Amazon Implements DD+7 Payout Policy in North America
Amazon rolled out a major update to its seller payout system last year, introducing the Delivery Date + 7-day (DD+7) reserve policy. The update started affecting the European marketplace by September 2025, and is now widely implemented across North America as of March 2026. This update is significantly impacting how and when sellers receive their funds.
What Is the DD+7 Payout Policy?
Under the new system, Amazon no longer releases funds based on shipment timing. Instead, payouts are tied to delivery confirmation.
This means:
- Funds are held until the order is marked as delivered
- An additional 7-day reserve period is applied
- Only after this period do funds become eligible for disbursement
In simple terms, sellers now get paid 7 days after delivery, not after shipment.
Why Amazon Made This Change
Amazon states that the DD+7 model is designed to:
- Ensure confirmed delivery before releasing funds
- Allow time for returns, refunds, or disputes
- Reduce chargebacks and fraud risks
This approach aligns payouts more closely with the actual customer experience, giving buyers time to receive and evaluate their orders before funds are released.
The Rise of Deferred Transactions
With this update, many sellers are noticing a growing portion of their revenue categorized as “Deferred Transactions.”
This typically happens when:
- Orders are still in transit
- The 7-day reserve window has not yet passed
- Payments (e.g., Amazon Business invoices) are still pending
Once these conditions are met, funds move from “Deferred” to “Available” and are included in the next payout cycle.
Impact on Seller Cash Flow
The DD+7 policy introduces a structural delay in payouts that can affect business operations.
Key implications include:
- Longer payment cycles: Funds may take 2–4 weeks or more to reach your bank account, depending on delivery and settlement timing.
- Cash flow pressure: Sellers must cover inventory, ads, and operational costs while funds remain on hold.
- Reporting challenges: Revenue and payout timing may no longer align, complicating accounting.
For high-volume sellers, even a 7-day delay can create a rolling cash flow gap across hundreds or thousands of orders.
What Sellers Should Do Next
To adapt effectively, sellers should:
- Reassess cash flow and working capital needs
- Adjust inventory and ad spend planning
- Monitor deferred transactions regularly in Seller Central
- Align accounting systems with the new payout timing
Amazon’s DD+7 payout policy marks an important shift in seller finance, as it requires sellers to adopt more disciplined financial planning. Businesses that proactively adapt to this change will be better positioned to maintain financial stability.
You can reach out to us for consultation–our Amazon operations experts are always there to assist you in complex situations.
