Amazon Seller Updates: Streamlining Shipments and Navigating New Tariffs

Amazon Seller Updates You Need to Know This Week 

This week, we’re covering a variety of updates from Amazon and the broader ecommerce landscape. From new tools to enhance seller efficiency to predictions about Amazon’s next big move, here’s what you need to know:

• “Send it again” for FBA Shipments: Simplify your workflow with Amazon’s new Send it again feature, allowing sellers to replicate previous FBA shipments, including SKUs and quantities, in just one click.‍
• Mexico’s Import Tariffs and Shein/Temu’s Disruption Highlighted in Marketplace Trends: Mexico’s new 19% tax on imports from non-free-trade agreement countries, such as China, targets Shein and Temu, potentially giving North American suppliers a competitive edge due to lower tariffs on US and Canadian imports. These developments align with trends explored in the Marketplace Pulse Year in Review 2024, which examines the impact of Chinese disruptors, TikTok Shop behaviors, and the role of AI in shaping ecommerce.‍
• Other Amazon Seller Updates: Amazon announces multiple platform changes, including new FBA packaging requirements for sharp products, stricter product title guidelines, enhanced image compliance reporting, CES 2025 product launches, and an AI-powered SQL Generator for Amazon Marketing Cloud.

Read on as we delve deeper into these updates!

Amazon’s “Send it Again” Feature for UK Sellers

Amazon’s latest update, the Send it Again feature, is here to streamline the FBA replenishment process for UK sellers.

This new tool allows you to replicate your previous FBA shipments with just one click. So, if you frequently send the same products to Amazon’s fulfillment centers, this update offers a quicker and more efficient way to restock.

Key Benefits of the Update

• One-Click Replication: Simply select the previous shipment you want to replicate, and with one click, your SKUs and quantities will automatically populate the new shipment.
• Flexibility: Although the feature replicates the shipment, sellers still have the flexibility to add or remove SKUs and adjust the quantity of units before finalizing the shipment.
• Time-Saving: The need to manually re-enter information for each SKU is a thing of the past, making the process faster and reducing human error.

To get started, simply:

1. Go to Inventory in your Amazon Seller Central dashboard.
2. Select FBA Inventory.
3. In the Shipments drop-down menu, choose Manage Shipments.
4. Under the Next Steps column, click on Send it Again to replicate your shipment.
5. Review, make any adjustments, and finalize your shipment.

For a detailed guide, Amazon offers a specific section on creating shipments using Send to Amazon.

Actionable Strategies for Sellers

• Use for Regular Restocks: If you regularly replenish the same SKUs, make use of the Send it Again feature to streamline your shipments and save time on routine inventory tasks.
• Review Your Shipments: Even though the feature replicates your previous shipments, make sure to double-check the quantities and SKUs before confirming the shipment, especially if there have been any changes to product availability or demand.
• Optimize Your Inventory: Use the time saved to focus on other aspects of your business, like optimizing listings or running promotions, to ensure that your inventory is moving efficiently and that you’re making the most of your FBA storage space.

The Send it Again feature is a welcome tool for UK sellers, and it can improve the efficiency of your FBA operations, allowing you to focus more on growing your business.

How Mexico’s New Import Tariffs Could Shift Ecommerce Dynamics

Amazon and other major ecommerce players are set to gain from Mexico’s new import tariffs, which aim to reduce competition from low-cost Asian retailers like Shein and Temu.

The 19% tax on imports coming from countries without a free-trade agreement with Mexico, primarily targeting China, is expected to alter the market landscape for online retailers in the region.

With Amazon and MercadoLibre positioned to benefit, this new policy change could have lasting effects on how businesses approach international sourcing and sales strategies.

Impact of Mexico’s New Import Tariffs

Mexico’s decision to impose a 19% tax on imports from non-free-trade countries like China targets ecomm giants that previously enjoyed tax exemptions.

While countries like the U.S. and Canada will still see 17% import tax on products between $50 - $117, and likely higher for products over the threshold, lower value goods still fall within the free-trade guidelines, providing a significant advantage in general commerce for these countries.

Analysts at Itau BBA believe that Amazon stands to benefit the most from these changes, followed by Mercado Libre, as a result of reduced competition from Chinese-based companies like Shein and Temu. These tariffs will affect products imported from China, but not from the US and Canada, which will face a lower tariff rate due to the regional trade agreements between these countries.

• Amazon’s Advantage: About 30% of Amazon’s goods sold in Mexico are imported from the US, positioning the company well to benefit from these tariff changes. The reduction in competition from China-based sellers will allow Amazon to solidify its market position.
• Mercado Libre’s Challenge: While Mercado Libre, which sources about 15% of its goods from China, will also see some advantages, the company will face greater challenges as its imported goods become more expensive due to the tariffs. However, analysts note that the overall effect should still be positive, as reduced competition in the low-cost segment may lead to increased market share for both Amazon and Mercado Libre.

Amazon’s Response to Global Disruptors

The broader ecommerce industry is also changing in response to rising competition from Chinese brands like Shein and Temu, which have disrupted the global market with their fast fashion and ultra-low pricing models.

As highlighted in Marketplace Pulse’s 2024 Year in Review, Amazon has adapted by launching initiatives like Amazon Haul to compete with these disruptors. These developments come amid shifting shopping behaviors, such as the growing influence of TikTok Shop and the increasing demand for brandless, low-cost goods.

What Sellers Should Do to Prepare

For sellers looking to adjust to these changing dynamics, here are a few actionable strategies to mitigate potential challenges and capitalize on opportunities created by these shifts:

• Diversify Sourcing: Given the new tariffs, US-based sellers should explore sourcing more products from North America to avoid higher tariffs on Chinese imports. This will help ensure that shipping costs and product prices remain competitive.
• Leverage Amazon’s Initiatives: Take advantage of Amazon Haul and other Amazon features designed to capture the low-cost, unbranded product market. Focus on offering value-driven products that appeal to cost-conscious consumers.‍
• Monitor Mexican Tariffs: Sellers targeting the Mexican market should keep a close eye on changes in import tariffs and adjust their pricing and sourcing strategies accordingly. Keeping a diverse inventory and considering regional shipping strategies will help minimize the impact of rising costs on the bottom line.

Other Amazon Seller Updates This Week

1. New Sharp Products Amazon FBA Packaging Requirements

Starting April 14, 2025, Amazon FBA sellers must package all sharp products in hardened plastic or blister packs before sending them to fulfillment centers, as Amazon will no longer provide prep services for these items. Read the new Amazon FBA Packaging Requirements to learn about compliance and how to prepare your business for these changes.

2. Updated Amazon Product Title Requirements

Beginning January 21, 2025, Amazon will enforce stricter product title guidelines across all categories to improve listing clarity and enhance the customer experience. Sellers should review and adjust listings now to avoid compliance issues.

3. Improved Image Compliance Reports

Amazon has updated its Compliance Issue reporting system to provide more detailed notifications about image-related problems, making it easier for sellers to address these issues quickly.

4. CES 2025: Key Announcements from Amazon

At Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025, Amazon unveiled updates to its Ring product lineup, new Panasonic smart TVs with built-in Fire TV, and expanded Alexa compatibility in select BMW vehicles, showcasing its growing presence across smart home and mobility platforms.

5. Amazon Ads Introduces Generative AI in Amazon Marketing Cloud

Announced at CES 2025, Amazon Ads has launched a SQL Generator powered by generative AI. This feature simplifies the creation of SQL queries in the Amazon Marketing Cloud, drastically reducing query development time and improving accessibility for advertisers.