Overview

A negative balance on your Amazon seller account signals that Amazon owes you money for fees, refunds, or other adjustments. If the balance remains unsettled, Amazon can restrict payouts or suspend selling privileges, so prompt repayment is essential. The platform offers two primary channels—card payments and bank transfers—to clear the debt, each with its own timing and procedural nuances.

Key Points

• Multiple repayment channels — Amazon accepts credit cards, debit cards, and direct bank transfers, letting sellers choose the method that matches the size of the debt and their cash‑flow preferences.
• Current payment method required — The charge method stored in Seller Central must be active; an expired card or outdated bank account will block the repayment process and delay resolution.
• All actions occur inside Seller Central — Repayment, payment‑method updates, and balance verification are performed through the Payments tab of the Seller Central dashboard, eliminating the need for external portals.
• Card payments settle fastest — When a valid card is on file, the transaction is processed within minutes, often clearing the negative balance before the next scheduled disbursement.
• Bank transfers need processing time — Electronic funds transfers can take three to five business days to appear on the account, making them better suited for larger sums that are not time‑critical.
• Unpaid balances trigger account holds — Amazon may withhold future payouts, place a hold on inventory, or initiate a performance review if the negative balance is not addressed within a reasonable period.

How Repayment Works

1. Verify the outstanding amount — Open the Payments → Transaction View page, locate the “Negative Balance” line item, and note the exact figure (e.g., $1,842.57) before initiating any payment.
2. Confirm or update your charge method — If the listed card shows “Expired” or the bank account is flagged, navigate to Settings → Account Info → Payment Settings, add a new credit/debit card or correct the routing and account numbers, then save the changes.