As a fellow small business owner, I know how important fast, reliable shipping is. When I place orders with Amazon as a customer or seller, I want to know exactly when to expect those packages to arrive.
In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about how long Amazon takes to ship orders in 2024 based on recent data. Whether you’re a Prime member or not, hopefully this breakdown will help you plan ahead and understand what impacts delivery times.
Overview of Amazon Shipping Times in 2024
In general, most Amazon orders ship out 1-2 business days after the order is placed. However, Prime members get free two-day shipping on over 100 million items, so your order could arrive even faster.
Here‘s an updated overview of the major shipping options and speeds:
- Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days (free for orders over $25)
- Amazon Prime Free Two-Day Shipping: 2 business days
- Amazon Prime Free One-Day Shipping: 1 business day
- Amazon Prime Free Same-Day Delivery: Under 6 hours in eligible zips
Amazon reported record Prime membership growth in Q4 2022, with over 200 million members worldwide. As a Prime member myself, I depend on the fast, free two-day shipping for over 80% of my orders.
Recent Impacts on Amazon Shipping Times
In 2022, we saw some fluctuations in Amazon‘s shipping times due to external factors:
- Pandemic-related supply chain issues caused inventory shortages, impacting order fulfillment times.
- Significant order volume surges during Prime Day and the holidays strained fulfillment centers.
- Severe weather events like Hurricane Ian caused carrier delays and disruptions.
However, Amazon invested over $60 billion to expand supply chain and delivery capacity. As a result, standard shipping times now appear to be back to pre-pandemic levels.
What Impacts Shipping Time in 2024?
As an entrepreneur, it‘s helpful to know what factors can affect your Amazon shipping times:
- Item availability – Low-stock inventory takes longer to fulfill. Check item pages for real-time quantity.
- Delivery location – Rural/remote regions may get longer estimates.
- Shipping speed selected – Upgrading to 1-Day or Same-Day speeds up delivery.
- Order volume – Peak seasons may have minor delays from increased orders.
- Weather events or delays – Storms, strikes, etc. can disrupt carrier operations.
Tracking and Support Options
Amazon provides tracking information within 1-2 days of shipping your order. As a customer, you can easily track packages by:
- Checking the status in Your Orders on Amazon‘s site or app
- Clicking the tracking link in your shipment confirmation email
- Entering the tracking number directly on the carrier‘s website
If your order is late and you need support, contact Amazon Customer Service via phone, chat, or messaging. I‘ve found their customer support to be very responsive when any shipping issues arise.
Amazon Prime Benefits for Faster Shipping
As a Prime member, I take advantage of these free fast-shipping options:
- One-Day Shipping – Arrives next day by 9 PM local delivery time
- Same-Day Delivery – Get packages in under 6 hours in eligible zips
- Release-Date Delivery – Early access to new releases
Prime also gives you access to Amazon Day, where you can choose a weekly delivery day to consolidate orders. This allows me to run my business more efficiently by planning ahead.
Non-Prime Shipping Options
For non-Prime customers, Amazon still offers convenient shipping choices:
- Standard Shipping – Free on $25+ orders (5-8 days)
- Expedited Shipping – Faster speed for an extra fee (3-5 days)
- Scheduled Delivery – Select a future arrival date
So even without Prime, you can find an Amazon shipping option that fits your budget and needs!
Handling Returns and Refunds
As an Amazon seller, I know that seamless returns are crucial for any business. Here‘s what I‘ve learned about the process from the buyer‘s side:
- Most new items can be returned within 30 days for a full refund.
- Online Returns Center allows self-service returns and refunds.
- Return shipping costs may apply based on return reason provided.
- Refunds are typically processed within 1-2 weeks after Amazon receives the return.
The Bottom Line
As a fellow entrepreneur, my advice is to consider Prime membership for the perks if you order frequently from Amazon. The fast, free shipping helps me run my business efficiently.
Outside of Prime, be sure to select the right shipping speed for your needs and budget. And reach out to customer service if any delivery issues occur.
With its wide selection of shipping options, real-time tracking, and exceptional support, Amazon remains my go-to for fast, reliable order fulfillment.
