Amazon’s fulfillment centres (FCs) are engineered to operate at extraordinary scale. Globally, Amazon operates over 175 fulfillment centres across the world, with 31 in the UK alone. Each centre is designed to process tens of thousands of units per day. To maintain this level of efficiency, Amazon enforces strict inbound compliance standards for vendors.
For Amazon Vendors (1P sellers), inbound performance is not simply an operational concern - it directly impacts vendor scorecards, inventory availability, Amazon chargeback exposure, and ultimately retail performance. Late shipments, incorrect documentation, or missed appointments can lead to delays, financial penalties, and long-term restrictions on delivery flexibility.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best practices for delivering to Amazon’s fulfillment centres, and avoiding common mistakes that can negatively impact vendor performance.
Amazon Fulfillment Centre Delivery Windows and Why They Matter
Amazon fulfillment centres assign strict delivery windows to regulate inbound traffic and prevent congestion. These appointment slots are carefully managed to ensure labour planning, dock availability, and inventory flow stay predictable.
According to Amazon Vendor Central guidance, arriving outside a scheduled delivery window is one of the most common causes of chargebacks and shipment rejections. Even deliveries that arrive early may be refused if the FC is operating at capacity.
Why Delivery Windows Are Critical
- Amazon fulfillment centres operate on tightly planned dock schedules, often with 15-30 minute tolerance thresholds.
- Missed or late appointments can delay inventory availability, affecting in-stock rate (ISR) and lost sales recovery.
- Repeated violations may lead to restricted appointment booking, forcing vendors into less favourable delivery times or extended lead times.
Booking and Meeting Your Delivery Window
Managing your delivery windows is crucial for smooth and effective Vendor logistics, so you’ll need to build effective, repeatable processes to ensure you’re meeting Amazon’s high standards.
Here are some key best practices for booking and meeting each delivery window.
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Plan ahead - Secure your appointment as early as possible via Carrier Central, which is integrated with Amazon Vendor Services. During peak periods (such as during Prime events or Q4), same-week appointments can become extremely limited.
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Confirm carrier availability - Ensure your carrier has explicitly confirmed the booked slot for the Amazon fulfillment centre. A common issue is vendors booking appointments that carriers later cannot honour, resulting in last-minute cancellations or no-shows.
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Monitor traffic and warehouse conditions - Real-time route planning and traffic monitoring can significantly reduce risk. In the UK, congestion around major logistics hubs (for example, the Midlands and South East) is a leading cause of missed slots.
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Arrive within your window - Arriving outside the booked window - early or late - can result in rejection or chargebacks. Amazon prioritises adherence to the appointment over shipment urgency.
What Happens If You Miss Your Slot?
If your carrier cannot make the assigned delivery window, reschedule the appointment in Carrier Central immediately. Attempting delivery without a valid slot almost always results in penalties.
Late or unplanned deliveries can:
- Trigger Amazon chargebacks
- Reduce future appointment availability
- Negatively impact your Vendor Performance Scorecard
Struggling to manage your Amazon logistics? Our full-service Amazon channel management service provides expert advice to help you streamline your shipments and avoid some of the most common chargeback risks.
Bill of Lading (BOL) Requirements: Getting It Right
The Bill of Lading (BOL) is a critical inbound document that enables Amazon fulfillment centres to receive, verify, and reconcile shipments accurately. Errors on the BOL are a leading cause of check-in delays, shipment rejections, and compliance penalties.
Amazon relies on the BOL to match physical deliveries against the Advanced Shipment Notification (ASN) submitted in Vendor Central. Any mismatch creates operational risk and slows the inbound process.
Key BOL Requirements for Amazon Fulfillment Centres
Accurate Shipment Details
- Product quantities must match the ASN exactly.
- ASINs and carton counts must be correct.
- Mixed or consolidated loads must be clearly documented.
Proper Formatting
- The BOL must be legible and professionally formatted.
- Include the correct Amazon Reference Number (ARN).
