Amazon to Extend FBM Refund Processing Window in 2026

Amazon recently announced an update to its Amazon FBM refund policy, introducing new timing rules for how merchant-fulfilled (Fulfilled by Merchant, FBM) sellers process return refunds. The change will take effect on January 26, 2026.

Amazon said the adjustment is intended to improve the returns management experience and give sellers additional time to inspect returned items.

Under the new policy, the refund processing deadline for FBM orders will be extended from “2 business days after receiving the return” to “4 calendar days.” In most cases, sellers will have more time after a return is delivered to confirm the item’s condition and decide whether to issue a refund.

However, if a seller does not complete the refund within 4 calendar days after receiving the return, Amazon may automatically issue a refund to the buyer. In these situations, sellers generally will not be able to recover the funds through a SAFE-T claim (Safe-T reimbursement mechanism), except in limited circumstances. Examples include cases where the returned item is lost in transit, or when the carrier tracking or delivery information shows an error not attributable to the seller. In such cases—because the seller did not actually receive the return—submitting a SAFE-T claim may still be allowed.

Amazon also recommends that sellers use the Guided Refund Workflow to handle returns. This process allows sellers to assess the condition of returned items, apply appropriate restocking fees based on the actual situation, and upload supporting documentation when the returned item’s condition differs from when it was originally shipped.

Regarding concerns about whether “Refund at First Scan (RFS)” will be discontinued, Amazon staff clarified in the seller forum that RFS will not be canceled. When Amazon provides a prepaid return label to the buyer, RFS will continue to operate as it does today.

Amazon further explained that this policy update applies only to returns where the buyer does not use an Amazon prepaid return label and where RFS is not triggered. For those orders, sellers will have 4 calendar days to process the refund after the return is actually received; under the current rules, the deadline is 2 business days.

In addition, Amazon noted that the SAFE-T help pages are being updated to include scenarios where returns are lost during transit, and the company invited sellers to share case IDs involving recent return-loss situations where reimbursement was not successfully granted.

What This Means for Sellers—and How Forest Shipping Can Help

For FBM sellers, this update makes the timing of reverse logistics and inventory checks even more important. If you ship inventory from China to Amazon and want a smoother fulfillment plan that reduces operational surprises, Forest Shipping can support you as an international freight forwarder—helping Amazon sellers ship goods from China to Amazon warehouses with reliable transport options and shipment coordination, so you can stay focused on store operations while your inbound logistics remain predictable under evolving platform rules.