🚨 CLOSED – Ask Amazon: New VTR Policy update 🚨
Dear Community,
We invite you to join us TODAY for our Ask Amazon Event focusing on the new VTR policy update.
We have updated our Valid Tracking Rate VTR policy for seller-fulfilled orders on the 15th of January, to allow customers to see tracking over a higher number of their orders.
Do you have questions about the recent changes? Then share them with us TODAY, 11th of February 2025, from 9 am to 5 pm (BST). You can post your questions in the comments below and we'll collaborate closely with our partner team to provide answers.
Please note: This event is intended for general questions and we cannot provide advice or feedback on individual cases.
We look forward to addressing your queries!
🚨 CLOSED – Ask Amazon: New VTR Policy update 🚨
Dear Community,
We invite you to join us TODAY for our Ask Amazon Event focusing on the new VTR policy update.
We have updated our Valid Tracking Rate VTR policy for seller-fulfilled orders on the 15th of January, to allow customers to see tracking over a higher number of their orders.
Do you have questions about the recent changes? Then share them with us TODAY, 11th of February 2025, from 9 am to 5 pm (BST). You can post your questions in the comments below and we'll collaborate closely with our partner team to provide answers.
Please note: This event is intended for general questions and we cannot provide advice or feedback on individual cases.
We look forward to addressing your queries!
133 replies
Seller_Nx3Da5XPngGEm
Hello I have a few questions please.
E.g. Julia the Amazon moderator said:
"I´m confirming that cross-border shipments below £20 are exempted from VTR calculations, provided they're sent using a letter method. This includes large letter with Royal Mail. You'll need to use a tracked shipping method for shipments over £20, unless you use untracked Royal Mail 1st and 2nd Class Letter stamps and franking purchased through Amazon Buy Shipping (at no extra cost).
Has this clarified your questions?"
However, other sellers are saying their VTR is still affected despite sending cross-border shipments below £20 using a letter method. Which I presume is under £20 including shipping, ex vat. Is this maybe a technical issue?
Either way, this should urgently be looked at and clarified before the enforcement date.
I have moved all our international over to tracked and put our prices up due to this uncertainty.
Please kindly take a closer look at this, just to be safe.
---
Secondly, the policy page says untracked 1st / 2nd stamps / franking are exempt from VTR if using buy shipping - does this also include Royal Mail 24 and 48?
---
Thirdly - the other question people have is if unscanned are still going to be validated behind the scenes still (if not using Buy Shipping). There was no announcement saying this had changed, but it's not mentioned on the policy page anymore. If we can get all these questions answered, that would be really helpful. Any questions answered would be a great start.
Seller_ZJhFeE3tNKzfh
@Ezra_Amazon this isn't difficult. There is one main question that is being asked and asked and asked.
- I use Royal Mail 24/48 and I am buying those labels outside of Amazon Buy Shipping
- I upload into Amazon the tracking number
- Royal Mail scan at best 80% of Royal Mail 24/48 services
- Since VTR came into force, amazon state that they will 'validate' unscanned Royal Mail 24/48 labels and won't suspend the ability to list in impacted categories
- Amazon have removed that policy from their policy pages
So really simple - will amazon still validate unscanned Royal Mail 24/48 purchased outside Amazon Buy Shipping, or not? Note the answer can't possibly be that they are exempt - because the policy doesn't even say that.
if the team you are passing that question to cannot answer - this Ask Amazon is useless.
Seller_Y9fFZ8oEs17ES
Thank you for your question! Royal Mail 24/48 services will be exempted
Will Amazon abide by this or just mark them as invalid as they have done before?
Seller_vufGlJbJ0bgG5
Hi
We ship large items (furniture) and it is impossible to use carriers such as UPS, DPD etc.
Our couriers provide tracking numbers which I always upload but there is no actual scan.
Please could you kindly help with this as I am worried about my account health
Seller_HwaQlgFnhSuGS
Would definately like to know this as it really affects our ability to sell our items on Amazon FBM.
Previously, Amazon claimed to 'validate' unscanned Royal Mail parcels and large letters behind the scenes, so that offers were not suspended as a consequence of Royal Mail's failure to scan items. This was the case regardless of whether the shipping was bought through Amazon or another channel.
That wording has now disappeared from the policy pages, so we need to know immediately whether the policy has changed. Do Amazon still 'validate' unscanned Royal Mail items so that offers are not suspended? If so, is this still the case for labels not bought through Amazon?
If you are no longer validating are Amazon saying that all Large Letter 1st/2nd Class not have to be purchased through Amazon? If so why? The service level is the same, the price is the same, the delivery company is the same.
All of ours are sent Click & Drop which update Amazon and we will not use Buy Shipping under duress, when the delivery service/promise is the exact same, but we are then not able to claim for missing items. Amazon say contact Royal Mail and Royal Mail say we are not their customer, its Amazon. I will not swicth to Buy Shipping which costs the same, yet get less of a service and zero protection. I will lodge a complaint with the CMA before that day happens, as if we have to use Buy Shipping it is frankly bullying and anticompetative.
Ezra_Amazon
Hi sellers,
I notice there's some confusion about Royal Mail shipping methods, so I'd like to share the update from our partner team:
- Untracked RM 24/48 services: These are exempted from VTR (not valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
- Untracked Large letters of RM (except 1st class and 2nd class, stamping & franking): Exempted from VTR calculation (not valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
- Untracked 1st class and 2nd class letters stamps & franking are only exempted (not valid unlike previously) from VTR calculations only when purchased through Amazon Buy Shipping (at no additional cost).
