New rules! FBA will not accept this type of products...

Are you still worried about logistics today? The snowstorm in the United States is still going on, and Amazon FBA has urgently introduced a new return policy to deal with the logistics problems caused by the snowstorm.

In addition, Amazon FBA also stated that starting from April 15, meltable products such as chocolate and fudge will not be accepted by FBA, and sellers selling related products should pay attention to moving inventory quickly.

Amazon recently announced that it will raise the maximum size and weight standards for European FBA products from April 1, so that some "heavy" and "bulky" products can successfully join the FBA family. In addition, Amazon also announced that it will reduce the platform sales commission rate for bicycle accessories from the original 15% to 8%, and the new regulations will officially take effect from April 1.

Amazon announces the latest FBA rules, these products will benefit

The editor learned from Amazon that starting from April 1, the maximum size, weight and standards of European FBA products will be increased. The following is the announcement ↓↓↓

From April 1, 2021, we will increase the maximum size and weight standards for FBA in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. This will allow sellers to use FBA to process single-box orders with product dimensions > 175 cm in length, > 31.5 kg in weight, and > 360 cm in width.

It is understood that some FBA services (such as Pan-European FBA and European Distribution Network) are not currently applicable to heavy FBA and large FBA projects. Therefore, some sellers of bulk products such as furniture, home appliances, treadmills, etc. will benefit from the new policy.

Starting from April 15, these products will not be accepted by FBA

In addition to the increase in the maximum size, weight and standards of FBA products in Europe , Amazon FBA sellers should also note that meltable inventory such as chocolate and fudge will not be accepted by FBA starting April 15.

The following information can be obtained from the email received from the seller ↓↓↓

Starting April 15, 2021, Amazon FBA will not fulfill or accept meltable products, and starting October 16, 2021, will accept meltable products again.

It is understood that "meltable" refers to all heat-sensitive products, including but not limited to chocolate, pectin, jelly and wax products. If the seller cannot move the product before April 15, a removal order needs to be submitted. If a removal order is not submitted before that date, your meltable materials will be charged.

This news will be a big blow to sellers of related products.

Snowstorm hits, FBA return processing delayed

To make matters worse, due to the recent snowstorm in the United States, there will be a certain degree of delay in logistics, and Amazon has also noticed this and issued an announcement about returns.

Amazon released an announcement yesterday, "Return processing is temporarily delayed due to severe winter weather", stating that due to severe winter storms sweeping across much of the United States, we have experienced delays in receiving and processing customer returns. For some returned items, there will be a delay in re-depositing inventory into your account or compensating for the cost of these items, and you do not need to take any action on the return.

Severe congestion at U.S. ports, logistics delays intensify again

In addition to making returns difficult, a snowstorm also made the logistics situation in the United States even worse.

Yien.com has learned that U.S. ports have been severely congested recently and the goods of many sellers have been delayed. It is understood that many cargo ships near U.S. ports are currently unable to unload goods.

According to foreign media reports, there are about 60 ships anchored at Southern California ports waiting for berths recently , and the backlog of container ships at Southern California ports shows no sign of abating. Gene Seroka, executive director of Los Angeles, said that there are about 50 ships at anchor in the San Pedro Bay area waiting for berths in Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Coupled with the current extreme snowstorm in the United States, the congestion problem has spread to the entire North American region. The editor also interviewed a freight forwarder, who said: " Currently, Matsun and Zim will be delayed for about a week, and Yantian will be delayed for at least half a month. "

The freight forwarder said: "The congestion has exacerbated the increase in the number of infections among dock workers, and the slow delivery on land has led to more congestion at the port. The unloading time of large ships continues to be slow. Most ships are unable to berth and unload after arriving at the port. The cargo ships have to wait in line for 8-14 days to berth ."

The huge volume of U.S. imports has overwhelmed the country’s two largest container hubs, in Los Angeles and Long Beach. According to data from the Los Angeles Signal Port, imports in January were 518,000 TEUs, equivalent to 60% of the port’s entire import container throughput in the first quarter of last year.

Additionally, Signal’s forecast for the remaining week of February suggests that Los Angeles will reach 500,000 TEU of imports this month, with import containers arriving on ships in the first week of March up 217% from the same period in 2020.

While there are some hopes that the backlog of goods may be eased, the National Retail Federation this week predicted that retail merchandise imports at major U.S. ports will continue to set records at least through mid-year, meaning shippers and carriers can expect delays to continue and possibly worsen as 2021 progresses, foreign media reported.

An informed freight forwarder said that due to the congestion at the west coast ports of the United States, several shipping companies have announced that their new trans-Pacific routes will no longer stop at Los Angeles -Long Beach.

According to various reports, the logistics situation in 2021 is not optimistic. Some freight forwarders reminded sellers: "At the end of last year, a large number of Amazon sellers were frantically replenishing their stocks, which caused serious congestion at Yantian Port. Coupled with the current situation abroad, the goods replenished at the end of the year will basically be delayed. Sellers should be mentally prepared."

The commission rate for bicycle accessories category is reduced to 8%

Although port congestion remains, Amazon's commission rate in this category has dropped.

Yien.com learned that recently Amazon UK released an announcement "Reducing referral fees for bicycle accessories". The announcement stated that in order to help your business, we have created a new "Bicycle Accessories" category and reduced the referral fees for items sold in this category.

Starting April 1, 2021, the referral fee for all Amazon UK and European markets will be 8%. However, sellers should note that this does not include the 2% digital service tax in the UK and the 3% digital service tax in France, Italy and Spain.

The previous fee was 15% of the total sales price , which is the price the buyer pays including the price of the item and any shipping or gift wrapping charges.

It is understood that the bicycle accessories category includes the following product types ↓

Bike backpacks, bags and panniers

Bike bells

Bike covers

Bike locks (cable, chain, combination, folding, mount)

Bike mirrors

Bike pumps

Bike racks and stands

Bike trainers

Bottle cages

Fenders

Lighting parts and accessories

Quick releases

Rim bands

Saddle covers

Training wheels

Valve caps

Amazon sellers who sell these products on the European site can benefit from the new policy.

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