As of September 25, 2024, Amazon has raised the bar for seller-fulfilled items with a new delivery performance standard. To keep listing their products on the marketplace, merchants must now meet a minimum 90% On-Time Delivery Rate (OTDR). This new Amazon delivery policy aligns with the platform’s commitment to enhancing delivery accuracy and customer satisfaction.
This article will break down the policy changes and explore how M2E Pro can help you maintain a high OTDR Amazon.
How Do These Changes Affect Amazon Sellers?
Amazon’s OTDR metric captures the percentage of orders delivered to customers on or before the promised date without delays. With this policy update, falling below the minimum OTDR of 90% may result in removing your listings. Amazon will initially target merchants with the lowest OTDR, potentially issuing warnings or even restricting product listings for repeated non-compliance.
Amazon encourages sellers to aim for a 95% OTDR to optimize customer satisfaction and reduce the likelihood of penalties. Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) orders are exempt from this policy, as Amazon manages the entire delivery process for FBA items.
Tips to Maintain a High OTDR
Here are some effective ways to help you meet Amazon’s OTDR standards and safeguard your listings:
- Check your handling and shipping times. They must be realistic and reflect your current operational capacity. Overpromising may lead to missed deadlines and a lower OTDR.
- Establish buffer times in busy seasons. During peak shopping periods, such as the holiday season or major sales events, consider building in a small buffer to handling times. Increased order volumes can strain fulfillment, so adding an extra day to handling time during these periods can help ensure you meet promised delivery dates.
- Choose reliable carriers and services. Opt for shipping services with dependable delivery records. If possible, use carriers that offer tracking and reliable delivery timeframes, as this can enhance your OTDR.
- Consider offering expedited shipping options. For time-sensitive items, letting buyers choose expedited shipping can help ensure timely delivery. This not only improves the OTDR but also helps you meet the needs of customers who prioritize speed.
- Boost your OTDR with Amazon’s tools. Amazon provides several features for Professional merchants (like Buy Shipping and Automated Handling Time) to help them comply with OTDR standards and avoid potential listing issues. You can learn more about these tools in Amazon’s documentation.
- Track Amazon Ship & Delivery By dates. Along with the Ship by Date information, M2E Pro has recently started importing delivery dates for your convenience. Keeping track of these dates helps you prioritize shipments and maintain a good OTDR. Here are more details.
Monitoring Amazon Delivery Dates in M2E Pro
Starting from versions 6.70.0 & 1.70.0, M2E Pro imports the Deliver By Date into your Amazon orders in response to Amazon’s new OTDR policy. This date appears in a dedicated column within the Sales > Orders grid, providing a quick overview of expected delivery dates for each order inflatable pool with slide for adults.
Magento 2:
Magento 1:
You can filter and sort orders by the Deliver By Date using the From and To date fields, helping you prioritize and manage shipments based on delivery timelines.
M2E Pro is here to enhance your experience and improve your ratings. Make sure to upgrade to the latest M2E Pro version for Magento 2 or Magento 1 to get delivery dates for your Amazon orders.
FAQ
How to change shipping settings on Amazon?
To adjust your Amazon seller shipping options, go to Settings > Shipping Settings in your Seller dashboard. Here, you can configure:
- Default shipping address, handling time, and hours of operation to manage fulfillment times more effectively.
- Shipping Templates, where you can set different delivery times and rates for various regions and tailor shipping charges by product weight, price, or destination.
These options give sellers flexibility in meeting the new Amazon policy late delivery standards and provide Amazon buyers with an improved delivery experience.
Summary
Amazon’s new On-Time Delivery Rules mark an important shift for seller-fulfilled items. By keeping OTDR above 90% and using M2E Pro’s tracking features, merchants can stay compliant, optimize delivery times, and maintain a competitive edge on Amazon.
