2026-06-24 · 8 min read
Amazon Seller Performance Metrics: The Numbers That Determine Your Account Standing
A complete guide to the Amazon seller performance metrics that matter: ODR, late shipment rate, tracking rate, cancellation rate, and what thresholds trigger account action.
Amazon evaluates every seller's account using performance metrics that measure how reliably you fulfill orders. When they fall below Amazon's thresholds, Amazon takes action: first a warning, then selling restrictions, then account suspension.
Order Defect Rate (ODR) — target below 1%
ODR measures the percentage of orders that resulted in a negative experience for the buyer. Defects are counted in three categories: negative feedback (1 or 2-star ratings), A-to-z Guarantee claims that were not rejected by Amazon, and credit card chargebacks.
ODR is calculated over a rolling 60-day window. Problems arise when multiple defects accumulate against a smaller order volume, or when a specific product has systematic quality issues.
To monitor ODR: go to Account Health and click on Order Defect Rate. Click through to the individual orders that contributed to each defect type to identify patterns.
Late Shipment Rate (LSR) — target below 4%
LSR measures the percentage of seller-fulfilled orders not shipped by the expected ship date. FBA orders are excluded.
The most common LSR problem is sellers who physically ship on time but forget to confirm shipment in Seller Central. Fix: confirm shipments in Seller Central the same day they physically go out.
Pre-fulfillment Cancel Rate — target below 2.5%
This metric tracks the percentage of seller-fulfilled orders you cancelled before shipping. To reduce cancellation rate: do not list FBM products unless inventory is physically in your possession.
Valid Tracking Rate — target above 95%
Amazon requires tracking numbers for at least 95% of FBM orders. When you purchase shipping labels through Amazon's Buy Shipping tool, tracking is uploaded automatically.
How Amazon uses these metrics
Each metric has a threshold. Crossing a threshold puts your account into "At Risk" status. Staying in "At Risk" for an extended period, or crossing into the red zone significantly, triggers a performance review. The review can result in selling restrictions or account suspension.
Review your Account Health dashboard weekly. The metrics are updated daily. Catching a rising ODR or LSR in week one is manageable. Catching it in week six means you are already at risk.