Imagine preparing meticulously for peak season, only to discover your shipments have been secretly rerouted by freight forwarders—products destined for East Coast fulfillment centers mysteriously ending up in West Coast warehouses. This deceptive practice not only delays deliveries and increases costs but may also violate Amazon's policies. As Chinese New Year approaches—a critical sales period for cross-border e-commerce sellers—Amazon has implemented a significant policy change to protect sellers.
Amazon Takes Aim at Deceptive Shipping Practices
Amazon recently upgraded its shipment management interface, now allowing sellers to track the exact fulfillment center where their goods are received. This transparency initiative exposes freight forwarders who engage in "far warehouse, near delivery" schemes—charging premium rates for long-distance shipping while actually delivering to nearby warehouses to pocket the difference.
This long-standing industry malpractice has plagued cross-border sellers who often remain unaware until facing account penalties. One frustrated seller reported discovering multiple shipments diverted to incorrect warehouses: "They charged me FTW1 rates but delivered to LGB8/ONT8—we should collectively demand compensation!" Another seller expressed concerns about account risks: "Overcharging is bad enough, but sending to wrong warehouses could get us banned."
Amazon's Two-Pronged Approach: Transparency and Enforcement
Amazon's crackdown involves concrete measures to eliminate fraudulent shipping practices:
- Enhanced shipment visibility: Sellers can now verify actual delivery locations directly in the shipment management portal.
- Stricter carrier requirements: Carriers must maintain 70%+ accuracy in appointment manifests before warehouse delivery.
- Severe penalties: Carriers committing four violations within eight weeks face permanent suspension from Amazon's network.
Compliance Becomes Mandatory: Seller Recommendations
As Amazon enforces stricter marketplace rules, sellers must adapt to maintain competitiveness:
- Partner exclusively with reputable, certified freight forwarders
- Monitor shipment details regularly in Seller Central
- Document all shipping discrepancies for potential claims
- Implement robust supply chain oversight procedures
Amazon's initiative represents more than seller protection—it signals a broader push toward marketplace transparency. This regulatory shift promises to foster fair competition and sustainable growth in cross-border e-commerce, moving the industry beyond its previous "wild west" phase toward standardized operations.