Ozon to Raise Commissions & Adjust Return Rules Starting November

Russia's e-commerce landscape continues to evolve as Ozon announces a mid-November rollout of an automated warehouse return pickup function and an Ozon commission increase across major categories. The platform's changes, aligned with guidance from the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS), are paired with broader Russia e-commerce returns reforms and parallel Wildberries policy changes aimed at addressing long-standing seller concerns.

Automated Return Pickup and Streamlined Processes

In mid-November 2025, Ozon will introduce an “automatic pickup” feature for warehouse returns. Sellers will be able to configure one-time settings to extract all returned items without tracking each unit individually and select appropriate pickup points.

Adjustments in Line with FAS Guidance

Ozon stated that the new rules—including those affecting sellers using Ozon’s own warehouses—have been updated in accordance with the FAS's recommendations.

Faster Extraction of Warehouse Returns and Category Exclusions

Ozon emphasized that the extraction speed for warehouse returns has been accelerated. Sellers can now submit pickup requests immediately rather than waiting 30 days. Based on seller feedback, customized items, jewelry, pharmaceuticals, and large items are excluded from the new return path.

FAS Monitoring and Marketplace Remediation

Earlier, the FAS reported that both Ozon and Wildberries had revoked several policies that triggered significant complaints from small and medium-sized enterprises, and both platforms submitted rectification updates within the required timelines.

Wildberries Removes “Inventory Index,” Preps Reallocation Option

Effective November 1, 2025, Wildberries canceled its “inventory index” mechanism. Sellers will no longer be compelled to pay elevated storage fees or face automatic discounts due to low index scores. Wildberries also adjusted the “rate constructor” so sellers can purchase services à la carte, and it is preparing an “inventory reallocation” option for Q1 2026.

Ozon Restores FBS Return Path and Tackles Operational Pain Points

Ozon has reinstated the prior FBS return model, eliminating the automatic transfer of buyer-returned (non-defective) goods into platform warehouses. This restores seller control over inventory disposition. The company also addressed difficulties in booking warehouse pickup slots and uncertainties around storage fees by introducing automated return pickup to simplify the end-to-end process. Ozon added that it has taken steps to reduce unjustified seller account suspensions and confirmed that all adjustments comply with regulatory requirements.

Commission Rate Increase from November 10, 2025

Starting November 10, 2025, Ozon will increase sales commissions for major categories. For FBO, FBS, and realFBS sellers, rates will rise by approximately 5% versus October 27 of the prior year, bringing the overall commission level to about 30%. Low-priced items are exempt: products priced up to RUB 300 will not be affected—items at or below RUB 100 remain at 14%, and those from RUB 100.01 to RUB 300 remain at 20%.

Seasonal Storage Fee Holidays and New Tariffs

From November 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026, FBO sellers will not pay storage fees for winter-climate goods, covering both standard and oversized items. Starting November 10, standard and hazardous-goods storage will be set at RUB 2.5 per liter per day (RUB 0.35 per liter in Kazakhstan warehouses) and RUB 0.6 per liter per day, respectively.

Holiday Promotion Insights: Consumer Behavior in November 2025

For November's major promotions, Ozon released survey results indicating that 8 out of 10 Russian consumers plan to shop during Singles' Day (11.11) and Black Friday. The most promotion-responsive cohort is age 26–35, while ages 18–25 display more “strategic” behavior—budgeting, wish-listing, and tracking promotional prices in advance. Nearly all consumers recognize Black Friday, yet only 59% of women and 38% of men are familiar with Singles' Day (11.11).

Domestic Preference and Small-Town Spending Patterns

Seventy percent of respondents indicate they pay attention to whether goods are of Russian origin—especially users over 56 (75%) and those in towns under 50,000 residents (73%). Small-town consumers are less impulsive and more discount-sober, though their ultimate purchase intent (31%) closely matches the national average (30%). The key difference is a heavier weighting toward essential items. Overall, younger buyers and small-town users show two distinct trends: “strategic shopping” and “rational consumption.”

Record Marketing Budget to Support November Sales

To back November promotions, Ozon has allocated a record RUB 4 billion marketing budget—RUB 1 billion more than the previous year—targeting over 110 million Russian consumers.

In-Depth Summary and Logistics Perspective

Ozon’s 2025 changes combine operational fixes with monetization recalibration. The automated pickup for warehouse returns and restoration of the FBS return path address friction points that previously trapped seller inventory and generated additional handling costs. Coordinated with the FAS’s oversight, these reforms should reduce administrative uncertainty for merchants while clarifying exceptions for sensitive categories (customized goods, jewelry, pharmaceuticals, and bulky items). At the same time, the Ozon commission increase—bringing many categories near the 30% level—narrows margins and makes cost discipline critical, particularly for non-essential SKUs. Wildberries’ elimination of the inventory index and service unbundling signals a broader shift toward seller-centric models, suggesting that competitive pressure within Russian marketplaces will increasingly hinge on transparent fees, predictable Russia e-commerce returns processes, and modular logistics services. For cross-border sellers—especially those exporting from China—the ability to pre-position winter-season inventory (with fee holidays) while modeling the new fee stack will be central to Q4–Q1 profitability.

If you ship from China into Russia (including FBO/FBS flows to Ozon or Wildberries), Forest Shipping can help. As an international freight forwarder, we manage end-to-end movements from pickup in China to final warehouse delivery in Russia—covering route design, DDP/DDU options, customs clearance, consolidation, and oversized cargo handling. Our local know-how helps you navigate evolving marketplace rules, Wildberries policy changes, and seasonal storage programs so your margins stay on track.