Managing the buyer experience just got a meaningful update.

Starting January 26, 2026, Amazon is enhancing the Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM) refund process giving sellers more time and control when handling returns.

Previously, refunds had to be processed within two business days. Under the new update, sellers will now have four calendar days before automated refunds are triggered. This extended window offers valuable breathing room to properly receive, inspect, and assess returned items helping ensure fair and accurate refund decisions.

If a refund isn’t processed within the four-day window, Amazon may issue an automatic refund. In such cases, SAFE-T claim reimbursement generally won’t apply—except in specific situations, such as lost returns or incorrect delivery confirmation where the item was never received. When that happens, sellers can still file a SAFE-T claim since the product couldn’t be evaluated.

To make the most of this update, Amazon recommends using the Guided Refund Workflow (GRW). It allows sellers to:

• Inspect and grade returned items

• Apply restocking fees when appropriate

• Upload supporting evidence if an item is returned in a different condition

This change is a step toward better return management, stronger documentation, and a more balanced buyer–seller experience.

📍 To explore this feature, head to Issue a partial refund in Seller Central.