Amazon Announces 2023 Extended Holiday Returns Policy

In preparation for the expected surge in holiday shopping, Amazon has communicated changes to its returns policy for peak season. The 2023 Extended Holiday Returns Policy is designed to accommodate the shopping habits of customers who tend to make their holiday purchases in advance.

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Under this temporary policy adjustment, items bought between November 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, benefit from an extended returns period.

Customers will have until January 31, 2024, to return purchases, providing a broader timeframe than the standard policy to account for early holiday shopping.

However, it’s important for buyers to note that there is an exception for products from the Apple brand. These items have a slightly different deadline, with returns accepted until January 15, 2024.

Amazon’s policy update encompasses various transaction types, including Amazon seller-fulfilled, Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon), and orders directly from Amazon. In effect, any third-party selling products on the Amazon marketplace will have to adhere to the temporarily adjusted returns window.

Despite the lengthening of the return window, the criteria that determine the eligibility of returns remain consistent with the company’s standard policy. This means that the conditions items must meet to qualify for a return, and the process of initiating a return request, are unchanged.

Third-party sellers are advised to budget for this extended returns window as purchases made after November 1, could be returned as late as January 31, potentially impacting cash flow.