Amazon launches 1-hour, 3-hour delivery options — here’s how much it will cost you

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Amazon announced on Tuesday that it is now providing faster delivery options for selected products in the US for a fee. These products include pantry staples, clothing, over-the-counter medications, cleaning supplies, and electronics.

Customers in over 2,000 cities, towns, and suburban areas can now opt for delivery within three hours from Amazon’s inventory of 90,000 items. The cost is $4.99 for Amazon Prime members and $14.99 for non-members.

One-hour delivery slots are available in major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, as well as smaller cities like Des Moines, Iowa, and Boise, Idaho.

Prime members will be charged $9.99 for the service, while non-members will pay $19.99. Amazon started testing the express delivery service last year and is now expanding it.

Amazon introduced its Prime program in 2005, initially offering free two-day delivery on a selection of items. The program has since grown to provide access to over 300 million items across 35 categories.

Using robotics and AI technology, Amazon has accelerated order fulfillment. Regionalizing its US delivery network into eight areas has also helped reduce delivery times.

Amazon is also testing an ultra-fast delivery service that promises deliveries in 30 minutes or less.

An Amazon delivery worker pulls a cart full of packages in New York. — Amazon started testing the express delivery service last year and is expanding it this month.

Amazon Now is available in cities in India, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates, with testing ongoing in the US and UK. Walmart, a rival retailer, has also been focusing on faster deliveries, offering same-day deliveries in under three hours to 95% of the US population.