What Is Amazon Easy Ship and How It Works – Complete Guide
Amazon Easy Ship is a shipping service offered by Amazon for sellers that handles order delivery from seller’s location to the customer, with Amazon managing logistics. Using Easy Ship can simplify fulfillment, improve delivery speed, and enhance customer satisfaction. This guide explains what Easy Ship is, how it works, the pros & cons, and how you can start using it.
Table of contents
- What Is Amazon Easy Ship and How It Works – Complete Guide
- 1. What Is Amazon Easy Ship?
- 2. Key Benefits of Using Amazon Easy Ship
- 3. Potential Drawbacks to Keep in Mind
- 4. How Amazon Easy Ship Works – Step by Step
- 5. Costs & Pricing Structure
- 6. Best Practices for Sellers Using Easy Ship
- 7. How Amazon Easy Ship Compares with Other Fulfillment Options
- 8. Who Should Use Easy Ship?
- 9. How to Get Started
- Final Thoughts
- Related Posts
1. What Is Amazon Easy Ship?
- Amazon Easy Ship is a seller shipping model where you (seller) prepare and pack the item, and Amazon picks it up and delivers it to the buyer.
- Under this model, Amazon handles the last-mile delivery, tracking, and customer communication once the item leaves your facility.
- It differs from Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) where Amazon stores inventory, picks, packs, and handles returns. With Easy Ship, inventory remains with you until shipping.
2. Key Benefits of Using Amazon Easy Ship
| Benefit | Why It Helps Your Business |
|---|---|
| Reduced logistics hassle | Amazon takes care of deliveries, saving you time and effort. |
| Faster delivery to customers | Better delivery times enhance customer experience and help ratings. |
| Professional tracking & support | Amazon handles tracking updates and delivery concerns. |
| Lower operational overhead | You avoid needing your own courier network or multiple delivery partners. |
| Better visibility | Deliveries by Amazon are trusted, which can boost buyer confidence. |
3. Potential Drawbacks to Keep in Mind
- Costs & Charges – Amazon charges shipping & service fees; these vary by region, product weight & size.
- Packaging requirements – You need to meet Amazon’s packing and labeling standards to avoid returns or delivery delays.
- Responsibility up to pickup – Before Amazon takes over, getting the order ready correctly is your responsibility. Errors at this stage can cause delays.
- Limited control – Once the parcel is handed off, Amazon handles delivery; some flexibility is lost compared to using your own courier.
4. How Amazon Easy Ship Works – Step by Step
- Enable Easy Ship: Activate Easy Ship in your Amazon Seller Central under shipping/fulfillment settings.
- List or update eligible products: Make sure products are marked eligible for Easy Ship. Some items may not qualify due to location, size, or category restrictions.
- Receive order from customer: When a buyer places an order with Easy Ship, you’ll get the order in your dashboard.
- Prepare & pick up: You pack the item, label it according to Amazon’s guidelines, and prepare it for pickup. Amazon arranges the courier to collect from your location.
- Last-mile delivery: After pickup, Amazon transports and delivers the item to the customer, handles tracking, and updates the buyer.
- Delivery confirmation & customer support: Amazon confirms delivery, manages delivery issues (lost shipment, delays), while you may assist with non-delivery or product support.
5. Costs & Pricing Structure
- Shipping fees: Based on the distance, weight, and size of the package.
- Service or fulfillment fees: Amazon may charge additional line or service fees for handling orders under Easy Ship.
- Penalties or charges for non-compliance: If packaging or labeling isn’t up to standard, you may incur additional costs or delays.
Make sure to check the specific fee structure in your marketplace (India or others) because costs vary widely by region.
6. Best Practices for Sellers Using Easy Ship
- Use correct and sturdy packaging: Avoid damage in transit, reduce returns.
- Ensure accurate weight & dimensions: Helps avoid unexpected extra shipping charges.
- Stay prepared for pickup: Have orders packed and ready so that courier pickup time windows are met.
- Keep tracking updated: Monitor delivery status and assist if Amazon’s delivery team needs clarification.
- Offer good customer communication: Message customers when item is shipped, expected delivery, etc.
7. How Amazon Easy Ship Compares with Other Fulfillment Options
| Option | Inventory Location | Order Fulfillment Scope | Cost Level | Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy Ship | You store | You pick/pack; Amazon delivers | Moderate | Medium |
| Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) | Amazon warehouses | Amazon does all steps (pack, store, deliver) | Higher fees | Lower for packing; higher convenience |
| Seller-Fulfilled Prime / Self-Fulfillment | You store | You manage shipping; sometimes matching Prime standards | Variable | High control |
Choosing the right option depends on your scale, margins, resources, and customer expectations.
8. Who Should Use Easy Ship?
Amazon Easy Ship is especially useful for:
- Sellers who want to reduce their fulfillment burden but aren’t ready for FBA.
- Locations where Amazon has strong delivery infrastructure.
- Products that are eligible in size, weight, and safety for Easy Ship.
- Sellers focused on speed, fewer delivery issues, and better customer trust.
9. How to Get Started
- Check your account settings and see if Easy Ship is already available for your region.
- Review Amazon’s policies and eligibility criteria (product size, category limitations, packaging norms).
- Train your packing team on correct labeling, weight/dimension measurement, and quality checks.
- Monitor metrics like On-time Delivery, Return Rate, and Customer Feedback once you start using Easy Ship.
Final Thoughts
Amazon Easy Ship offers a valuable middle ground between full self-fulfillment and full Amazon fulfillment. It allows sellers to retain control over inventory while offloading the logistics of delivery. If implemented well, it can boost customer trust, reduce delivery issues, and improve seller experience.