As an Amazon seller, keeping tabs on your inventory is crucial for your business success. Amazon provides several tools to help you track shipments to fulfillment centers and address any discrepancies. Let's dive into how you can effectively manage this process.

🍎 Understanding the Shipping Queue

The Shipping Queue is your go-to tool for an overview of all active shipments. It shows the status of each shipment as it moves through various stages:

1. Shipped - The carrier has picked up your shipment, or you have dropped it off with the carrier.
2. Checked In - The trailer that your shipment is on has been moved from the facility yard to the dock door and is ready to be unloaded. Checked-in inventory has not yet been through the receiving process.
3. Receiving - Amazon has started scanning your shipment ID labels. Units are available for sale as soon as they're received. However, because units may be sent to other fulfillment centers closer to customers, it can take up to 18 days for received units to be available for immediate shipping.
4. Closed - Amazon has either confirmed all units received in your shipment compared with your shipped quantity, or your shipment has been open for more than 45 days (domestic shipment) or 75 days (international shipment) since shipment creation, whichever is first.

This at-a-glance view helps you quickly assess where your inventory stands in the fulfillment process.

🔍 Detailed Tracking with the Shipment Summary Page

For a deeper dive into a specific shipment, the Shipment Summary page is invaluable. Here, you'll find:

• Detailed tracking information
• A timeline of the shipment's progress
• Options to address any discrepancies

⚠️ Handling Shipment Discrepancies

Sometimes things don't go as planned. If you notice missing or extra units in your shipment, here's what to do:

1. Go to the Shipment Summary page
2. Request research on the discrepancy
3. Categorize the issue (e.g., units not shipped, extra units shipped)
4. Provide proof of inventory ownership and delivery

Amazon will investigate the issue, which can take anywhere from 2 to 60 days. For additional support, you can contact Seller Support with any details that might help locate missing units.

❗ Important Things to Remember

• Processing Times: Plan for up to 18 days from when units are received before they're available for sale
• No Manual Expediting: Amazon can't manually speed up the receiving process, as units may be distributed to various fulfillment centers for efficient customer delivery
• Proactive Management: Regularly check your Shipping Queue and Shipment Summary pages to catch and address issues early

By leveraging these tools and processes, you can better manage your inventory and ensure smooth operations for your Amazon business. Remember, staying on top of your shipments is key to maintaining healthy stock levels and satisfying customer demand.

Have you encountered any challenges with tracking your shipments to Amazon? Share your experiences or tips in the comments below!