Understanding lead times, preorders, and embargo dates
Lead time and date rules help bookstores understand when products can ship or be sold.
Lead time types
Use "Ready to Ship" when the item can ship without extra production time.
Use "Made to Order" when you need a set number of days to prepare or produce the item.
Use "Preorder" when the item ships on a future date.
Default vs. product-level lead times
You can set a default lead time on the listing. Products without their own lead time will inherit the listing default. Use product-level lead times when an item needs a different rule.
Do not ship before
Use "Do Not Ship Before" when orders can be placed now but the item must not ship before a specific date.
FAQ
What if my product hasn't been released yet?
Use the preorder lead time type and set the expected ship date.
Can every product use the same lead time?
Yes. Set a listing default, then override individual products only where needed.