Amazon Introduces 1-Hour Delivery

Amazon Expands Delivery Options

Amazon is rolling out one-hour and three-hour delivery options across many cities in the US, aiming to compete with instant delivery companies like Instacart, DoorDash, and Uber Eats. This move is part of the e-commerce giant's efforts to enhance its delivery network and provide customers with faster and more convenient shopping experiences.

The company is making over 90,000 items available via this new delivery system. When browsing the Amazon app or website, customers will see a label indicating whether an item can be delivered within one or three hours. Additionally, there is a filter option for these new delivery options, allowing customers to easily find eligible items.

Delivery Fees and Availability

Amazon Prime subscribers will be charged $9.99 for one-hour deliveries and $4.99 for three-hour deliveries. Non-Prime members will pay $19.99 for one-hour deliveries and $14.99 for three-hour deliveries. The one-hour delivery option is available in hundreds of cities, including major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., as well as Des Moines, Boise, and American Fork. The three-hour option is available in over 2,000 US cities and towns.

Amazon is also launching a dedicated storefront to house items eligible for these new delivery options, making it easier for customers to find and purchase products that can be quickly delivered to their doorstep.

Quote from Amazon Executive

Our customers are busier than ever and are looking for new ways to save time while keeping their households running. We saw an opportunity to use our unique operational expertise and delivery network to help make customers’ lives a little easier while unlocking even more value for Prime members.

Udit Madan, senior vice president of Worldwide Operations at Amazon, emphasized the company's commitment to providing fast and reliable delivery options to its customers.

Existing Infrastructure and Previous Attempts

The company is using its existing, same-day fulfillment sites for the new delivery options. This isn't the first time Amazon has explored instant deliveries. The company previously launched one-hour deliveries under the “Prime Now” service in 2014, but it was discontinued in 2021. Additionally, in December 2025, Amazon piloted a 30-minute delivery option in Seattle and Philadelphia.

Global Expansion of Quick Commerce

Amazon has been expanding its quick commerce services globally. In India, the company launched Amazon Now, a 10-minute delivery service for groceries and other items, in 2024. The service was later expanded to several cities in India. Amazon also launched the service in the United Arab Emirates last October, promising deliveries within 15 minutes.

The introduction of one-hour and three-hour delivery options in the US marks another step in Amazon's efforts to dominate the e-commerce market and provide customers with fast, convenient, and reliable delivery options.