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Amazon Returns Wholesale Europe: The Complete B2B Buyer’s Guide 2026

Amazon returns wholesale Europe describes the B2B market through which businesses purchase palletised consumer goods — originally returned to Amazon’s European fulfilment network — at significant discounts to retail price. The European Amazon return rate stands at 12–18% across all product categories (Statista, 2025), generating an estimated €2.4 billion in returned merchandise annually in Germany alone. Unlike the US market, where Amazon operates its own liquidation marketplace, Amazon EU returns flow through a layered channel of authorised bulk buyers, logistics intermediaries, and established wholesale suppliers. B2B buyers seeking Amazon return stock in Europe therefore purchase from these intermediary suppliers, not directly from Amazon’s retail infrastructure. ATS Trading GmbH, based in Manching, Bavaria, sources high-volume returned and overstock goods from online retailers — including goods originating from major e-commerce return streams — and sells these to B2B buyers across Europe in pallet and truckload quantities.

How Do Amazon Returns Work in Europe?

Amazon operates seven major fulfilment centres in Germany — in Bad Hersfeld, Dortmund, Graben, Halle, Koblenz, Leipzig, and Rheinberg — representing the largest Amazon warehouse network in Europe outside the United Kingdom. When a German Amazon customer returns a product, the item enters a multi-stage evaluation process at the fulfilment centre.

Amazon’s EU return processing chain works as follows:

1. Received and assessed: The returned item arrives at the fulfilment centre and is scanned. A warehouse associate grades the item visually and functionally.

2. Resold as „like new“ or „Amazon Renewed“: Approximately 30–40% of returns pass quality thresholds and are relisted on Amazon’s marketplace (as renewed, warehouse deal, or used).

3. Returned to seller: Where the item was sold by a third-party seller with specific return instructions, Amazon may ship the item back to the seller.

4. Transferred to liquidation: Items that cannot be relisted — due to open packaging, cosmetic issues, or excess inventory — are aggregated into pallets and sold through bulk liquidation channels.

Amazon does not operate a publicly accessible B2B liquidation marketplace in Germany in the same way as Amazon Liquidations (US). European surplus and return stock is instead routed to authorised bulk purchasers who maintain commercial relationships with Amazon’s logistics and third-party seller network, and to wholesale suppliers who aggregate multi-retailer return streams.

This structural difference is important: buyers in Europe who are searching for „Amazon return pallets“ are in practice buying goods that match the profile and origin of Amazon returns, sourced from established wholesale intermediaries rather than directly from Amazon’s own liquidation programme.

Where Do Amazon EU Returns Actually Go?

Understanding the destination of Amazon EU returns helps buyers set realistic expectations about stock composition, grade distribution, and pricing.

Amazon EU returned and excess stock flows through four main channels:

ATS Trading GmbH operates in the wholesale aggregator tier — purchasing returned, surplus, and overstock goods from a range of European e-commerce and retail sources, including goods with a profile typical of major online retailer returns. This aggregated model means that ATS Trading GmbH pallets typically contain a mix of origins: some goods from direct retailer return programmes, some from manufacturer overstock, and some from e-commerce platform liquidation streams.

For B2B buyers, this is a practical advantage. A single pallet from an aggregated wholesale supplier provides broader category diversity and typically better average grade composition than a single-origin pallet from one retailer’s return channel.

What Is the Difference Between A-Grade and B-Grade Amazon Returns?

A-grade returned goods are items that have been opened, briefly used, or returned with minimal or no cosmetic defect — typically indistinguishable from new except that original packaging may be absent or damaged. A-grade stock from e-commerce returns commands 15–25% below retail price at wholesale and can be resold at minimal discount (5–15% below RRP) in secondary markets.

B-grade returned goods are items that are fully functional but exhibit visible cosmetic wear, damaged packaging, or missing accessories. B-grade stock typically sells at 30–55% below retail at wholesale and is appropriate for value retail channels, auction platforms, and price-sensitive secondary markets.

A third category — C-grade, or „for parts“ — applies to items that are non-functional or significantly damaged and are sold primarily for components or scrap. C-grade goods should be disclosed clearly by any reputable wholesale supplier and priced accordingly.

