Overview

Amazon has rolled out the Seller Tier Evaluation Program (STEP) assignments for the first quarter of 2026. The tiers reflect performance data collected from October 1 through December 31 2025, and they dictate the set of benefits that will be active from January 5 to April 4 2026. Sellers need to verify their new tier promptly because the rewards—such as fee reductions and faster payouts—are tied directly to these quarterly scores.

Key Points

• Q1 2026 tier release — The latest tier designations are now visible in Seller Central and are based on the October‑December 2025 performance window; the associated benefits will run from early January through early April 2026.
• Quarterly reassessment — Amazon evaluates STEP metrics every three months, giving sellers a regular chance to improve their tier and unlock higher‑value perks.
• Core performance metrics — The program monitors order defect rate, late‑shipment rate, cancellation rate, and several other customer‑experience indicators that influence tier placement.
• Four benefit families — Depending on the tier, sellers may receive fee waivers, accelerated disbursement cycles, priority access to Amazon support, and complimentary advertising credits.
• Rolling evaluation design — The system is built to prevent a single strong quarter from masking later declines, while also allowing a quick rebound if performance slips in a subsequent period.
• Next evaluation timeline — The second‑quarter STEP assessment will use data from January 1 to March 31 2026, with new tier assignments expected in early April.

How STEP Works

1. Data collection period — Amazon aggregates order‑level data for each seller from the first to the last day of the quarter (e.g., October 1‑December 31 2025). A seller who shipped 1,200 units with an order defect rate of 0.9 % will have that figure entered into the STEP algorithm.
2. Metric calculation — The platform computes the four primary ratios—order defect, late shipment, cancellation, and a composite customer‑experience score. For instance, a seller with a late‑shipment rate of 3.8 % and a cancellation rate of 2.2 % will see both numbers factored into the tier formula.