🇺🇸 USReturnsHigh ImpactFebruary 8, 2026
Prepaid Return Labels Now Mandatory for All US Sellers
Effective: February 8, 2026
All US FBA and FBM sellers processing returns
All US marketplace sellers must now use Amazon's Prepaid Return Label (APRL) program. The previous exemption for high-value items has been eliminated. Refund cycle times shortened from 14 days to 7 days, and buyer-seller messaging during returns is removed.
Real-World Impact
If your return rate is 5% on a $30 product, return shipping costs you ~$6/label. At 200 returns/month, that's $1,200/month in prepaid labels — factor this into your margin calculation.
Key Points
- All sellers must use Amazon's Prepaid Return Label (APRL) program
- Previous exemption for high-value items has been removed
- Refund cycle times shortened from 14 days to 7 days
- Buyer-seller messaging during returns is removed
- Sellers can file SAFE-T claims for reimbursement if refund was not their fault
What You Should Do Now
- 1Go to Seller Central → Settings → Return Settings and verify your APRL enrollment is active
- 2Update your profit calculations to include prepaid return label costs (typically $4–$8 per return)
- 3Set up a weekly process to file SAFE-T claims within 30 days for returns that aren't your fault
Official Source
Amazon Seller Central →This summary is written in our own words based on the official source linked above. Policies may be updated after publication. Always check the official Amazon source for the latest details.