Published: January 15, 2026
Updated: Amazon Seller Central Policy Changes
Amazon has quietly implemented two major policy changes that will impact FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant) sellers regarding reimbursements and refund processing. If you are reading this after February 16, 2026, you may have already lost money due to these tightened windows.
The February 16 Cutoff: Why Time is Running Out
Effective February 16, 2026, Amazon is reducing the SAFE-T filing window significantly.
- Window Reduction: The filing window is dropping from 60 days to just 30 days.
- The Clock Starts: The 30-day countdown begins from the Return Delivery Scan or the Refund Date, whichever is later.
- No Grace Period: Missing the deadline by even one day results in a permanent loss of the claim.
Immediate Action Required:
Before February 16, you must audit ALL returns from the past 60 days. Any returns involving fraud, damaged goods, or policy violations must be filed under the old 60-day window before the new policy takes effect.
The “Calendar Day” Trap: Why Weekends are Now Workdays
The second major change involves how refund processing time is calculated. As of January 26, 2026, Amazon changed FBM refund processing from “Business Days” to “Calendar Days”.
- Old System: Before January 26, 2026, returns arriving on Friday could be processed by the following Tuesday (4 business days).
- New Reality: After January 26, 2026, returns arriving on Friday must still be processed by Tuesday (4 calendar days), meaning weekends now count as active processing time.
- The Risk: Missing this 96-hour window triggers an auto-refund and typically makes the transaction ineligible for a SAFE-T claim.
The Guided Refund Workflow (GRW): Your First Line of Defense
To survive the new 4-day calendar window, sellers should implement a systematic daily monitoring protocol.
- Morning Checklist (7:00 AM – 8:00 AM): Check “Manage Returns” in Seller Central and filter for “Returned to Seller” from the last 3 days.
- Immediate Inspection Priority: Focus on high-value items ($100+), electronics, fragile goods, or items from buyers with prior return history.
- Weekend Contingency: Friday arrivals now require inspection by Saturday or Sunday. Set phone alerts for Saturday morning reviews.
48-Hour Decision Matrix
| Condition | Action | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Item matches description, no damage | Process refund | Within 72 hours |
| Wrong item received | Document + File SAFE-T | Within 24 hours |
| Damaged/used item | Photograph + File SAFE-T | Within 24 hours |
| Missing components | Inventory check + File SAFE-T | Within 48 hours |
The 2026 Evidence Protocol: Winning Denied Claims
Amazon’s AI has become more sophisticated, automatically flagging claims with insufficient evidence.
- Weight Deviation Analysis: The system flags discrepancies greater than 5% for electronics and 10% for soft goods.
- Return Pattern Recognition: Amazon tracks buyer return frequency and cross-references timing with competitor pricing to identify serial returners.
Enhanced Evidence Requirements
To win claims in 2026, you should provide tiered evidence:
- Tier 1 (Required): High-resolution photos (minimum 4 angles), original shipment photos, and a detailed written description.
- Tier 2 (Strongly Recommended): Weight comparison documentation and serial number verification.
- Tier 3 (Advanced): Carrier delivery confirmation and original purchase receipts.
FAQ: Real Case Scenarios
Q: I received a return on Saturday. When is my deadline?
A: Your 4-day calendar window ends Wednesday at 11:59 PM. Weekend processing is now required.
Q: Can I still file SAFE-T claims for returns from December 2025?
A: Only if you file before February 16, 2026. After that, all claims must be filed within 30 days of delivery or refund.
Q: What if I processed the refund but later discovered fraud?
A: You have 30 days from the refund date (not return date) to file a SAFE-T claim.
Q: Is there any way to extend the 4-day processing window?
A: No. The policy is automated. Even one minute past the deadline triggers an auto-refund and typically voids eligibility.
Legal Disclaimer: This analysis is based on publicly available Amazon policy documents as of January 2026. Policies may change without notice. Always verify current requirements in Seller Central.
Sources:
- Amazon Seller Central SAFE-T Claims Policy (Updated January 2026)
- Amazon FBM Refund Processing Window Policy (January 2026)
- A Seller Sells Blog