Please make sure you select the correct shipping method from the dropdown menu for the system to properly process these exemptions.
Seller_HwaQlgFnhSuGS
@Ezra_Amazon the exact same thing has just happend in your answer. I have never known a question be answered and not answered so many times.
If I am reading this answer, which is not an answer really, I can only assume, interpret, construe, decipher that because of the words (except 1st class and 2nd class) that you are saying... without actually saying, confirming or denying, that if we use Royal Mail for 1st Large Letter or 2nd Large letter we will be in trouble?
This is so painful, it really is.
Seller_ZJhFeE3tNKzfh
It doesn't make any sense.
Royal Mail 24 and 48 are apparently now exempt - even though the policy doesn't state this - so when is it being applied?
I have no idea what Royal Mail large letters (except 1st and 2nd class, stamps and franking) would actually be.
Seller_7WttAIiaCR7Ty
when I use my Royal Mail business account (BPL) for 1st & 2nd class large letters, Royal Mail automatically mark it with tracking number and shipping service as ‘std uk dom_1’ or ‘std uk dom_2’ so the shipping service does not actually show as 1st or 2nd class, will these now fail for vtr?
Seller_W0UadCH7lVBVG
I agree, it's so ambiguous.
I have read his reply several times and still can't work out what the differences are.
If, as we know, RM offer a choice of Large Letter 1st or 2nd Class, then what does 'Except 1st and 2nd class, stamps and franking' actually mean?
Maybe what he/Amazon are saying is it excludes Large Letter 1st or 2nd class IF then are sent with a stamp on it or via Franking Machine?
Seller_HwaQlgFnhSuGS
Its like listening to a politian on a TV panel show. Never getting the answer to the actual question.
I don't want to know 'except'. I want to know about Large letters 1st 2nd Class..... nothing else. Thats the one that is avoided being answered.
Seller_HwaQlgFnhSuGS
That is the question on the table from me..... the answer is just not coming.
Seller_RTJNdLRVf9Zbe
Hi again Ezra,
Reading Note 2 from your reply, am I right in assuming that if I buy 1st and 2nd Class Large Letter postage through RM Click & Drop these will be exempt from the VTR calculation. If this is correct, will this be explicitly stated within the VTR policy update as this seems to be one of the main confusions from reading through the Q&A.
Currently, all of my 1st & 2nd Class Large Letter Click & Drop orders are showing as having invalid tracking numbers.
Alison
Hi sellers,
I notice there's some confusion about Royal Mail shipping methods, so I'd like to share the update from our partner team:
- Untracked RM 24/48 services: These are exempted from VTR (not valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
- Untracked Large letters of RM (except 1st class and 2nd class, stamping & franking): Exempted from VTR calculation (not valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
- Untracked 1st class and 2nd class letters stamps & franking are only exempted (not valid unlike previously) from VTR calculations only when purchased through Amazon Buy Shipping (at no additional cost).
Please make sure you select the correct shipping method from the dropdown menu for the system to properly process these exemptions.
Seller_7WttAIiaCR7Ty
I feel like I am banging my head on a wall.
Can I carry on using my BPL at no detriment to vtr whether it is scanned or not, as we know RM will never scan 95% of these no matter what we do.
Or is my only option to now use buy shipping for my 2nd class large letters which will cost me more and not give the customer any better tracking info than what they get now!!
What an absolute shambles this is.
Seller_7WttAIiaCR7Ty
Untracked Large letters of RM (except 1st class and 2nd class, stamping & franking): Exempted from VTR calculation (not valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
Can you please confirm that if it shows ‘std uk dom_1’ or ‘std uk dom_2’ in shipping service for Royal Mail, will these now be excempt from vtr? Is that what the above statement is saying?
Seller_W0UadCH7lVBVG
I think, he's made a spelling mistake? The word 'not' should be 'now'?
And that the sentence with the words 'Except 1st Class...' was written incorrectly
Do you think it should have been written like this:
"1. Untracked RM 24/48 services: These are exempted from VTR (now valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
2. Untracked Large letters of RM (except stamped and franked 1st class and 2nd class): Exempted from VTR calculation (now valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
3. Untracked 1st class and 2nd class letters that are stamped or franked are only exempted (now valid unlike previously) from VTR calculations only when purchased through Amazon Buy Shipping (at no additional cost)."
Seller_40ozsHlGqPuEL
The terms "exempt" and "validated" have distinct meanings:
Exempt: When something is exempt, it means it is not included in a certain requirement or calculation. In the context of VTR (Valid Tracking Rate), if a service is exempt, it means it will not be considered in the VTR calculation at all.
Validated: When something is validated, it means it meets the required criteria and is accepted as valid. In the context of VTR, if a service is validated, it means the tracking information provided is recognized and accepted by Amazon, contributing positively to the VTR.
In summary, exempt means the service is not part of the VTR calculation, while validated means the service is part of the VTR calculation and meets the necessary criteria.
Therefore if anyone uses RM24 RM48 is Amazon going to remove the Merchant from Amazon forever?
Please clarify with a yes or no?
Seller_RAXEWLxQ2dbmN
Does the 'except' in the quote below mean that only untracked parcels sent via RM will be exempt from VTR if not purchased via Buy Shipping and untracked letters and LL will not be exempt?
