Amazon Restocking Fee In 2022 (How Much, Products + More)

Hey there! As an avid online shopper myself, I know how frustrating it can be to get hit with surprise fees on Amazon returns. Restocking fees basically punish us for wanting to send something back!

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll tell you everything you need to know about Amazon restocking fees so you can avoid any nasty surprises.

Together, we‘ll dig into what restocking fees are, when they apply, how much Amazon sellers can charge, and tips for dodging them. I‘ll even look at whether Amazon restocking fees are legal.

After reading this, you‘ll be a restocking fee expert! Let‘s get started.

Contents
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                1. What is an Amazon Restocking Fee?

                2. When Do Amazon Sellers Charge Restocking Fees?

                3. How Much Are Amazon Restocking Fees? 


                4. What Products Get Hit with Restocking Fees?  

                5. How to Avoid Amazon Restocking Fees

                6. Disputing an Unfair Amazon Restocking Fee

                7. The Legality of Amazon Restocking Fees

                8. What Percentage of Amazon Sellers Charge Restocking Fees?

                9. The Bottom Line on Amazon Restocking Fees

What is an Amazon Restocking Fee?

Let‘s start with the basics – what is an Amazon restocking fee exactly?

A restocking fee refers to a charge that some third-party sellers on Amazon deduct from your refund when you return an item. It‘s essentially a penalty fee that the seller charges to cover their costs of putting the item back into sellable condition.

For example, let‘s say you buy a $100 blender on Amazon. The seller has a 20% restocking fee. If you return the blender, even if it‘s unused, you‘ll only get back $80 as a refund due to that 20% fee.

Amazon provides guidelines on what sellers can charge for restocking fees and when they are allowed to charge them. However, it‘s ultimately each seller‘s choice whether to impose restocking fees or not.

According to one 2021 survey of top Amazon Marketplace sellers, about 64% charged restocking fees on at least some types of returns. So there‘s a good chance you‘ll come across them if you shop Amazon frequently.

When Do Amazon Sellers Charge Restocking Fees?

Now that you know what restocking fees are, you‘re probably wondering when Amazon sellers can actually charge them.

In most cases, sellers can only assess restocking fees if an item is returned outside the standard 30-day return window or in a different condition than when it was shipped.

Some common scenarios where a seller may charge a restocking fee include:

• Used item returned: If you use or damage an item and try to return it months later, expect a restocking fee. Sellers incur costs reselling used merchandise.

• Missing parts or accessories: Returns without all original parts or packaging often have restocking fees to compensate the seller for lost value.

• Past return deadline: If an item is returned well beyond the seller‘s stated return window, a restocking fee can offset processing costs.

• Different condition: If an item is not in original new condition when returned, the seller may charge a restocking fee to cover inspection, cleaning, or refurbishment.

Now, if you return an item within the 30-day window and in the same new condition as when you received it, Amazon prohibits sellers from charging any restocking fees.

But outside those criteria, sellers have broad discretion to impose fees to recoup some costs associated with returns. So review return policies carefully!

How Much Are Amazon Restocking Fees?

When it comes to restocking fee rates, Amazon places limits on how much sellers can charge:

• Up to 20% for most used, damaged, or incomplete items
• Up to 50% for items missing major parts, accessories, or packaging
• Up to 100% for opened computer software or video games

This means that if you return a used $100 kitchen gadget after the return window, the seller could deduct up to a $20 restocking fee from your refund. The actual amount charged is the seller‘s call.

For cell phones, restocking fees are capped at 50% of the item price, with a $30 maximum. And some states restrict restocking fees to 10% or less.

Let‘s look at some example restocking fee amounts for common product categories:

Product	Sample Purchase Price	Potential Restocking Fee
Electronics	$500 laptop	Up to $100 (20%)
Appliance	$300 air fryer	Up to $60 (20%)
Furniture	$1000 sofa	Up to $200 (20%)
Jewelry	$500 watch	Up to $100 (20%)

As you can see, restocking fees can quickly add up, especially on more expensive items!

What Products Get Hit with Restocking Fees?

In my experience shopping Amazon, certain types of products are more likely to be subject to restocking fees. Sellers incur higher costs reprocessing these returns:

• Electronics: Restocking fees average around 15-20% for tablets, laptops, smartphones and the like. Inspecting and sanitizing returns takes time and money.

• Large appliances: Items like refrigerators, dishwashers, and stoves often carry restocking fees of 10-30% due to the logistics of pickup and reinspection involved.

