Amazon TBA tracking

What is Amazon?

Amazon is the global e-commerce giant, founded by Jeff Bezos on July 5, 1994 in a garage in Bellevue, Washington State. What began as a simple online bookstore has become, over three decades, one of the most influential companies on the planet, radically transforming the way consumers shop and receive their products. The company takes its name from the Amazon River, the world's largest river, a symbolic choice reflecting Jeff Bezos's ambition to create the world's largest online store.

Amazon's story is one of spectacular growth. Just two months after launching in 1995, the platform was already generating 20,000 dollars in sales each week. This upward trajectory led the company to go public in 1997, barely two years after its inception. Jeff Bezos, who had invested approximately 300,000 dollars from his parents as initial capital, had nevertheless warned his first investors that there was a 70% chance the company would fail. History proved him wrong in the most spectacular way possible.

• Date of creation: July 5, 1994, with website launch in 1995
• Founder: Jeff Bezos, American entrepreneur who became one of the world's richest people
• Headquarters: Seattle, Washington State, United States
• Annual revenue: Over 600 billion dollars, positioning Amazon among the world's largest companies by revenue
• Market share in the United States: 42% of American e-commerce, far ahead of Walmart which holds 6%
• Current leadership: Andy Jassy, who succeeded Jeff Bezos as CEO in July 2021

Beyond e-commerce, Amazon has diversified into many sectors. Amazon Web Services (AWS), its cloud computing division, alone generates over 100 billion dollars in annual revenue. Amazon Advertising, with tens of billions of dollars in annual advertising revenue, positions the company as the world's third advertising platform, behind Google and Facebook. The company is also present in video and audio streaming with Prime Video and Amazon Music, connected devices with Alexa and Echo speakers, and physical grocery retail with Whole Foods Market. This diversification makes Amazon much more than a simple marketplace; it is a complete technological ecosystem that touches virtually every aspect of consumers' daily lives.

Amazon's business model rests on several complementary pillars. On one hand, the marketplace allows millions of third-party sellers to offer their products alongside items sold directly by Amazon. On the other hand, the Amazon Prime program, with tens of millions of subscribers worldwide, creates exceptional customer loyalty through fast and free shipping benefits. Finally, massive investment in logistics, with hundreds of warehouses and distribution centers across the world, allows the company to control the entire supply chain through to the customer's home.

Which countries does Amazon deliver to?

Amazon has a truly global commercial presence, with dedicated websites in many countries and international shipping capacity covering the vast majority of destinations. This extended geographic coverage allows customers worldwide to access the millions of products offered on the different Amazon platforms. Nevertheless, service availability and shipping conditions vary significantly depending on regions and markets.

The company operates retail websites in over twenty countries, each with its own catalog adapted to local preferences, currency and specific shipping options. The main markets include the United States (amazon.com), the United Kingdom (amazon.co.uk), Germany (amazon.de), France (amazon.fr), Italy (amazon.it), Spain (amazon.es), Japan (amazon.co.jp), Canada (amazon.ca), Australia (amazon.com.au), India (amazon.in), Mexico (amazon.com.mx), Brazil (amazon.com.br), the Netherlands (amazon.nl), Belgium (amazon.com.be), Poland (amazon.pl), Sweden (amazon.se), and many others.

• Europe: France, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Sweden with dedicated national websites and cross-border shipping within the European Union without customs duties
• North America: United States, Canada and Mexico with particularly well-developed logistics infrastructure
• Asia-Pacific: Japan, India, Australia, Singapore with services adapted to local markets
• South America: Brazil as the main market with progressive expansion
• Middle East: United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia via amazon.ae and amazon.sa

For countries without a local Amazon website, the AmazonGlobal program allows international shipping of products from existing marketplaces. This option opens access to American, European or Asian catalogs for consumers worldwide, with shipping fees and potentially customs duties calculated and displayed before order confirmation. Shipping restrictions may vary depending on the type of item ordered, with some products not being eligible for export for regulatory or logistical reasons.

Within the European Union, customers can order from any European Amazon website with their existing account and benefit from cross-border shipping without additional customs charges. A European customer can thus order from any Amazon website in the European Union and receive their order directly at home, which is particularly useful when an item is available at a better price or in stock on another market. For orders outside the European Union, particularly from Amazon United States, import duties and import VAT apply, but are generally calculated and collected at the time of order to avoid surprises at delivery.

