Amazon Starts Testing ‘Ultra-Fast’ 30-Minute Deliveries

Amazon has begun testing a new delivery service that promises to complete orders in 30 minutes or less in Seattle and Philadelphia. The new “ultra-fast” delivery option positions Amazon to compete more directly with services like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Instacart.

According to the company, customers can order a wide range of everyday essentials, including milk, eggs, fresh produce, toothpaste, cosmetics, pet treats, diapers, paper products, electronics, seasonal items, over-the-counter medications, snacks, dips, and more.

Prime members can access the service for $3.99 per order, while non-Prime customers will be charged $13.99 per order. Orders under $15 will incur an additional $1.99 small-basket fee.

Shoppers in Seattle and Philadelphia can check the Amazon app or homepage and look for the “30-Minute Delivery” option in the navigation menu to see whether the service is available in their neighbourhood. After placing an order, customers can track its progress and tip delivery drivers within the app.

In a blog post, Amazon explained the infrastructure behind the program:

“Amazon is utilizing specialized smaller facilities designed for efficient order fulfillment, strategically placed close to where Seattle- and Philadelphia-area customers live and work. This approach prioritizes the safety of employees picking and packing orders, reduces the distance delivery partners need to travel, and enables faster delivery times.”

This launch follows Amazon’s introduction of a 15-minute delivery service in the United Arab Emirates in October, during which some customers received orders in as little as 6 minutes.

The new U.S. service marks Amazon’s latest move into the fast-delivery market. Back in 2014, the company launched Prime Now, which offered one-hour deliveries, but the service was discontinued in 2021.

Amazon continues to expand its logistics capabilities, announcing in June that it plans to invest more than $4 billion to triple the size of its delivery network by 2026.