Alternative options when West Coast ports are congested
From time to time, ports on the West Coast of the United States, most notably the main Port of Los Angeles, may see increased shipping volumes leading to port congestion. These delays can impact inbound shipments from overseas and lead times for getting inventory into the Amazon Fulfillment Network (AFN) at our West Coast facilities, especially during peak periods.
To reduce delays due to congestion or other potential disruptions, and to prepare for peak sales periods, we recommend considering the following options:
- Plan for Longer Lead Times: We recommend adjusting your inventory planning to account for potential delays and sending your inventory ahead of peak shopping periods to best avoid delays.
- Hold Safety Stock in the US: Store your products in bulk at low-cost storage facilities like Amazon Warehousing Distribution (AWD) in the US. You can replenish your products directly into AFN when it is stored at an AWD facility within the US versus waiting for your products to clear the ports into AFN. To get started, go to Send shipments to Amazon Warehousing and Distribution.
- Diversify Your Ports of Entry: Don't rely solely on the main Port of Los Angeles. Consider routing shipments through alternative ports:
- Alternative West Coast ports such as the Port of Oakland or the Port of Seattle-Tacoma
- East Coast ports such as New York-New Jersey or Savannah
- Send Inventory to non-West Coast Amazon sites: Most inventory going into AFN originates on the West Coast and our AWD and fulfillment centers located there are very popular. To get around inbound delays, consider sending inventory to our sites in other regions around the US.
- Use Air Transportation for Time-Sensitive Items: While more expensive, air freight can be a viable option for high-value or urgently needed inventory. For eligible shipments, you’ll see air options via SEND (Amazon Partnered Carriers) in the Send to Amazon: Confirm shipping step of the Send to Amazon workflow.
We hope the recommendations above help ensure that your products are ready to reach customers as quickly as possible.
Alternative options when West Coast ports are congested
From time to time, ports on the West Coast of the United States, most notably the main Port of Los Angeles, may see increased shipping volumes leading to port congestion. These delays can impact inbound shipments from overseas and lead times for getting inventory into the Amazon Fulfillment Network (AFN) at our West Coast facilities, especially during peak periods.
To reduce delays due to congestion or other potential disruptions, and to prepare for peak sales periods, we recommend considering the following options:
- Plan for Longer Lead Times: We recommend adjusting your inventory planning to account for potential delays and sending your inventory ahead of peak shopping periods to best avoid delays.
- Hold Safety Stock in the US: Store your products in bulk at low-cost storage facilities like Amazon Warehousing Distribution (AWD) in the US. You can replenish your products directly into AFN when it is stored at an AWD facility within the US versus waiting for your products to clear the ports into AFN. To get started, go to Send shipments to Amazon Warehousing and Distribution.
- Diversify Your Ports of Entry: Don't rely solely on the main Port of Los Angeles. Consider routing shipments through alternative ports:
- Alternative West Coast ports such as the Port of Oakland or the Port of Seattle-Tacoma
- East Coast ports such as New York-New Jersey or Savannah
- Send Inventory to non-West Coast Amazon sites: Most inventory going into AFN originates on the West Coast and our AWD and fulfillment centers located there are very popular. To get around inbound delays, consider sending inventory to our sites in other regions around the US.
- Use Air Transportation for Time-Sensitive Items: While more expensive, air freight can be a viable option for high-value or urgently needed inventory. For eligible shipments, you’ll see air options via SEND (Amazon Partnered Carriers) in the Send to Amazon: Confirm shipping step of the Send to Amazon workflow.
We hope the recommendations above help ensure that your products are ready to reach customers as quickly as possible.
5 replies
Seller_QeFe6GpYlfyoK
New post Idea: "Alternative options for when West Coast FCs are congested" and it's a list of things to do when inventory has been sitting at SCK8 for 4 months
Seller_5ttu1AKpRj26d
amazon have created its own problem
1) going up with cost for 3ps on inventory like crazy
2) usa have put up a tariff on amazon items coming from West Coast - the real name china call it by the real problem not west cost problem
3) the local government of California and specific la is against business ( the government controls ports on the West Coast of the United States) is not fair for business
Seller_jbNHrUaE9bA9E
Even though shipment distribution is a mess, the cost of shipping from China to the U.S. West Coast — combined with those high placement fees — isn’t much cheaper than shipping to the East Coast. I think that’s why everyone still prefers the West Coast: when the cost is roughly the same, why not go for the route that might offer faster delivery times?
Seller_kLq7pWyhB9Yg9
post. Great guidance. AWD is excellent for large businesses. Congestion on west coast is also an indication that bulk of items sold on Amazon are shipped from china. Sourcing from within USA is a great option provided prices are competitive. Same for EU countries.
