Why Is Amazon Shipping So Slow Right Now?

Why Is So Slow Right Now?

Lately, many Amazon shoppers have been asking: why is Amazon shipping so slow right now? After the lightning-fast deliveries of the past, delays are becoming more common—and frustrating. In 2025, a mix of logistics bottlenecks, infrastructure strain, and carrier changes are behind this slowdown.

Key Reasons Behind Amazon’s Shipping Delays

1. Strained Supply Chains & Inventory Moves

Amazon’s logistics network is massive. Sometimes, products aren’t stored in the closest warehouse to your location. Internal transfers between fulfillment centers can add days to delivery. This “inventory redistribution” is a common cause of unexpected delays.

2. Carrier Constraints & Partner Pullback

Amazon still leans heavily on third-party carriers like UPS and FedEx for last-mile delivery. But UPS plans to reduce its volume with Amazon by over 50% by 2026. That shift forces Amazon to shuffle delivery assignments, stretching capacity and slowing delivery.

3. Overload During Peak Periods

When demand surges—whether during holiday seasons or big sales events—Amazon’s network faces extreme load. Even with robust planning, processing backlogs, warehouse congestion, and delivery route pressure slow things down.

4. Technical & System Glitches

Amazon’s operations rely on complex software systems. Outages or glitches can temporarily freeze internal workflows, delays in order processing, or misrouting. The recent AWS outage is a reminder that cloud disruptions ripple into Amazon’s core e-commerce systems.

5. Delivery Network Transitions

To reduce reliance on UPS, Amazon is expanding its own delivery network and forming new partnerships—like with FedEx—to fill coverage gaps. During this transition, delivery coordination can slow as routes are rebalanced.

Who’s Most Affected?

Rural or remote areas often experience slower delivery, as fewer fulfillment centers serve those zones.
Larger, bulkier items may require special handling or carriers, increasing transit time.
Non-Prime or cross-border orders tend to be less prioritized, so they may take longer.
Prime members may see fewer impacts, but even Prime 1- or 2-day windows can slip when volumes are high.

What You Can Do to Minimize Delay Frustration

Opt for fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) — items handled directly by Amazon tend to arrive more reliably
Order ahead during high-demand times instead of last minute
Track your order closely and use the “Contact Seller” or “Help > Delayed Delivery” flow on Amazon’s site.
Avoid dependencies on speed-sensitive gifts or seasonal items unless they list “fast delivery”
Use Amazon’s “Notify me by text/email” features so you know the exact time window and any delay updates

Also, if your delivery fails or is late, Amazon’s help pages explain your rights and options:

When Will Shipping Speeds Improve?

Amazon is actively investing to solve the problem:

It’s spending $4 billion to expand its rural delivery network by 2026.
Priority is being given to new fulfillment centers closer to customers, which should reduce transit times.
The company is also softening some Premium Shipping requirements to give sellers more flexibility under stress.

These improvements won’t completely erase delays overnight, but over time they should restore much of the speed shoppers expect.

Next time you see “delayed delivery” on Amazon, check where the item is shipping from and whether it’s handled by Amazon or a third party. Bookmark this post so you can revisit these tips when delays hit.

And if you enjoyed this breakdown, explore more guides like “how to circumvent long delivery windows” or compare Amazon’s logistics to competitors. Dive deeper and stay ahead.

Conclusion

In short, why is Amazon shipping so slow right now? Because its incredible scale is bumping against physical and logistical limits. Carrier reductions, system glitches, network transitions, and demand surges all contribute. For shoppers, choosing FBA-fulfilled items, ordering early, and being patient can help. For Amazon, the road ahead lies in infrastructure investment and smarter logistics.

Stick around—delivery may feel sluggish now, but the next few years promise major upgrades in speed and reliability.