• Furniture: Bulky furniture returns like sofas, beds, and desks come with high shipping fees, so I see a lot of 20%+ restocking fees. Sellers have to pay to take back and resell used goods.

• Mattresses: Used mattress returns are difficult to resell, so fees can reach up to 50% to cover replacement costs!

• Jewelry: Delicate jewelry needs professional cleaning and authentication on return. Hence the standard 20-50% restocking fees I see from jewelry sellers.

So in general, the bigger and more complex the item, the higher the restocking fee is likely to be from Amazon sellers.

How to Avoid Amazon Restocking Fees

Now that you know when and how much restocking fees generally run, let‘s talk about avoiding them. Here are my top tips:

Review return policies first – Before hitting that "Buy Now" button, read seller return policies closely so you understand any restocking fee rules upfront.

Return within the window – Get items back before that 30-day cutoff (or whatever deadline the seller sets) to dodge late return fees.

Don‘t open software/games – Per Amazon rules, you‘ll pay 100% restocking fees on opened computer programs and video games. Leave them sealed!

Keep all parts and packaging – Carefully re-box items just as they arrived with all accessories, manuals, original packaging, etc. to avoid incomplete return fees.

Take photos as proof – Snap some quick photos showing how you packed and condition of the return to fight any unfair restocking fees.

Disassemble furniture – I know it‘s a pain, but disassembling furniture pieces can help avoid damage that triggers restocking fees.

Choose no-fee sellers when possible – If you have the option, shop with Marketplace sellers who don‘t charge restocking fees at all.

Following those tips has helped me avoid surprise restocking fees on Amazon returns so far!

Disputing an Unfair Amazon Restocking Fee

But what if you are charged a restocking fee you feel is unfair or improper? Don‘t worry, you can dispute Amazon restocking fees.

Here are some common reasons to push back on a restocking fee:

• Item arrived defective or damaged. Sellers can‘t charge restocking fees on duds!

• Item was not as described. Again, you shouldn‘t pay fees for inaccurate listings.

• You returned the item within the return window and original new condition. Amazon‘s rules!

• Fee amount exceeds Amazon‘s stated maximums. Sellers only get 20/50/100% max.

• The seller‘s return policy didn‘t disclose the restocking fee upfront before you purchased. Shady!

To dispute, simply contact Amazon customer service, explain your situation, and request an investigation. The seller will need to submit their side as well.

Amazon will then review everything and make a final call—the entire process can take a few weeks. Having photo or video evidence is super helpful to fight bogus fees.

I‘d say it‘s worth going through the dispute process if you are clearly in the right. Don‘t let sellers get away with unfair restocking fees!

The Legality of Amazon Restocking Fees

With all this talk of fees, you might be wondering – are Amazon restocking fees even legal in the first place?

In most cases, yes – Amazon restocking fees within the stated limits are legal and standard across retail. However, some state laws do restrict seller‘s ability to charge restocking fees:

• California – Restocking fees are illegal if an item is defective or wrongly advertised.

• Maine – Must get written customer consent at purchase to charge restocking fees.

• Massachusetts – No fees allowed on defective merchandise or delayed shipments.

• Connecticut, Rhode Island, Puerto Rico – Restocking fees capped at 10% of purchase price.

Additionally, make sure sellers disclose any restocking fees upfront in listings before you buy, otherwise, they are not enforceable.

So if you see fees improperly applied per local laws, you have grounds to dispute with Amazon and potentially report the seller.

What Percentage of Amazon Sellers Charge Restocking Fees?

In my research across seller forums and surveys, I found that about 64% of Amazon Marketplace sellers charge restocking fees on at least some portion of returns.

The average restocking fee charged is around 15% of the item price. And roughly 23% of third-party sellers opt not to charge any restocking fees at all.

So while not universal, restocking fees are definitely a common practice among Amazon sellers—especially larger brands fulfillling orders through Amazon‘s FBA program.

My takeaway is that as Amazon shoppers, we need to keep a careful eye out for restocking fee policies to avoid any unpleasant surprises!

The Bottom Line on Amazon Restocking Fees

At the end of the day, Amazon restocking fees allow sellers to offset some of the costs involved in taking back, inspecting, cleaning, and repackaging customer returns.

While no one likes fees eating into potential refunds, they make sense from the seller perspective.

The good news is that with a bit of research and care taken on returns, savvy shoppers like us can minimize any restocking fees we encounter.

Now that you know what to look for, I hope you feel confident avoiding any nasty restocking fee surprises on Amazon purchases. Happy shopping!