Account health, ads, inventory and fulfilment · The promise before the parcel
FBM handling time
Handling time sets the delivery promise. Late shipment rate is measured against it, not against your hopes.
Key facts
| What it is | The time between order and hand-off to the carrier, used to calculate the delivery date shown to the buyer |
|---|---|
| Measurement | Late shipment rate compares the confirmed ship date with the promised date |
| Proof | A carrier scan is the usual evidence that the parcel was handed off |
| Holiday settings | Calendar and holiday settings change the promise; keep them current |
| Conversion effect | A longer handling time lowers the delivery promise and can reduce conversion and buy box eligibility |
| Official source | Seller Central handling time and late shipment rate help pages |
Promise only what you can ship
Handling time is a public promise. Setting it to one day to look competitive and shipping in three creates late shipments, defects and cancellations. The short-term conversion gain is paid for with account health.
Set handling time per SKU, not per account, when the production or packing process differs. A made-to-order item and a stocked item should not share the same promise.
The scan is the proof
A label created is not a shipment. The carrier scan is what usually counts. If your process prints labels in the morning and hands off in the evening, the promise should reflect the hand-off, not the print.
Review late shipment rate weekly by carrier and by SKU. A single lane with repeated misses is a carrier or cut-off problem; a single SKU is a process problem. Fix the cause before extending handling time across the catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
What is the default handling time?
The default depends on the marketplace and account settings. It is a starting point, not a recommendation; set it from your actual process.
Can I set handling time per SKU?
Yes. Per-SKU handling time is the accurate way to handle products with different production or packing times.
What counts as late?
An order confirmed after the promised ship date. The exact measurement and grace rules are in the marketplace help page.
Does a carrier delay count against me?
It can, depending on the scan and the promise. Build a realistic cut-off and keep evidence of carrier failures for appeals.
Ask a compliance question
Free first answer by email. Tell us the destination, the product and the channel — we will point you to the rule and the official source. No obligation, no sales sequence.