When Does Amazon Pay In 2023? (Sellers, Employees + More)
As a successful Amazon seller, one of the most common questions I receive is "When does Amazon pay out?"
Whether you are a third-party seller or Amazon employee, getting paid on time by the largest e-commerce platform is critical.
In this comprehensive 3000+ word guide, I‘ll leverage my decade of experience selling on Amazon to provide insightful, detailed answers on Amazon‘s payment schedules and processes in 2023.
Here is an overview of what we‘ll cover:
- Exact timing on payouts for sellers and employees
- Payment frequency for sellers and staff
- Direct deposit vs paper check options
- When to expect the first paycheck
- Bi-weekly payment cadence explained
- How sellers can potentially access funds early
- Tips to maximize and manage your Amazon payments
Let‘s get started!
When Does Amazon Pay Sellers in 2023?
As an experienced seller, I can tell you that Amazon utilizes a bi-weekly payment schedule, calculated based on the date you open your seller account.
This means you are paid every 14 days starting from the day you sign up as a third-party seller, not on set dates like the 1st/15th as you may expect.
For example, let‘s say you open your seller account on March 29th, 2023. Here is what your payment cadence would look like:
- March 29: Seller account created
- April 12: First payout
- April 26: Second payout
- May 10: Third payout
And so on every 14 days calculated from your account creation date.
It‘s crucial to note that Amazon holds back payments for 7 days after the estimated delivery date of any order. This account hold acts as a buffer in case a customer requests a return or refund on a purchase.
So even if you make a sale just before your next payout date, Amazon will delay payment for that order by one payment cycle to allow time for any potential returns.
I also want to call out that if you update your account‘s payout information, Amazon will institute a temporary 3-day hold on disbursements from the date you make the changes. This is fairly standard across payment platforms.
When Does Amazon Pay Their Employees in 2023?
For Amazon corporate employees, paychecks are distributed on a weekly basis.
Recently Amazon adjusted their payroll policy to pay all staff weekly across the company. Previously, pay frequency varied depending on department and geographic region.
However, a small subset of Amazon employees may still be paid bi-weekly or monthly depending on local legal requirements. It‘s best to check directly with your HR department or manager to confirm your specific pay schedule.
When to Expect Your First Paycheck from Amazon
A common question I receive from new sellers and Amazon employees is "When will I get my first payout?"
For both sellers and employees, your first payment will arrive after your initial 14 days with Amazon, either from your seller account creation date or date of hire as a corporate staff member.
Once released by Amazon, direct deposits typically appear in your bank account within 3-5 business days. Paper paychecks take the same amount of time to arrive by mail.
So in short, plan for your first payout around 14 days after you start selling or working at Amazon!
Does Amazon Pay Sellers Every Two Weeks?
As an experienced seller, I can definitively say Amazon pays out on a bi-weekly schedule.
However, this 14 day payment cadence is calculated based on your unique account creation date, not on set Friday/Monday dates that you may be used to with traditional pay cycles.
For example, let‘s consider a seller who opens their Amazon account on September 19th, 2023:
- September 19: Account created
- October 3: First payout (14 days after account creation)
- October 17: Second payout
- October 31: Third payout
The pay dates would be the 3rd, 17th, and 31st based on the 14 day structure, not on a Monday/Friday bi-weekly schedule.
So in summary – Amazon does pay sellers bi-weekly, but on a 14 day cadence tied to your account open date. This prevents payouts from aligning neatly with monthly calendars.
Amazon Direct Deposit and Check Payment Options
When signing up for selling on Amazon or getting hired as a corporate employee, you will be prompted to select either direct deposit or paper checks as your preferred payment method.
Amazon will then distribute your bi-weekly or weekly pay accordingly on the scheduled dates using your chosen option.
I do want to note that Amazon does not currently support PayPal payouts for third-party sellers on their marketplace. So if you primarily use PayPal, you‘ll need to provide separate bank account information to receive Amazon earnings.
For sellers, I highly recommend setting up direct deposit to ensure you receive payouts as quickly as possible. Checks take longer to process and arrive.
How Amazon Sellers Can Get Paid Early
I sometimes receive questions from sellers who are eager to get paid before the standard 14 day payout cycle.
Luckily, Amazon does provide a way for sellers to request an early payout transfer!
In the payments section of your seller account is a button labeled "Request Transfer." Using this, you can initiate a transfer request for your available balance prior to your next scheduled date.
However, it‘s key to understand that requesting an early transfer does not guarantee you will receive the full payout amount immediately.
Here is what happens when you request an early seller payout:
- The available balance from orders delivered 7-10 days ago is transferred early
- The remainder of your balance is rolled over to the next scheduled payout in 14 days
So essentially, you receive a portion of your funds ahead of the 14 day cycle. But the rest is pushed back by one period.
It enhances payment frequency slightly, but does not allow full early access to your full balance.
Amazon also reserves the right to decline early transfer requests based on account history and standing. So it‘s not guaranteed that you‘ll get approved.
My recommendation is to avoid tinkering with your payment cycle unless you really need funds urgently. But the early transfer option does exist for sellers in a bind.
If immediate payment access is required, I suggest contacting Amazon‘s Merchant Help team directly through the support section of your Seller Central account. The dedicated agents are able to expedite time-sensitive payout issues.
Tips to Maximize and Manage Your Amazon Payments
As an experienced seller, I want to share some top tips to make the most of your Amazon payouts:
Set up direct deposit – Elect to receive earnings by direct deposit rather than paper check. Deposits clear significantly faster, getting you paid quicker.
Track your 14 day cycle – Mark your account creation date on a calendar. This allows you to accurately monitor when bi-weekly payments will arrive.
Keep payment info current – Double check bank account and address details are up to date to prevent payout issues or delays.
Manage returns – Monitor return rates closely. Excessive returns can trigger account flags and payment holds.
Consider business banking – A separate business account helps manage finances and payouts from Amazon earnings.
Use payout reports – Download and review payout reports frequently to audit your payments for accuracy.
Follow up on errors – Contact support immediately if payments are ever missed or inaccurate to resolve the issue.
I hope this comprehensive expert guide has answered all your questions around Amazon payouts for sellers and employees! Please reach out if you need any other tips.