What Time Does Amazon Start Delivering (Exact Timings)

Amazon’s exceptional delivery service is a standout feature that distinguishes it from its competitors. Known for its efficient and timely delivery of orders across the States, Amazon has set a high bar for customer satisfaction in the realm of online retail. 

With a vast network of warehouses, Amazon offers fast and reliable delivery options, often with same-day or next-day delivery available. The company also offers a range of delivery options, such as standard delivery, express delivery, and Prime Now, which delivers select items within an hour.

However, one question pops up often – When can I expect the earliest delivery of my Amazon parcel? 

In this article, I will provide information about Amazon delivery and its schedule. Additionally, I will offer tips on how to enhance your delivery experience and receive your packages promptly.

Usually, Amazon starts the delivery process at 4 AM, meaning you can expect your parcel to arrive after 6 AM.

Amazon Order Delivery: Key Steps

Amazon has a sophisticated supply chain management system that allows it to fulfill orders efficiently and quickly. The order management process involves several steps, each of which plays a critical role in ensuring that all orders get delivered on time and in perfect condition.

Let’s have a closer look at it:

1. Order placement

It all starts with an order. Customers can place orders on Amazon’s shopping website or mobile app. Amazon also allows customers to choose between several delivery options, including same-day delivery for specific locations. 

2. Order Pick up and Packaging

Once Amazon receives the order, the inventory management system gets active to locate the product in the inventory. The company maintains an extensive inventory of products in warehouses across the globe. An automated system checks the product’s availability and identifies the nearest fulfillment center with the item in stock. 

Once an order is received, Amazon workers locate the items in the warehouse and send them to the packaging station. After packaging, the parcel is scanned and labeled with shipping information containing the customer’s name and address, contact information, and special instructions (if any).

3. Shipping

After the items are packed and fed with delivery information, they are transferred to shipping stations, from where they will be loaded onto the delivery vehicle to the nearest carrier hub. 

4. Delivery

The carrier picks up the package from the hub and transports it to the customer’s address. Amazon partners with a variety of carriers, including the United States Postal Service, UPS, and FedEx, to ensure that packages are delivered as quickly and efficiently as possible.

5. Delivery Confirmation

After the package has been delivered, the customer gets a confirmation email/text informing that the order has been completed. 

What time does Amazon Start Delivery?

Amazon delivers orders every day from 4 AM to 8 PM. Depending on your location, you can expect your parcel to arrive any time after 6 AM. However, if you have marked the delivery address as your work address while placing the order, you can expect the delivery between 8 AM to 4:30 PM. 

For some areas, Amazon has started doing overnight and 1-hour deliveries, but to avail of that option, your order must meet the minimum requirements for overnight delivery or pay extra shipping costs (for non-prime customers).

Another possible scenario is when you order valuable products, including one which requires special handling or open-box delivery. In this case, Amazon attempts a signature delivery where the customer/receiver needs to provide a signature, confirming that only the intended person has received the package and that all the content inside the box is as expected. 

Unfortunately, you can’t expect an early morning delivery for such orders. Amazon starts delivering such parcels only after working hours start until 8 PM. 

A few hours before the delivery, Amazon sends the delivery details to customers via email or text. This includes the order number, carrier’s name, delivery agent’s contact number, and expected time of the delivery. In case you want your package at a specific time, you must contact the delivery agent as soon as possible and give him instructions regarding your availability and delivery time.

Usually, Amazon stops delivery at 8 AM, but that doesn’t mean you can’t expect your product beyond that time. Sometimes the delivery agent may take a while to find your address, so you can expect your parcel to arrive a little after 8 PM as well. 

Amazon Delivery: Deciding Factors

Here are some common factors that might cause a delay in your order delivery. 

1. Bad weather conditions, such as heavy rain, snow, or hurricanes, can cause delays in the delivery of Amazon packages.
2. Carrier delays, such as trucks breaking down or planes being delayed, can also cause delays in Amazon delivery.
3. During peak shopping seasons (Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Halloween) or advertised sales, Amazon experiences an unprecedented surge in orders, which can result in longer delivery times.
4. A high-demand product usually takes longer to process and deliver the order. 
5. In case of an incomplete or wrong delivery address, your order will be canceled after three failed delivery attempts. 
6. International orders may get delayed due to customs and import regulations. 

Customer’s Corner: What can you do to ensure a timely delivery

When you place an order, make sure your address is elaborated and every detail is present, including your contact number. 

If you are an Amazon Prime customer, all your orders are entitled to 1-2 day delivery, depending on the location. For some product categories, such as Amazon Fresh, you can even choose 1-2 hour delivery if you order before 8 PM. 

You must place your order before 8 AM if you want an overnight delivery. Amazon also shows the delivery options and expected delivery time under the product page’s price column. 

Amazon also allows customers to track the live status from the moment the order has been placed. 

• Launch the Amazon website and log in with your registered phone number/email.
• On your homepage, go to the Returns & Orders section. 
• From the list, click on the order you want to trace. 
• Click on Track Package.

The current status of your order will be displayed on the screen. On the tracking page, you can see the carrier’s name and tracking number. You can also go to the carrier’s website and use the tracking number to find out the more precise location of your parcel. 

To enjoy seamless delivery, you should consider signing up for Amazon Prime. With Prime, you get the quickest possible delivery without any additional cost. Another added advantage of Prime is that you get early access to any deals or mega sales. 

Amazon order not delivered? What to do?

Ultimately, Amazon is a company run by humans, and sometimes your delivery gets stuck due to errors. It’s very common for customers not to get their orders many times. But there is no need to panic. All you have to do is contact Amazon Care through chat or call and explain your issue. 

You can also check your Amazon order/return page to track your order’s status. If that doesn’t help, note down the tracking number and carrier from your order page and try to track the parcel on the respective carrier’s website. 

In case your delivery arrives after the promised date and time, you have the option to refuse the delivery at your doorstep. This option is considered better than accepting the item and then returning it. 

If you changed your address before the parcel arrived, you must contact customer care and ask them to attempt the delivery at the new address. However, in most cases, Amazon will label the item as undelivered after three attempts, and you will have to place another order at your new address. 

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• How to Sell Used Items on Amazon
• What Is Amazon FBA & How Does It Work
• How To Sell Clothes On Amazon
• Best Products To Sell Online
• Best Amazon Sellers Forums

Final Word: What Time Does Amazon Start Delivering

9 out of 10 times, Amazon doesn’t place a foot wrong when it comes to delivery.  Although there can be occasional mishaps that result in delays. Amazon has a highly efficient order management and supply chain system that ensures timely delivery in the majority of cases.

To sum up, you can expect your parcel to arrive any time between 6 AM-8 PM.