Amazon UK revises international returns requirements for sellers
Three-day response window set for merchant-fulfilled cross-border returns from 11 August 2025
Amazon UK has announced an important update to its international returns policy for Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM) orders, effective 11 August 2025. The change, communicated via Amazon UK’s Seller Central, directly impacts all sellers who ship orders internationally, especially those selling to customers in Germany and the UK from outside these countries.
New three-day response window for international returns:
Starting 11 August 2025, sellers must respond to return requests from Amazon.de (Germany) and Amazon.co.uk (UK) customers within three calendar days for orders shipped from outside Germany or the UK. Previously, sellers had four days to process returns—a policy in place since November 2024. With this change, Amazon aims to expedite the resolution of cross-border returns and enhance the customer experience on its marketplace.
If a seller does not provide any of the required return options within three calendar days, Amazon will automatically refund the customer and deduct the amount from the seller’s account. Notably, these refunds will not be eligible for SAFE-T reimbursement claims, meaning sellers will bear the full cost of the refunds.
Also Read: Amazon Stretches Maximum Box Length for FBA Shipments in the US
Return options sellers must provide:
To comply with the new rule, sellers must offer at least one of the following return options for eligible FBM orders over €25 or £20 (including VAT):
Domestic return address with prepaid label:
Provide a return address within Germany (for Amazon.de) or the UK (for Amazon.co.uk) and supply a prepaid return shipping label. Sellers can update their return address in Return Settings or use Amazon’s Returns Provider programme to obtain a local address.
Prepaid international return label:
Supply a prepaid international shipping label for returns from the customer’s country to the seller’s location outside Germany or the UK. Sellers are responsible for all return shipping costs in this case.
Full refund without return:
Offer a full refund to the customer without requiring the item to be returned. This can be automated using Amazon’s Returnless resolutions feature.
Amazon pre-paid return labels coming for cross-border returns:
From 11 August, Amazon will also roll out pre-paid return labels for cross-border FBM orders on Amazon.de. The new system uses DHL Connect and DPD for tracked, pre-paid return labels, making it easier for sellers to comply with the updated policy and for customers to return items. These Amazon-generated labels are available for returns initiated by customers within Amazon’s return policy.
Sellers can check carrier coverage and rates by visiting the Shipping costs for Fulfilled by Merchant returns page on Seller Central.
Additional information for sellers
* Sellers should review their current return processes and update return addresses or automated rules before 11 August to avoid penalties.
* The new rule applies to all FBM orders shipped to Germany or the UK from outside those countries and covers products over €25 or £20 (including VAT).
* Amazon’s Returns Provider programme and Return Settings can help sellers add local return addresses and streamline the process.
* Detailed guidelines on who pays return shipping costs are available under Return Reason Codes on Seller Central.
This policy change reflects Amazon UK’s ongoing efforts to provide a smoother shopping and returns experience for international buyers. Sellers are encouraged to update their return practices and utilize the resources available on Seller Central to ensure compliance. Failing to act within the three-day window may result in automatic customer refunds, with sellers bearing the loss. Proactive preparation is the best way to protect your business and maintain high customer satisfaction as these changes take effect on 11 August 2025.
Also Read: Amazon urges sellers to use vacation mode to safeguard account health
ChannelMAX offers Amazon Repricer that runs on the latest AI Repricing algorithm to do Amazon Pricing Management or Amazon Repricing. Based on Amazon SP API, the repricing engine or repricer runs 24/7 and efficiently manages Amazon prices to maximize your BuyBox with profit optimization. Established in 2005, ChannelMAX has been integrated with Amazon technology since 2007, helping thousands of third-party sellers on various eCommerce platforms. Some of the eCommerce platforms, aka marketplaces, supported by ChannelMAX.NET, are Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and Shopify. Some of ChannelMAX key offerings include ChannelMAX Amazon Repricer, 2ndly, ChannelMAX Amazon FBA Audits and FBA Refunds management, an offering for managing Amazon FBA Refunds Reimbursement management for lost or damaged or misplaced inventory for which Amazon is responsible and for which sellers deserve appropriate credit reimbursement from Amazon. ChannelMAX Services offer Remote (aka Virtual) Full-Time eCommerce Assistant to help 3P sellers run their daytoday business.
Check ChannelMAX at Amazon Selling Partner Appstore, an application with a 5 star rating.
