MFN Sellers: How Tracking Numbers Can Save Your Business
Missing tracking information isn't just a minor oversight—it's a direct path to automatic A-to-Z claim. For MFN sellers failing to provide valid tracking can cost you. Here's what you need to know to protect your account health and your profits.
Why Tracking Information Is Critical for MFN Sellers
A-to-Z claims are automatically granted to customers when sellers fail to provide proper tracking information. This isn't a case-by-case review—it's an automatic approval that immediately impacts your Order Defect Rate (ODR) and debits your account for the claim amount.
When Claims Are Auto-Approved
Your claim will be automatically granted to the customer if:
- No valid tracking ID is provided
- You didn't use a trackable shipping method
The Valid Tracking Rate (VTR) Requirement
Amazon requires MFN sellers to maintain a Valid Tracking Rate of 95% or higher. Fall below this threshold, and you risk category suspension or complete account deactivation.
A tracking ID is considered valid when:
- Amazon receives package event scans from your carrier
- Customers can track their package journey directly on Amazon
- The tracking information is entered before the actual delivery date
How Proper Tracking Protects Your Business
When you use Amazon's Buy Shipping services and provide accurate tracking, you receive:
- Protection against A-to-Z claims for Amazon-caused delivery defects
- Automatic negative feedback suppression for delivery-related issues
- Seamless tracking upload without requiring separate confirmation
The Real Cost of Missing Tracking
Without proper tracking information, you face:
- Automatic claim approvals in favor of customers
- Negative impact on your Order Defect Rate (ODR)—affecting account health
- Risk of category suspension if VTR drops below 95%
Share Your Experience
We're opening this discussion to help selling partners learn proven strategies from each other. Your real-world experiences can help fellow sellers avoid costly mistakes and build stronger shipping practices.
We'd love to hear from you:
- Have you ever faced an A-to-Z claim due to missing or invalid tracking? What did you learn from that experience, and how did you prevent it from happening again?
- What's your process for ensuring tracking information is uploaded before shipment? Do you use any tools, automations, or specific workflows?
- For sellers who've successfully maintained a 100% VTR—what's your secret? Share your best practices for consistent tracking compliance.
If you found this information helpful or learned something valuable from a fellow seller's reply, please upvote to help other MFN sellers discover these insights!
📚 For more information, check out these official Seller Central help pages:
MFN Sellers: How Tracking Numbers Can Save Your Business
Missing tracking information isn't just a minor oversight—it's a direct path to automatic A-to-Z claim. For MFN sellers failing to provide valid tracking can cost you. Here's what you need to know to protect your account health and your profits.
Why Tracking Information Is Critical for MFN Sellers
A-to-Z claims are automatically granted to customers when sellers fail to provide proper tracking information. This isn't a case-by-case review—it's an automatic approval that immediately impacts your Order Defect Rate (ODR) and debits your account for the claim amount.
When Claims Are Auto-Approved
Your claim will be automatically granted to the customer if:
- No valid tracking ID is provided
- You didn't use a trackable shipping method
The Valid Tracking Rate (VTR) Requirement
Amazon requires MFN sellers to maintain a Valid Tracking Rate of 95% or higher. Fall below this threshold, and you risk category suspension or complete account deactivation.
A tracking ID is considered valid when:
- Amazon receives package event scans from your carrier
- Customers can track their package journey directly on Amazon
- The tracking information is entered before the actual delivery date
How Proper Tracking Protects Your Business
When you use Amazon's Buy Shipping services and provide accurate tracking, you receive:
- Protection against A-to-Z claims for Amazon-caused delivery defects
- Automatic negative feedback suppression for delivery-related issues
- Seamless tracking upload without requiring separate confirmation
The Real Cost of Missing Tracking
Without proper tracking information, you face:
- Automatic claim approvals in favor of customers
- Negative impact on your Order Defect Rate (ODR)—affecting account health
- Risk of category suspension if VTR drops below 95%
Share Your Experience
We're opening this discussion to help selling partners learn proven strategies from each other. Your real-world experiences can help fellow sellers avoid costly mistakes and build stronger shipping practices.
We'd love to hear from you:
- Have you ever faced an A-to-Z claim due to missing or invalid tracking? What did you learn from that experience, and how did you prevent it from happening again?
- What's your process for ensuring tracking information is uploaded before shipment? Do you use any tools, automations, or specific workflows?
- For sellers who've successfully maintained a 100% VTR—what's your secret? Share your best practices for consistent tracking compliance.
If you found this information helpful or learned something valuable from a fellow seller's reply, please upvote to help other MFN sellers discover these insights!
📚 For more information, check out these official Seller Central help pages:
Seller_CW0P5hgbsiqWX
To @Joey_Amazon
Even though it is just the beginning of January, that has to be the best post of 2026.
The Tracking Number, something so simple can play havoc on sellers who do not provide one.
On May 1, 2016 Amazon started the INR protection program when shipping was purchased on the site, and it included the tracking number. Up until that date, INR claims were just as bad as the bogus returns are today with the RFS system.
The tracking numbers while touted as to protect the seller, actually allowed Amazon to track scamming buyers who abuse the site. For the past 10 years we've had many buyers claim INR, but purchasing the shipping through Amazon, we have never paid out of our account on any of them.
All because of the tracking number.
14 replies
Seller_CW0P5hgbsiqWX
To @Joey_Amazon
Even though it is just the beginning of January, that has to be the best post of 2026.
The Tracking Number, something so simple can play havoc on sellers who do not provide one.
On May 1, 2016 Amazon started the INR protection program when shipping was purchased on the site, and it included the tracking number. Up until that date, INR claims were just as bad as the bogus returns are today with the RFS system.
The tracking numbers while touted as to protect the seller, actually allowed Amazon to track scamming buyers who abuse the site. For the past 10 years we've had many buyers claim INR, but purchasing the shipping through Amazon, we have never paid out of our account on any of them.
All because of the tracking number.
Seller_S9i9bRwBtBcUP
Used Amazon buy shipping for an item a few weeks ago. Item shows delivered to customer. Customer files A-Z claim stating they never received the item, even though Fedex shows "Delivered" and GPS scan shows scanned at their address. Customer gets full refund, plus an extra $10.00 and our appeal is denied. Out $200.00 even though we used Amazon buy shipping and it states "Claims Protected". Sure do not feel protected and to give the customer an extra $10.00 of our money on top of what they paid is new to us.
Seller_RE4C6WX4bXevb
Use Amazon buy shipping with signature required. Customer files AZ claim granted in my favor due to non return outside of policy. Chargeback 1 defended same reasons. Chargeback 2 Amazon says we don't defend chargebacks after first chargeback. Your account has been debited for $736.52. New scam loaded. Make it make sense!
Seller_Ys8Kz8TPanVFB
@Joey_Amazon
Tracking Numbers???/ Really?? Of the legion of problems on Amazon we are discussing tracking numbers??? Did I miss a time warp or something? IS this 2001??? Tracking numbers??? Did my fees help pay for this??? Tracking numbers????
Seller_8ClZEW0n7Nx2A
I USED AMAAZON BUY SHIPPING AND YOU STILL TOOK THE MONEY OUT OF MY ACCOUNT
