What an Amazon Marketplace payment is

An Amazon Marketplace payment is money that Amazon transfers to a seller's bank account after a customer buys something from that seller on Amazon.com. When you buy from a third-party seller on Amazon — not from Amazon itself — that seller receives payment through this system, usually within a few days of the purchase.

Amazon holds the money briefly, then deposits it directly into the seller's designated bank account. The amount transferred is the sale price minus Amazon's fees, which typically include a referral fee (a percentage of the sale), a fulfillment fee if Amazon handles shipping, and any other service charges the seller chose to use.

This is different from buying directly from Amazon as the seller. When you see "Ships from and sold by Amazon.com," Amazon keeps the full payment. When you see "Sold by [Company Name]," that company is a third-party seller and receives their payment through the Marketplace payment system.

Key Takeaways

  • Amazon Marketplace payments go to third-party sellers, not to Amazon itself, and arrive in the seller's bank account within a few business days.
  • The amount a seller receives is the purchase price minus Amazon's referral fee, fulfillment fees, and any other service charges they used.
  • Sellers can view pending and completed payments in their Seller Central account, where they can also set up direct deposit to their bank.
  • Amazon holds payments for a short period to protect against fraud and chargebacks before releasing them to the seller.
  • Sellers can choose different payment methods and set up multiple bank accounts to receive payments in different currencies or regions.

How the payment timeline works

After a customer completes a purchase, Amazon does not send the payment to the seller immediately. Instead, Amazon typically holds the money for 14 days from the date of the transaction. This holding period protects Amazon and the seller against fraud, returns, and chargebacks.

Once the 14-day hold ends, Amazon deposits the payment into the seller's bank account. The actual deposit usually arrives within one to two business days after the hold period ends, though this depends on the seller's bank and the country where they operate.

Sellers can see exactly when their money will arrive by checking their Seller Central account. The account shows each transaction, the fees deducted, and the expected deposit date. Sellers can also set up direct deposit so the money goes automatically to their chosen bank account without needing to do anything else.

What fees come out before the seller gets paid

Amazon deducts several types of fees from the sale price before the seller receives their payment. The referral fee is the most common — it is a percentage of the sale price that varies by product category, typically ranging from 6 to 45 percent depending on what is being sold.

If the seller uses Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), where Amazon stores, packs, and ships the item, there is also a fulfillment fee. This fee covers storage, picking, packing, and shipping. Sellers who handle their own shipping do not pay this fee.

Other possible deductions include subscription fees if the seller pays for a Professional selling plan, advertising fees if they run Amazon ads, and any refunds or returns the customer initiated. All of these appear as line items in the seller's payment report so they can see exactly what was deducted and why.

Where to find your Marketplace payment information

Sellers track their Marketplace payments through Seller Central, Amazon's dashboard for third-party sellers. To access it, a seller logs in with their Amazon seller account and navigates to the Payments section.

In Payments, sellers can see a list of all transactions, the date each payment was deposited, the total amount, and a breakdown of fees. They can also download detailed reports for tax purposes or accounting. The section shows both pending payments (still in the 14-day hold) and completed payments that have already been sent to the bank.

Sellers can also set up multiple bank accounts in Seller Central if they want payments to go to different banks or accounts. This is useful for sellers operating in multiple countries or managing different business entities.

How Marketplace payments differ from other Amazon payment types

Amazon has several different payment systems depending on who is selling and what they are selling. Marketplace payments are specifically for third-party sellers using Amazon's platform. These sellers set their own prices, handle customer service, and receive payments through the system described above.

Vendor payments are different — they go to companies that sell inventory directly to Amazon, which then resells it as "Sold by Amazon." Vendors negotiate wholesale prices with Amazon and receive payment on a different schedule, usually net-30 or net-60 terms.

Advertising payments are also separate. Sellers who run ads through Amazon Advertising receive those earnings in a different account section. Amazon also has separate payment systems for Associates (people who earn commissions from referral links) and for content creators in programs like Kindle Direct Publishing.

What happens if a payment is delayed or missing

Occasionally a Marketplace payment does not arrive on the expected date. The most common reasons are bank processing delays, incorrect bank account information on file, or a hold placed by Amazon due to suspected fraud or policy violations.

A seller should first check their Seller Central account to confirm the payment status. If the account shows the payment was sent but the bank has not received it, the seller should contact their bank to ask if the deposit is pending. Banks sometimes hold deposits for 24 to 48 hours before posting them.

If the payment shows as pending in Seller Central but the expected date has passed, or if the seller suspects their account has been flagged, they should contact Amazon Seller Support. Amazon can investigate whether there is a hold on the account, confirm the bank details are correct, or resend a payment if there was a technical error.

Setting up direct deposit for Marketplace payments

Most sellers set up direct deposit so payments arrive automatically without extra steps. To do this, a seller logs into Seller Central, goes to Settings, and selects Deposit Method. They then enter their bank account number, routing number, and account holder name.

Amazon accepts bank accounts in the seller's name or in a business name if the seller operates as a business entity. The bank account must be in the same country as the seller's Amazon seller account. For example, a seller with a US-based account needs a US bank account to receive payments.

Once direct deposit is set up, the seller does not need to do anything else. Payments arrive automatically on schedule. If a seller wants to change their bank account, they can update it in Seller Central at any time, though the change typically takes effect for the next payment cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to receive a Marketplace payment after I make a sale?

Amazon holds the payment for 14 days from the transaction date, then deposits it to your bank account within one to two business days. The total time from sale to your bank account is usually 15 to 17 days, though your bank may take an additional day or two to post the deposit.

Can I receive Marketplace payments in a currency other than US dollars?

Yes, if you are a seller in another country. Amazon deposits payments in the local currency of your seller account. For example, a UK seller receives payments in British pounds, and a Canadian seller receives Canadian dollars. You can also set up multiple accounts in different countries if you sell in multiple regions.

What happens to my payment if a customer returns the item?

If a customer returns an item within the return window, Amazon refunds them and deducts the refund amount from your next payment. The referral fee is usually refunded as well. The deduction appears as a line item in your payment report so you can see exactly what was refunded and when.

Do I have to use direct deposit, or can I receive payments another way?

Direct deposit is the standard method for most sellers. Some sellers in certain countries may have other options like wire transfer or local payment methods, but these are less common. Check your Seller Central account under Deposit Method to see what options are available in your region.

What if my bank account information is wrong in Seller Central?

Update it immediately in your Seller Central settings under Deposit Method. The change takes effect for your next payment cycle. If a payment was already sent to an incorrect account, contact Amazon Seller Support to report the error and ask if they can help recover the funds or resend the payment to the correct account.