Overview

Amazon’s UK marketplace has opened its seasonal return window for purchases made during the 2025 holiday period, extending the deadline to January 31 2026. The policy also adds a “whichever is later” rule that can push some return cut‑offs into February, meaning sellers must adjust inventory, staffing and cash‑flow plans for an unusually long post‑holiday return phase.

Key Points

• Extended deadline — Orders placed between 1 Nov and 25 Dec 2025 can be returned until 31 Jan 2026, or 30 days after delivery, whichever is later.
• All fulfillment models covered — The extension applies to Fulfilled‑by‑Amazon (FBA), Fulfilled‑by‑Merchant (FBM) and Seller‑Fulfilled Prime shipments.
• Automatic enrollment — No opt‑in is required; every UK‑based seller is subject to the new window.
• Late deliveries get extra time — Items that arrive in early January retain a full 30‑day** return period, potentially moving the final return date to mid‑February.
• Storage‑fee implications — Returned units that remain in Amazon’s fulfillment centers after the 15 Feb 2026 inventory snapshot will be counted toward long‑term storage fee calculations.
• Higher return rates expected — Historical data shows clothing, electronics and toys can see 15‑30 % of holiday sales returned, amplifying the impact of the longer window.

How the Holiday Return Extension Works

1. Identify qualifying purchases — Any order confirmed between 1 Nov and 25 Dec 2025 automatically qualifies. For example, a toy bought on 10 Dec 2025 will be eligible for return until at least 31 Jan 2026.
2. Apply the “whichever is later” rule — If the same toy is delivered on 5 Jan 2026, the buyer receives a full 30‑day** window, moving the final return date to 4 Feb 2026.
3. Pause the standard 30‑day clock — Under normal circumstances the return period starts on delivery. During the holiday window Amazon suspends that start date, so the clock effectively begins on the later of 31 Jan 2026 or the 30‑day post‑delivery date.