Valid Tracking Rate (VTR)

Amazon customers depend on tracking numbers to find out where their orders are and when they can expect to receive them. The Valid Tracking Rate (VTR) is a performance metric that reflects those expectations.

Sellers must maintain a VTR greater than 95%. A VTR below 95% in a product category can result in restrictions on your ability to sell non-FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) items within that category. This can also affect your eligibility to participate in Premium Shipping and guaranteed delivery.
VTR includes all shipments with a valid tracking number, represented as a percentage of total shipments over a 30-day period. The following items are not included in the VTR calculation:
- Items shipped by freight with a carrier not integrated with Amazon.
- Small items (such as screen protectors and greeting cards) that cost less than $10 (including shipping charges) and are shipped in USPS Standard Mail envelopes or First Class Mail envelopes.
VTR only applies to seller-fulfilled orders.

All major US carriers, including USPS, FedEx, UPS, and DHL now offer free tracking.

Note: Performance targets for Premium Shipping orders vary from the above.

How to add tracking numbers

Only carriers that are integrated with Amazon are shown in the drop-down list. If you don’t see the carrier name that you use to ship your order, refer to the Valid Tracking Rate FAQ page and confirm that it is one of the carriers that Amazon currently supports tracking. Only choose “other” and enter the tracking number if the carrier is present on the Valid Tracking Rate FAQ page and not listed in the drop-down list. Otherwise, the tracking number will not be considered valid.

Note: Tracking numbers are only considered valid if they have at least one carrier scan recorded by Amazon.

How to edit tracking numbers

Prior to the delivery date, you can edit order tracking information.

Go to Orders, and then Manage Orders.
Check Order ID is selected for Search, enter the Order ID, and click Search.
Once you find the correct order, click Edit Shipment and provide the revised tracking number.
Allow 72 hours for the report and metric to reflect the changes.

How we calculate your VTR

To calculate this metric, we take the number of packages you ship with a valid tracking number and divide it by the total number of packages you've shipped and confirmed.

For example, if you confirmed shipment for 200 packages, and 190 of those packages had a valid tracking number, your Valid Tracking Rate would be 95% (190 ÷ 200 = .95 or 95%).

We use promised delivery date to determine which orders are included in the metric. Your Valid Tracking Rate has a two-week lag, giving the data enough time to be statistically relevant.

Valid Tracking Rate for international sellers

Where Amazon integrated tracking solutions are available (such as China Post Express and Logistic ePacket service), we require valid tracking numbers for at least 95% of your shipments on orders greater than $5.00 (price including shipping).

Note: If you use China domestic carrier to fulfill your orders, please make sure you only pick the supported carriers from the carrier drop down box. Manual entry for carrier name in Chinese is considered as invalid input as Amazon currently do not support carrier name in Chinese. If you sell fast-moving, small, and light products that are generally priced under $10, you might consider the FBA Small and Light program. This program offers lower fulfillment costs and Amazon will fulfill the orders for you.