It doesn't bother me too much as I currently purchase all my Amazon postage via Buy Shipping but it would be good to know for future reference.
Seller_vufGlJbJ0bgG5
I think it is only fair that furniture and home categories should be put in an exempted catagory. It is impossible to provide scans due to the nature of carriers that are used to deliver these heavy and bulky items
Seller_dtDzb0clEI627
So much to read through...
All i want to know is what are the new changes to VTR for non-Tracked mail? Do we now need a Royal Mail scan for non-Tracked?
Thanks
🚨 CLOSED – Ask Amazon: New VTR Policy update 🚨
Dear Community,
We invite you to join us TODAY for our Ask Amazon Event focusing on the new VTR policy update.
We have updated our Valid Tracking Rate VTR policy for seller-fulfilled orders on the 15th of January, to allow customers to see tracking over a higher number of their orders.
Do you have questions about the recent changes? Then share them with us TODAY, 11th of February 2025, from 9 am to 5 pm (BST). You can post your questions in the comments below and we'll collaborate closely with our partner team to provide answers.
Please note: This event is intended for general questions and we cannot provide advice or feedback on individual cases.
We look forward to addressing your queries!
🚨 CLOSED – Ask Amazon: New VTR Policy update 🚨
Dear Community,
We invite you to join us TODAY for our Ask Amazon Event focusing on the new VTR policy update.
We have updated our Valid Tracking Rate VTR policy for seller-fulfilled orders on the 15th of January, to allow customers to see tracking over a higher number of their orders.
Do you have questions about the recent changes? Then share them with us TODAY, 11th of February 2025, from 9 am to 5 pm (BST). You can post your questions in the comments below and we'll collaborate closely with our partner team to provide answers.
Please note: This event is intended for general questions and we cannot provide advice or feedback on individual cases.
We look forward to addressing your queries!
🚨 CLOSED – Ask Amazon: New VTR Policy update 🚨
Dear Community,
We invite you to join us TODAY for our Ask Amazon Event focusing on the new VTR policy update.
We have updated our Valid Tracking Rate VTR policy for seller-fulfilled orders on the 15th of January, to allow customers to see tracking over a higher number of their orders.
Do you have questions about the recent changes? Then share them with us TODAY, 11th of February 2025, from 9 am to 5 pm (BST). You can post your questions in the comments below and we'll collaborate closely with our partner team to provide answers.
Please note: This event is intended for general questions and we cannot provide advice or feedback on individual cases.
We look forward to addressing your queries!
133 replies
133 replies
Seller_Nx3Da5XPngGEm
Hello I have a few questions please.
E.g. Julia the Amazon moderator said:
"I´m confirming that cross-border shipments below £20 are exempted from VTR calculations, provided they're sent using a letter method. This includes large letter with Royal Mail. You'll need to use a tracked shipping method for shipments over £20, unless you use untracked Royal Mail 1st and 2nd Class Letter stamps and franking purchased through Amazon Buy Shipping (at no extra cost).
Has this clarified your questions?"
However, other sellers are saying their VTR is still affected despite sending cross-border shipments below £20 using a letter method. Which I presume is under £20 including shipping, ex vat. Is this maybe a technical issue?
Either way, this should urgently be looked at and clarified before the enforcement date.
I have moved all our international over to tracked and put our prices up due to this uncertainty.
Please kindly take a closer look at this, just to be safe.
---
Secondly, the policy page says untracked 1st / 2nd stamps / franking are exempt from VTR if using buy shipping - does this also include Royal Mail 24 and 48?
---
Thirdly - the other question people have is if unscanned are still going to be validated behind the scenes still (if not using Buy Shipping). There was no announcement saying this had changed, but it's not mentioned on the policy page anymore. If we can get all these questions answered, that would be really helpful. Any questions answered would be a great start.
Seller_ZJhFeE3tNKzfh
@Ezra_Amazon this isn't difficult. There is one main question that is being asked and asked and asked.
- I use Royal Mail 24/48 and I am buying those labels outside of Amazon Buy Shipping
- I upload into Amazon the tracking number
- Royal Mail scan at best 80% of Royal Mail 24/48 services
- Since VTR came into force, amazon state that they will 'validate' unscanned Royal Mail 24/48 labels and won't suspend the ability to list in impacted categories
- Amazon have removed that policy from their policy pages
So really simple - will amazon still validate unscanned Royal Mail 24/48 purchased outside Amazon Buy Shipping, or not? Note the answer can't possibly be that they are exempt - because the policy doesn't even say that.
if the team you are passing that question to cannot answer - this Ask Amazon is useless.
Seller_Y9fFZ8oEs17ES
Thank you for your question! Royal Mail 24/48 services will be exempted
Will Amazon abide by this or just mark them as invalid as they have done before?
Seller_vufGlJbJ0bgG5
Hi
We ship large items (furniture) and it is impossible to use carriers such as UPS, DPD etc.
Our couriers provide tracking numbers which I always upload but there is no actual scan.
Please could you kindly help with this as I am worried about my account health
Seller_HwaQlgFnhSuGS
Would definately like to know this as it really affects our ability to sell our items on Amazon FBM.
Previously, Amazon claimed to 'validate' unscanned Royal Mail parcels and large letters behind the scenes, so that offers were not suspended as a consequence of Royal Mail's failure to scan items. This was the case regardless of whether the shipping was bought through Amazon or another channel.
