Recently, Amazon has adjusted its shipping rules again!

Starting from February 20, 2024, Amazon will make new adjustments to the FBA warehousing configuration, especially for the shipment of standard-size goods, and sellers’ operating space will become smaller again!

Based on the current rules, sellers have three inventory entry configuration options:

Minimum Shipment Split: Products are shipped to the fewest incoming warehouse locations (usually only one), which is more expensive;

Partial shipment splitting: Goods are sent to multiple warehouse locations (usually 2-3 locations), which is less expensive;

Amazon-recommended optimal shipping locations: Distribute products to multiple locations (usually 4 or more) at no charge.

However, Amazon is now bringing new challenges to sellers - starting from February 20, 2025, the "partial shipment split" option will be cancelled and replaced by "Amazon optimized shipment split" and "minimum shipment split" modes.

So what do these two modes mean? Let's take a closer look:

Amazon Optimized Shipment Split

Simply put, if the seller can meet the following conditions, the warehousing configuration service fee can be waived:

Each product (SKU) must contain at least 5 identical cartons or pallets;

The mix of products in each box or pallet is the same, and the quantity of products in each box is the same;

If sellers can meet these conditions and ship to multiple Amazon fulfillment centers, they can enjoy this free policy.

Minimum Shipment Split

This option means that sellers can choose to ship inventory to a designated warehouse in the United States (West, Central, or East), but they need to pay the corresponding warehousing configuration service fee.

It should be noted that for large and bulky items (such as large furniture, home appliances, etc.), the delivery method remains unchanged. Sellers can still choose "Minimum Shipment Split" and make regional selections, and the "Partial Shipment Split" option for "Large Items" will continue to be retained.

Many sellers have reported that shipping will become more complicated after the new rules are implemented compared to the previous rules, especially for those sellers who cannot meet the "Amazon optimized shipment splitting" conditions:

Previously, "Amazon optimized shipment splitting" only required shipments to four locations, but now it requires at least five locations, which undoubtedly increases the difficulty of sellers' logistics operations;

If sellers fail to meet the new regulations, it may result in additional warehousing configuration service fees and operational complexity;

One seller stated that when he tried to distribute goods to five warehouses, the delay of the fifth batch of goods resulted in a 30-day difference between the first and last batches of goods entering the warehouse, and he was forced to pay the warehouse defect fee.

How to deal with these new regulations?

Stock up in advance: Avoid inventory backlogs and stockouts through more accurate sales forecasts and inventory management.

Cooperation with overseas warehouses: You can consider sending inventory to overseas warehouses in advance and adopt a "transit replenishment" model to balance the uncertainty and out-of-stock risks brought about by separate warehouses.

2025 Amazon Listing Title New Rules Guide