Overview

Amazon has rolled out a new “Refund at First Scan” rule that triggers a buyer’s refund the instant a carrier logs the prepaid return label, even before the product reaches the seller. The change applies automatically to every seller‑fulfilled order that uses Amazon’s prepaid label program, and sellers cannot opt out. This shift reshapes the timing of refunds, making the process faster for buyers while altering how sellers handle returned merchandise.

Key Points

• Refund timing — The moment a carrier scans the prepaid return barcode, Amazon credits the buyer’s account, cutting out the previous wait for the seller to receive and inspect the item.
• Universal enrollment — All seller‑fulfilled items returned with Amazon’s prepaid label are covered; there is no opt‑in or opt‑out mechanism.
• Abuse screening — Amazon runs a background check on each customer’s return history before issuing the scan‑triggered refund, aiming to block serial returners and fraudulent claims.
• SAFE‑T claim availability — Sellers can still pursue SAFE‑T claims to recoup the refund if the returned product arrives damaged, incomplete, or different from the original listing.
• Impact on buyer communication — Instant refunds are expected to reduce “where is my refund?” inquiries, a common source of seller‑buyer messages.
• Effect on A‑to‑Z claims — With money already returned, customers are less likely to open A‑to‑Z Guarantee disputes, potentially lowering claim volumes for sellers.

How Refund at First Scan Works

1. Carrier scans prepaid label — A buyer prints the Amazon‑provided return label, drops the package at a carrier facility, and the carrier’s barcode scanner registers the label. For example, a customer in Dallas sends back a mismatched shoe size, and the UPS scanner logs the tag at the drop‑off point.
2. Amazon processes refund automatically — Immediately after the scan, Amazon’s system credits the buyer’s payment method for the full order amount, mirroring the speed of FBA refunds. In the same Dallas scenario, the shopper sees the refund appear in their account within minutes of the scan.