That wording has now disappeared from the policy pages, so we need to know immediately whether the policy has changed. Do Amazon still 'validate' unscanned Royal Mail items so that offers are not suspended? If so, is this still the case for labels not bought through Amazon?
If you are no longer validating are Amazon saying that all Large Letter 1st/2nd Class not have to be purchased through Amazon? If so why? The service level is the same, the price is the same, the delivery company is the same.
All of ours are sent Click & Drop which update Amazon and we will not use Buy Shipping under duress, when the delivery service/promise is the exact same, but we are then not able to claim for missing items. Amazon say contact Royal Mail and Royal Mail say we are not their customer, its Amazon. I will not swicth to Buy Shipping which costs the same, yet get less of a service and zero protection. I will lodge a complaint with the CMA before that day happens, as if we have to use Buy Shipping it is frankly bullying and anticompetative.
Ezra_Amazon
Hi sellers,
I notice there's some confusion about Royal Mail shipping methods, so I'd like to share the update from our partner team:
- Untracked RM 24/48 services: These are exempted from VTR (not valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
- Untracked Large letters of RM (except 1st class and 2nd class, stamping & franking): Exempted from VTR calculation (not valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
- Untracked 1st class and 2nd class letters stamps & franking are only exempted (not valid unlike previously) from VTR calculations only when purchased through Amazon Buy Shipping (at no additional cost).
Please make sure you select the correct shipping method from the dropdown menu for the system to properly process these exemptions.
Seller_HwaQlgFnhSuGS
@Ezra_Amazon the exact same thing has just happend in your answer. I have never known a question be answered and not answered so many times.
If I am reading this answer, which is not an answer really, I can only assume, interpret, construe, decipher that because of the words (except 1st class and 2nd class) that you are saying... without actually saying, confirming or denying, that if we use Royal Mail for 1st Large Letter or 2nd Large letter we will be in trouble?
This is so painful, it really is.
Seller_ZJhFeE3tNKzfh
It doesn't make any sense.
Royal Mail 24 and 48 are apparently now exempt - even though the policy doesn't state this - so when is it being applied?
I have no idea what Royal Mail large letters (except 1st and 2nd class, stamps and franking) would actually be.
Seller_7WttAIiaCR7Ty
when I use my Royal Mail business account (BPL) for 1st & 2nd class large letters, Royal Mail automatically mark it with tracking number and shipping service as ‘std uk dom_1’ or ‘std uk dom_2’ so the shipping service does not actually show as 1st or 2nd class, will these now fail for vtr?
Seller_W0UadCH7lVBVG
I agree, it's so ambiguous.
I have read his reply several times and still can't work out what the differences are.
If, as we know, RM offer a choice of Large Letter 1st or 2nd Class, then what does 'Except 1st and 2nd class, stamps and franking' actually mean?
Maybe what he/Amazon are saying is it excludes Large Letter 1st or 2nd class IF then are sent with a stamp on it or via Franking Machine?
Seller_HwaQlgFnhSuGS
Its like listening to a politian on a TV panel show. Never getting the answer to the actual question.
I don't want to know 'except'. I want to know about Large letters 1st 2nd Class..... nothing else. Thats the one that is avoided being answered.
Seller_HwaQlgFnhSuGS
That is the question on the table from me..... the answer is just not coming.
Seller_RTJNdLRVf9Zbe
Hi again Ezra,
Reading Note 2 from your reply, am I right in assuming that if I buy 1st and 2nd Class Large Letter postage through RM Click & Drop these will be exempt from the VTR calculation. If this is correct, will this be explicitly stated within the VTR policy update as this seems to be one of the main confusions from reading through the Q&A.
Currently, all of my 1st & 2nd Class Large Letter Click & Drop orders are showing as having invalid tracking numbers.
Alison
Hi sellers,
I notice there's some confusion about Royal Mail shipping methods, so I'd like to share the update from our partner team:
- Untracked RM 24/48 services: These are exempted from VTR (not valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
- Untracked Large letters of RM (except 1st class and 2nd class, stamping & franking): Exempted from VTR calculation (not valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
- Untracked 1st class and 2nd class letters stamps & franking are only exempted (not valid unlike previously) from VTR calculations only when purchased through Amazon Buy Shipping (at no additional cost).
Please make sure you select the correct shipping method from the dropdown menu for the system to properly process these exemptions.
Seller_7WttAIiaCR7Ty
I feel like I am banging my head on a wall.
Can I carry on using my BPL at no detriment to vtr whether it is scanned or not, as we know RM will never scan 95% of these no matter what we do.
Or is my only option to now use buy shipping for my 2nd class large letters which will cost me more and not give the customer any better tracking info than what they get now!!
What an absolute shambles this is.
Seller_7WttAIiaCR7Ty
Untracked Large letters of RM (except 1st class and 2nd class, stamping & franking): Exempted from VTR calculation (not valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
Can you please confirm that if it shows ‘std uk dom_1’ or ‘std uk dom_2’ in shipping service for Royal Mail, will these now be excempt from vtr? Is that what the above statement is saying?
Seller_W0UadCH7lVBVG
I think, he's made a spelling mistake? The word 'not' should be 'now'?
And that the sentence with the words 'Except 1st Class...' was written incorrectly
Do you think it should have been written like this:
"1. Untracked RM 24/48 services: These are exempted from VTR (now valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
2. Untracked Large letters of RM (except stamped and franked 1st class and 2nd class): Exempted from VTR calculation (now valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
3. Untracked 1st class and 2nd class letters that are stamped or franked are only exempted (now valid unlike previously) from VTR calculations only when purchased through Amazon Buy Shipping (at no additional cost)."
