The different shipping methods to Amazon Warehouse vary based on the shipment size and time of the year.
The most important question to ask suppliers is if they have the products on hand in their warehouse.
If they do, then they should be able to process ship out an order within 48 hours.
If they do not, then it is best to ask them for an exact date when they will be able to ship out the order.
Amazon usually processes and stocks a shipment in their warehouse within 72 hours of receiving the shipment.
Amazon's warehouse capacity could affect the duration of the shipping process. At certain times of the year, like the holiday season, it can take longer than the usual 72 hours.
There are 3 different types of shipping methods:
Small Parcel Delivery (SPD):
Usually, the fastest method, but also most expensive by rate because it is smaller packages that have to be handled individually.
Small Parcel Deliveries are loose cartons, not on a pallet, and are packaged individually.
This is typically what most beginners use when starting to sell on Amazon.
UPS is normally the delivery provider for SPD's and can get the shipment to Amazon within 72 hours.
Less Than A Truckload (LTL):
It is probably more than 10 boxes because it is going on a pallet and then a contracted carrier will come to pick up the pallet from the supplier.
It is a little bit cheaper by weight, however when you are not taking up an entire truckload, it means the carrier is picking up multiple pallets from multiple locations.
It typically takes a week or two weeks to get to an Amazon warehouse.
Full Truckload (FTL):
This is where the entire shipment is yours. Depending on the size of the freight truck, it takes about 22-25 pallets to take up a full truckload.
This is a more advanced shipping method for larger Amazon businesses.
The shipping method will depend on the number of products you are ordering from your supplier.
The sooner you can get your products ordered for the holiday season, the better off you will be.
So, there are three things to keep in mind when ordering products from suppliers.
How quickly can your supplier get your products ready to ship
How is Amazon's capacity at the moment? are they busy? Are they full?
What shipping method will you be using?
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