Which carriers does Amazon use?

Amazon has developed a hybrid logistics strategy combining its own internal delivery network and partnerships with many traditional carriers. This approach allows the company to guarantee optimal territorial coverage while maintaining operational flexibility in the face of volume variations. The choice of carrier for each package depends on multiple factors including the nature of the product, destination, selected shipping method and available capacity at the time of shipment.

Amazon Logistics, also referred to by the code name TBA (for tracking numbers), is Amazon's proprietary delivery network. This service ensures an growing share of deliveries, particularly for the last mile, that is the final delivery to the customer's home. Amazon Logistics operates through local delivery agencies distributed across the territory, local delivery partners called Delivery Service Partners, and the Amazon Flex program which uses independent drivers using their personal vehicles.

• Amazon Logistics: Amazon's internal delivery network, recognizable by tracking numbers starting with TBA, TBC or TBM, ensuring the majority of last-mile deliveries in urban and suburban areas
• Colis Privé: Historic Amazon partner in France for home and pickup point deliveries, with a network of over 9,500 local pickup points
• La Poste and Colissimo: For standard shipments, tracked mail and coverage of rural or remote areas
• Chronopost and DHL: For express shipments and international deliveries requiring delivery guarantees
• UPS: For handling bulky, heavy products or those destined for businesses
• Mondial Relay and Relais Colis: For deliveries to alternative pickup points
• DPD: For certain standard and express deliveries depending on regions

Customers generally do not have the ability to explicitly choose their carrier at the time of order. Amazon automatically selects the most suitable partner based on its logistics optimization algorithm, which takes into account the origin warehouse location, destination address, product type and selected shipping service. However, the choice of delivery method (home, pickup point, Amazon Locker) indirectly influences the carrier used since each option uses different networks.

Amazon tracking numbers have different formats depending on the carrier and region. For deliveries handled by Amazon Logistics in France, identifiers generally start with CC followed by a sequence of digits. In the United States and North America, TBA, TBM or TBC codes are used. In the United Kingdom, numbers start with GBA. These identifiers are specific to Amazon's internal network and can only be tracked via the customer's Amazon account, unlike traditional carrier tracking numbers which are generally traceable on the carriers' websites themselves.

What are Amazon's delivery times?

Amazon has built itself a reputation for delivery speed excellence, offering a range of options from economical delivery in several days to same-day delivery for the most urgent orders. Delivery times vary depending on customer status (Prime member or not), the nature of products ordered, the delivery address and the selected delivery method. This flexibility allows each customer to find the optimal balance between speed and cost.

For Amazon Prime members, next-business-day express delivery is the standard for eligible items shipped from Amazon warehouses. This speed promise applies in main Prime coverage areas for orders placed before a certain time of day. Amazon's logistics network, with its many strategically positioned distribution centers, allows it to honor this commitment in the vast majority of cases.

• Same-day delivery: Available in certain major cities for orders placed before a set time limit (usually late morning), with a minimum amount for free delivery or reduced fees below this threshold
• Next business day delivery: Standard option for Prime members on eligible items, with delivery the following business day for weekday orders
• Two to three business days delivery: Priority option available for pickup point deliveries and certain destinations
• Standard delivery: Two to five business days depending on stock and location, available to all customers
• Pickup point delivery: Two to five business days for standard delivery, one to three business days for priority delivery

Weekend delivery is a reality at Amazon. Prime members can benefit from Sunday delivery in certain urban areas, which represents a significant advantage for customers who work during the week and struggle to receive their packages. Amazon Logistics delivers Monday through Sunday, generally from 8am to 8pm, offering extended operating hours that maximize the chances of finding the recipient at home.

Several factors can influence actual delivery times. Stock availability in the warehouse closest to the delivery address plays a crucial role, with an item stocked at the opposite end of the country naturally requiring longer transit time. Peak periods such as sales, Black Friday or year-end holidays can cause delays due to logistics capacity saturation. Finally, exceptional weather conditions or unforeseen events can temporarily disrupt delivery operations.

What are Amazon's shipping fees?

