Amazon introduces new policy for self-shipping sellers

Today, Amazon issued an announcement stating that it will change the prepaid return label exemption process for seller-fulfilled (FBM) products.

Starting September 2, 2021, if you sell on the US site, returns for the following product categories will automatically be exempt from prepaid returns and an authorization notice will be sent to the seller:

1.Hand -made customized products

2. Amazon Customized Products

3. Sexual health products

4. Certified pre-owned watches

5. Commercial, Industrial and Scientific Supplies > Professional Medical Supplies

6. Commercial, Industrial and Scientific Supplies > Professional Dental Supplies

7. Non-physical items (e.g. warranties, digital software or digital coupons)

8. Items that cannot be returned according to law and dangerous goods

9. Large and bulky products

Amazon emphasized that through this update to the self-delivery policy, the application exemption process for prepaid return labels has been simplified, and sellers will no longer be able to apply for exemptions for the following reason codes:

1. Products that do not meet USPS or UPS shipping standards (such as dangerous goods)

2. Shipping bulky items that weigh more than 70 pounds or have a combined length and girth of more than 108 inches

In addition, for some high-value items that require special transportation (goods valued at more than $100, requiring special transportation insurance), sellers can still apply for exemptions.

Amazon issued a new announcement with the aim of standardizing the return process for sellers who ship their own goods and reducing their workload. However, judging by sellers’ feedback on the new policy, the results were not ideal.

Seller A: Just a reminder that Amazon is surprisingly consistent in their definition of the word “simplify.” Does anyone really believe this change is intended to simplify things for sellers?

Seller B: If Amazon really wanted to “simplify” this policy for sellers, they would add products priced above $100 as a 10th to their current list of 9 tax-exempt categories and stop requiring millions of sellers to upload exemption requests for any product.

Seller C: This seems to favor direct sellers who mark up the prices of their products. They buy at wholesale or cost from sellers who have to accept a prepaid return process.

Sellers are dissatisfied with the new policy because they believe that Amazon does not understand the actual market situation and the difficulties sellers encounter in selling goods, but only favors consumers and even exploits sellers to give back to consumers. As an e-commerce platform company, Amazon is understandable to consider consumers, but it should also respect the rights of sellers. After all, sellers are one of the cornerstones of e-commerce.

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