Ever placed an Amazon order and wondered exactly when that charge will hit your bank account? You’re not alone.
Between “pending” charges, split shipments, and pre-orders, Amazon’s payment timing can be confusing. Understanding exactly when money leaves your account is crucial for managing your budget and avoiding overdraft fees.
In this complete guide, we clarify the rules regarding Amazon payments, including the specific timing for third-party sellers, backorders, and cancelled items.
Amazon typically charges your card when your item ships, not when you place the order. However, exceptions apply: Digital purchases (Kindle, Prime Video) are charged immediately, and some Third-Party Sellers may charge at the time of purchase.
You may see a “pending” authorization hold on your bank statement immediately after ordering, but the actual funds are not withdrawn until the package leaves the warehouse.
🚀 Key Takeaways
- Standard Orders: You are charged when the item ships, not when you click “Buy Now.”
- Split Shipments: If items ship separately, you will see separate charges for each package.
- Pre-Orders: You are charged only on the release date (shipping date).
- Authorizations: You may see a “Pending” charge immediately, but this is just a hold to verify funds.
1. The Golden Rule: Ship Date vs. Order Date
For the vast majority of products sold and fulfilled directly by Amazon, the rule is simple: Amazon does not collect final payment until the item physically leaves the fulfillment center.
This policy aligns with the FTC’s Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule, which protects consumers from paying for goods that haven’t been shipped yet.
The “Pending” Charge (Authorization Hold)
If Amazon doesn’t charge until shipping, why do you see a transaction immediately after ordering?
This is called an Authorization Hold.
- What it is: A temporary check by your bank to ensure you have enough funds.
- Status: It will likely appear as “Pending” or “Processing” on your statement.
- The Result: The money is reserved (you can’t spend it), but it hasn’t been transferred to Amazon yet.
Having payment trouble? If your card was rejected during this stage, check our guide on Amazon Declined Payment But I Have Money? 7 Common Reasons Why
2. Complex Scenarios: Split Shipments & Backorders
This is where most shoppers get confused. If your order history looks different from your bank statement, this is likely why.
📦 Split Shipments = Split Charges
If you order three items a laptop, a book, and a frying pan they might reside in three different warehouses.
- Scenario: The book ships Monday, the laptop ships Tuesday, and the pan ships Friday.
- The Charge: You will see three separate charges on your credit card statement.
- Total Cost: The total of these separate charges will match your original order receipt.
🕒 Backordered Items
If an item is “Temporarily Out of Stock” or “Backordered,” Amazon will not charge you for that specific item until they receive stock and ship it to you.
You can cancel a backordered item at any time before it ships without being charged.
3. Pre-Orders and Third-Party Sellers
Different types of Amazon purchases follow different rules.
Pre-Orders (Games, Books, Tech)
Amazon’s Pre-Order Price Guarantee means you pay the lowest price offered between your order time and the release date.
- When you pay: On the release day (or when the item ships).
- Warning: Amazon checks your card validity when you place the order. If your card expires before the release date, your order may be delayed.
Third-Party Marketplace Sellers
- Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA): Follows the standard “charge on ship” rule.
- Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM): Some independent sellers charge your card immediately upon order confirmation, even if they haven’t shipped the item yet. Always check the seller’s policy on the product page.
4. Digital Content & Subscriptions
Because digital goods are delivered instantly, the payment processing is different.
- Kindle / Prime Video / Music: Charged immediately when you click “Buy Now.”
- Amazon Prime Membership: Charged on your monthly or annual renewal date.
- Subscribe & Save: Charged when the item is being prepared for shipment (usually 1-3 days before your scheduled delivery day).
Account Suspended? If you see unusual billing activity and get locked out, read our fix for Amazon Account on Hold for “Unusual Payment Activity”?
5. Cancellations & Refunds: Do I Get Charged?
A common panic moment is cancelling an order but still seeing the charge on your bank app.
- If you cancel BEFORE shipping: You were never actually charged. The “Pending” transaction will disappear from your statement within 1-5 business days (depending on your bank).
- If you cancel/return AFTER shipping: You were charged, and now you must wait for a refund.
Amazon Gift Card Balance: Refunds in 2-3 hours.
Credit Cards: Refunds in 3-5 business days.
Debit Cards: Can take up to 10 business days.
Need help with a refund? See our guide on How to Contact Amazon Customer Service for Payment Issues
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I change my payment method after placing an order?
Yes, but only before the order enters the “Shipping” phase. Go to “Your Orders” > “Order Details” to update the payment method.
Why was I charged twice for the same order?
You likely weren’t. One is probably the “Authorization Hold” and the other is the actual charge. The hold will disappear automatically. If both post as final charges, contact Amazon immediately.
Does Amazon charge for out-of-stock items?
No. Amazon only charges for out-of-stock or backordered items once they are back in stock and physically shipped to you.
