Koukan Seller Payout Schedule: When and How You Get Paid
One of the most common questions from new Koukan sellers is simple: "When does the money actually land in my account?" The answer depends on two things — when your buyer confirms delivery, and how you have set up your Stripe payout account. This guide walks through every stage, so you always know exactly where your money is and when to expect it.
The short version: funds are held securely in escrow from the moment the buyer pays. They are released to you as soon as the buyer confirms delivery — or automatically after 3 days from confirmed dispatch if the buyer does not respond. Once released, Stripe typically clears the funds to your UK bank account within 1–2 business days.
For context on what you actually earn per sale, read the companion guide: Complete Seller Guide: Keep 100% of Your Earnings on Koukan.
How the escrow model works
Every Koukan transaction uses an escrow model powered by Stripe. When a buyer checks out, their payment is collected immediately and held securely — it does not go to you yet, and it does not sit in the buyer's account either. It is parked in a protected intermediary state until the transaction is successfully completed.
This arrangement protects both sides. Buyers know their money is safe and will be returned if something goes wrong. Sellers know the buyer has genuinely paid before they are asked to ship anything.
Crucially, the buyer protection fee that appears on the checkout is paid solely by the buyer. It is not deducted from your payout under any circumstances. You receive exactly the price you set on your listing — no commission, no hidden cut.
The payment journey
- 1
Buyer pays at checkout
Full amount collected by Stripe and held in escrow
- 2
You ship the item
Tracking number logged; escrow hold begins countdown
- 3
Buyer confirms delivery
Escrow releases immediately — or auto-releases after 3 days
- 4
Stripe processes payout
Funds arrive in your linked UK bank account within 1–2 business days
The two triggers that release your money
Your payout is released by one of two events — whichever comes first. You do not need to do anything to trigger either of them once your item is shipped and the tracking number is registered.
Trigger 1 — Buyer confirms delivery
The buyer marks the order as received inside their Koukan order dashboard. This is the fastest path — escrow releases the moment they confirm, and Stripe begins processing your payout immediately. Most cooperative buyers confirm within 24–48 hours of the parcel arriving.
Best case total time: 1–3 days from confirmed dispatch to funds in your account.
Trigger 2 — 3-day auto-release
If the carrier confirms delivery but the buyer does not manually confirm within 3 days, the escrow releases automatically. This prevents funds from being stuck indefinitely because a buyer forgot to click confirm. You do not need to contact support — the release is fully automated.
Typical total time: 4–6 days from confirmed dispatch to funds in your account.
Important: The 3-day window begins from the date the carrier marks the shipment as delivered — not from the date you handed it in. Make sure you always ship promptly and that your tracking number is entered correctly; delays in shipping will delay your payout.
Setting up Stripe payouts (required before your first sale)
Before you can receive any funds, you must connect a UK bank account to Koukan through Stripe's secure onboarding flow. This is a one-time process — once verified, all future payouts go to the same account automatically.
Step-by-step: connecting your bank account
- 1
Go to your Seller Dashboard
Navigate to your account and open the Seller Dashboard from the navigation menu.
- 2
Click "Set up payouts"
This opens the Stripe Connect onboarding flow directly inside Koukan.
- 3
Verify your identity
Stripe requires identity verification for UK sellers in compliance with financial regulations. You will typically need your full name, date of birth, home address, and last 4 digits of your National Insurance number.
- 4
Link your UK bank account
Enter your sort code and account number. Stripe supports all major UK banks and building societies. Your details are stored and encrypted by Stripe — Koukan never sees your banking information.
- 5
Wait for verification
Most accounts are verified instantly. In some cases Stripe may request additional documentation, which can take 1–2 business days.
Stripe is a regulated e-money institution authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Your bank details are never shared with Koukan or any third party.
How much you actually receive
The payout amount is calculated at the point of sale and stored with your order — so you always know exactly what is coming before you even ship the item.