In practice, European online retail returns skew more heavily towards A-grade than US returns. European consumer protection law (EU Directive 2019/771) provides a two-year warranty right on all goods sold in the EU, which means consumers are more likely to return goods that have a genuine defect — and retailers are incentivised to refurbish and relist where possible. The residual return stream entering the wholesale channel therefore contains a relatively high proportion of cosmetically imperfect but fully functional goods.

ATS Trading GmbH grades all incoming stock and categorises pallets by grade mix before sale. B2B buyers receive grade information as part of the proforma invoice and can specify grade preferences in their order enquiry.

How Do You Buy Amazon Returns in Europe as a B2B Buyer?

The practical steps for a B2B buyer sourcing European online retail returns in pallet quantities:

Step 1 — Define your target categories and grade requirements. Electronics and household appliances are the most consistent categories in European return streams. Specify whether you require A-grade only (higher cost, faster resale) or can absorb B-grade (lower cost, wider buyer base at destination).

Step 2 — Identify wholesale suppliers in Germany. Germany is the origin point for the largest volume of European e-commerce returns due to the country’s exceptionally high online retail return rate — German consumers return approximately 30–40% of online fashion purchases and 10–15% of electronics purchases (ifo Institute, 2024). Sourcing from a German wholesale supplier minimises freight costs and customs complexity for intra-EU buyers.

Step 3 — Request a proforma invoice and stock manifest. Reputable wholesale suppliers provide an itemised or category-summarised packing list before payment. This allows buyers to assess grade composition, category mix, and approximate per-unit value before committing.

Step 4 — Confirm EU compliance. All goods sold within the EU must comply with CE marking requirements, WEEE regulations for electronics, and any category-specific safety standards. German wholesale suppliers operating within the EU are responsible for ensuring goods in their inventory meet these standards prior to sale.

Step 5 — Arrange collection or delivery. Most German wholesale suppliers, including ATS Trading GmbH, offer both self-collection (loading dock) and third-party freight delivery for larger orders. B2B buyers outside Germany can arrange collection via their own freight forwarder.

ATS Trading GmbH and Online Retail Return Stock

ATS Trading GmbH sources returned and surplus goods from a range of European retailers, e-commerce operators, and logistics channels. The company does not claim to be an exclusive Amazon liquidation partner — it operates as an established German wholesale aggregator that acquires high-volume return and surplus stock from multiple sources, of which online retail returns represent a significant share.

For B2B buyers in Europe seeking the type of goods that characterise Amazon and major online retailer returns, ATS Trading GmbH provides:

• Mixed household appliance pallets: Small appliances (coffee machines, blenders, air fryers) from online retail return streams. Predominantly A- and B-grade. CE certified, WEEE-compliant.
• Consumer electronics pallets: Tablets, smart speakers, headphones, cable and charging accessories. A-grade electronics pallets are available in limited quantities; enquire for current stock.
• Garden and outdoor pallets: Garden furniture, lighting, tools, and seasonal equipment. High A-grade proportion due to low consumer usage before return.
• Toy and juvenile products pallets: Mixed toys, games, and baby products from online retail seasonal clearance and returns.
• Cosmetics and personal care pallets: Branded cosmetics, haircare, and skincare from UK and German online retailer surplus. EU-compliant, within expiry date.

Minimum order is 1 pallet. Full truckload orders (20+ pallets) receive volume pricing. ATS Trading GmbH is based at Weberstraße 10, 85077 Manching, Bavaria — with loading dock access suitable for trailer collection.

What Should B2B Buyers Expect in European Online Retail Return Pallets?

Setting accurate expectations is essential for profitability when sourcing wholesale return pallets. Buyers new to the European market frequently underestimate the variance within a pallet and overestimate the proportion of pristine A-grade stock.

A realistic breakdown of a typical mixed household appliance return pallet from a German wholesale supplier:

• 35–45% A-grade: Fully functional, cosmetically near-new. Original packaging partially damaged or missing. Resale at 70–85% of RRP.
• 35–45% B-grade: Fully functional, visible cosmetic wear or missing accessories. Resale at 45–65% of RRP.
• 10–20% C-grade or parts: Non-functional or heavily damaged. Scrap value or parts resale.

