Overview

Receiving timely payments is essential for maintaining cash flow as an Amazon seller, yet payment delays remain one of the most common frustrations on the platform. Amazon's payment process involves settlement cycles, bank processing times, and several account requirements that can each introduce delays. Understanding why a payment hasn't arrived — and what steps to take — can save sellers significant time and stress.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• Standard processing takes up to five business days — After Amazon initiates a deposit, it can take up to five business days for the funds to appear in your bank account, so a short wait is normal.
• Settlement cycles must close before payment is issued — If your settlement period is still marked as "open," no payment will be sent until the cycle completes.
• Bank account changes trigger a three-day security hold — Updating your bank details pauses fund transfers for three days, so avoid making changes close to a payment date.
• Negative or zero balances prevent disbursements — Selling fees, refunds, or other charges can reduce your balance to zero or below, which stops payments from going out.
• Account health issues can delay or withhold funds — Performance problems or suspicious activity on your account may lead Amazon to hold payments until the matter is resolved.

How Amazon's Payment Process Works

Amazon operates on a settlement cycle system where your sales revenue, fees, and adjustments are calculated over a defined period. Once the settlement period closes, Amazon initiates a transfer to your registered bank account. Sellers can monitor the status of each settlement cycle through the Payments section in Seller Central, where open and closed periods are clearly labeled. The Payments dashboard also displays the estimated date of your next scheduled payment. If a payment shows a successful status but hasn't reached your bank, sellers should contact their financial institution using the transaction ID found in the Payments tab.

Common Reasons for Payment Delays

Several factors can prevent or slow down a payment from Amazon. Missing or invalid bank account or credit card information is one of the most frequent causes — both must be current and valid for Amazon to process any disbursement. Additionally, when sellers update their bank account details, a mandatory three-day security hold is applied before any new transfers can begin, which is why Amazon recommends avoiding bank changes within three days of an expected payment. A negative or zero account balance, often caused by accumulated selling fees or customer refunds, will also halt payments. In some cases, Amazon may charge your credit card on file to cover outstanding fees. Funds may also be partially or fully withheld under Amazon's reserve or withholding policies, which are designed to cover potential future claims or chargebacks.