As the year-end shopping season approaches, cross-border e-commerce sellers are racing to replenish inventory for one final sales push before the Lunar New Year. However, hidden industry practices are emerging that threaten both profits and account security.
Amazon's Shipment Page Update Exposes Fraudulent Practices
A recent update to Amazon's shipment tracking page has given sellers unprecedented visibility into their inventory movements—and revealed troubling patterns of deception by some freight forwarders.
Previously, sellers relied solely on Proof of Delivery (POD) documents provided by logistics partners. The new interface now displays the actual fulfillment center where inventory was delivered, exposing discrepancies between promised and actual destinations.
Numerous sellers report discovering their shipments were routed to incorrect FBA warehouses—often locations much closer to port than the assigned destinations. In some cases, forwarders charged premium rates for East Coast deliveries while secretly sending goods to West Coast facilities.
"The system assigned FTW1, but my forwarder sent everything to LGB8/ONT2," one seller wrote in a forum post. "This is outright fraud." Another added: "I kept getting valid PODs but delayed shelf placements. Now I know why."
The Economics of Deception
Industry sources explain how unscrupulous forwarders profit from these schemes:
- Bait-and-switch pricing: Offering unrealistically low rates while using inferior shipping channels prone to delays and losses.
- Warehouse substitution: Claiming destination centers are overloaded, then delivering to nearby facilities. Amazon then charges sellers for internal transfers—often without their knowledge.
Consequences Beyond Shipping Costs
The "short-distance delivery" tactic creates multiple operational risks:
- Account suspensions: Amazon prohibits warehouse misdirection and may revoke FBA privileges for violations.
- Inventory delays: Additional transit steps dramatically slow shelf availability.
- Hidden fees: Sellers unknowingly absorb transfer costs and increased storage expenses.
- Loss risk: Additional handling raises the probability of missing inventory.
Protecting Your Business
Sellers can take several protective measures:
- Vet forwarders through credentials and verified reviews
- Include detailed shipping terms in contracts
- Monitor tracking data through Amazon's interface
- Document all communications and PODs
Industry Evolution Demands Better Practices
As Amazon tightens oversight and competition intensifies, sellers must prioritize supply chain transparency. Those who implement rigorous logistics controls will build sustainable advantages in an increasingly complex marketplace.
The time for action is now—sellers should immediately audit recent shipments through Amazon's updated tracking system to identify potential discrepancies before the holiday rush peaks.