Seller_40ozsHlGqPuEL
The terms "exempt" and "validated" have distinct meanings:
Exempt: When something is exempt, it means it is not included in a certain requirement or calculation. In the context of VTR (Valid Tracking Rate), if a service is exempt, it means it will not be considered in the VTR calculation at all.
Validated: When something is validated, it means it meets the required criteria and is accepted as valid. In the context of VTR, if a service is validated, it means the tracking information provided is recognized and accepted by Amazon, contributing positively to the VTR.
In summary, exempt means the service is not part of the VTR calculation, while validated means the service is part of the VTR calculation and meets the necessary criteria.
Therefore if anyone uses RM24 RM48 is Amazon going to remove the Merchant from Amazon forever?
Please clarify with a yes or no?
Seller_RAXEWLxQ2dbmN
Does the 'except' in the quote below mean that only untracked parcels sent via RM will be exempt from VTR if not purchased via Buy Shipping and untracked letters and LL will not be exempt?
It doesn't bother me too much as I currently purchase all my Amazon postage via Buy Shipping but it would be good to know for future reference.
Seller_vufGlJbJ0bgG5
I think it is only fair that furniture and home categories should be put in an exempted catagory. It is impossible to provide scans due to the nature of carriers that are used to deliver these heavy and bulky items
Seller_dtDzb0clEI627
So much to read through...
All i want to know is what are the new changes to VTR for non-Tracked mail? Do we now need a Royal Mail scan for non-Tracked?
Thanks
Seller_Nx3Da5XPngGEm
Hello I have a few questions please.
E.g. Julia the Amazon moderator said:
"I´m confirming that cross-border shipments below £20 are exempted from VTR calculations, provided they're sent using a letter method. This includes large letter with Royal Mail. You'll need to use a tracked shipping method for shipments over £20, unless you use untracked Royal Mail 1st and 2nd Class Letter stamps and franking purchased through Amazon Buy Shipping (at no extra cost).
Has this clarified your questions?"
However, other sellers are saying their VTR is still affected despite sending cross-border shipments below £20 using a letter method. Which I presume is under £20 including shipping, ex vat. Is this maybe a technical issue?
Either way, this should urgently be looked at and clarified before the enforcement date.
I have moved all our international over to tracked and put our prices up due to this uncertainty.
Please kindly take a closer look at this, just to be safe.
---
Secondly, the policy page says untracked 1st / 2nd stamps / franking are exempt from VTR if using buy shipping - does this also include Royal Mail 24 and 48?
---
Thirdly - the other question people have is if unscanned are still going to be validated behind the scenes still (if not using Buy Shipping). There was no announcement saying this had changed, but it's not mentioned on the policy page anymore. If we can get all these questions answered, that would be really helpful. Any questions answered would be a great start.
Seller_Nx3Da5XPngGEm
Hello I have a few questions please.
E.g. Julia the Amazon moderator said:
"I´m confirming that cross-border shipments below £20 are exempted from VTR calculations, provided they're sent using a letter method. This includes large letter with Royal Mail. You'll need to use a tracked shipping method for shipments over £20, unless you use untracked Royal Mail 1st and 2nd Class Letter stamps and franking purchased through Amazon Buy Shipping (at no extra cost).
Has this clarified your questions?"
However, other sellers are saying their VTR is still affected despite sending cross-border shipments below £20 using a letter method. Which I presume is under £20 including shipping, ex vat. Is this maybe a technical issue?
Either way, this should urgently be looked at and clarified before the enforcement date.
I have moved all our international over to tracked and put our prices up due to this uncertainty.
Please kindly take a closer look at this, just to be safe.
---
Secondly, the policy page says untracked 1st / 2nd stamps / franking are exempt from VTR if using buy shipping - does this also include Royal Mail 24 and 48?
---
Thirdly - the other question people have is if unscanned are still going to be validated behind the scenes still (if not using Buy Shipping). There was no announcement saying this had changed, but it's not mentioned on the policy page anymore. If we can get all these questions answered, that would be really helpful. Any questions answered would be a great start.
Seller_ZJhFeE3tNKzfh
@Ezra_Amazon this isn't difficult. There is one main question that is being asked and asked and asked.
- I use Royal Mail 24/48 and I am buying those labels outside of Amazon Buy Shipping
- I upload into Amazon the tracking number
- Royal Mail scan at best 80% of Royal Mail 24/48 services
- Since VTR came into force, amazon state that they will 'validate' unscanned Royal Mail 24/48 labels and won't suspend the ability to list in impacted categories
- Amazon have removed that policy from their policy pages
So really simple - will amazon still validate unscanned Royal Mail 24/48 purchased outside Amazon Buy Shipping, or not? Note the answer can't possibly be that they are exempt - because the policy doesn't even say that.
if the team you are passing that question to cannot answer - this Ask Amazon is useless.
Seller_ZJhFeE3tNKzfh
@Ezra_Amazon this isn't difficult. There is one main question that is being asked and asked and asked.
