Upcoming changes to the automated return authorization exemptions for seller-fulfilled orders on Amazon

Yesterday, Amazon announced that as of 31.August 2022, they will be removing exemptions for automated return authorizations. This means that, as of August 31, 2022, Amazon will automatically authorize in-policy return requests on your behalf for the following selection:

• Items classified as ‘hazardous goods’ by Amazon

• Product subcategories Professional Medical Supplies and Professional Dental Supplies

• Product categories Grocery and Wine

• Product categories Video, Video Games, Software and DVD

• Items classified as ‘hygienic’ by Amazon from product categories Baby, Beauty, Health & Personal Care, Personal Care Appliances

These are terrible news for third party Amazon Sellers, who are selling goods and services which typically cannot be returned.

Amazon customers will be able to return used tampons, toilet paper, opened DVDs, software or grocery and expect a full refund.

Here is a screenshot of the e-mail from Amazon regarding this matter:

Here is a copy of the wording in English:

Upcoming changes to the automated return authorization exemptions for seller-fulfilled orders Hello, To further ensure operational efficiency and a consistent customer experience, we will update select product exemptions for automated return authorizations. This means that, as of August 31, 2022, Amazon will automatically authorize in-policy return requests on your behalf for the following selection: • Items classified as ‘hazardous goods’ by Amazon • Product subcategories Professional Medical Supplies and Professional Dental Supplies • Product categories Grocery and Wine • Product categories Video, Video Games, Software and DVD • Items classified as ‘hygienic’ by Amazon from product categories Baby, Beauty, Health & Personal Care, Personal Care Appliances On the Manage Returns page, you can identify automatically authorized return requests via the green ‘Auto-authorized’ flag. To view your return requests, go to “Manage Returns”: https://sellercentral-europe.amazon.com/gp/returns/list/ref=xx_myr_dnav_xx or download a return report: https://sellercentral-europe.amazon.com/returns/report/ref=ag_scnvrr_dnav_xx_ In addition, you will receive an email notification when a buyer creates a return request and it is auto-authorized by Amazon. To ensure that your return notifications are activated and that your email address is up to date, go to “Notifications options”: https://sellercentral-europe.amazon.com/notifications/preferences/ref=xx_notifpref_dnav_xx Note that some products will remain exempt from automated return authorizations and that return requests of such items will continue to be sent to you for manual review and authorization. Following are the items included: • Amazon Custom (customized products) • Handmade • Fresh cut flowers & bouquets For return requests that require your authorization, make sure that you respond within 24 hours. For more information on how to manually process such return requests, go to “Process return requests”: https://sellercentral-europe.amazon.com/help/hub/reference/201725690. Note that this change is an automation of our existing Return policy and that the policy itself remains unchanged.  For more information on the existing Return policy, go to “About Our Returns Policies”: https://sellercentral-europe.amazon.com/help/hub/reference/G201725710. The Amazon Services team

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