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How Amazon Delivery Photos Redefine MCF Orders in NA & EU

Jacob Heinz
Jacob Heinz |

Your Amazon package should be at your door—or maybe it’s not. Five minutes later, you get a customer message: “Hey, where’s my package?” Panic sets in. You scramble to find the tracking link, say sorry a lot, then tell them, “Did you try your neighbor?” Sound familiar?

If you handle Amazon sales or support, that’s probably burned in your brain more than your own WiFi code.

Here’s the wild part: Amazon’s got a new trick. Now, almost every delivery includes a photo at the doorstep. For Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) orders in North America and the EU, you get an automatic delivery snapshot. No more guessing. No more “delivered but not really” calls. You get a real, time-stamped photo showing exactly where the box landed.

Stop and think about that—a real photo trail, not just a tracking number or some vague status. If you’ve ever dealt with the “customer’s always right” battle, this isn’t just some flashy update. This could finally end the daily fight over missing boxes.

Key Takeaways

  • Delivery photos are now active for Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) orders in the US, Canada, and Europe.
  • Photo proof ends “item not received” arguments a lot faster than just a signature or tracking link can.
  • Support teams can send real proof in minutes, which cuts back on pointless refunds and returns.
  • Fewer returns, fewer complaints. Sellers and reps both get better backup for every case.
  • To access photos, you need the Selling Partner API (SP-API), plus the right MCF roles on your account.

Want smoother workflows? AMC Cloud helps with Amazon data, automation, and support—all syncs up with no coding needed.

Delivery Photos Help Sellers

Killing the Doubt

Let’s be honest. Before delivery photos, tracking down a lost package was like being Sherlock—except the pay is worse. Customer says “never showed up.” You check tracking. It claims "delivered." The customer points to their empty porch. All you can do is refund or pray it shows up later.

Now, every eligible MCF order in North America or Europe comes with a photo. When a package gets dropped off, the driver snaps a picture so it’s tied right to the order. These aren’t some grainy camera shots. It’s a clear, time-stamped photo—maybe the box is behind a flower pot, maybe it’s front and center on the mat.

Support teams finally have solid proof. Say your customer says it’s lost, you can just send the photo back. End of story. It’s more than an update—it’s peace of mind for everyone.

Settling Claims, Saving Money

Don’t just take Amazon’s word for it. The National Retail Federation said in 2023 that 38% of online returns are “item not received.” Sellers lose tons of time and cash over this. Support teams are stuck in the middle.

Photos change that. ShipBob, a logistics firm, found that “not delivered” returns dropped by 60% when they used photo proof. That’s not a rumor—that’s sellers saving thousands on fake refunds, lost goods, and wasted hours.

Tim Matthews, a logistics pro, said it straight: “One photo can turn a week-long back-and-forth into a single email. The fraud rate just falls.”

Trust and Repeat Buyers

You don’t have to be a tech genius to get this. When brands are open, customers come back. Amazon’s own data shows: When sellers share delivery photos as proof, repeat buyer rates go up 15-20%. Why? People just want answers, not a fight. If you can solve an issue with a quick screenshot, people remember. They trust you and shop again.

Long story short, delivery photos aren’t just for support. They build trust. That’s how you get repeat shoppers—not more headaches.

Technology Basics

API Endpoints

So, how does it all work? When Amazon Logistics drops a package in a supported region, the driver takes a snap at the door. That photo links right to your Seller Account, and you can pull it using the SP-API. Here’s the short version:

  1. Use the SP-API with your seller credentials to find the right order or shipment.
  2. Hit the new proof-of-delivery API endpoint. It gives you the photo, plus timestamp, address, maybe a signature.
  3. Grab the photo from Amazon’s servers.

A few things: You’ll need to make sure your API access covers MCF. Amazon’s API docs say it’s US, Canada, and Europe only right now. You can check status updates often or set up webhooks if your tech can handle that.

Lucky for developers, Amazon’s dev portal has sample code for Python, Node.js, Java, and more. You can test in a sandbox. No need for a huge dev team or fancy setups.

No Coding Needed

APIs scary? Relax. The setup isn’t bad:

  • Connect your developer credentials to your Seller Account with MCF permissions.
  • Change your app or order platform to grab that proof-of-delivery endpoint for every Amazon-fulfilled order.
  • Pick where to save the photos: locally for audits, or just pull them when you need.

The main point: once it’s set up, your support team can find and send photos fast. They don’t need to be IT pros. If your CRM or order platform supports plugins, you might only need a small add-on. No total rebuild needed.