Amazon's pricing policy regarding shipping is one of the pillars of its commercial strategy, with a particularly attractive free shipping offer to build customer loyalty. Shipping fees vary depending on customer status, order amount, type of products purchased and selected shipping method. This pricing structure encourages Prime subscription while maintaining accessible options for occasional buyers.

For Amazon Prime members, shipping is free with no minimum purchase on the millions of eligible items, with next-business-day express delivery as standard. This benefit represents one of the main arguments for Prime membership, which costs 6.99 euros per month or 69.90 euros per year after a free 30-day trial period. Prime members also benefit from free same-day delivery for eligible orders over 35 euros, with 3.99 euros in fees for orders below this amount.

• Free Prime shipping: No minimum purchase for eligible items sold and shipped by Amazon, with next-business-day delivery
• Free standard shipping: For orders over 35 euros (excluding new books) if items are sold and shipped by Amazon, available to all customers
• Same-day delivery: Free for Prime members with orders over 35 euros, otherwise 3.99 euros
• Pickup point delivery: Free for all customers, Prime members or not
• Special case for new books: 3 euros in fees for orders containing less than 35 euros of new books, 0.01 euro for orders of 35 euros or more of new books, including for Prime members

The free shipping threshold for non-Prime members has been raised from 25 to 35 euros, which further encourages regular customers to subscribe to Prime membership rather than accumulating purchases to reach the minimum amount. This change illustrates Amazon's strategy to convert as many customers as possible into loyal subscribers.

Regarding sharing Prime benefits, Amazon has progressively limited the ability to give Prime shipping advantages to others outside the household. This policy aims to encourage individual subscriptions by limiting the sharing of a single account between multiple households. Subscribers must therefore generally limit the use of their shipping benefits to members of their own household.

For international deliveries, additional fees apply depending on the destination country, weight and package dimensions. Customs duties and import taxes may also be added for orders from Amazon websites located outside the European Union. These fees are generally calculated and displayed at the time of order to avoid surprises at delivery.

What are Amazon's delivery options?

Amazon offers a variety of delivery options designed to suit the constraints and preferences of each customer. This flexibility is a major competitive advantage, allowing buyers to choose the most convenient reception method according to their personal situation, availability and delivery urgency. From traditional home delivery to automated lockers through thousands of pickup points, the possibilities are numerous.

Home delivery remains the option preferred by the majority of customers. Amazon offers advanced features to optimize this experience, including the ability to track the driver in real-time via the mobile app and receive a notification approximately 30 minutes before the package arrives. This transparency allows recipients to organize to be present at the time of delivery or anticipate absence by adding specific drop-off instructions.

• Home delivery: Classic option with ability to add delivery instructions (access code, floor, safe place drop-off instructions), real-time tracking and notification before driver arrival
• Amazon Locker: Secure automated lockers available in many cities, located in high-traffic places such as train stations, stores, gas stations and universities, with a three-day calendar retrieval period
• Pickup points: Thousands of grocery stores, post offices and partner shops depending on countries, with free delivery regardless of customer status
• Reception desk or concierge delivery: Ability to leave the package with an authorized recipient in buildings with concierge service
• Secure location drop-off: Option allowing the driver to leave the package in the immediate vicinity of the delivery address in the recipient's absence

Amazon Lockers are a particularly suitable solution for urban customers whose schedules do not allow them to be present for home delivery. These automated lockers offer wider operating hours than local stores and guarantee package security in a closed and solid location. Retrieval is simple and contactless thanks to the barcode or 6-digit code sent by email. Nevertheless, this option has a significant limitation, as packages that are too large cannot be delivered to the locker.

The pickup point network offers a flexible alternative combining the benefits of proximity and extended hours. Thousands of points are available depending on countries, covering both urban areas and less densely populated regions. Pickup point delivery is free for all customers, making it an attractive economical option even for non-Prime members.

Amazon also allows customers to adjust their delivery preferences directly from their account. It is possible to set permanent instructions for a given address, such as an apartment access code or permission to leave packages with a neighbor. This information is transmitted to the driver and facilitates successful delivery on the first attempt, reducing inconveniences related to absences and delivery delays.

What should I do if my Amazon order is lost or damaged?

Despite the efficiency of Amazon's logistics network, incidents can occasionally occur during package delivery. A package may be indicated as delivered without actually being received, arrive damaged or simply get lost along the way. Amazon has established clear and generally effective complaint procedures to handle these situations and provide a satisfactory solution to affected customers.