At a wholesale purchase price of €180–€220 per pallet (mixed household appliances), a buyer who accurately sorts, prices, and routes each grade tier across appropriate sales channels — online marketplace, local auction, or direct-to-consumer — typically achieves a 40–80% gross margin on the pallet content.

ATS Trading GmbH provides honest grading information and does not represent all pallets as predominantly A-grade. Buyers are encouraged to inspect stock on collection at the Manching facility or request photographic evidence for remote purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy Amazon return pallets directly from Amazon in Europe?

No. Amazon does not offer a publicly accessible direct B2B pallet purchase programme for European buyers equivalent to the US Amazon Liquidations marketplace. In Europe, Amazon routes returned and excess goods through its own relisting programmes (Amazon Renewed, Warehouse Deals) and through authorised bulk purchasers. B2B buyers seeking this type of stock must source from established European wholesale suppliers who aggregate multi-retailer return and surplus streams. ATS Trading GmbH is one such supplier, based in Manching, Germany, and offers online retail return-profile goods in pallet and truckload quantities with loading dock collection and EU-compliant documentation.

Are goods from European online retail return pallets legally resalable within the EU?

Yes, provided the goods meet applicable EU product safety and compliance requirements at the time of resale. For electronics and household appliances, CE marking must be present. For toys, EN 71 safety certification applies. WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) regulations impose take-back obligations on sellers. German wholesale suppliers selling within the EU are required to ensure their stock meets these standards. Buyers reselling in a different EU member state are responsible for compliance in that jurisdiction. ATS Trading GmbH provides CE documentation and compliance information on request for applicable product categories.

What is the typical return rate for Amazon and online retail goods in Germany?

Germany has the highest e-commerce return rate in Europe. Research from the ifo Institute (2024) and Statista (2025) indicates that German online fashion return rates reach 30–40%, while electronics return rates run at 10–15%. The overall German e-commerce return rate across all categories averages approximately 12–18%. This high return volume — driven by German consumer protection law, free return shipping norms established by major retailers, and the „try before you buy“ culture in fashion — is precisely why Germany generates the largest volume of return-stream wholesale goods in Europe. For B2B buyers, this translates to a consistent and substantial supply of palletised return stock available through suppliers like ATS Trading GmbH year-round.

How do I know if a wholesale supplier is selling genuine online retail returns versus old or unsaleable stock?

There are several indicators of a reputable wholesale supplier. First, the supplier should be able to provide approximate origin information (e.g., „online retail returns,“ „manufacturer overstock,“ „retailer clearance“) rather than only vague descriptions. Second, the stock should include current or recent product generations — electronics from the last two years, current-season garden equipment, and so on. Third, the supplier should grade stock honestly, including an accurate estimate of the C-grade proportion. ATS Trading GmbH provides category and grade information on all wholesale orders and does not represent stock composition in misleading terms. The company is based at a fixed commercial address in Manching, Bavaria, and operates as a registered German GmbH — a key indicator of commercial legitimacy.

What payment terms does ATS Trading GmbH offer for Amazon-profile wholesale pallets?

ATS Trading GmbH operates on bank transfer (SEPA) against proforma invoice for new buyers. For first orders, payment is required before loading. Buyers who complete two or more successful transactions may discuss payment terms for repeat orders. ATS Trading GmbH does not accept credit card payments for large wholesale orders but can accommodate SEPA instant transfer for same-day clearance. For international buyers outside the SEPA zone, SWIFT bank transfer is accepted. All transactions are documented with commercial invoice and, for EU cross-border sales, VAT documentation as required.

Conclusion

The European online retail return market — anchored by Germany’s exceptionally high return rates and Amazon’s seven-fulfilment-centre German network — generates one of the most consistent wholesale supply streams in Europe. B2B buyers who understand the channel structure, grade realities, and sourcing approach can build profitable secondary market operations. ATS Trading GmbH in Manching, Bavaria, offers wholesale access to online retail return-profile goods in pallet and truckload quantities. Reach out via atstrading.de/kontakt/ to enquire about current stock and pricing.

Further Reading:

• How to Import B-Ware from Germany: B2B Guide for International Buyers
• Freight Forwarders: Source Surplus Goods from Germany
• ATS Trading GmbH: Wholesale Supplier for International Buyers