Amazon Global Logistics
The Amazon Global Logistics (AGL) program, sometimes referred to as Global Shipping Service (GSS), is advertised as a single portal for shipment creation, freight booking, cargo tracking, and payment. Initially focused on bringing goods to Amazon FBA warehouses, AGL has significantly expanded its reach and services, with rapid changes observed through 2025-2026.
Amazon advertises this solution with much lower costs, accurate and easy tracking of your shipments, and shipping directly to FBA warehouses. The key advantages that Amazon mentions are:
- Modes: Ocean FCL, Ocean LCL & Air Freight
- Fast, stable and reliable
- Additional value-added services, including streamlined customs clearance
- Seller Central debited from account upon FC Receipt
- End-to-end milestone tracking
The advantages speak for themselves, but we all know: Everything has its price. And we’re not talking about money here. As great as that sounds, it has its drawbacks or risks, as we like to call them.
Should I use Amazon Global Logistics?
If you’re asking yourself this question, you’re probably looking for arguments that may be against the decision to use the Amazon Global Logistics program. Since business is usually a constant balancing of risk and opportunity, the following points are intended to shed some light on the risks we see in the Amazon Global Logistics program, alongside the program’s evolving capabilities.
1. Trust
By using Amazon Global Logistics, Amazon gets even more information about your business and your products than they already do. It becomes easier to figure out your suppliers and copy your products. That’s not to say you shouldn’t do it, or this will happen for sure, but it’s important to be aware of it.
2. Support
In addition to the trust question you might ask yourself, some sellers reported longer shipping times and long waiting times when problems arise. We all have our experiences with the Amazon seller support and know about the struggles of dealing with it. It’s a big company with probably an unimaginable number of support tickets that all need to be handled. Your support request is also just a number in the system. Again: That’s not to say you shouldn’t do it, it’s just important to be aware of it. While Amazon is investing significantly in technology and sustainability to enhance speed and reliability, and addressing reported supply chain challenges, sellers might still encounter issues.
3. Dependencies
It sounds very tempting, of course: Everything in one place. Everything from one provider. One big order, into one warehouse and sell from there. But unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Most of us know the issues that dependence on Amazon can bring. The last year has shown once again that restrictions in delivery quantities can throw a functioning system completely out of kilter. This makes it all the more essential for us to have a pre-FBA solution that fills the available storage capacities of the Amazon warehouses in a fully automated manner. Many of the SPACEGOATS customers deliver their goods to a logistics partner and through the linked systems, the Amazon warehouses are automatically replenished. As a seller, you get the advantages of both worlds: One less dependency on Amazon and still automated processes with less work. Not to mention the other benefits of better support accessibility and greater flexibility and support in working with logistics partners.
4. Expanding Network and Services
Amazon Global Logistics has rapidly expanded its geographic footprint and service offerings. By the end of 2026, AGL aims to cover approximately 96% of inbound FBA volume, introducing new direct shipping lanes that reduce handoffs and improve schedule predictability. New international shipping services have been launched, including ocean freight from Vietnam to the U.S. and China to Japan, with plans for additional origin-destination arcs into Canada, Australia, and other regions. Furthermore, Amazon has extended its third-party logistics (3PL) services to support fulfillment for orders on competing marketplaces such as Walmart, Shopify, and Shein. This strategic move allows sellers to leverage Amazon’s robust fulfillment network for off-Amazon orders, enhancing operational efficiency across multiple sales channels.
5. Technological Advancements
Amazon is integrating advanced technology into its logistics operations, particularly in customs clearance. They have launched generative AI tools that streamline customs documentation by pre-populating and verifying forms. This innovation significantly cuts paperwork time by over 50%, reducing delays and errors for sellers globally. These advancements contribute to Amazon’s overall strategy of enhancing speed, reliability, and the environmental performance of its supply chain, which is often highlighted at industry events. Amazon’s logistics expansion also aligns with its strategic moves into high-growth markets like the UAE, where e-commerce volume is projected to nearly double by 2030, underscoring its growing international logistics footprint and sophisticated operational capabilities.
An alternative to Amazon Global Logistics
Regardless of the risks of the Amazon Global Logistics program, we love the idea of optimizing or even automating our supply chain. So the real question we should be asking is: How do we get the same result with fewer of the aforementioned risks?
SPACEGOATS offers a way to automate not only your logistics but also your distribution to all marketplaces in Europe including the UK.
The pre-FBA solution aims to be more independent of Amazon and optimize IPI. By working with logistics partners and linking inventory planning software, your Amazon stock will be replenished automatically. As long as your goods do not run out at our logistics partner, your goods will never run out at the Amazon warehouse. We react automatically to Amazon’s stock limitations. No additional effort for you.
The distribution automation solution allows you to sell easily and quickly on all European marketplaces. You no longer need to worry about tax advisors and tax numbers abroad.
Find the perfect plan for you here.
