Pre-Launch Announcement: Introducing Purchase Order Number Support in Amazon Shipping APIs

We are excited to announce a significant enhancement to the Amazon Shipping API that will greatly benefit our B2B sellers and expand our capabilities in the Business-to-Business (B2B) segment.

What's New?

We are introducing support for Purchase Order (PO) numbers in the Amazon Shipping APIs. This new feature allows API-integrated sellers to include PO numbers on shipping labels, aligning with a key strategic goal to better serve our B2B customers.

Key Features:

PO Number Integration: Sellers can now include PO numbers when creating shipments through the APIs.

Enhanced B2B Support: This feature brings parity with our Merchant Fulfilled Network (MFN) flow, extending crucial B2B functionality to API users.

Improved Tracking and Reconciliation: PO numbers on shipping labels facilitate easier order tracking and support three-way reconciliation processes—matching purchase orders, invoices, and receipts—which are essential for efficient B2B operations and regulatory compliance.

Expected Launch Date: July 14, 2025; Marketplace affected: UK.

How It Works:

The new AdditionalPackageInfo array has been added to the main package object in the API. This allows you to specify the PO number for each package:

 "additionalPackageInfo": {
      "type": "array",
      "description": "Additional information about the package provided by Shipper",
      "items": {
        "type": "object",
        "required": ["name", "value"],
        "properties": {
          "name": {
            "type": "string",
            "description": "The name of the information content being sent along with the package",
            "enum": [
              "PURCHASE_ORDER_NUMBER"
            ],
            "x-docgen-enum-table-extension": [
              {
                "value": "PURCHASE_ORDER_NUMBER",
                "description": "Specifies the Purchase Order number."
              }
            ]
          },
          "value": {
            "type": "string",
            "description": "The value of the information content being sent along with the package"
          }
        }
      }
    }

"AdditionalPackageInfo": [
  {
    "name": "PURCHASE_ORDER_NUMBER",
    "value": "Your-PO-Number-Here"
  }
]

FAQs:

1. Why is PO# on shipping labels important?
   For B2B deliveries, where businesses often receive multiple packages from various suppliers daily, having the PO# clearly visible on the label significantly streamlines their receiving and accounting processes.
   It speeds up the receiving process: Recipients can quickly match incoming packages to their original orders without opening each package.
   It reduces errors in inventory management: Packages can be accurately sorted and processed based on the PO# visible on the label.
   It helps with efficient payment processing: Finance teams can easily match deliveries to purchase orders and invoices (three-way reconciliation).
   It prevents delays: Packages can be quickly processed and stored without the need to open each one to determine its contents or origin.
   It allows for easy discrepancy flagging: Recipients can immediately identify if a delivery doesn't match an expected order.
2. Where do I get the PO# to include on shipping labels?
   The PO# is an optional field that you can include on your shipping labels to help your business customers with their receiving and reconciliation processes.
   For Off-Amazon orders, you can collect the PO# from your buyers through your preferred channel, typically during the checkout process on your website or order form.
   For On-Amazon orders, Amazon automatically captures this information when Amazon Business customers provide it during checkout. The PO# will be automatically populated in your shipping label creation process if it's available.
3. What is three-way reconciliation?
   Three-way reconciliation is a common accounting practice used by businesses to ensure accuracy in their purchasing and payment processes. It involves matching three key documents:
   The Purchase Order (PO): This is the original order document created by the buyer, detailing what was ordered.
   The Receiving Report: This confirms what goods were actually received (which is why having the PO# on the shipping label is so important).
   The Invoice: This is the bill sent by the supplier for payment.
   By reconciling these three documents, businesses can verify that they received what they ordered, ensure they're only paying for what they actually received, and maintain accurate financial records.