: It split on even case packs, Bad news -- one of the cases has a different quantity than the others (24 vs. 12) ... ** NON COMPLAINT ** FEE
TEST #2: I opted NOT to provide Amazon case size information. Amazon returned the following splits: 15 + 16 + 10 + 19 = 60 ** NON COMPLAINT ** FEE
Notice that? Amazon is intentionally sending us non-compliant split information(!)(!)
The good news, we have checked the FBA Inbound Placement Fee report for the past 90 days and only have $14 in fees -- with those coming from some April shipments that were sent during an Amazon glitch time period.
The bad news, I am concerned that this email is a new policy that has not been implemented yet and will be ** HERCULIAN ** to comply with.
SEAMODS, What's the deal? Is this a policy change?? If so, this is insane on top of the other fees.
@Bryce_Amazon @KJ_Amazon @CR_Amazon
Seller_G1dITKzjrjqtm
I am on the west coast, Whenever I create a shipment of boxes that are all the same, it is always cheaper to incur the placement fee and have them shipped to the west cost centers than it is to ship them with no placement fees. Shipping to the east coast is expensive and costs more than the placement fees. 2 boxes, 5 boxes, 10 boxes, it does not matter.
Seller_TTG0TX5GOhqmW
It's becoming more and more clear that Amazon is indirectly forcing sellers to use STAR/AWD through increased FBA fees.
Seller_WtOwWhtSrFjva
Of course one of the boxes will get "lost" which will negate the whole thing.
And if you have to depend on Amazon to apply the fee once they receive it then I can think of many things that will go wrong especially with all the complaints on the forums about the time taking to receive inventory.
FBA is not what it was when I started selling 15 years ago. For many years we dominated the seed category. We made money. But things went slowly down hill.
There are many reasons why we stopped selling on FBA, but the straw that broke the camels back was when they claimed we sent three empty boxes. Even though we had the UPS receipt that showed the weight.
There are guys sitting in a fantasy world making these new things up and there are those in the real world just shaking their heads wondering when the insanity will end.
Like the new inventory program. I am not sure what they were trying to solve with this but there is way too much information on the screen, Very confusing.
Seller_TTG0TX5GOhqmW
I'm amazed this post has not gotten more traction.
I don't think sellers have paid attention for fully understand what this new rule means.
Also note, there is no specific information on how the fee will be implemented... will the entire shipment be subject to fees, or will just the non compliant units or boxes?
If fees are applied, what are the fees? Are they the 2-3 center split fees? or the 1 center fees?
So many questions.
Seller_E5UQlfc48JDhW
I tested it with a sample shipment. For that particular single box, multi SKU shipment; Shipping cost was $9.33 and placement was 13.80 The total was $23.13
Then I break down the shipment into 5 equal quantitiy boxes. The shipping cost for 5 boxes was $4.20 + 5.13 + 6.45 + 6.20 + 5.30 = $27.28 - no placement cost.
This costs more.
Seller_Sram36TnVt73c
this is not news.
It has been this way since the beginning of these placement fees.
Seller_Sram36TnVt73c
you enter the total quantities you are going to send in amongst all 5 shipments.
Then you select Items Will NOT fit in one box.
On the resulting web form, you can indicate quantities per box. I e., if you are sending in a total of 60 umbrellas, 12 would go into each box.
Just follow the workflow...it is fairly self-explanatory.
Seller_DPetgMN6a9UZU
Yes from my understanding this is just an additional requirement to not pay the placement fee. Before, you could ship multiple items/cartons and as long as they shipped to 4+ locations, you didn't incur the fee. So really you could ship 4 different items in 4 different cartons and not incur the fee.
However now you need to ship 5 identical cartons. So if you wanted to ship four different items, you now need to ship in 20 cartons total to not incur the fee.
To answer your last question, you should be able to select how many cartons you send in, then select the amount of shipments you'd like on the next page to apply for the Amazon-Optimized shipment (4+ locations).
Seller_DPetgMN6a9UZU
Yes from my understanding this is just an additional requirement to not pay the placement fee. Before, you could ship multiple items/cartons and as long as they shipped to 4+ locations, you didn't incur the fee. So really you could ship 4 different items in 4 different cartons and not incur the fee.
However now you need to ship 5 identical cartons. So if you wanted to ship four different items, you now need to ship in 20 cartons total to not incur the fee.
To answer your last question, you should be able to select how many cartons you send in, then select the amount of shipments you'd like on the next page to apply for the Amazon-Optimized shipment (4+ locations).
Seller_UKfAz1VIAECNG
No explanation and Fees i still have even 5 identical boxes per item or more
Seller_UKfAz1VIAECNG
No explanation and Fees i still have even 5 identical boxes per item or more
Seller_TTG0TX5GOhqmW
I was just going to write about the same thing -- so check out this page on IPC (NOTE: Has this page been changed recently??)