- I use Royal Mail 24/48 and I am buying those labels outside of Amazon Buy Shipping
- I upload into Amazon the tracking number
- Royal Mail scan at best 80% of Royal Mail 24/48 services
- Since VTR came into force, amazon state that they will 'validate' unscanned Royal Mail 24/48 labels and won't suspend the ability to list in impacted categories
- Amazon have removed that policy from their policy pages
So really simple - will amazon still validate unscanned Royal Mail 24/48 purchased outside Amazon Buy Shipping, or not? Note the answer can't possibly be that they are exempt - because the policy doesn't even say that.
if the team you are passing that question to cannot answer - this Ask Amazon is useless.
Seller_Y9fFZ8oEs17ES
Thank you for your question! Royal Mail 24/48 services will be exempted
Will Amazon abide by this or just mark them as invalid as they have done before?
Seller_Y9fFZ8oEs17ES
Thank you for your question! Royal Mail 24/48 services will be exempted
Will Amazon abide by this or just mark them as invalid as they have done before?
Seller_vufGlJbJ0bgG5
Hi
We ship large items (furniture) and it is impossible to use carriers such as UPS, DPD etc.
Our couriers provide tracking numbers which I always upload but there is no actual scan.
Please could you kindly help with this as I am worried about my account health
Seller_vufGlJbJ0bgG5
Hi
We ship large items (furniture) and it is impossible to use carriers such as UPS, DPD etc.
Our couriers provide tracking numbers which I always upload but there is no actual scan.
Please could you kindly help with this as I am worried about my account health
Seller_HwaQlgFnhSuGS
Would definately like to know this as it really affects our ability to sell our items on Amazon FBM.
Previously, Amazon claimed to 'validate' unscanned Royal Mail parcels and large letters behind the scenes, so that offers were not suspended as a consequence of Royal Mail's failure to scan items. This was the case regardless of whether the shipping was bought through Amazon or another channel.
That wording has now disappeared from the policy pages, so we need to know immediately whether the policy has changed. Do Amazon still 'validate' unscanned Royal Mail items so that offers are not suspended? If so, is this still the case for labels not bought through Amazon?
If you are no longer validating are Amazon saying that all Large Letter 1st/2nd Class not have to be purchased through Amazon? If so why? The service level is the same, the price is the same, the delivery company is the same.
All of ours are sent Click & Drop which update Amazon and we will not use Buy Shipping under duress, when the delivery service/promise is the exact same, but we are then not able to claim for missing items. Amazon say contact Royal Mail and Royal Mail say we are not their customer, its Amazon. I will not swicth to Buy Shipping which costs the same, yet get less of a service and zero protection. I will lodge a complaint with the CMA before that day happens, as if we have to use Buy Shipping it is frankly bullying and anticompetative.
Seller_HwaQlgFnhSuGS
Would definately like to know this as it really affects our ability to sell our items on Amazon FBM.
Previously, Amazon claimed to 'validate' unscanned Royal Mail parcels and large letters behind the scenes, so that offers were not suspended as a consequence of Royal Mail's failure to scan items. This was the case regardless of whether the shipping was bought through Amazon or another channel.
That wording has now disappeared from the policy pages, so we need to know immediately whether the policy has changed. Do Amazon still 'validate' unscanned Royal Mail items so that offers are not suspended? If so, is this still the case for labels not bought through Amazon?
If you are no longer validating are Amazon saying that all Large Letter 1st/2nd Class not have to be purchased through Amazon? If so why? The service level is the same, the price is the same, the delivery company is the same.
All of ours are sent Click & Drop which update Amazon and we will not use Buy Shipping under duress, when the delivery service/promise is the exact same, but we are then not able to claim for missing items. Amazon say contact Royal Mail and Royal Mail say we are not their customer, its Amazon. I will not swicth to Buy Shipping which costs the same, yet get less of a service and zero protection. I will lodge a complaint with the CMA before that day happens, as if we have to use Buy Shipping it is frankly bullying and anticompetative.
Ezra_Amazon
Hi sellers,
I notice there's some confusion about Royal Mail shipping methods, so I'd like to share the update from our partner team:
- Untracked RM 24/48 services: These are exempted from VTR (not valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
- Untracked Large letters of RM (except 1st class and 2nd class, stamping & franking): Exempted from VTR calculation (not valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
- Untracked 1st class and 2nd class letters stamps & franking are only exempted (not valid unlike previously) from VTR calculations only when purchased through Amazon Buy Shipping (at no additional cost).
Please make sure you select the correct shipping method from the dropdown menu for the system to properly process these exemptions.
Ezra_Amazon
Hi sellers,
I notice there's some confusion about Royal Mail shipping methods, so I'd like to share the update from our partner team:
- Untracked RM 24/48 services: These are exempted from VTR (not valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
- Untracked Large letters of RM (except 1st class and 2nd class, stamping & franking): Exempted from VTR calculation (not valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
- Untracked 1st class and 2nd class letters stamps & franking are only exempted (not valid unlike previously) from VTR calculations only when purchased through Amazon Buy Shipping (at no additional cost).
Please make sure you select the correct shipping method from the dropdown menu for the system to properly process these exemptions.
Seller_HwaQlgFnhSuGS
@Ezra_Amazon the exact same thing has just happend in your answer. I have never known a question be answered and not answered so many times.
If I am reading this answer, which is not an answer really, I can only assume, interpret, construe, decipher that because of the words (except 1st class and 2nd class) that you are saying... without actually saying, confirming or denying, that if we use Royal Mail for 1st Large Letter or 2nd Large letter we will be in trouble?
This is so painful, it really is.
Seller_HwaQlgFnhSuGS
@Ezra_Amazon the exact same thing has just happend in your answer. I have never known a question be answered and not answered so many times.