Koukan charges sellers zero commission. The buyer protection fee is calculated at checkout and added on top of your asking price — it is never subtracted from your earnings. What you list for is what you get.
If an optional shipping insurance was applied to your order (covering damage or loss in transit), the cost of that insurance is deducted from the total before your payout is calculated — but this is a direct cost of protecting your sale, not a platform fee.
The payout notification email
When escrow releases and Stripe begins processing your payout, Koukan sends you a confirmation email with the subject line: "A payout of £X.XX is on its way!" This email confirms:
- The exact amount being transferred to your bank account
- That the escrow has been released — the transaction is complete
- A prompt to list more parts while momentum is fresh
After receiving the payout email, your funds will typically clear within 1–2 business days, though Stripe's standard UK payout timeline applies. Weekends and bank holidays may extend this by one day.
What can delay your payout
Most payouts arrive without any friction. When delays do occur, they almost always fall into one of these categories:
Stripe account not yet set up
This is the most common reason funds are not received on time. If your Stripe payout account is not connected, Koukan cannot transfer funds to you. Set up your account before you make your first sale — not after.
Stripe identity verification pending
In some cases Stripe requests additional documentation to meet FCA requirements. Until verification is complete, payouts are queued but not released. Check your email for any Stripe verification requests.
Open dispute on the order
If the buyer has raised a dispute within the 14-day protection window, funds are held until the case is resolved. Koukan's support team mediates disputes using tracking data, photos, and message history. Providing accurate listings and good communication significantly reduces the chance of a dispute.
Shipping delays or tracking not updated
The 3-day auto-release clock starts from confirmed delivery — not from when you dropped the parcel off. If there are carrier delays or the tracking has not updated, this will push back the auto-release date. Always enter your tracking number promptly and ship within the expected dispatch window.
Bank holiday or weekend
Stripe's payout schedule follows business days. A payout triggered on a Friday afternoon may not clear until Tuesday of the following week if there is a bank holiday on Monday.
Frequently asked questions
Does Koukan take a cut of my payout?
No. Koukan charges zero seller fees. You keep 100% of your listing price. The buyer protection fee is charged to the buyer on top of your asking price — it is never deducted from you.
Can I change my bank account after I have already been paid?
Yes. You can update your linked bank account through the Stripe dashboard at any time. Changes take effect on future payouts — they do not affect any payout already in transit.
What if the buyer claims non-delivery but tracking shows delivered?
Koukan uses tracking data as the primary source of truth. If tracking confirms delivery, the auto-release will proceed. If the buyer raises a dispute, the support team reviews tracking history, shipping photos, and any communication before making a decision. False claims are rare and the system is designed to protect honest sellers.
Is there a minimum payout threshold?
Orders must have a minimum total value of £1.00 to process. There is no minimum threshold for payouts above that — every completed order triggers its own payout once released.
Can I track the status of my payout?
Yes. Your Seller Dashboard shows the status of every order, including whether escrow has been released. Stripe also provides payout tracking through your connected Stripe account dashboard.
What happens if I sell multiple items in one order?
If a buyer purchases multiple items from you in a single transaction, your payout is calculated as a single combined amount for that order. The same release triggers apply — one confirmation covers the whole order.
Summary: the Koukan payout timeline at a glance
| Stage | Typical timing |
|---|---|
| Buyer pays at checkout | Day 0 |
| You ship and enter tracking number | Day 1–2 (your dispatch window) |
| Carrier delivers the parcel | Day 2–5 (depends on courier) |
| Buyer confirms delivery | Same day as delivery (ideal) |
| Auto-release (if buyer does not confirm) | 3 days after confirmed delivery |
| Stripe processes payout | 0–1 business days after release |
| Funds arrive in your bank account | 1–2 business days after processing |
| Total: best case (buyer confirms quickly) | ~3–5 days from dispatch |
| Total: auto-release case | ~6–8 days from dispatch |
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