When you’re running your own Amazon Germany store, the smallest settings can make the biggest difference. One of the most overlooked—but incredibly important—settings is your handling time.
Let’s break down what it is, how to change it, and why getting it right can keep your account healthy and your customers happy.
Handling Time vs. Delivery Time: Know the Difference
Before we dive into how to change your handling time, let’s make one thing clear: handling time and delivery time are not the same.
- Delivery time is the total time it takes for your product to reach the customer. This includes handling time plus the time it takes the courier to deliver the parcel.
- Handling time is the part you control—it’s how many business days you need to prepare and ship an item after a customer places an order.
If you’re using FBM (Fulfillment by Merchant), handling time is crucial because Amazon holds you responsible for dispatching orders on time. Get it wrong, and you risk late shipment penalties, negative reviews, or even account suspension.
What Amazon Sets by Default
If you don’t touch your handling time settings, Amazon defaults it to one business day. That means if someone places an order on Monday, Amazon expects you to ship it out by Tuesday.
Sounds easy enough—until real life kicks in. Maybe you’re out of stock for a few hours. Maybe your courier only comes once a day. Or maybe you just need a bit more breathing room to manage your operations.
This is why adjusting your handling time makes sense. Amazon gives you three options: same-day, 1 day, or 2 days.
Why You Might Want to Change It
Changing your handling time gives you flexibility. Here are a few reasons why sellers adjust it:
- Reduce pressure if you pack orders yourself or operate part-time
- Avoid late shipment defects when you receive high volumes unexpectedly
- Give yourself time during high-traffic seasons or holidays
- Scale responsibly while keeping your metrics clean
But don’t go overboard. A longer handling time might give you comfort, but it can reduce your visibility in search results. Buyers want fast delivery, and Amazon rewards sellers who can ship quickly.
The trick is to find a sweet spot: fast enough to be competitive, realistic enough to protect your account.
How to Change Handling Time in Seller Central
Follow these steps to adjust your handling time in less than five minutes:
- Log in to your Amazon Seller Central account.
- Go to the Settings menu in the top-right corner.
- Select Shipping Settings from the dropdown.
- On the Shipping Settings page, click General Shipping Settings.
- Scroll down to the Handling Time section and click Edit.
- You’ll see three options: Same Day, 1 Day, or 2 Days. Choose what suits your workflow.
- Click Save. Changes will take up to 24 hours to take effect.
💡 Pro Tip: Leave the Automated Handling Time setting OFF, especially if you’re new. Letting Amazon adjust it based on your performance can lead to surprises you’re not ready for.
Understanding Order Handling Capacity
Right below the handling time section, you’ll see a setting called Order Handling Capacity. It’s optional, but useful for high-volume sellers.
Here’s how it works:
Let’s say you can realistically process 150 orders per day. You enter that number here. If, by chance, you receive 200 orders, Amazon will automatically shift the extra 50 orders to the next business day—so you’re not penalized for late shipments.
If you’re still ramping up or don’t regularly deal with large volumes, you can skip this setting. But it’s good to know it exists.
Keep Your Metrics in the Green
Here’s why all this matters: Amazon doesn’t just track if you ship—it tracks how fast and how reliably you do it.
Failing to ship within your set handling time can result in:
- Late shipment rate violations
- Poor customer experience
- Account health warnings
- Potential suspensions if it happens repeatedly
Changing your handling time is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself from unnecessary risk—especially when demand spikes or personal situations slow you down.
FAQs
1. Will changing my handling time affect my visibility on Amazon?
Yes, slightly. Amazon tends to favor listings that can be shipped quickly. If your competitors offer same-day or one-day handling, and you set yours to two days, your listing might drop lower in search results.
2. Can I adjust handling time for specific products?
Yes. While this article covers general settings, you can customize handling time per SKU by editing your product listings. This is useful if some products are always in stock while others require longer prep.
3. Should I turn on automated handling time?
I don’t recommend it for most sellers, especially beginners. It gives Amazon the power to tweak your handling time based on past performance, which can backfire if your metrics fluctuate. Stick to manual control until you’re confident in your order flow.
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