Amazon has loosened its inbound rules for sellers shipping FBA stock from overseas during peak season, after widespread ocean transit delays, port congestion and customs holds. The change is applied automatically to international shipment plans created between 1 August and 30 November 2026, and fees already charged on qualifying shipments are being refunded.
The enrollment window for the FBA New Selection Program has been pushed back, giving US Professional sellers launching new branded products more time to sign up and claim the fee credits. The benefits themselves are unchanged — only the deadline moved.
FBA sellers in five European stores can now settle eligible returns by refunding the customer and letting them keep the item, so low-value products never travel back to a fulfilment centre. Enrolment is optional and you control which items qualify by setting a price ceiling.
US sellers who missed the original 20 October deal sourcing cut-off get roughly three more weeks. The extension covers deal submission only — Amazon did not move the inventory cutoffs, so stock still has to be in a fulfillment center in time for the event.
Amazon has told US sellers to review how their goods enter the country. A rule covering foreign importers of record, stemming from Executive Order 14411 on customs enforcement, is under government review and could move quickly once finalised. Nothing changes today — but brands importing through an overseas entity should look now.
From 18 December 2026, every US return on a seller-fulfilled order needs a prepaid return label, and you have seven calendar days from the return request to provide one or refund in full. Return postage effectively moves from the customer to the seller.
Amazon has confirmed that its extended year-end return window is no longer a one-off seasonal gesture — it will repeat every year on Amazon.com. Sellers cannot opt out, and it applies whether you fulfil through FBA or ship yourself.
A new Customized grading setting lets US FBA sellers tell Amazon what "sellable as new" means for their specific products. Amazon uses your rules as guidance when deciding whether a returned unit goes back on sale — worth configuring before the post-holiday return wave.
From 30 October 2026, Amazon judges Seller Fulfilled Prime eligibility in the UK store per product tier rather than across your whole account. Sellers running SFP on large or bulky items are most affected — a weak tier no longer hides behind a strong account average.
A new ad format asks recent buyers to rate or review your product while they browse Amazon. It targets the single biggest barrier for new listings — a thin review count against established competitors. Open beta in the US from late October 2026.
Amazon is expanding its commercial liability insurance requirement beyond the sales-based trigger. From 2 November 2026, US sellers listing in categories with enhanced safety listing requirements must carry at least USD 1 million in coverage regardless of how much they sell.
Amazon is tightening the listing requirements for Pan-European FBA. A live Netherlands offer is now mandatory for every enrolled product, and Belgium follows in early 2027. These sit on top of the existing Germany, France, Italy and Spain listing rules.
Sponsored Products campaigns can now appear within Amazon Influencer Program creator content — reviews, editorial posts and buying guides. Existing campaigns were enrolled by default at their current bids and budgets, so most advertisers are already serving there whether they planned to or not.
Summaries are written from Amazon's own Seller Central and Amazon Ads announcements and are provided for general guidance. Amazon revises policies, dates and fees regularly and terms differ by marketplace — always confirm the current rule in Seller Central for your store before acting on it.
