What an Amazon MKTP US Charge Really Means

Have you ever spotted an odd charge on your credit card statement labeled “Amazon MKTP US” even though you can’t recall buying anything on Amazon recently? You’re not alone. This vague billing descriptor often appears unexpectedly, leaving many customers confused about what exactly the charge refers to.

In this post, we’ll break down what Amazon MKTP US means, why it may show up unexpectedly, and what to do if you spot it but can’t figure out where it came from.

What Does Amazon MKTP US Mean?

AMZN MKTP US indicates a purchase made through Amazon’s Marketplace platform. The “amzn” part means Amazon, “MKTP” part stands for “Marketplace.” And the “US” means it came from Amazon’s American website, amazon.com, rather than one of their other international sites.

The Marketplace allows third-party sellers to list products on Amazon that ship from and are sold by Amazon. Even if you purchased an item directly from Amazon, if it was fulfilled by one of these third-party sellers, the charge will likely show up on your statement as AMZN MKTP US.

Other common Amazon billing descriptors include:

• AMZN Digital – For Amazon digital subscriptions like Prime, Kindle Unlimited, Audible etc.
• Amazon.com or Amzn.com/bill WA – General purchases direct from Amazon

So essentially, Amazon MKTP US signifies you purchased an item on Amazon that came from their Marketplace, rather than directly from Amazon itself. But why might it appear unexpectedly?

Why You May See Amazon MKTP US Charges Unintentionally

Seeing an Amazon MKTP US charge doesn’t necessarily mean you intentionally ordered something recently. Here are some reasons it may show up when you don’t recall buying anything:

Forgotten Orders

If you placed an order weeks or months ago, it’s easy to forget. Be sure to check your full Amazon Order History for any purchases you may have forgotten.

Subscription Renewals

Services like Amazon Prime, Audible, and Kindle Unlimited auto-renew. An Amazon MKTP US charge could indicate one of these subscriptions renewed.

Backordered Items Ship

You may have ordered an out-of-stock or backordered item that only just shipped now, triggering the charge.

Shared Payment Info

If someone you shared your Amazon account with has your saved payment info, they could have purchased something without your knowledge.

Accidental Purchases

With one-click ordering, it’s easy to buy something by mistake on Amazon. Look for digital goods or Alexa skills you or someone in your household may have purchased unintentionally.

Free Trials Convert

Free trials for services like Kindle Unlimited often transition to paid plans automatically, which could trigger an unexpected charge.

Preorders Ship

You may have been charged for a preorder you placed that just recently shipped.

Multiple Sellers

A large order may have been split into multiple charges if items came from different Marketplace sellers.

What To Do If You Don’t Recognize the “amzn mktp us” Charge

If you thoroughly check your Amazon account but see no record of the Amazon MKTP US charge, contact Amazon Customer Service for help identifying the purchase. You can reach them online, by phone, or via chat.

If fraud is suspected, also contact your credit card provider or bank to report the issue and potentially dispute the charge.

Amazon Account Safety Tips

To keep your Amazon account safe:

• Use unique, complex passwords. Avoid reusing passwords across sites.
• Enable two-factor authentication for enhanced security.
• Check for the secure “https” prefix in the URL when logging in.
• Do not click suspicious links in emails. Verify the sender domain is @amazon.com.
• Monitor your Order History routinely for any unauthorized purchases.
• Only enter payment details on the official Amazon site when you initiate a purchase.

While confusing Amazon charges do happen, an MKTP US descriptor is typically benign. With Amazon integrated into many aspects of our digital lives, charges can occur without actively clicking “buy.” But double checking your account activity and reaching out for help can quickly clear up any questionable Amazon billing descriptors that appear.