If I am reading this answer, which is not an answer really, I can only assume, interpret, construe, decipher that because of the words (except 1st class and 2nd class) that you are saying... without actually saying, confirming or denying, that if we use Royal Mail for 1st Large Letter or 2nd Large letter we will be in trouble?
This is so painful, it really is.
Seller_ZJhFeE3tNKzfh
It doesn't make any sense.
Royal Mail 24 and 48 are apparently now exempt - even though the policy doesn't state this - so when is it being applied?
I have no idea what Royal Mail large letters (except 1st and 2nd class, stamps and franking) would actually be.
Seller_ZJhFeE3tNKzfh
It doesn't make any sense.
Royal Mail 24 and 48 are apparently now exempt - even though the policy doesn't state this - so when is it being applied?
I have no idea what Royal Mail large letters (except 1st and 2nd class, stamps and franking) would actually be.
Seller_7WttAIiaCR7Ty
when I use my Royal Mail business account (BPL) for 1st & 2nd class large letters, Royal Mail automatically mark it with tracking number and shipping service as ‘std uk dom_1’ or ‘std uk dom_2’ so the shipping service does not actually show as 1st or 2nd class, will these now fail for vtr?
Seller_7WttAIiaCR7Ty
when I use my Royal Mail business account (BPL) for 1st & 2nd class large letters, Royal Mail automatically mark it with tracking number and shipping service as ‘std uk dom_1’ or ‘std uk dom_2’ so the shipping service does not actually show as 1st or 2nd class, will these now fail for vtr?
Seller_W0UadCH7lVBVG
I agree, it's so ambiguous.
I have read his reply several times and still can't work out what the differences are.
If, as we know, RM offer a choice of Large Letter 1st or 2nd Class, then what does 'Except 1st and 2nd class, stamps and franking' actually mean?
Maybe what he/Amazon are saying is it excludes Large Letter 1st or 2nd class IF then are sent with a stamp on it or via Franking Machine?
Seller_W0UadCH7lVBVG
I agree, it's so ambiguous.
I have read his reply several times and still can't work out what the differences are.
If, as we know, RM offer a choice of Large Letter 1st or 2nd Class, then what does 'Except 1st and 2nd class, stamps and franking' actually mean?
Maybe what he/Amazon are saying is it excludes Large Letter 1st or 2nd class IF then are sent with a stamp on it or via Franking Machine?
Seller_HwaQlgFnhSuGS
Its like listening to a politian on a TV panel show. Never getting the answer to the actual question.
I don't want to know 'except'. I want to know about Large letters 1st 2nd Class..... nothing else. Thats the one that is avoided being answered.
Seller_HwaQlgFnhSuGS
Its like listening to a politian on a TV panel show. Never getting the answer to the actual question.
I don't want to know 'except'. I want to know about Large letters 1st 2nd Class..... nothing else. Thats the one that is avoided being answered.
Seller_HwaQlgFnhSuGS
That is the question on the table from me..... the answer is just not coming.
Seller_HwaQlgFnhSuGS
That is the question on the table from me..... the answer is just not coming.
Seller_RTJNdLRVf9Zbe
Hi again Ezra,
Reading Note 2 from your reply, am I right in assuming that if I buy 1st and 2nd Class Large Letter postage through RM Click & Drop these will be exempt from the VTR calculation. If this is correct, will this be explicitly stated within the VTR policy update as this seems to be one of the main confusions from reading through the Q&A.
Currently, all of my 1st & 2nd Class Large Letter Click & Drop orders are showing as having invalid tracking numbers.
Alison
Hi sellers,
I notice there's some confusion about Royal Mail shipping methods, so I'd like to share the update from our partner team:
- Untracked RM 24/48 services: These are exempted from VTR (not valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
- Untracked Large letters of RM (except 1st class and 2nd class, stamping & franking): Exempted from VTR calculation (not valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
- Untracked 1st class and 2nd class letters stamps & franking are only exempted (not valid unlike previously) from VTR calculations only when purchased through Amazon Buy Shipping (at no additional cost).
Please make sure you select the correct shipping method from the dropdown menu for the system to properly process these exemptions.
Seller_RTJNdLRVf9Zbe
Hi again Ezra,
Reading Note 2 from your reply, am I right in assuming that if I buy 1st and 2nd Class Large Letter postage through RM Click & Drop these will be exempt from the VTR calculation. If this is correct, will this be explicitly stated within the VTR policy update as this seems to be one of the main confusions from reading through the Q&A.
Currently, all of my 1st & 2nd Class Large Letter Click & Drop orders are showing as having invalid tracking numbers.
Alison
Hi sellers,
I notice there's some confusion about Royal Mail shipping methods, so I'd like to share the update from our partner team:
- Untracked RM 24/48 services: These are exempted from VTR (not valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
- Untracked Large letters of RM (except 1st class and 2nd class, stamping & franking): Exempted from VTR calculation (not valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
- Untracked 1st class and 2nd class letters stamps & franking are only exempted (not valid unlike previously) from VTR calculations only when purchased through Amazon Buy Shipping (at no additional cost).
Please make sure you select the correct shipping method from the dropdown menu for the system to properly process these exemptions.
Seller_7WttAIiaCR7Ty
I feel like I am banging my head on a wall.
Can I carry on using my BPL at no detriment to vtr whether it is scanned or not, as we know RM will never scan 95% of these no matter what we do.
