Amazon Lets Sellers Pay Extra for SSD (Sub Same Day Shipping)

now offers Sub Same-Day delivery options (SSD) that allow many buyers to get their orders in 2-5 hours for certain products. Amazon automatically moves eligible products it selects for SSD to dedicated fulfillment centers located near 2,300 metro areas.

While Amazon has not charged an additional fee to sellers for SSD, it is now inviting FBA sellers to pay to get additional products into the program: “You pay only for units that actually ship through Sub Same Day, at the per-unit price you bid. Participation is optional, and you’re never charged more than the price per unit you set.”

A seller who shared the invitation on social media said he was all for higher sales, but said, “Here is my issue, Amazon already charges the customer for super fast delivery even if they have Prime membership but now they want sellers to chip in too!”

Several consultants responded, advising sellers to make sure they received incremental sales and that the fees don’t eat into their margin. Amazon told sellers that products placed in its Sub Same Day network have experienced 12% higher sales compared to standard FBA delivery in areas where the program is available.

The invitation to sellers reads: “We already place some of your products in this network based on the customer demand and supply signals, and that continues unchanged, at no cost to you. Now, we’re excited to give you the opportunity to select additional products based on your business expertise.”

However, as more sellers pay to get products into the SSD network, it’s possible Amazon will be able to place fewer products in the network for free. Amazon announced 1-hour and 3-hour “get it fast” options in a buyer-facing blog post in March.