Hello Sellers,

If you've noticed a delay in receiving your funds, you're not alone. Payment timing is one of the most common queries we see on the forums, and understanding how the disbursement cycle works can save you considerable time and stress.

Here's a clear breakdown of how payments work and what to do if something seems off.

*Disclaimer: Every seller's disbursement schedule may differ due to multiple factors. This article is intended to provide general information based on official Amazon guidance and does not guarantee specific payment timelines. For account-specific queries, please consult your Payments Dashboard or contact Seller Support.

How Your Payment Cycle Works

Your disbursement schedule is set from the date you registered your seller account. Most Professional sellers operate on a 14-day settlement cycle, meaning your available balance is automatically transferred to your bank account every 14 days. Once Amazon initiates the transfer, funds typically arrive within 1 to 5 business days depending on your bank.

Why Funds Might Be Delayed

Several factors can affect when your money becomes available:

• Delivery date-based reserve: Funds from an order are held for 7 days after the confirmed delivery date before becoming available for disbursement
• Account level reserve: Money held to cover potential A-to-Z claims, chargebacks, or performance-related concerns
• Bank account verification issues: If your deposit method is unverified or invalid, disbursements cannot be processed
• Negative account balance: If refunds or fees exceed your sales, your balance may be negative and no disbursement will occur

Important: Multiple reserve reasons can apply simultaneously. For example, an open A-to-Z claim for £40 and a chargeback for £20 would result in a £60 account level reserve.

Steps to Take if Your Payment Is Delayed

1. Check your Payments Dashboard for your next expected payment date and current balance breakdown
2. Review the Statement View tab to see if funds are held in "Account level reserve" or showing as "Deferred"
3. Verify your bank account is correctly assigned and verified under Settings > Deposit Methods
4. Use the "Request Payment" button if you have a positive available balance and need funds sooner than your next scheduled cycle (available once per day)

When to Contact Seller Support

Reach out if:

• Your payment is more than 5 business days overdue after the scheduled disbursement date
• Your Payments Dashboard shows a disbursement as "completed" but funds have not arrived
• You see unexpected reserve amounts with no corresponding notification

Helpful Resources

• When Will I Be Paid?- Overview of payment timing and schedules
• Account Level Reserve - Understanding why funds are held
• Deferred Transactions - How delivery-based holds work
• Payments Summary - Reading your payments report
• Disbursement Tracker - Track the status of your transfers

Share Your Experience

Have you encountered unexpected payment delays?

What steps helped you resolve the issue?

Your insights could genuinely help other sellers navigating the same situation.