Amazon US Adjusts Handling-Time Requirements for Seller-Fulfilled Orders
Amazon requires US seller-fulfilled sellers to set handling times based on actual operating capabilities; some SKUs may be flagged and require adjustment.
What are the key facts?
- 1US seller-fulfilled products must use handling times that match actual capabilities
- 2New requirements take effect June 29, 2026
- 3Eligible SKUs may be flagged and receive a 30-day adjustment period
- 4More than 87% of US seller-fulfilled orders can be processed within one day
What happened?
Amazon has introduced new handling-time requirements for seller-fulfilled products in the US marketplace, requiring sellers to set account- or SKU-level handling times that match their actual operating capabilities. The requirements take effect June 29, 2026, and continue to be highlighted in Seller Central and Amazon’s announcement channels. If a SKU is consistently shipped at least one day faster than its configured handling time, Amazon may flag the SKU and give the seller 30 days to update the setting. Amazon said that more than 87% of US seller-fulfilled orders can be processed within one day; reducing the estimated delivery time by one day could generate an average sales increase of approximately 5%. The change mainly affects FBM sellers, overseas-warehouse sellers, and sellers operating stores with large numbers of SKUs. Sellers need to reset SKU-level handling times based on warehouse cutoff times, weekend operating capacity, and carrier pickup times to avoid longer promised delivery times affecting conversion while also avoiding late-shipment risk from settings that are too short.
What does this mean for cross-border sellers?
US FBM, overseas-warehouse, and assortment-focused sellers need to recheck account- or SKU-level handling times. Avoid settings that are too long and weaken promised delivery and conversion, or settings that are too short and increase late-shipment risk. If a SKU is consistently processed at least one day faster than its configured time, it may be flagged and receive a 30-day adjustment period; reducing the estimated delivery time by one day could generate an average sales increase of approximately 5%.
What should sellers do now?
- 1This week, review US FBM and overseas-warehouse SKUs. Compare actual handling times against warehouse cutoff times, weekend operations, and carrier pickup records; identify SKUs that are consistently at least one day faster, create an adjustment list, and review each item.Listing character checker
- 2This week, create a handling-time review sheet for each US SKU, recording the configured value, actual operating capability, and effect on promised delivery. Prioritize assortment-focused stores, ensure every SKU has traceable supporting data, and produce a completed-review list.
- 3This week, check SKUs already flagged in Seller Central. Based on warehouse cutoff times, weekend operations, and carrier pickup capacity, update handling times within the 30-day adjustment period. After completion, retain records of each SKU’s original and new settings.