This article provides a guide on how to manage your handling time settings within your Amazon Seller Central account, allowing you to maintain control over your shipping operations and uphold your account's performance standards.
Understanding Amazon Automated Handling Time (AHT)
Amazon's Automated Handling Time (AHT) feature automatically adjusts your handling times based on your recent shipping performance for each product (SKU) over the past 30 days. If your manually set handling time is two or more days longer than your actual handling time, Amazon may activate AHT for your account.
While intended to provide buyers with more precise delivery estimates, AHT can impact your Late Shipment Rate (LSR) if the automated times are not consistently met, potentially affecting your account health.
Taking Control of Your Amazon Handling Time
You have the ability to disable the Automated Handling Time feature and set your preferred handling times at both the account and individual SKU levels. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Access Your Shipping Settings
Log in to your Amazon Seller Central account.
Go to the Settings menu located in the upper-right corner.
Choose Shipping Settings from the dropdown menu.
Step 2: Adjust General Shipping Settings
Click on the General Shipping Settings tab.
Find the Handling Time Settings section and press the Edit button.
Step 3: Deactivate Automated Handling Time
Locate the Automated Handling Time option.
Toggle the switch to the off position, displaying it as Not Active.
By completing these steps, you regain control over your handling times, ensuring they are in sync with your operational capabilities and contributing to maintaining excellent performance metrics for your account.
Essential Considerations of Amazon Automated Handling Time
Impact on Late Shipment Rate: If AHT is enabled and you are unable to meet the adjusted handling times, it can have a negative effect on your LSR, potentially leading to account health issues.
Returning to Manual Settings: After disabling AHT, double-check that your manually configured handling times accurately represent your current processing capabilities to avoid potential discrepancies.
Account Health Monitoring: Regularly review your account's performance metrics to ensure you are in compliance with Amazon's policies and maintain a positive seller rating.
For a comprehensive understanding of Automated Handling Time, refer to Amazon's Introduction to Automated Handling Time.