Impact on Sellers

More Auto-Help

How much does this really save you? For most sellers, the pain isn’t just refunds. Digging into a "lost" package claim can mean hours of back-and-forth, emails, checking carriers, and more.

When you’ve got delivery photos:

  • Faster fixes: Cut out the long chats. Share the photo and close the ticket—sometimes in under an hour.
  • Cheaper operations: Proof scares off fake claims and constant refund seekers.
  • Quality checks: Use photos to see how your deliveries are actually happening. If drivers keep dropping boxes in the grass, you’ll know before reviews get ugly.

If you ship lots of orders, these wins pile up fast. In fact, some brands have seen delivery claim tickets drop 25% after using delivery photos (thanks, ShipBob).

Compliance and Rules

Shipping isn’t always simple, especially in Europe. There are strict rules about proof for expensive items. Germany, France, and the UK make brands show extra proof for pricey stuff—like electronics or luxury goods. Delivery photos check that box and keep you out of trouble with the rules.

Elena Wirth, a logistics advisor in Europe, puts it this way: “A photo isn’t just nice anymore. It’s the new must-have. Saves you from fraud and fines.”

Future of Delivery Photos

Will It Go Global

Right now, this is just for North America and EU. But let’s be real—it’s Amazon. If something works, they push it everywhere.

Why not already worldwide? Sometimes, it’s rules around privacy. Not every country loves drivers taking pictures outside homes (think Japan, South Korea, Brazil).

Still, things are moving. Shopify Fulfillment and FedEx OneRate are both testing photo delivery in select US and EU cities. DHL and UPS want to add this for big business clients by the end of 2025. Experts say that Asia-Pacific and South America could get Amazon delivery photos by late 2025 or early 2026, if local rules allow it.

If you sell worldwide, stay tuned—you might get delivery photos for your overseas buyers soon.

Data Insights

Here’s a sneaky bonus: every order with a photo lets you do new stuff with your shipping data. Over time, you can:

  • Find risky addresses where packages keep going AWOL.
  • Spot drivers who might not be following delivery rules.
  • Connect photo-based problems to review dips or refund jumps.

For data fans, this is gold. Even if you’re not a stats nerd, these photos help you act smarter and see trouble before it starts.

Chris Hannam, Amazon developer advocate, says: “One photo solves a claim, but a thousand can shape a strategy. Now you don’t just guess—you know.”

TL;DR

  • Only North America and EU MCF orders have delivery photos (for now).
  • Pictures mean less time arguing, more happy buyers, fewer refunds, and stronger fraud controls.
  • Get this by activating API access and linking your system to the new endpoint.
  • Everyone’s moving toward more honest and open shipping. Be ready.
  • If you start prepping your team and systems now, you’ll be ahead when new tools roll out.

FAQ

Q1: Which MCF orders get delivery photos?
A: Orders shipped by Amazon Logistics in North America or the EU will get photos. Orders from Asia or with third-party shippers do not (yet).

Q2: How do I get a photo through SP-API?
A: Use your API access to pull order and shipment data. The new endpoint returns a direct image link. (See the API docs.)

Q3: Does this replace signatures?
A: Not everywhere. If there’s a signature, you’ll get that too. Sometimes you get both—a photo and a signature.

Q4: Can buyers see these photos?
A: No. Only sellers and devs can get photos through the API. But you can download and share the image with customers on your own, if needed.

Q5: Is setup hard for small shops?
A: No. The docs and sample code make it doable, especially if you use a plugin or have part-time tech help.

Q6: When will this be global?
A: No public date yet, but new regions likely as Amazon expands and privacy checks finish in APAC and LATAM.

Get Delivery Photos Quickly

  1. Get approved for Selling Partner API (with MCF roles) in your Amazon seller account.
  2. Update your order tools (CRM, helpdesk, whatever) to check the new delivery photo API for each order.
  3. Pull the photo from the API when your order ships.
  4. Train your team to look at and use the photos when customers ask about missing items.
  5. Update your order checks and audits to flag missing or suspicious deliveries faster.

If you ship lots of stuff, consider auto-checks for photos—flag any orders missing a photo or where the photo looks off, and get ahead of refund or review issues.

Fighting “where’s my stuff?” without proof is a nightmare. With Amazon MCF delivery photos in the US and Europe, the game just changed. For sellers and support teams tired of tickets and refunds, this is a checkmate. Pictures don’t lie—data beats doubt.

Get your storefront ready, update your tools, and coach your team. Because 2025 is about clean finishes—not drama.

Want more tips and tools? Check out features like better reporting, real-time alerts, and auto case-management to boost your Amazon game.

Need even more Amazon tips? Our guides on MCF vs. FBA and third-party shipping are loaded with easy wins.

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