Stay Ahead with the October Amazon News & Insights
At AMZScout, we create tools that help sellers find the right products, grow their revenue, and streamline time-consuming tasks, so you can focus on what matters most. To make things even easier, we’ve put together this monthly roundup that highlights the latest Amazon news, updates, and developments. From policy changes and FBA fee adjustments to logistics updates, advertising improvements, and new seller tools, this guide keeps you informed and prepared for what’s ahead.
Table of contents
Amazon Policy and Compliance News
FBA Liquidations & Donations set to auto-enroll sellers unless preferences set — October 2025 (scheduled)
Amazon announced a scheduled change that will make Liquidations (and a donations flow) the default for certain unsold or unfulfillable FBA inventory unless sellers proactively set preferences. Under the new path, inventory Amazon deems unsellable may be routed into liquidation channels or donated based on the new program rules, a shift that changes who controls end-of-life inventory.
Sellers who are used to explicit opt-in/opt-out choices should check Seller Central immediately to understand the new defaults and any remaining control points. The recent change could lower removal fees for some, but it also raises brand-protection and resale-quality questions for others.
Return & damaged-inventory ownership options clarified — August 2025
Amazon introduced clearer options around damaged inventory ownership and how such SKUs are handled post-claim, giving sellers more explicit choices whether to retain ownership or let Amazon take possession. Retaining ownership gives the seller control to request removal, refurbishment, or brand-protection actions, while relinquishing ownership simplifies Amazon’s handling but may mean less recovery value. The policy clarification included guidance on documentation and a streamlined claims process for high-value or high-volume SKUs. Sellers should revisit their insurance coverage and claims playbooks in light of this change.
FBA Fees and Storage Cost Updates
Tighter FBA storage capacity and restock limits ahead of peak — June 2025
As Amazon prepared for peak season in mid-2025, it tightened storage capacity allocations and enforced stricter restock limits at the SKU (ASIN) level to manage warehouse throughput. Sellers reported reduced inbound windows and tougher Inventory Performance Index (IPI)-linked caps, making accurate forecasting critical. Those with diversified fulfillment models fared better, while single-channel sellers hit bottlenecks. This update reinforced that FBA’s power comes with constraints that sellers must manage carefully.
Note: For sellers trying to model the impact of shifting storage fees, removal costs, and margins, the free AMZScout Amazon FBA Calculator is a useful tool. It allows quick simulations of profit margins, fees, and break-even points before sending products into FBA.
Amazon Logistics and Shipping News
Sellers bulk-buy to preempt tariff pain — May–June 2025
Faced with rising import duties and uncertainty, many third-party sellers accelerated purchase orders in Q2 2025 to get stock onshore before higher tariffs hit. While it temporarily secured Prime-ready availability, this strategy drove up storage bills and tied up cash. The tactic also strained FBA inbound capacity, leading Amazon to impose tighter restock limits. Sellers must weigh the true cost of bulk-buying against the benefits of short-term tariff avoidance.
Amazon Marketplace and Category Trends
U.S. “de minimis” rule removal & tariff shift — April–May 2025
While the change was enacted earlier in the year, its full impact went into effect in September 2025, making this the right time to highlight it in our update. The U.S. government removed the de minimis exemption for low-value imports from China in 2025, creating new costs for sellers relying on low-value shipments. Sellers reported higher duties and slower clearance times, forcing many to reevaluate sourcing and pricing strategies. This policy change has reshaped category-level margins and shifted competitiveness across multiple product lines. The ripple effects are visible in pricing strategies on the Amazon marketplace.
Prime Day 2025: fewer steep discounts from third-party sellers — July 2025
Prime Day 2025 showed fewer deep discounts from sellers compared with past years, as tariffs and higher costs left little room for aggressive promotions. Many sellers focused on bundles or exclusive SKUs instead of across-the-board markdowns. While this preserved margins, it shifted the shopping experience for buyers, who saw fewer blockbuster deals. This signals a changing landscape for promotions within Amazon’s platform. Looking ahead, the next Prime Day is set for October 7–8, 2025, giving sellers a chance to adjust strategies and test new approaches in light of these changing dynamics.
Note: To stay competitive in a shifting marketplace, sellers can benefit from tools that streamline product research and opportunity analysis. The AMZScout toolkit, including the PRO AI Extension and Product Database, helps identify winning products, estimate demand, and analyze competitor trends before investing in new inventory.
Amazon Business and Expansion Moves
Amazon launches “Grade & Resell” pilot for returned and excess items — July 2025
Amazon introduced a program called Grade & Resell, designed to process returned and excess inventory by grading items and reintroducing them into resale channels. The initiative reduces waste while recovering value from unsold or returned products. For sellers, it represents both an opportunity to salvage returns and a potential brand risk, depending on how items are labeled and perceived. It reflects Amazon’s ongoing corporate push toward sustainability and efficiency.
Seller Community and Industry Events
Odd & noteworthy: surge in novelty “mystery box” listings and enforcement quirks — August 2025
An unexpected trend this summer saw “mystery box” listings surge briefly in certain categories, only to be quickly removed by Amazon for non-compliance. The fad highlighted how viral buyer interest can create short-lived sales spikes, but also how swiftly Amazon enforces listing standards when experiences don’t align with buyer expectations. Sellers chasing quick wins in trending formats learned that compliance must come first. This quirky episode brought both laughs and lessons to the seller community.
Final Thoughts
Amazon’s landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, from shifting compliance rules and fee updates to global tariff pressures and changing seller strategies. For entrepreneurs and brands, staying informed isn’t just useful, it’s essential for staying competitive. That’s why we’ll be updating this roundup of Amazon news monthly, highlighting the latest developments making headlines in the news. And while the marketplace can be complex, resources like the AMZScout toolkit make it easier to research opportunities, track trends, and adapt with confidence.