By ChannelMAX Staff Writer
July-2025#16
Amazon UK has announced an important update to its international returns policy for Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM) orders, effective 11 August 2025. The change, communicated via Amazon UK’s Seller Central, directly impacts all sellers who ship orders internationally, especially those selling to customers in Germany and the UK from outside these countries.
New three-day response window for international returns:
Starting 11 August 2025, sellers must respond to return requests from Amazon.de (Germany) and Amazon.co.uk (UK) customers within three calendar days for orders shipped from outside Germany or the UK. Previously, sellers had four days to process returns—a policy in place since November 2024. With this change, Amazon aims to expedite the resolution of cross-border returns and enhance the customer experience on its marketplace.
If a seller does not provide any of the required return options within three calendar days, Amazon will automatically refund the customer and deduct the amount from the seller’s account. Notably, these refunds will not be eligible for SAFE-T reimbursement claims, meaning sellers will bear the full cost of the refunds.
Also Read: Amazon Stretches Maximum Box Length for FBA Shipments in the US
Return options sellers must provide:
To comply with the new rule, sellers must offer at least one of the following return options for eligible FBM orders over €25 or £20 (including VAT):
Domestic return address with prepaid label:
Provide a return address within Germany (for Amazon.de) or the UK (for Amazon.co.uk) and supply a prepaid return shipping label. Sellers can update their return address in Return Settings or use Amazon’s Returns Provider programme to obtain a local address.
Prepaid international return label:
Supply a prepaid international shipping label for returns from the customer’s country to the seller’s location outside Germany or the UK. Sellers are responsible for all return shipping costs in this case.
Full refund without return:
Offer a full refund to the customer without requiring the item to be returned. This can be automated using Amazon’s Returnless resolutions feature.
Amazon pre-paid return labels coming for cross-border returns:
From 11 August, Amazon will also roll out pre-paid return labels for cross-border FBM orders on Amazon.de. The new system uses DHL Connect and DPD for tracked, pre-paid return labels, making it easier for sellers to comply with the updated policy and for customers to return items. These Amazon-generated labels are available for returns initiated by customers within Amazon’s return policy.
Sellers can check carrier coverage and rates by visiting the Shipping costs for Fulfilled by Merchant returns page on Seller Central.
Additional information for sellers
* Sellers should review their current return processes and update return addresses or automated rules before 11 August to avoid penalties.
* The new rule applies to all FBM orders shipped to Germany or the UK from outside those countries and covers products over €25 or £20 (including VAT).
* Amazon’s Returns Provider programme and Return Settings can help sellers add local return addresses and streamline the process.
* Detailed guidelines on who pays return shipping costs are available under Return Reason Codes on Seller Central.
This policy change reflects Amazon UK’s ongoing efforts to provide a smoother shopping and returns experience for international buyers. Sellers are encouraged to update their return practices and utilize the resources available on Seller Central to ensure compliance. Failing to act within the three-day window may result in automatic customer refunds, with sellers bearing the loss. Proactive preparation is the best way to protect your business and maintain high customer satisfaction as these changes take effect on 11 August 2025.
Also Read: Amazon urges sellers to use vacation mode to safeguard account health
Disclaimer:
Amazon is the registered trademark of the e-commerce brand.
ChannelMAX offers Amazon Repricer that runs on the latest AI Repricing algorithm to do Amazon Pricing Management or Amazon Repricing. Based on Amazon SP API, the repricing engine or repricer runs 24/7 and efficiently manages Amazon prices to maximize your BuyBox with profit optimization. Established in 2005, ChannelMAX has been integrated with Amazon technology since 2007, helping thousands of third-party sellers on various eCommerce platforms. Some of the eCommerce platforms, aka marketplaces, supported by ChannelMAX.NET, are Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and Shopify. Some of ChannelMAX key offerings include ChannelMAX Amazon Repricer, 2ndly, ChannelMAX Amazon FBA Audits and FBA Refunds management, an offering for managing Amazon FBA Refunds Reimbursement management for lost or damaged or misplaced inventory for which Amazon is responsible and for which sellers deserve appropriate credit reimbursement from Amazon. ChannelMAX Services offer Remote (aka Virtual) Full-Time eCommerce Assistant to help 3P sellers run their daytoday business.
Check ChannelMAX at Amazon Selling Partner Appstore, an application with a 5 star rating.