$309.5M Amazon return policy class action settlement

Amazon agreed to a $309.5 million class action settlement to resolve claims that it failed to properly refund consumers nationwide for products returned after being purchased through Amazon.com.

The Amazon settlement benefits consumers who initiated a return to Amazon or requested a refund for a physical product purchased and, according to Amazon’s records, received in the United States after being sold through Amazon.com between Sept. 5, 2017, and Feb. 12, 2026, and who either did not receive a refund, received an untimely or incorrect refund or received a refund but were later incorrectly charged by Amazon for the returned product.

Subclass A includes persons whose transactions Amazon identified as involving potentially unpaid refunds, including refunds that were not completed due to a payment processing issue and refunds that were not completed where Amazon did not have sufficient confirmation that the correct item(s) were returned. Subclass B includes all persons who had transactions at issue in the settlement class other than the transactions included in Subclass A.

According to plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit, certain of Amazon’s return policies and practices violate Washington’s consumer protection and other laws.

Amazon, a Seattle-based e-commerce company, has not admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay a $309.5 million class action settlement to resolve the Amazon return policy class action lawsuit.

Under the terms of the Amazon settlement, the settlement fund will be divided between the two subclasses after deductions for administrative expenses, attorneys’ fees, costs and service awards.

Subclass A members will share 92.7% of the net settlement fund and will receive payments automatically without submitting a claim form. These payments will include the unpaid transaction amounts plus an amount proportional to any potential prejudgment interest.

Subclass B members who submit a valid claim form will share 7.3% of the net settlement fund. Claimants must show that it is more likely than not that they are Subclass B members entitled to a payment. Payments will be proportional to the unpaid transaction amounts and potential prejudgment interest.

Class members who belong to both subclasses can receive payments from both funds, which may be combined into a single payment.

Separately, Amazon agreed to make reasonable efforts to complete payment of certain potentially unpaid refunds it identified after the lawsuit was filed. These refunds will be paid outside of the settlement fund.

Amazon also agreed to implement changes to its return and refund practices, including monitoring return processing times, reprocessing refunds that remain incomplete after 30 days because of payment processing issues, notifying customers when refunds are approved or denied and refunding certain returns that have not completed the grading process within 90 days. These measures will remain in place for 12 to 24 months.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Dec. 1, 2026.

The final approval hearing for the Amazon settlement is scheduled for March 16, 2027.

To receive settlement benefits, Subclass B members must submit a valid claim form by Dec. 1, 2026.

Who’s Eligible

The Amazon class action settlement benefits consumers who initiated a return to Amazon or requested a refund for a physical product purchased and (based on Amazon’s records) received in the United States after being sold through Amazon.com from Sept. 5, 2017, to Feb. 12, 2026, and who incorrectly did not receive a refund from Amazon or received an untimely or incorrect refund from Amazon and/or did receive a refund but were later incorrectly charged by Amazon for the product(s) that were the subject of the return.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

None required for Subclass A. Subclass B should provide supporting documentation.

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

12/01/2026

Case Name

In re: Amazon Return Policy Litigation, Case No. 2:23-cv-01372-JNW, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Final Hearing

03/16/2027

Settlement Website

ReturnSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Amazon Return Policy Litigation
c/o Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 10
East Brunswick, NJ 08816-9998
[email protected]
888-553-4246

Class Counsel

Aaron Zigler
ZIGLER LAW GROUP LLC

Andrew Schapiro
QUINN EMANUEL URQUHART & SULLIVAN, LLP

Defense Counsel

Moez Kaba
HUESTON HENNIGAN LLP