# Checking Amazon Shipping and Return Policies for Sellers
Understanding Amazon's shipping and return policies is essential for sellers to manage their business efficiently, minimize costs, and maintain good customer relations. These policies cover how sellers fulfill orders, handle customer returns, refunds, and inventory management.
How to Access Amazon's Shipping and Return Policies
Sellers can review Amazon's policies directly through Seller Central, the main management platform for Amazon sellers. In Seller Central, navigate to the Help section and search for "shipping policies" or "return policies." Additionally, Amazon periodically updates policies, so monitoring announcements and forums within Seller Central helps sellers stay informed.
Amazon Return Policies Overview
Amazon's return policies protect both buyers and sellers. The general rule allows customers to return eligible items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. However, return windows vary by product category:
- Electronics and cameras typically have 30 days.
- Clothing and accessories may allow up to 45 days.
- Baby items, if unopened, can have returns up to 90 days.
- Holiday purchases in November and December often enjoy extended return periods through January.
Sellers must honor these windows but also have some flexibility depending on their product type and fulfillment method.
Seller Fulfilled vs. Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) Returns
Seller Fulfilled Returns
For seller-fulfilled orders, Amazon pre-authorizes returns that fall within standard policy rules. Sellers should respond promptlyâtypically within 24 hoursâto any manual return authorization requests outside automatic approvals. Returns are managed via the Manage Returns tool in Seller Central, where sellers can:- Review return requests
- Approve or decline returns
- Issue refunds within two business days of receiving returned items
Sellers participating in Amazon's prepaid return label program can simplify the return process in the US. Amazon issues prepaid labels for eligible returns, reducing friction for the customer.
FBA Returns
For FBA orders, Amazon handles most of the returns process, including refunds and restocking. Sellers must monitor returned inventory and decide whether to resell, dispose of, or return unsellable items. In 2025, Amazon introduced new settings giving sellers more control over returned FBA inventory, like choosing returnless refunds and setting liquidation preferences.Returnless Refund Policy
Introduced in 2024 and expanded in 2025, the Returnless Refund policy lets sellers refund customers without requiring a return on certain low-cost or high-return-cost items. Sellers can establish returnless refund rules in Seller Central based on price, category, return reason, and return window. This policy helps cut costs related to shipping and processing returns and improves customer satisfaction by speeding resolutions.
Common eligibility conditions for returnless refunds include:
- Items under a specific price point (e.g., under $75)
- Bulky or heavy products where shipping costs exceed item value
- Products with a history of defects or customer issues
Sellers with high return rates may face additional fees, encouraging them to use returnless refunds as a strategic tool.
Managing Returns: Best Practices
- Respond quickly to return requests, especially those requiring manual approval.
- Communicate clearly with customers about the return process and timelines.
- Issue refunds promptly to maintain good seller ratings.
- Monitor return data to identify patterns and address product issues proactively.
- Stay updated on category-specific or seasonal return policy changes.
- Document transactions and communications relating to each return.
Understanding Return Processing Fees
As part of the 2024-2025 updates, Amazon implemented return processing fees for sellers with high return rates (apart from apparel and shoes). The fees aim to incentivize accurate listings and reduce unnecessary returns. Sellers should monitor return frequencies and adjust pricing or descriptions accordingly to minimize these fees.
Shipping Policy for Sellers
Amazon requires sellers to clearly state shipping options, handling times, and costs in their Seller Central settings. Key points include:
- Sellers must ship items within the promised handling time.
- Shipping carriers and methods should meet quality and timeliness standards.
- Sellers can use Amazon's Buy Shipping service to purchase shipping labels, which integrates with fulfillment and tracking.
- For seller-fulfilled orders, sellers are responsible for providing tracking information to customers.
International Shipping and Returns
Sellers operating in multiple marketplaces or shipping internationally should be aware of varying policies:
- Return windows and procedures may differ by country.
- Prepaid return labels and return address requirements vary internationally.
- Sellers must register compliance with regional laws and Amazon marketplace standards.
Key Seller Controls and Settings (2025 Updates)
Amazon rolled out new seller-specific settings impacting returns and inventory:
- Returnless Resolutions: Allow customers to keep items while receiving refunds on qualifying products.
- Returned Item Evaluation: Sellers can permit Amazon to assess if returned products are resellable.
- Damaged Inventory Ownership: Amazon may keep ownership of inventory damaged within their fulfillment centers after reimbursement.
These tools shift some control but also provide new opportunities for efficiency and cost control.