New Removal Order Fee for Takealot Sellers

Starting February 1, 2025, a R10 (excl. VAT) charge will be imposed on any and all removal orders, including those initiated by Takealot, customer returns, and sellers themselves.

To minimise these fees, you will need to proactively manage your inventory levels to avoid overstocking and the need for removal orders. Additionally, ensure your products fully adhere to all applicable regulations to mitigate the likelihood of Takealot-initiated removal orders. By taking these proactive steps, you can effectively reduce the financial impact of the new removal order fee.

Although customer returns are largely out of your control, high-return products can severely impact your business. Some adverse consequences of returns include negative reviews, cash flow pressure because your capital is locked up in those returned items and wasted fulfilment fees. Negative reviews can also substantially impede sales of those products. Furthermore, Takealot will disable products with excessive return volumes leading to additional cash flow constraints and leaving you with stock you aren’t able to sell. Removal order fees will add insult to injury for all returned orders.

Be aware that the selling price of returned orders is deducted from your next disbursement, again hampering your cash flow. While the success fee is reversed for returned items, the fulfilment fee is not. You'll still pay the fulfilment fee for the returned order, plus the R10 removal order fee to collect it.

In the end, high-return products can diminish your profitability and adversely affect your business, so you may need to thoughtfully reconsider stocking these items.