Or is my only option to now use buy shipping for my 2nd class large letters which will cost me more and not give the customer any better tracking info than what they get now!!
What an absolute shambles this is.
Seller_7WttAIiaCR7Ty
I feel like I am banging my head on a wall.
Can I carry on using my BPL at no detriment to vtr whether it is scanned or not, as we know RM will never scan 95% of these no matter what we do.
Or is my only option to now use buy shipping for my 2nd class large letters which will cost me more and not give the customer any better tracking info than what they get now!!
What an absolute shambles this is.
Seller_7WttAIiaCR7Ty
Untracked Large letters of RM (except 1st class and 2nd class, stamping & franking): Exempted from VTR calculation (not valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
Can you please confirm that if it shows ‘std uk dom_1’ or ‘std uk dom_2’ in shipping service for Royal Mail, will these now be excempt from vtr? Is that what the above statement is saying?
Seller_7WttAIiaCR7Ty
Untracked Large letters of RM (except 1st class and 2nd class, stamping & franking): Exempted from VTR calculation (not valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
Can you please confirm that if it shows ‘std uk dom_1’ or ‘std uk dom_2’ in shipping service for Royal Mail, will these now be excempt from vtr? Is that what the above statement is saying?
Seller_W0UadCH7lVBVG
I think, he's made a spelling mistake? The word 'not' should be 'now'?
And that the sentence with the words 'Except 1st Class...' was written incorrectly
Do you think it should have been written like this:
"1. Untracked RM 24/48 services: These are exempted from VTR (now valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
2. Untracked Large letters of RM (except stamped and franked 1st class and 2nd class): Exempted from VTR calculation (now valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
3. Untracked 1st class and 2nd class letters that are stamped or franked are only exempted (now valid unlike previously) from VTR calculations only when purchased through Amazon Buy Shipping (at no additional cost)."
Seller_W0UadCH7lVBVG
I think, he's made a spelling mistake? The word 'not' should be 'now'?
And that the sentence with the words 'Except 1st Class...' was written incorrectly
Do you think it should have been written like this:
"1. Untracked RM 24/48 services: These are exempted from VTR (now valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
2. Untracked Large letters of RM (except stamped and franked 1st class and 2nd class): Exempted from VTR calculation (now valid unlike previously) even when they are not purchased through Buy Shipping.
3. Untracked 1st class and 2nd class letters that are stamped or franked are only exempted (now valid unlike previously) from VTR calculations only when purchased through Amazon Buy Shipping (at no additional cost)."
Seller_40ozsHlGqPuEL
The terms "exempt" and "validated" have distinct meanings:
Exempt: When something is exempt, it means it is not included in a certain requirement or calculation. In the context of VTR (Valid Tracking Rate), if a service is exempt, it means it will not be considered in the VTR calculation at all.
Validated: When something is validated, it means it meets the required criteria and is accepted as valid. In the context of VTR, if a service is validated, it means the tracking information provided is recognized and accepted by Amazon, contributing positively to the VTR.
In summary, exempt means the service is not part of the VTR calculation, while validated means the service is part of the VTR calculation and meets the necessary criteria.
Therefore if anyone uses RM24 RM48 is Amazon going to remove the Merchant from Amazon forever?
Please clarify with a yes or no?
Seller_40ozsHlGqPuEL
The terms "exempt" and "validated" have distinct meanings:
Exempt: When something is exempt, it means it is not included in a certain requirement or calculation. In the context of VTR (Valid Tracking Rate), if a service is exempt, it means it will not be considered in the VTR calculation at all.
Validated: When something is validated, it means it meets the required criteria and is accepted as valid. In the context of VTR, if a service is validated, it means the tracking information provided is recognized and accepted by Amazon, contributing positively to the VTR.
In summary, exempt means the service is not part of the VTR calculation, while validated means the service is part of the VTR calculation and meets the necessary criteria.
Therefore if anyone uses RM24 RM48 is Amazon going to remove the Merchant from Amazon forever?
Please clarify with a yes or no?
Seller_RAXEWLxQ2dbmN
Does the 'except' in the quote below mean that only untracked parcels sent via RM will be exempt from VTR if not purchased via Buy Shipping and untracked letters and LL will not be exempt?
It doesn't bother me too much as I currently purchase all my Amazon postage via Buy Shipping but it would be good to know for future reference.
Seller_RAXEWLxQ2dbmN
Does the 'except' in the quote below mean that only untracked parcels sent via RM will be exempt from VTR if not purchased via Buy Shipping and untracked letters and LL will not be exempt?
It doesn't bother me too much as I currently purchase all my Amazon postage via Buy Shipping but it would be good to know for future reference.
Seller_vufGlJbJ0bgG5
I think it is only fair that furniture and home categories should be put in an exempted catagory. It is impossible to provide scans due to the nature of carriers that are used to deliver these heavy and bulky items
Seller_vufGlJbJ0bgG5
I think it is only fair that furniture and home categories should be put in an exempted catagory. It is impossible to provide scans due to the nature of carriers that are used to deliver these heavy and bulky items
Seller_dtDzb0clEI627
So much to read through...
All i want to know is what are the new changes to VTR for non-Tracked mail? Do we now need a Royal Mail scan for non-Tracked?
Thanks
Seller_dtDzb0clEI627
So much to read through...
All i want to know is what are the new changes to VTR for non-Tracked mail? Do we now need a Royal Mail scan for non-Tracked?
Thanks
