Overview

Your guide to managing returns and refunds on Amazon US.

Amazon has clear policies for returns, refunds, and customer communication to ensure a consistent, trusted shopping experience.

This guide breaks down how returns work for both FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) and FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant), what sellers are responsible for, and how to stay compliant, especially when publishing listings through Streamoid.

Key Returns & Refund Policies

Follow these essential Amazon US return guidelines to stay compliant:

1. Return Windows

• Most items: 30-day return window

• Holiday season: extended return timelines

• Certain categories (electronics, luxury, etc.) may have category-specific rules

2. Who Handles the Return?

FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon)

• Amazon handles customer service, returns, refunds, and logistics

• Refunds are issued automatically

• Returned inventory goes through Amazon’s processing centers

FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant)

• You handle customer service and return processing

• You must provide a return address in the US

• You must abide by Amazon’s refund timeline

3. Refund Requirements

Amazon expects:

• Refunds issued within 2 business days of receiving the returned item

• Full refund for unopened or unused products

• Partial refunds allowed for damaged or used returns (guidelines vary by category)

4. Return Shipping Rules

• For FBA, Amazon provides return labels

• For FBM, you must provide prepaid shipping for:

  • Defective products

  • Incorrect items received

  • Damaged goods

• Return shipping may be charged to the customer for “changed mind” or “no longer needed” cases

5. Product Condition Requirements

Returned products must be evaluated before refund approval:

• New items → must be unused and include all accessories

• Used or refurbished items → must match the listed condition

• Category-specific rules apply for beauty, health, intimate apparel, toys, electronics, and perishables

6. Returnless Refund Option

Amazon allows sellers to issue refunds without requiring the customer to return the product if:

• Return costs exceed item value

• Item is damaged

• Item cannot be resold

This option helps reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction.

7. A-to-Z Guarantee Claims

Amazon may step in if:

• Customer doesn’t receive the product

• Customer receives an incorrect or damaged product

• Seller doesn’t respond

• Refund isn’t issued in time

Too many A-to-Z claims may impact account health.

How It Works (Inside Streamoid)

Streamoid helps prevent returns by improving listing accuracy:

1. AI-enhanced titles and descriptions reduce misunderstandings

2. Accurate attribute mapping ensures correct specifications

3. Image QA lowers return rates due to “product not as described” issues

4. Variation validation prevents wrong size or color shipments

5. Error detection helps avoid faulty or misleading listings

6. Monitoring tools highlight listings that frequently trigger returns

Comparison Table