Why Is My Amazon Order Stuck on Shipping Now?
Your Amazon order might be stuck on “Shipping Now” for several reasons:
- Out of Stock: The item may have run out after you ordered it, especially with third-party sellers. Amazon might wait for restocking, but if it’s discontinued, it won’t be shipped.
- Tracking Issues: A problem with the shipping label, like a bad print, could prevent it from being scanned, causing delays.
- Delivery Delays: The package is in transit, but the delivery date has been pushed back by weeks.
- Warehouse Delays: Amazon may hold orders for up to 21 days to check for issues. This is how most warehousing services work.
- System Errors: The status may not have been updated, or the order might have been overlooked.
Shipping Now on Amazon Timeline
When your Amazon order status changes to “Shipping Now,” your order is likely on a truck, starting its journey to you. However, the delivery time depends on the shipping method, product availability, and destination. You can expect your order to arrive within the following timeline:
- Standard Shipping: Usually takes 3-5 business days. Some items ship right away, while others need time to process.
- Expedited Shipping: Faster options like 2-day or 1-day shipping are available for an extra fee.
- Same-Day Shipping: Available for certain items in select cities for an extra charge. Orders placed before the morning deadline may arrive the same day.
- Amazon Prime Members: Get free 2-day shipping on eligible items with no minimum purchase.
- Non-Prime Members: Shipping usually takes about 3-4 business days.
Amazon’s Product Shipping Process in Stages
Amazon’s shipping process has several stages, whether you use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) or ship items yourself.
- Pre-shipment (When a Buyer Orders)
When a buyer places an order, Amazon sends a notification. If you use FBA, the order details go to the warehouse. If you handle shipping yourself, the notification tells you to prepare the package and the time frame for shipping. Amazon collects payment from the buyer, and once the transaction is complete, you are notified that funds are available. You can then proceed with the order. - Preparing for Shipment
The seller gathers the ordered items and necessary shipping materials. For FBA, Amazon workers in the warehouse pick, pack, and label the items according to FBA guidelines to make safe transport possible.
If you ship items yourself, you must package, label, and send tracking details to the carrier. When shipping to Amazon’s fulfillment centers, you must create a shipping plan in Seller Central by entering details such as the shipping destination, carrier, and package weight. - Shipping
Once the seller ships the order, the status updates to “Shipping Now,” meaning the carrier has picked up the package and it’s in transit. For FBA shipments, sellers must enter shipping details, and Amazon provides carrier options like UPS, FedEx, and USPS.
Amazon then generates a shipping plan based on the entered details, allowing sellers to review and confirm the shipment. The final step is selecting a shipping service, such as Small Parcel Delivery (SPD) or Less than Truckload (LTL). - Delivery
The package first arrives at a carrier facility, where it is sorted and routed. At Amazon’s delivery station, an employee further sorts it based on the delivery route. A driver then loads it onto a vehicle for final delivery. Amazon provides tracking information so sellers and buyers can monitor the shipment’s progress. - Post-Delivery
Once the buyer receives the order, they can leave feedback. Sellers can monitor shipments in Seller Central by going to the “Inventory” menu and selecting “Shipments” to track deliveries to fulfillment centers or start a new shipment using the “Send to Amazon” workflow.
Closing Note
Despite showing the “Shipping Now” status on screen, Amazon orders can remain stuck in the for a long time. This delay can cause frustration at the buyer’s end. However, you can always contact Amazon and inquire about your order status.
Having a 3PL company by your side can help meet Amazon sellers’ delivery timelines. Contact our experts at Spark Hive. Give us a call at (346) 508-4237 for consultation.