Amazon payment collection: How to save money when collecting funds from your Amazon account

As global eCommerce continues to surge, Amazon has become a vital gateway for Hong Kong businesses eyeing international growth. From the US to Japan, new sales channels bring new opportunities, but also new challenges. Other costs like layered fees, volatile exchange rates, and slow settlement times can quietly erode profit margins. For sellers looking to stay competitive, managing payouts with greater speed, control, and cost-efficiency is no longer a nice-to-have; it's a necessity.

Is a third-party payout platform necessary for Hong Kong Amazon Sellers?

For a business operating in one market, Amazon Seller Central and Amazon Pay provide the fundamental tools needed to receive payments. However, if your business expands globally, the built-in Amazon tools might not be fast or flexible enough to handle the demands of cross-border operations. That’s where platforms like Airwallex come in, offering more control over when and how funds move across markets, along with clearer, often lower fees. For many sellers, it’s a smarter way to manage global cash flow and avoid unnecessary friction.

Understanding Amazon Seller Central and Amazon Pay payout processes

Seller Central payout process

1. Account registration and verification: To begin receiving payments, log in to Amazon Seller Central and navigate to Settings > Account Info > Seller Information. You’ll need to submit business registration documents, proof of address, and identification (e.g., director’s passport). Most accounts are verified within 24 hours, though incomplete submissions may require additional documentation.

2. Setting up your deposit method: Go to Settings > Account Info > Deposit Methods to add a bank account. Hong Kong sellers can use either a US-based bank account or a USD account from a third-party platform. You’ll need to provide your bank’s name and ABA routing number. Initial setup includes a three-day clearing period. It's recommended to link a backup credit card to cover potential refunds.

3. Settlement and fee deductions: Payouts are settled every 14 days, with referral fees and FBA charges deducted beforehand. Funds are sent via ACH or international wire and typically arrive within 3–5 business days. Eligible sellers may apply for Express Payouts, which enable next-day settlement.

4. Viewing transactions and reports: Head to Reports > Payments > All Statements to download settlement reports and review transaction details. You can also track payment status under Orders > Manage Transactions, where a status like “Completed” indicates funds have been captured.

Amazon Pay payout process

1. Amazon Pay registration: In Settings > Account Info > Amazon Pay, submit your business information and website URL. The review process takes approximately 24 hours. After approval, configure your integration by entering your merchant URL and setting up Instant Payment Notifications (IPN).

2. Checkout and payment capture: When buyers pay using Amazon Pay, the funds are held by Amazon. Once the order is shipped, sellers must capture the payment via Manage Transactions or the Amazon Pay API. This must be done within 30 days (or up to 180 days for pre-orders).

3. Settlement timeline: Captured payments are included in the 14-day settlement cycle. After fees are deducted, funds are deposited within 3–5 business days, or next day if Express Payouts are enabled. Transaction details can be reviewed in Reports > Payments > All Statements.

4. Refunds and dispute management: Refunds are processed in Orders > Manage Transactions. If your balance is insufficient, your linked backup credit card will be charged. Disputes, such as A-to-z Guarantee claims, can be managed under Performance > A-to-z Guarantee Claims to maintain account health.

Is Amazon Seller Wallet a good fit for Hong Kong sellers?

Amazon Seller Wallet offers a straightforward setup and basic multi-currency capabilities, which makes it a convenient starting point for many Hong Kong-based sellers. But as your operations grow beyond a single market, the platform's limitations quickly emerge.

Funds are often withheld for potential refunds or disputes, with little transparency on how much is being held or for how long. Exchange rates are typically less favourable, and the limited reporting tools can make reconciliation frustrating and time-consuming.

For smaller sellers with simpler needs, it may still be serviceable. But for businesses operating across multiple regions, solutions like Airwallex tend to offer far greater flexibility, from collecting payments in local currencies to accelerating settlement times and managing global cash flow from a single, unified platform.

Extra costs of receiving Amazon payouts through traditional banks

Hong Kong-based Amazon sellers often send their payouts directly to a local bank account. While this method seems simple, it can lead to unexpected hidden costs.

Banks often apply a spread to foreign exchange rates, and SWIFT transfers can involve several layers of processing fees before funds arrive. Settlement times typically range from three to five business days, tying up cash that sellers could otherwise reinvest.

There’s also the matter of visibility. Most bank statements offer limited remittance details, making it harder to match payments to specific transactions. For sellers managing multiple markets, the need to open and maintain several overseas accounts only adds complexity, turning cross-border payments into an administrative burden.

How to reduce international payment fees when selling on Amazon

To avoid platform conversion fees, some Amazon sellers choose to open local bank accounts in each of their target markets. While this can lower initial FX exposure, bringing those funds back to Hong Kong often proves costly. High wire transfer fees and unfavourable exchange rates can eat into profits, making this workaround less efficient in the long run.

A more streamlined approach is to use a cross-border payment platform like Airwallex. It enables sellers to collect payouts in local currencies, manage funds across markets from one account, and convert currencies instantly, with FX rates starting as low as 0.2%. The result is better control over global cash flow and lower costs across the board.

Set up Amazon's global payouts easily with Airwallex

By using Airwallex, Amazon sellers can receive payouts in local currencies through a Global Business Account, which helps reduce currency conversion losses and international transfer fees.

Here’s how it works:

1. Log in to Airwallex, go to your Global Accounts, and choose the currency you want to receive in, including GBP, EUR, USD, and more. From there, copy the full bank details for that account.

   

2. In Amazon Seller Central, head to the Account Info section and update your Deposit Method. Add the corresponding Airwallex account info and assign it to the relevant marketplace. For example, link your GBP account to amazon.co.uk.

   

3. Once it’s set up, Amazon will pay out directly to your chosen Airwallex account in the local currency, no auto-conversion, no hidden FX costs.

Airwallex supports incoming payments in GBP, EUR, USD, JPY, AUD, CAD, SGD, HKD, CNY, NZD, and CHF, so you can manage your international sales from one place, streamline reconciliation, and keep more of what you earn.

Sign up now to discover how Airwallex can simplify receiving your foreign Amazon funds, helping you save on both exchange and transfer fees.