Amazon’s 7% Discount Signals Shipping Shift

Amazon has recently introduced a new service that gives consumers a 7% discount when they choose delayed delivery. This move suggests a notable shift in Amazon’s strategy, from prioritizing “fast delivery” to embracing a model that is “slower but more affordable.”

The immediate driver behind this change is the continued rise in transportation costs. Since 2020, base shipping rates charged by UPS and FedEx have increased by 4.9% to 6.9% annually. At the same time, both carriers have also raised a range of additional fees, including fuel surcharges, address correction fees, and residential delivery surcharges. UPS and FedEx have also tightened parcel size requirements and adopted rounding practices when calculating shipping charges, pushing the starting price of their cheapest services to as high as $12 per package.

Logistics providers are also actively reshaping their business focus. At an investor conference last month, FedEx Chief Customer Officer Brie Carere stated clearly, “FedEx is not the right network for shipping T-shirts. We plan to focus on higher-value items, such as smart rings priced between $349 and $499.” This indicates that shipping capacity for low-cost e-commerce parcels is becoming increasingly limited.

As shipping giants continue to raise prices, online retailers are looking for alternatives. Many merchants are turning to the United States Postal Service (USPS), where package rates start at just $5.09. At the same time, emerging carriers such as Geez are also gaining attention among e-commerce sellers seeking lower-cost delivery options.

A deeper shift is also taking place on the consumer side. According to McKinsey, shipping cost has now become the top factor for U.S. consumers when shopping online, while delivery speed has dropped from first place two years ago to fifth. More than 95% of respondents said they would rather choose free standard delivery within four to seven days than pay extra for expedited shipping.

Notably, longer delivery times may bring another advantage: lower return rates. Fur coat retailer Kassiani, for example, saw its return rate fall by 20% to 30% after extending delivery times. The company’s operations manager, Alex Manciaris, explained that slower delivery tends to attract more committed buyers. Compared with shoppers who are accustomed to fast shipping and are more likely to make impulse purchases and returns, these customers are often more valuable in the long run.

For Amazon sellers, this trend reflects a broader market reality: lower shipping costs are becoming more important than ever, and flexible delivery options may create new opportunities to balance profitability, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency. As consumer preferences continue to shift, businesses that align with this “slower but cheaper” model may be better positioned to remain competitive.

If you are looking for a reliable way to move your Amazon cargo from China to your destination country, Forest Shipping can support your supply chain with professional international freight forwarding solutions. As an international freight forwarder based in China, Forest Shipping helps Amazon sellers ship goods efficiently from China to overseas destinations, making it easier to manage cross-border fulfillment while adapting to changing delivery and cost expectations.

Summary

Amazon’s new 7% discount for delayed delivery highlights a meaningful change in e-commerce logistics. Rising transportation costs, changing carrier priorities, and stronger consumer sensitivity to shipping fees are all pushing the market toward more economical fulfillment models. For sellers, this is not just a pricing issue but also a strategic one. Choosing the right shipping solution can help reduce costs, improve order efficiency, and even lower return rates. Forest Shipping, as an international freight forwarder, can help Amazon sellers ship their Amazon cargo from China to the destination country with flexible and dependable logistics support.