Few things are more frustrating than waiting for your Amazon shipment to arrive. This is especially true if it seems perpetually stuck in the ‘preparing for shipment’ stage. Sometimes, your Amazon order may even be listed as ‘preparing for shipment’ for days at a time. It gets draining quickly.
To help you through your shipping status struggles, we have compiled a list of some of the most frequently asked questions, both new and old. We’re sure you’ll find the answer to your question right here with us!
Why Does My Amazon Order Still Say “Preparing for Shipment”?
This is one of the most common Amazon shipping issues people put into Google. It is not unheard of for your order to appear stuck on preparing for shipment. The longer this goes on, the more frustrating it becomes. No one wants to check their shipment status for days at a time repeatedly
But what does ‘preparing for shipment’ actually mean? Well, it can mean a few things. The most likely causes are that your shipment is caught up in the process of packing, labeling, or the arrangement of delivery.
‘Shipment’ actually refers to numerous processes, so it can feel like it takes forever for your order to move on. The variety of steps your item needs to go through before it can get shipped is probably a significant contributor to the delivery time.
Checking up on your delivery status frequently can be an effective way to get an approximation of when your item should arrive, but if you find yourself getting obsessed, it might be time to step back. Stressing won’t help Amazon ship your item any faster! If it would, none of us would need Prime.
How Long is Amazon’s ‘Preparing for Shipment’ Supposed to Take?
This question is not quite as easy to answer. So many variables are at play to expedite or delay your order, meaning a firm timeframe is almost impossible.
However, certain guidelines are available depending on how you place your order through Amazon. For instance:
- Shipping via standard Amazon delivery: 2-5 business days
- Shipping via Amazon Prime: 1-3 business days
Of course, if you pay for same-day shipping as an Amazon Prime member then your new order should be shipped almost immediately.
Still, something could go wrong during warehouse delivery, so sometimes delays can still occur. Much of this comes down to where your new orders are sourced from and what makes up your shipment.
There are two key ways that Amazon posts their shipping, which are:
- Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA)
- Privately fulfilled items
Needless to say, FBA stock is usually shipped much faster than privately fulfilled items, though your experience may vary. This is largely due to how the warehouse in question houses its stock.
See Shopify Vs Amazon FBA for further reading of your options.
Amazon has greater regulations over their items, meaning they can ship them as soon as possible.
This is also what allows Amazon to ship its orders within the same day, meaning you don’t have to wait long . Thanks, FBA!
My Order is FBA, But I Still Haven’t Got it, How Soon Can I Expect It?
FBA is not perfect, like any other delivery service. This means that even if you buy an FBA product, delays in preparing for shipment are entirely possible. They are not as common as when you buy from privately fulfilled storage or 3PL, but it is something you could still experience.
It usually means the item you have ordered is out of stock, but it will be shipped as soon as it becomes available. If you find that you would no longer like to wait, you can simply cancel your order.
Further reading: Amazon inventory management software by Helium 10.
What is the Difference Between ‘Preparing for Shipment’ Status VS ‘Shipping Now’?
If your order status has changed to ‘shipping now’, congratulations! The wait is over and your order has been shipped. This means a few changes.
First, you should be given an estimated arrival date. You will also be granted a tracking number to follow up on your order.
This is also the part where your card will get charged, and you cannot cancel or change if your order has already been shipped. Any queries after you have been charged will fall under the ‘refund’ category.
I Feel Like I Ordered My Item Years Ago, Why is it Still ‘Preparing for Shipment’?
It is probably tied up in one of the processes all Amazon items must go through from the warehouse to your front door. If you feel like it is taking too long, it may be wise to go back to Amazon and email their customer support or the seller you ordered from.
Unfortunately, you won’t have a tracking number at this stage, so getting specific details will probably be a little difficult, but it could still be worth following up on.
Sometimes with online Amazon orders, you will see ‘preparing for shipment’ for over a week. In this instance, an email sharing your experience is not a bad idea. Something may have happened with your item preventing it from reaching you yet, which you have every right to question.
More often than not, Amazon will reassure you that your post is on its way to you soon.
Does Free Shipping Take Longer to Arrive?
In short: yes.
There may be exceptions depending on your location and the nature of your order, but generally speaking, your shipment will be prioritized based on how much you spend. The fastest order will always arrive through Amazon Prime, but this does incur greater shipping costs. Free shipment ordinarily takes the longest to arrive, usually between 5-8 days.
If you aren’t in any rush to receive your order, there is nothing wrong with utilizing the free service. It may take a little more time for your order to be shipped. Some Amazon users cite that their box was ‘preparing for shipping’ for up to a week.
If it extends beyond this time, you should contact Amazon or see what the seller says about when they think your post should be with you. Sellers can’t always be exact, meaning you might have to deal with tracking estimates, but that is still better than no online contact.
Can I Use the Tracking Number to Find What Stage my Parcel is At?
You sure can! Once it is actually on its way to you. Unfortunately, until it has gone through the shipping process, your box is simply preparing to be shipped and is not issued its own tracking number.
This doesn’t mean you can’t check up on its current status if you become concerned that it won’t be shipped soon. Simply contact the seller for an update. If you hear nothing back from them, make sure to contact Amazon themselves as it may have been a fraudulent merchant.
Can You Cancel an Order on Amazon if it Says ‘Preparing for Shipment’?
Yes. Until your card is charged, you can cancel or update your order as you please. As long as it doesn’t say ‘shipped’ yet, can cancel or make changes as necessary, as this indicates that it is within the fulfillment facility. If it says ‘shipped’ then the period to cancel has gone, and you will have to consider returning the item and getting a refund if you are unsatisfied.
Does ‘Preparing for Shipment’ Mean my Card has Been Charged?
No. Your card is only charged once the item has left the fulfillment center. If it hasn’t left yet, you can cancel or update your order, and your card is not charged. This way, customers aren’t charged while Amazon is preparing the item. Once your item is ready to ship, you should be given an approximate arrival date and your card will be charged.
Have Patience, and Don’t Lose Your Cool!
Thanks for making it to the end of our guide! Hopefully, our answers could give you some insight into how Amazon ships their products. If your question hasn’t been answered above, don’t worry! You can join the relevant forum, and a member should be able to help you. Your question might have already been answered in previous posts!
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