Amazon India expands packaging-free shipping to over 100 cities

PFS refers to orders shipped in its original packaging without secondary or additional packaging.

The company claims that it has been using reusable totes for its deliveries and is securing multiple shipments together in a reusable crate or a corrugated box to reduce secondary packaging.

Amazon had introduced the initiative in June 2019 in nine cities – Bengaluru, Mumbai, New Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Nagpur and Hyderabad. And within a year, the eCommerce major has been able to expand the initiative in over 100 cities.

“With this expansion, more than 40 per cent of Amazon customer orders shipped from its fulfilment centers are now packaging-free or have significantly reduced packaging,” said a company press note.

According to Amazon, it is leveraging machine learning algorithms to cater to orders based on parameters such as the location of the customer, distance taken for delivery and the category of product ordered.

Products that are shipped packaging-free include technology accessories, home products, shoes and luggage, among others.

However, liquids, fragile items, and personal care products that need additional protection during transportation continue to be shipped with packaging.