Amazon

Amazon Payout Schedule: Everything You Need to Know

Amazon Payout Schedule: Everything You Need to Know

Amazon Seller Payout Schedule: Everything You Need to Know

Originally published October 21, 2022 | Updated March 26, 2025

When you sell on Amazon as an eCommerce seller, the funds from your sales don't immediately appear in your bank account. Instead, Amazon follows a structured payout schedule that can impact cash flow for sellers. Understanding this Amazon payment schedule and the factors affecting your payouts can help you plan your finances and optimize your earnings. By understanding Amazon payments, you can ensure your account health and make better financial decisions for your business.

This guide will cover how the Amazon payout schedule works, common reasons for delayed payments, and strategies to accelerate your payouts and maximize your cash flow. By understanding your payment terms and options, you can ensure you're prepared to meet your ecommerce business needs.

How Long Does It Take to Get Paid by Amazon?

Amazon pays its sellers every 14 days. On the 14th day, a disbursement is initiated, but the actual transfer to your bank account takes an additional 3-5 business days. This payment schedule is standard but can vary based on your account health and other factors.

This means that from the date of a sale, it could take over 20 days to receive your funds, depending on the timing of your disbursement cycle and Amazon's ACH process. By monitoring your payment cycle and metrics in Seller Central, you can better understand when funds will hit your account.

Why Does Amazon Hold Funds?

Amazon doesn't release your entire balance when payouts occur. Several factors impact the amount you receive, including reserves, fees, and order-related delays. Understanding Amazon’s account level reserve policies is key to knowing when funds will be released to your account.

Balance Reserves

Amazon places a 7-day reserve on funds from recent sales. If a sale is made close to your payout date, the funds might not be available until the next disbursement cycle. Amazon holds these funds as part of the Amazon account level reserve policy, ensuring that payment issues such as chargebacks or refunds are covered.

For example:

A sale is made on Day 10 of your payout cycle.

Amazon reserves the funds for 7 days.

By the time your next payout arrives on Day 14, those funds are still within the reserve period and won’t be included.

You'll receive those funds in the following cycle.

Amazon Fees

Amazon deducts various fees before disbursing payments, which can lead to lower-than-expected payouts:

  • Advertising Fees – If you run Amazon Ads, the cost is deducted from your balance.
  • FBA Storage Fees – Storing products in Amazon's warehouses incurs fees, especially during peak seasons.
  • Fulfillment Costs – Shipping products to Amazon and fulfillment services reduce your balance.
  • Returns & Refunds – If a customer returns a product, Amazon deducts the amount from your payout.
  • Chargebacks – In the case of chargebacks, funds may be withheld until the issue is resolved.

Customer & Order Issues

Certain order-related issues can delay your payout:

  • Delayed Deliveries – If an order is late, Amazon may hold the funds until the issue is resolved.
  • A-to-Z Guarantee Claims – If a buyer files a claim, funds may be held for up to 14 additional days.
  • Account Flags – A sudden spike in sales, a drop in seller performance, or a new seller account may trigger a temporary hold on funds. This can also impact your Amazon payments.

How to Get Paid Faster by Amazon

If Amazon’s standard payout schedule affects your cash flow, there are ways to speed up payments.

Request Funds Manually

You can manually request available funds from Amazon Seller Central. However, the amount you can withdraw is typically limited due to the 7-day reserve period.

Use Amazon Express Payouts

Amazon now offers Express Payouts, which reduce the transfer time from 3-5 business days to 24 hours. Currently, this service is invite-only, but you can check if you're eligible by visiting your Deposit Method settings in Seller Central. Express Payouts provide real-time access to your Amazon payments, ensuring faster availability of funds.

Opt Into Amazon's "Get Paid Faster" Program

For Amazon Business orders, some payments are delayed by up to 30 days. Through the "Get Paid Faster" service, Amazon offers immediate payment for a 1.5% fee. Consider using this option only when immediate cash flow is critical.

Secure External Financing

If you rely on Amazon payouts to restock inventory, waiting for payments can be challenging. Many sellers use revenue-based financing to bridge cash flow gaps and prevent stockouts. External financing can also help you manage your Amazon payments more effectively and avoid delays in your bank account.

Next-Day Payouts: A Quick Alternative

For sellers who need fast access to funds, Amazon offers a Next-Day Payout service in certain regions. By enabling next-day payouts, you can receive funds directly into your bank account by the next business day, making it easier to stay on top of your cash flow.

How to Maximize Your Amazon Payouts

To ensure you receive the highest possible payout, consider these strategies:

Charge Advertising Costs to a Business Credit Card

Instead of allowing Amazon to deduct advertising expenses from your balance, switch your payment method to a business credit card. This keeps more money in your balance and earns you credit card rewards. You can also use this approach to avoid additional deductions from your Amazon payments.

Reduce Amazon Storage Fees

Amazon’s storage fees increase during peak seasons and for long-term inventory. To minimize costs:

  • Store products in external warehouses.
  • Maintain a 30-90 day inventory supply in FBA warehouses.
  • Regularly review storage fees and remove slow-moving inventory.

Monitor Fulfillment Fees

Amazon may miscalculate product dimensions and charge incorrect fulfillment fees. Regularly check your Fulfillment Fee reports in Seller Central and request reimbursements if discrepancies arise.

Address Chargebacks Promptly

Chargebacks can significantly impact your Amazon account balance. If a chargeback occurs, respond quickly to resolve the issue and prevent further delays in your Amazon payments.

Payment Options: Understanding Your Choices

Amazon provides various payment options that sellers can use to receive funds, including traditional ACH payments, credit card disbursements, and options for international transfers. Choosing the right payment method can help you optimize your cash flow and avoid unnecessary delays.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the Amazon payout schedule is essential for maintaining a healthy cash flow. While the 14-day disbursement cycle is standard, knowing why funds are held and how to accelerate payments can help sellers manage finances more effectively. By leveraging Express Payouts, monitoring your payment dashboard, and securing external financing, you can improve your cash flow and scale your Amazon eCommerce business more efficiently.

For more insights on selling and maximizing your earnings on Amazon, explore our FAQ or check out our other guides on Amazon Seller Central.