For Amazon sellers, a small postcard can become the most critical document for maintaining store operations. When address verification fails due to undelivered mail, businesses find themselves trapped in bureaucratic limbo. This guide examines the verification process and practical solutions to overcome delivery obstacles.
The Standard Verification Process
Amazon requires sellers to complete address verification through a physical postcard delivery. The standard procedure involves:
- Updating seller account information with an accurate local address (in native characters)
- Monitoring shipments from Amazon's Shanghai office via SF Express
- Linking a mobile number to SF Express for delivery notifications
- Providing the received verification code to the courier upon delivery
- Completing digital signature via WeChat QR code scan
Delivery Challenges and Strategic Solutions
When standard delivery fails, sellers report these alternative approaches:
1. Courier Negotiation (Low Success Rate)
Some attempt to persuade delivery personnel to accept alternative verification methods, though strict company policies often prevent exceptions.
2. Local Proxy Collection (Moderate Success)
Hiring local services to impersonate the recipient has shown better results. The proxy must use the seller's authentic signature during collection and provide photographic evidence.
3. Direct Pickup (High Success, Time-Consuming)
Tracking the shipment to its local distribution center and arranging in-person collection proves reliable but requires physical presence.
4. Address Modification (Risk Variable)
Updating the business registration address to a more accessible location may trigger secondary verification requests for utility bills or additional documentation.
Considerations for Established Accounts
Industry sources note that veteran sellers sometimes bypass verification by updating to any functional mailing address, regardless of corporate registration ties. While this method reportedly processes within five days, its long-term compliance implications remain undocumented.
Critical Recommendations
- Verify address precision in seller portals, including thoroughfare details and postal codes
- Maintain accessible communication channels for courier coordination
- Track shipment progress through carrier systems
- Evaluate all contingency plans against potential account review risks
Address verification represents an unavoidable checkpoint in Amazon's seller oversight. Understanding both official protocols and practical workarounds enables businesses to maintain operational continuity while navigating platform requirements.