what does aro mean in shipping usually refers to “After Receipt of Order,” indicating that lead times or production timelines begin once an order is confirmed. This term is frequently used in B2B logistics and manufacturing contracts. Understanding ARO is important for planning production, inventory management, and delivery schedules. For e-commerce sellers, especially those working with made-to-order items, ARO impacts how quickly products can be fulfilled and shipped. Fulfillment providers that offer transparent lead time tracking and order updates can help manage expectations and reduce fulfillment delays.