Whether you’re new to Seller Central or have been selling for years, your account settings are one of the most overlooked sources of issues.
We’ve seen brands struggle with suppressed listings, blocked shipping regions, inaccurate tax handling, or missed disbursements — all because of settings that were wrong, outdated, or never touched in the first place.
This guide walks you through the most important Amazon seller account settings to double check right now, why they matter, and what to change if something’s off.
1. Shipping Settings (Yes, Even for FBA Sellers)
Even if you’re using FBA, your shipping settings still matter — especially if you’re:
- Running any FBM offers
- Selling multi-channel
- In a hybrid fulfillment model
What to check:
- Shipping templates: Are delivery promises accurate? Are regions restricted?
- Transit times: If you’re FBM, this directly impacts Buy Box eligibility
- Default handling time: Keep it realistic but competitive
- Expedited or Prime-like options: These may appear if you’re in SFP (Seller Fulfilled Prime)
To fix:
Go to Settings > Shipping Settings and review all active templates.
2. Return Settings
If your return preferences are misconfigured, Amazon may:
- Auto-refund you on returned items without inspection
- Send buyers return labels at your expense, even when it’s not appropriate
- Allow excessive return windows beyond what’s required
What to check:
- Returnless refund settings (only enable for low-cost items)
- Return address and method — is your return destination current and functional?
- Restocking fee policies — some categories allow it, others don’t
To fix:
Head to Settings > Return Settings and review your automation rules.
3. Tax Settings
One of the most common sources of headaches, especially for newer sellers.
If you’re not collecting tax in the right states — or over-collecting in places Amazon handles marketplace facilitator tax — you could end up:
- Overcharging customers
- Triggering buyer complaints
- Creating accounting problems
What to check:
- Marketplace Facilitator Tax collection (Amazon collects in most states now)
- Custom tax settings for exempt products or services
- Third-party integrations (TaxJar, Avalara, etc.) if you use them
To fix:
To configure this correctly, go to Settings > Tax Settings in Seller Central and follow Amazon’s official tax setup guideto verify each step and avoid common pitfalls.
4. User Permissions and Account Access
You’d be surprised how many brands have ex-employees, old contractors, or generic emails still tied to sensitive roles.
What to check:
- Current users: Who still has access?
- Roles assigned: Are developers or VA accounts over-permissioned?
- API tokens or third-party tools: Are inactive apps still connected?
To fix:
Go to Settings > User Permissions and clean house. This is especially critical for security and brand protection.
5. Notification Settings (So You Don’t Miss Something Critical)
Missed a policy change, suspension warning, or stranded listing alert? That’s often a notification issue — not negligence.
What to check:
- Default email addresses on file — are they actively monitored?
- SMS alerts — sometimes these catch time-sensitive events faster
- Notification categories — make sure you’re subscribed to listing issues, payment updates, and account health
To fix:
Visit Settings > Notification Preferences and assign the right emails to each alert category.
6. Deposit Methods and Disbursement Frequency
Incorrect bank details can delay payouts. And if your deposit cadence is monthly (instead of biweekly or faster), you’re tying up your own cash.
What to check:
- Bank account routing and account numbers
- Currency settings if selling internationally
- Payout cadence — standard is biweekly, but some accounts can request faster payouts
To fix:
Go to Settings > Deposit Methods and verify everything matches your active accounts.
7. Business Info and Branding
This affects everything from brand registry support to customer trust and tax documentation.
What to check:
- Legal business name and address
- Business display name (what buyers see)
- Support contact info — email, phone, etc.
- Tax ID / EIN on file
To fix:
Head to Settings > Account Info and update as needed. This is also where you manage global marketplaces.
Don’t Let Settings Undermine Your Strategy
At Space Command, we’ve audited hundreds of seller accounts — and nearly all of them had at least one misconfiguration costing them time, money, or growth. From PPC performance issues to blocked listings or disbursement delays, account settings are often the silent culprit.
Need a second set of expert eyes on your Amazon settings? Book an audit with Space Command and we’ll make sure your backend supports your growth — not blocks it.
FAQ
Where do I find my Amazon seller account settings?
Log into Seller Central, click the gear icon in the top right, and explore each section under “Settings.”
What settings affect my Buy Box eligibility?
Shipping time, return handling, account health, and price competitiveness all factor in. Your shipping template and handling time are key.
Can incorrect tax settings get me in trouble?
Yes. Over- or under-collecting tax can lead to customer complaints and accounting errors. Always review tax settings state-by-state.
How often should I review my seller settings?
Quarterly at minimum. After any team change, business update, or listing issue, review your settings immediately.
Is there a checklist I can follow?
Yes — Space Command offers a full backend settings checklist as part of our onboarding audit. Contact us for details.