Use minimum handling time [min_handling_time] and maximum handling time [max_handling_time] to help us give users accurate information on your ads and free listings about how long it will take for a product to arrive at its destination. Maximum and minimum handling time are the longest and shortest amounts of time between when an order is placed and when the product ships.
In this article
When to use
The minimum handling time [min_handling_time] and maximum handling time [max_handling_time] attributes allow you to provide handling time for your offers. Use it alongside the [shipping] attribute to provide shipping information for your offers. These attributes can be used instead of the minimum handling time [min_handling_time] and maximum handling time [max_handling_time] sub-attributes of the shipping [shipping] attribute.
If both the handling time attributes and handling time sub-attributes of the shipping [shipping] attribute are present, then the sub-attributes are used. Learn more about the shipping [shipping] attribute.
Format
Follow these formatting guidelines to make sure Google understands the data you're submitting. Learn how to Submit attributes and attribute values
| Type | Number (whole number) |
|---|---|
| Repeated field | No |
| File format | Example entry |
|---|---|
| Text (TVS) | 1 |
| XML (Feeds) | <g:min_handling_time>1</g:min_handling_time> |
| File format | Example entry |
|---|---|
| Text (TVS) | 3 |
| XML (Feeds) | <g:max_handling_time>3</g:max_handling_time> |
To format your data for Content API, see the Content API for Shopping resource.
Minimum requirements
These are the requirements you'll need to meet to show your product. If you don't follow these requirements, we'll disapprove your product and let you know in your Merchant Center account.
- Use business days. For example, if a customer orders on Tuesday and the shipment leaves the warehouse latest on Friday, the maximum handling time is 3 days.
Note: By default, your business days will be set to Monday through Friday, but you can specify different business days, including weekends, in your Merchant Center account.
Best practices
These best practices can help you go beyond the basic requirements to optimize your product data for performance.
- If your products are always ready to ship on the same day the order is placed, submit 1. The value of maximum order handling time needs to be at least "1".
- If your products may or may not be ready to ship on the same day, use 1 or a larger number. For example, you should enter a number 1 or a larger number if you allow orders to be placed after business hours.
- If you are more comfortable giving a range than a specific number, you can use the maximum handling time
[max_handling_time]attribute together with the minimum handling time[min_handling_time]attribute. If you don’t want to express a range, you don't need to use the minimum handling time attribute. -
If you want to show shipping speed for ads and free listings, use the shipping sub-attributes for handling time and transit time instead of these standalone attributes. Learn more about the shipping
[shipping]attribute.