How Amazon’s Return Policy Affects Sellers in 2024
Starting June 1, 2024, Amazon will introduce a returns processing fee for high-return rate products in all categories, excluding apparel and shoes, to address operational costs and reduce waste.
With FBA, Amazon handles returns processing, and sellers have no control over return acceptance. Customers can request returns within 30 days, with exceptions made on a case-by-case basis.
A new update in Seller Central allows sellers to change their FBA inventory evaluation settings, giving them the option to evaluate returned items themselves, especially beneficial for products with many parts or electronics.
Amazon's "Return insights" tool, released in March 2023, provides sellers with insights into their returns, including trends, reasons, and data breakdown by ASIN, helping to improve listing content or product quality.
FBM sellers must match or exceed Amazon's return policy, accepting returns within the 30-day window and refunding customers within 2 days of receiving the return shipment. Professional sellers are enrolled in the Amazon Prepaid Returns Label program.
Amazon may charge restocking fees for returns outside the policy window or for used, damaged, or defective items, with specific conditions and fee percentages detailed in the policy.
Understanding customer return reasons is crucial for sellers to address product issues and prevent negative impacts on their listings or accounts.
Amazon's Returnless Refund policy refunds customers without returning items if the product value is low, return shipping costs are high, or resale is difficult, with FBM sellers able to set rules for this in their accounts.
Amazon has programs like FBA Liquidations, Grade and Resell, and Donations to help sellers manage returned or overstocked items, recoup losses, and reduce waste.