The first step in case of a problem is to check the order status in the "Your Orders" section of your Amazon account. If the package is indicated as delivered but you have not received it, it is recommended to check around your home (porch, mailbox, with a neighbor) as the driver may have made a secure drop-off. When the delivery proof includes a photo, it can help locate the exact drop-off location.

• Initial report: Log into your Amazon account, go to the "Your Orders" section, locate the order in question and select the "Problem with order" option to describe the situation
• Reporting deadline: Amazon recommends reporting any problem within 90 days of the estimated delivery date to facilitate claim processing
• Types of resolution: Full refund for loss or significant damage, partial refund for minor issues, credit to Amazon account for future purchases, or product replacement if the item is still available
• A-to-Z Guarantee: For orders from third-party sellers, this protection allows obtaining a refund if the seller does not cooperate or refuses to resolve the problem
• Legal responsibility: Under article L221-15 of the French Consumer Code, Amazon is fully responsible for delivery and cannot be exempted by invoking a carrier error

In case of damaged package, it is strongly advised to take photos of the package and its contents upon receipt to document the extent of damage. These visual proofs significantly speed up the resolution process and strengthen the legitimacy of the claim. If the item is unusable or does not match the description, Amazon generally offers replacement or refund without major difficulties.

For cases where the initial claim does not result in a satisfactory solution, several remedies exist. Direct contact with customer service by phone or chat allows explaining the problem in detail and obtaining a review of the initial decision. It is possible to request escalation to a higher level of customer support for complex situations. As a last resort, if no solution is found, the customer can consider mediation or legal action, although these situations remain rare given Amazon's generally accommodating customer policy.

The legal deadline for acting and obtaining a refund is 5 years for a package not received or order not delivered. However, the faster the report, the easier the resolution will be as tracking information and evidence are still easily accessible. A report within days of the scheduled delivery date offers the best chances of obtaining quick satisfaction.

How do I contact Amazon?

Amazon makes several contact channels available to its customers to answer their questions and resolve their problems. The company's customer service strategy prioritizes self-service solutions and digital channels, while maintaining the possibility of direct human contact for situations requiring personalized assistance. This approach efficiently processes a considerable volume of requests while maintaining high customer satisfaction.

Online chat is often the quickest way to get an answer. This service is available every day from 7am to midnight and allows interaction with an Amazon advisor in real-time. The advantage of chat lies in its practicality: no phone wait, ability to keep a written record of the exchange and ease in sharing information such as order numbers or screenshots. To access it, simply click on "Need help" in the footer of the Amazon website.

• France telephone: 0 805 10 14 20 (free call from a landline), available every day from 6am to midnight, to speak directly with an advisor
• International telephone: +33 1 74 18 10 38 for calls from abroad, with fees varying by operator
• Online chat: Available every day from 7am to midnight, accessible from the "Help" section of the website or app
• Messaging via account: Ability to send a message and receive a response within 24 to 48 hours
• Online help center: Complete library of articles and FAQs to find answers to common questions without waiting
• Data protection email: [email protected] for requests relating to personal data

To reach customer service by phone, it is recommended to avoid peak hours, generally between 6pm and 8pm, to minimize wait time. The service is particularly responsive early in the morning or early afternoon. When calling, it is helpful to have your order number and relevant details on hand to speed up request processing.

Amazon does not provide a generic email address for customer service, preferring channels integrated into the platform that allow automatic customer identification and direct access to order history. This approach facilitates the work of advisors who immediately have all the information needed to process the request. For specific questions related to personal data protection or privacy, dedicated email addresses are however available.

The Amazon mobile app also provides direct access to customer service with the same contact options as the website. The callback feature allows requesting a call from an advisor rather than waiting online, a practical option for those who prefer phone contact without experiencing wait times. Amazon social media can also serve as a communication channel, although official customer service remains the preferred route for order-related requests.

Understanding tracking statuses

When you track an Amazon package online, different statuses may appear as it makes its way through. These messages describe the current state of the package and the stages of its journey from the Amazon warehouse to your delivery address. Understanding these statuses allows you to anticipate receipt and quickly identify any anomalies. Here are the main statuses you may encounter when tracking your Amazon orders delivered by the Amazon Logistics network: