Amazon Vendor Central Direct Fulfillment is an effective drop ship program that allows vendors to ship products directly to customers on Amazon's behalf.
This guide will provide an in-depth overview of managing orders in Amazon Vendor Central, covering everything from onboarding to effectively handling bulk shipments. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your processes, this comprehensive post will guide you through the core features of Direct Fulfillment.
Key Differences in Managing Direct Fulfillment Orders
One significant difference between direct fulfillment and traditional fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is the prep work for each ASIN. Unlike FBA, where products are sent to Amazon’s fulfillment centers in bulk, Direct Fulfillment requires individual packing, and vendors need to apply specific labels to each package.
Additionally, Direct Fulfillment requires confirming the order right after the carrier picks it up, ensuring Amazon and the customer are notified immediately about the shipment’s progress.
What is Amazon’s Direct Fulfillment program for?
This program is designed for vendors onboarded into Amazon’s Direct Fulfillment program. Direct Fulfillment is Amazon’s drop-ship model, where vendors pack and ship products directly to customers rather than sending stock to Amazon’s fulfillment centers.
If you haven’t been onboarded onto Direct Fulfillment yet, Amazon offers a separate training called What Direct Fulfillment? in the Vendor Central Training Center. This training provides essential insights into the program and its benefits.
Critical Tasks in Order Management
Managing orders in Vendor Central involves a few essential tasks to ensure a smooth fulfillment process. These include:
- Changing the Invoice ID: Vendors may need to update the invoice ID to avoid confusion with internal accounting systems. You must note that you can only do this before shipping the item.
- Changing the Number of Packages to be Shipped: Sometimes, an order may need to be adjusted based on packaging requirements.
- Preparing Shipments: Ensuring all items are packed properly with appropriate labels.
- Managing Orders in Bulk: Efficiently managing multiple orders using spreadsheets.
We’ll dive into the specifics of these tasks to help you manage your orders more effectively.
Changing the Invoice ID
To change the invoice ID in Vendor Central, follow these steps:
- Select “Update with Spreadsheet”: At the top of the Customer Orders page, click on “Update with Spreadsheet.”
- Download and Edit the Spreadsheet**: Select the appropriate warehouse and download the shipments template file. Once downloaded, modify the **Order ID** column in Excel, ensuring that the correct ID is used for your records.
- Upload the Updated Spreadsheet**: Save the edited file and upload it back to Vendor Central using the “Browse for updated file” button.
What Happens If You Don’t Ship Within the Required Ship Date?
Timeliness is crucial in Direct Fulfillment. If you fail to ship an order within the required ship date, Amazon grants a grace period of 7 days to confirm the shipment of the item.
Failure to meet this deadline will automatically cancel the order. In this case, a chargeback will be issued, and you cannot invoice the item.
Accessing Your Orders
To access your Direct Fulfillment orders in Vendor Central, go to: Orders > Direct Fulfillment Orders
You can view both unshipped and shipped orders. By default, unshipped orders will be displayed, but you can filter to show shipped items if needed.
Receiving Orders
Orders received through Direct Fulfillment include detailed information on the latest shipping date and time. This information can be viewed under the “Expected Ship Date (ExSD)” and “Ship Method (SM).” It’s essential to note these details to avoid any delays or penalties.
Managing Orders in Bulk
Direct Fulfillment allows for bulk order management through spreadsheet updates, making it easier for vendors to process multiple shipments simultaneously. To manage orders in bulk:
- Download the Shipment Template: This template helps update all the relevant information for multiple orders.
- Edit Shipment Details: Fill in details like tracking numbers, package contents, etc.
- Submit the Spreadsheet: Upload the updated spreadsheet to Vendor Central to apply the changes.
Vendor Central Direct Fulfillment is a powerful tool for vendors who want to take control of the shipping process while leveraging Amazon’s vast reach. Staying proactive and detail-oriented with each order will lead to a smoother fulfillment experience, better customer satisfaction, and a strong partnership with Amazon.
For more information on the Amazon technical documentation for Vendor Central, see start with the SP-API Vendor Direct Fulfillment guide.
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