Amazon Germany appear to be offering free returns for some products, while charging if the same item is sent as packaged returns. Box-free returns were introduced in Amazon Germany in 2022 and generally involves dropping the package into a parcel locker or at certain collection points without packaging.
It looks like Amazon are keen to incentivise box-free over packaged returns and it will certainly reduce the amount of waste at Amazon warehouse. However it’s likely many shoppers will simply reuse the outward shipping carton or bag so they themselves will have to recycle the packagin.
It’s also worth noting that in Germany in particular, ecommerce shoppers have always habitually returned products without external packaging. I’ve seen so many sellers irate when they receive a German return for something like shoes, with the shoe box taped shut and the shipping label on the box… and that means that unless they can source a replacement manufacturer’s box the item can’t be resold as new. Box-free returns with no need for a label might actually encourage shoppers to return products in saleable condition.
Box-free returns, according to Amazon Germany, simplify the process with no printer required and helps the company to reduce road traffic. However, if you don’t want to take the unwanted product to a collection point or locker, you’ll probably need a packaged return which will with costs according to Onlinehaendler News costing between €1.95 and €2.95.
It’s likely that you’ll only get the option for box-free returns for items Sold by Amazon or Fulfilled by Amazon. If the item shipped directly from an Amazon merchant then packaged returns are likely to be your only option.
