Overview

Amazon enforces specific cancellation, return, and refund requirements for sellers offering subscription-based products through its platform. These guidelines establish minimum refund windows, define how cancellations must be processed, and outline seller obligations when chargebacks or disputes arise. Understanding these rules is essential for any seller operating a subscription model on Amazon.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• Mandatory refund windows apply — Sellers must offer full refunds within defined timeframes that vary based on subscription length. Short-term subscriptions (2–5 months) require a 7-day refund window from payment, while longer subscriptions (6+ months) require 7 days from initial payment and 30 days upon renewal.
• Defective or misrepresented products get full refunds anytime — Regardless of subscription length, customers are entitled to a full refund at any point if the product is defective or materially different from what was advertised in the listing.
• Material changes trigger refund rights — If you make significant changes to your product, its availability, or your terms of service, customers can request a full refund at any time during their subscription.
• Cancellations must go through Amazon — Customers must use Amazon's subscription manager to cancel. Sellers cannot process cancellations directly and must redirect customers to Amazon's cancellation tools.
• Pro rata refunds are not supported — Amazon's current system does not offer the ability to provide partial or prorated refunds for unused subscription periods.

How the Refund Process Works

Amazon manages the refund process on behalf of sellers. When a customer contacts Amazon seeking a refund, Amazon may issue one as part of its standard business practices. For each refund issued, the seller grants Amazon a credit equal to their portion of the sale price for the applicable product. If a customer contacts the seller directly, the seller must refer them back to Amazon. Sellers authorize Amazon to determine refund amounts, including applicable taxes and charges. All refund payments to customers are routed through Amazon or its designated payment processor, and refunds may be issued in the same payment form the customer originally used for the purchase. Amazon may deduct refunded amounts from the seller's pending payouts or seek reimbursement separately.