Specifically scroll down to the section "How do I receive the Amazon-optimized shipment splits inbound option?" that shows an example table. Read that section and examples now imagine these scenarios:
SCENARIO #1:
Red Widgets come 10 to a box. You want to send 49 (versus 50 as one is damaged and you only have 49 in total It's impossible to be compliant as 49/5 is not an even amount and one box will be uneven. You are non-compliant = FEE.
SCENARIO #2:
You have 50 red widgets -- and create a shipment. During processing one becomes damaged or is found to be poor quality. You adjust one of the shipments down to 9 units in a box. You are non-compliant = FEE
SCENARIO #3:
You want to send in: 25 red widgets, 25 blue widgets, 25 green widgets, 25 yellow widgets. These widgets come 10 per box You request splits and are told to send 5 of each color to 5 different centers... no problem, right? Not so fast.
One of your packing team sends in the following two boxes to Center #1:
BOX A = 5 red, 5 blue
BOX B = 5 green, 5 yellow
Then a different packer is sending units to Center #2:
BOX A = 5 red, 5 green
BOX B = 5 blue, 5 yellow
** NON COMPLIANT ** = FEE
SCENARIO #3 -- ** AND MAJOR CONCERN **
We use the API to generate shipment splits. I ran two tests on a SKU where we are sending in 60 units packed in case packs of 12:
TEST #1: I told Amazon this item comes in cases of 12. Amazon returned the following splits: 12 + 12 + 12 + 24 = 60
Good news: It split on even case packs, Bad news -- one of the cases has a different quantity than the others (24 vs. 12) ... ** NON COMPLAINT ** FEE
TEST #2: I opted NOT to provide Amazon case size information. Amazon returned the following splits: 15 + 16 + 10 + 19 = 60 ** NON COMPLAINT ** FEE
Notice that? Amazon is intentionally sending us non-compliant split information(!)(!)
The good news, we have checked the FBA Inbound Placement Fee report for the past 90 days and only have $14 in fees -- with those coming from some April shipments that were sent during an Amazon glitch time period.
The bad news, I am concerned that this email is a new policy that has not been implemented yet and will be ** HERCULIAN ** to comply with.
SEAMODS, What's the deal? Is this a policy change?? If so, this is insane on top of the other fees.
@Bryce_Amazon @KJ_Amazon @CR_Amazon
Seller_TTG0TX5GOhqmW
I was just going to write about the same thing -- so check out this page on IPC (NOTE: Has this page been changed recently??)
Specifically scroll down to the section "How do I receive the Amazon-optimized shipment splits inbound option?" that shows an example table. Read that section and examples now imagine these scenarios:
SCENARIO #1:
Red Widgets come 10 to a box. You want to send 49 (versus 50 as one is damaged and you only have 49 in total It's impossible to be compliant as 49/5 is not an even amount and one box will be uneven. You are non-compliant = FEE.
SCENARIO #2:
You have 50 red widgets -- and create a shipment. During processing one becomes damaged or is found to be poor quality. You adjust one of the shipments down to 9 units in a box. You are non-compliant = FEE
SCENARIO #3:
You want to send in: 25 red widgets, 25 blue widgets, 25 green widgets, 25 yellow widgets. These widgets come 10 per box You request splits and are told to send 5 of each color to 5 different centers... no problem, right? Not so fast.
One of your packing team sends in the following two boxes to Center #1:
BOX A = 5 red, 5 blue
BOX B = 5 green, 5 yellow
Then a different packer is sending units to Center #2:
BOX A = 5 red, 5 green
BOX B = 5 blue, 5 yellow
** NON COMPLIANT ** = FEE
SCENARIO #3 -- ** AND MAJOR CONCERN **
We use the API to generate shipment splits. I ran two tests on a SKU where we are sending in 60 units packed in case packs of 12:
TEST #1: I told Amazon this item comes in cases of 12. Amazon returned the following splits: 12 + 12 + 12 + 24 = 60
Good news: It split on even case packs, Bad news -- one of the cases has a different quantity than the others (24 vs. 12) ... ** NON COMPLAINT ** FEE
TEST #2: I opted NOT to provide Amazon case size information. Amazon returned the following splits: 15 + 16 + 10 + 19 = 60 ** NON COMPLAINT ** FEE
Notice that? Amazon is intentionally sending us non-compliant split information(!)(!)
The good news, we have checked the FBA Inbound Placement Fee report for the past 90 days and only have $14 in fees -- with those coming from some April shipments that were sent during an Amazon glitch time period.
The bad news, I am concerned that this email is a new policy that has not been implemented yet and will be ** HERCULIAN ** to comply with.
SEAMODS, What's the deal? Is this a policy change?? If so, this is insane on top of the other fees.
