Is Amazon Still Reholding Payments Over VTR Issues?
Hi everyone,
We used to sell on Amazon at A RESONABLE volume — hundreds of orders per week — and our account health was always excellent. Late dispatch, cancellations, A‑to‑Z, feedback… all consistently strong.
The only issue we struggled with was VTR. Because Royal Mail often didn’t scan items, our Valid Tracking Rate sat anywhere between 56% and 75%, even though everything was dispatched on time and delivered without problems.
Back then, VTR enforcement felt very strict and we even had payments re-held because of it. That hit our cash flow hard, so we eventually stepped away from FBM.
Looking at the forum now, a lot of sellers seem to be operating normally with VTR in the 80–90% range, and Amazon doesn’t appear to be enforcing it as aggressively as before.
So my question is:
Is FBM still worth doing in 2026, or are VTR and payment holds still a major risk for small/medium sellers?
We’re considering coming back, but only if the situation has genuinely improved.
Thanks for any guidance.
Is Amazon Still Reholding Payments Over VTR Issues?
Hi everyone,
We used to sell on Amazon at A RESONABLE volume — hundreds of orders per week — and our account health was always excellent. Late dispatch, cancellations, A‑to‑Z, feedback… all consistently strong.
The only issue we struggled with was VTR. Because Royal Mail often didn’t scan items, our Valid Tracking Rate sat anywhere between 56% and 75%, even though everything was dispatched on time and delivered without problems.
Back then, VTR enforcement felt very strict and we even had payments re-held because of it. That hit our cash flow hard, so we eventually stepped away from FBM.
Looking at the forum now, a lot of sellers seem to be operating normally with VTR in the 80–90% range, and Amazon doesn’t appear to be enforcing it as aggressively as before.
So my question is:
Is FBM still worth doing in 2026, or are VTR and payment holds still a major risk for small/medium sellers?
We’re considering coming back, but only if the situation has genuinely improved.
Thanks for any guidance.
2 replies
Seller_ZQyopdiwkUHOZ
This has never been a part of the VTR policy.
If this was happening to you, there was a different reason for it.
Seller_KlbXZHzQGSDZv
If you were having vtr issues the payment deferal may have been connected with the ddr7 where amazon delay payments until the item is registered as delivered or 7 days after due date. Basically keeps the money in Amazons coffers for longer and ensures customer satisfaction. Once your 2 weeks into it the cash flow should not really be affected as all your older orders will be paying.
Our vtr is generally 70% because we send a lot of smaller stuff 2nd class large letter and if the postie does not scan it the tracking does not count and amazon dont generally count second class properly but we have no issues other than the occasional email saying your vtr is low.