- Carrier name, trailer number, and ship-from details must be accurate.
ASN Alignment
Amazon fulfillment centres require that the ASN is submitted before the shipment leaves the origin. Any discrepancy between the ASN and BOL can lead to:
- Delayed receiving.
- Manual investigations.
- Chargebacks for non-compliance.
Common BOL Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Using an Incorrect Reference Number
Always verify that the ARN on the BOL matches the shipping confirmation in Vendor Central.
Omitting Pallet Details
For palletised shipments, Amazon expects pallet counts, stack height, and configuration details where applicable.
Failing to Provide a Printed Copy
While Amazon is increasingly digitised, many Amazon fulfillment centres can still require a physical BOL at check-in. Be sure to organise this even if it’s not strictly necessary, as absence of paperwork can cause delays or refusal.
Avoiding Late Cancellations and No-Show Penalties
Amazon closely monitors inbound reliability. Late cancellations and no-shows are treated as operational failures, and can seriously impact your vendor standing.
Industry benchmarks suggest that consistent no-shows or late cancellations are among the fastest ways to trigger inbound restrictions.
Here’s some of the ways you can minimise the risk to your brand.
Best Practices to Prevent Late Cancellations
Confirm Appointments In Advance
Validate that your carrier has acknowledged the booking and has the correct Amazon fulfillment centre address, appointment time, and reference numbers.
Communicate Proactively With Amazon
If issues arise, notify Amazon immediately through Vendor Central or Carrier Central. Early communication is viewed more favourably than last-minute changes.
Ensure Documentation Is Correct
Incorrect ASNs or missing paperwork often cause last-minute cancellations at the dock. These issues can also disrupt downstream activities such as Amazon Ads performance, if stock availability is affected.
What Happens If You Cancel Late?
Late cancellations may result in:
- Financial chargebacks.
- Reduced appointment flexibility.
- Temporary restrictions on inbound scheduling.
- Increased scrutiny on future shipments.
Handling Redirections and Rejected Shipments
Even with robust processes, shipments may occasionally be redirected or rejected. How quickly and effectively you respond can significantly reduce financial and operational impact.
Why Amazon Might Reject or Redirect a Shipment
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Missed or incorrect delivery window – Late or early arrivals outside the scheduled slot.
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Incorrect ASN or BOL details – Mismatches between shipment data and submitted documentation.
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Damaged or non-compliant packaging – Amazon may refuse shipments with improper labelling or damaged goods.
What To Do If Your Shipment is Rejected or Redirected
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Check the rejection reason – Amazon provides a reason for rejection via Vendor Central.
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Correct the issue – Update the ASN, relabel cartons, or arrange a new appointment as required.
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Coordinate with your carrier – Ensure the shipment is returned or redirected according to Amazon’s instructions.
FAQs
What should I do if my carrier is running late?
Contact Amazon via Carrier Central to reschedule the delivery. Do not attempt to deliver outside the assigned slot without approval.
Can I change my delivery window after booking?
Yes, but you must request changes in Carrier Central as soon as possible to avoid penalties.
How do I avoid chargebacks for incorrect documentation?
Ensure the ASN, BOL, and shipment details all match before sending your delivery. Double-check everything before dispatching.
What happens if my shipment is rejected at the FC?
You’ll receive a notification through Vendor Central. Address the issue and work with your carrier to either correct the shipment or return it.
Final Thoughts
Delivering to Amazon’s fulfillment centres requires meticulous planning, accurate documentation, and proactive communication. By securing delivery slots early, ensuring BOL and ASN accuracy, and avoiding late cancellations, vendors can protect their performance metrics and reduce unnecessary costs.
Consistent inbound compliance helps keep inventory flowing smoothly through Amazon’s network - maintaining availability, protecting sales velocity, and improving long-term retail relationships.
Struggling with Amazon fulfillment centre requirements? We’ve helped countless brands to overcome common challenges and streamline their Vendor Central operations. Get in touch today to see how we can help you unlock Amazon’s full potential.