@Bryce_Amazon @KJ_Amazon @CR_Amazon
Seller_G1dITKzjrjqtm
I am on the west coast, Whenever I create a shipment of boxes that are all the same, it is always cheaper to incur the placement fee and have them shipped to the west cost centers than it is to ship them with no placement fees. Shipping to the east coast is expensive and costs more than the placement fees. 2 boxes, 5 boxes, 10 boxes, it does not matter.
Seller_G1dITKzjrjqtm
I am on the west coast, Whenever I create a shipment of boxes that are all the same, it is always cheaper to incur the placement fee and have them shipped to the west cost centers than it is to ship them with no placement fees. Shipping to the east coast is expensive and costs more than the placement fees. 2 boxes, 5 boxes, 10 boxes, it does not matter.
Seller_TTG0TX5GOhqmW
It's becoming more and more clear that Amazon is indirectly forcing sellers to use STAR/AWD through increased FBA fees.
Seller_TTG0TX5GOhqmW
It's becoming more and more clear that Amazon is indirectly forcing sellers to use STAR/AWD through increased FBA fees.
Seller_WtOwWhtSrFjva
Of course one of the boxes will get "lost" which will negate the whole thing.
And if you have to depend on Amazon to apply the fee once they receive it then I can think of many things that will go wrong especially with all the complaints on the forums about the time taking to receive inventory.
FBA is not what it was when I started selling 15 years ago. For many years we dominated the seed category. We made money. But things went slowly down hill.
There are many reasons why we stopped selling on FBA, but the straw that broke the camels back was when they claimed we sent three empty boxes. Even though we had the UPS receipt that showed the weight.
There are guys sitting in a fantasy world making these new things up and there are those in the real world just shaking their heads wondering when the insanity will end.
Like the new inventory program. I am not sure what they were trying to solve with this but there is way too much information on the screen, Very confusing.
Seller_WtOwWhtSrFjva
Of course one of the boxes will get "lost" which will negate the whole thing.
And if you have to depend on Amazon to apply the fee once they receive it then I can think of many things that will go wrong especially with all the complaints on the forums about the time taking to receive inventory.
FBA is not what it was when I started selling 15 years ago. For many years we dominated the seed category. We made money. But things went slowly down hill.
There are many reasons why we stopped selling on FBA, but the straw that broke the camels back was when they claimed we sent three empty boxes. Even though we had the UPS receipt that showed the weight.
There are guys sitting in a fantasy world making these new things up and there are those in the real world just shaking their heads wondering when the insanity will end.
Like the new inventory program. I am not sure what they were trying to solve with this but there is way too much information on the screen, Very confusing.
Seller_TTG0TX5GOhqmW
I'm amazed this post has not gotten more traction.
I don't think sellers have paid attention for fully understand what this new rule means.
Also note, there is no specific information on how the fee will be implemented... will the entire shipment be subject to fees, or will just the non compliant units or boxes?
If fees are applied, what are the fees? Are they the 2-3 center split fees? or the 1 center fees?
So many questions.
Seller_TTG0TX5GOhqmW
I'm amazed this post has not gotten more traction.
I don't think sellers have paid attention for fully understand what this new rule means.
Also note, there is no specific information on how the fee will be implemented... will the entire shipment be subject to fees, or will just the non compliant units or boxes?
If fees are applied, what are the fees? Are they the 2-3 center split fees? or the 1 center fees?
So many questions.
Seller_E5UQlfc48JDhW
I tested it with a sample shipment. For that particular single box, multi SKU shipment; Shipping cost was $9.33 and placement was 13.80 The total was $23.13
Then I break down the shipment into 5 equal quantitiy boxes. The shipping cost for 5 boxes was $4.20 + 5.13 + 6.45 + 6.20 + 5.30 = $27.28 - no placement cost.
This costs more.
Seller_E5UQlfc48JDhW
I tested it with a sample shipment. For that particular single box, multi SKU shipment; Shipping cost was $9.33 and placement was 13.80 The total was $23.13
Then I break down the shipment into 5 equal quantitiy boxes. The shipping cost for 5 boxes was $4.20 + 5.13 + 6.45 + 6.20 + 5.30 = $27.28 - no placement cost.
This costs more.
Seller_Sram36TnVt73c
this is not news.
It has been this way since the beginning of these placement fees.
Seller_Sram36TnVt73c
this is not news.
It has been this way since the beginning of these placement fees.
Seller_Sram36TnVt73c
you enter the total quantities you are going to send in amongst all 5 shipments.
Then you select Items Will NOT fit in one box.
On the resulting web form, you can indicate quantities per box. I e., if you are sending in a total of 60 umbrellas, 12 would go into each box.
Just follow the workflow...it is fairly self-explanatory.
Seller_Sram36TnVt73c
you enter the total quantities you are going to send in amongst all 5 shipments.
Then you select Items Will NOT fit in one box.
On the resulting web form, you can indicate quantities per box. I e., if you are sending in a total of 60 umbrellas, 12 would go into each box.
Just follow the workflow...it is fairly self-explanatory.
