For several years, German Amazon customers have been able to return products without packaging. No shipping box or parcel label is required, making it easy for buyers. Now, the market leader is further incentivizing box-free returns: customers who use a box must pay a fee.
Amazon introduced the box-free return option in Germany – Europe’s largest market for the American e-commerce giant – in 2022. Customers can drop off parcels without a box or label at DHL and UPS collection points or in DHL’s parcel lockers, free of charge.
Return fees for packaged items
However, Amazon has now begun charging a fee for packaged returns, as noted by Onlinehändler-News. The cost depends on the selected return option, ranging from 1.95 euros (drop-offs) to 2.95 euros (pickup by Hermes). The fees also vary depending on the merchant; in some cases, box-free returns are only free at UPS.
Amazon explains the measure in the return section of its German website. Under the question “How would you like to return your items?”, the company states: “Simplify your return process and help us reduce road traffic. With the ‘no packaging or printer required’ return option, you don’t need to pack items separately or print a label.” Amazon can therefore transport return packages more efficiently.
‘Help us reduce road traffic’
Amazon tested paid packaged returns in 2023 but withdrew the measure after massive criticism from German customers. Once again, there has been no official announcement this time. However, attitudes toward free shipping and returns have shifted, and German e-commerce companies, like Zalando, have become less generous with their return policies.
Return policy changes for merchants
Amazon is the ecommerce market leader in Germany. Last year, it outperformed the market again, growing revenue by 8.7 percent to reach 39.6 billion euros. Recently, Amazon revised its procedures for evaluating returns in the country, giving merchants more flexibility in handling them. Sellers can now disable Amazon’s automatic return verification. These changes are particularly relevant for merchants with high return rates and those dissatisfied with Amazon’s ranking system.
