Overview

Amazon has deployed a new FBA Partial Refunds program designed to give sellers a financial alternative to the traditional return process. Available in the US and key European markets, this tool allows sellers to offer customers a percentage-based refund—ranging from 10% to 40%—to encourage them to keep a product rather than shipping it back. Sellers should prioritize this system in 2026 to mitigate the rising costs of reverse logistics, warehouse processing fees, and the loss of inventory value.

Key Points

• Geographic Availability — The program is currently operational for sellers listing products in the United States, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
• Flexible Refund Ranges — Sellers have the authority to set a specific refund amount for their products, provided it falls between the minimum threshold of 10% and the maximum of 40% of the order total.
• Logistics Cost Reduction — Utilizing this feature eliminates the need for return shipping labels, warehouse receiving fees, and the labor costs associated with grading returned inventory.
• Seller-Controlled Logic — Unlike the "Returnless Resolution" system where Amazon unilaterally issues full refunds for cheap items, this program allows sellers to dictate exactly which ASINs qualify and the specific refund percentage offered.
• High-Risk Category Relief — The tool is especially valuable for apparel and footwear sellers, who typically face return rates between 15% and 25% and are heavily impacted by 2026's increased processing fees.
• Management Versatility — Sellers can configure these settings through three different methods: applying global rules, managing individual ASINs, or using bulk CSV uploads via the FBA settings menu.

How the Partial Refund System Works

The Partial Refund program shifts the resolution of a customer dissatisfaction issue from a physical logistics problem to a digital financial transaction. Instead of moving a box across the country, the seller settles the dispute with a credit.

1. ASIN Selection — The seller identifies which products are suitable for the program based on value and return history. For example, a seller may enable the feature for a $25 ergonomic mouse but disable it for a $200 professional camera lens to ensure high-value assets are recovered.