Changes to Prepaid Returns Label program for seller-fulfilled orders
Starting July 1, 2021, Individual sellers will be enrolled in Amazon’s Prepaid Returns Label program as part of our Selling on Amazon policy. With this change, US seller-fulfilled returns that meet Amazon’s return policy criteria will be automatically authorized, and we’ll provide customers with prepaid return shipping labels on your behalf through Buy Shipping Services. We’ll only send you return requests that don’t meet Amazon’s return policy criteria or are exempt from prepaid returns.
In addition, we’re making changes to our Prepaid Returns Label exemption process. Effective August 31, 2021, if you fulfill customer orders in the US, returns for the following product categories are automatically exempt from prepaid returns and will be sent to you for authorization:
- Handmade
- Amazon Custom
- Sexual wellness
- Certified Preowned Watches
- Business, Industrial & Scientific Supplies > Professional Medical Supplies
- Business, Industrial & Scientific Supplies > Professional Dental Supplies
- Non-physical items (for example, warranties, digital software, or digital coupons)
- Items that are non-returnable by law and dangerous goods
- Heavy and bulky items
With the above changes, the request exemption process from Prepaid Returns Label has been simplified, and you’ll no longer be able to request exemptions for the following reason codes:
- REQUIRES_SPECIAL_SHIPPING: If the item can’t be shipped with a standard USPS/UPS shipping label (e.g. dangerous goods)
- TOO_LARGE_HEAVY: Heavy and bulky items where the shipping weight of the item exceeds 70 lbs or the combined length and girth exceeds 108 inches
- OTHER
However, you may continue to request exemptions for SKUs in the following category:
- HIGH_PRICE_GREATER_USD_100: High-valued items (higher than USD 100) that need special shipping (for example, items that require special shipping insurance)
For more information, visit Prepaid returns for seller-fulfilled orders.
To offer returnless resolution for specific SKUs, visit Returnless resolutions (refunds/replacements).
To configure multiple return addresses for specific SKUs, visit Multiple return addresses.
126 replies
Seller_wnc1pjYEF5ZqF
Many of my items are “high valued items” well over $100 USD that require special shipping insurance and signature. Are all of those SKUs now exempt? How and where do I request these exemptions?
Seller_rW9unxJaOHQYY
I am confused. In the first section it says that Heavy and bulky items are automatically exempt.
if you fulfill customer orders in the US, returns for the following product categories are automatically exempt from prepaid returns and will be sent to you for authorization:
- Handmade
- Amazon Custom
- Sexual wellness
- Certified Preowned Watches
- Business, Industrial & Scientific Supplies > Professional Medical Supplies
- Business, Industrial & Scientific Supplies > Professional Dental Supplies
- Non-physical items (for example, warranties, digital software, or digital coupons)
- Items that are non-returnable by law and dangerous goods
- Heavy and bulky items
However, in the second section, it says that TOO_LARGE_HEAVY is not able to request an exemption
you’ll no longer be able to request exemptions for the following reason codes:
- REQUIRES_SPECIAL_SHIPPING: If the item can’t be shipped with a standard USPS/UPS shipping label (e.g. dangerous goods)
- TOO_LARGE_HEAVY: Heavy and bulky items where the shipping weight of the item exceeds 70 lbs or the combined length and girth exceeds 108 inches
So which one is it. Am I not understanding something correctly?
Seller_Qbd0RsfZFEZBY
Nothing new for me here. Already have been doing this as customers have been expecting this kind of service for some time. It is in line with other retail business models and a normal part of Ecom.
As a business owner I understand this is a cost of doing business and build all of my costs into my pricing to maintain profitability. I don’t understand all the animosity. Why all of the impulsive overly emotional responses. This has nothing to do with you personally or your profitability.
Gather your data, make good business decisions, make adjustments when necessary, profit. No need for the childish remarks regarding a policy that is fairly standard. Change is the only constant.
Seller_fENIoc9Rp4Xpq
Let me get this straight…The seller is now paying for all returns and being charged by Amazon for the return label???
Seller_fENIoc9Rp4Xpq
If that’s the case, seller pays all returns no matter the reason, guess all item/listed merchandise prices go up for all third party sellers.
Seller_1XRSgCuIlppbp
I think the main thing they left off this list is “Buyer faulted return” (eg: no longer needed, accidentially ordered wrong size, color, part, etc). Those items should require that the buyer pays for AT LEAST the return shipping label. Or that the prepaid shipping label will be deducted from their refund. Most buyers (especially in the past) actually expect this. I guess this is what the safe-t claim is supposed to cover, but from what I’ve been reading - it does not.
Seller_xeDdQgRH5VZwO
Amazon continues to ignore the major issues with the prepaid return label program. Typical.
