Know Exactly When to file a Reimbursement Claim with Amazon

TL;DR

• Track inbound shipment issues such as missing boxes, damaged goods, or mismatched counts that must be claimed within Amazon’s deadlines.

• Watch for lost or missing inventory; Amazon may reimburse, but only if you file claims on time.

• File for damaged inventory claims quickly, whether it happens in transit, storage, or during returns.

• Monitor customer return and refund errors; many items never come back, and claims expire fast.

• Audit FBA fees, removal fees, and order quantity errors regularly to avoid overcharges.

• Keep detailed records and consider using automated reimbursement tools to catch every missed claim.

If you sell on Amazon, you already know every dollar counts. But what if some of your hard-earned money is quietly slipping away without you noticing? From lost inventory to customer return mix-ups, Amazon sellers face countless small issues that can add up to thousands of dollars in missed Amazon FBA reimbursements each year.

The tricky part? 

Amazon won’t automatically hand you that money; you have to know when and how to claim it. Amazon has strict timeframes for each issue; a late claim could mean you’ll never recover that refund. 

This article will break down the most common situations where sellers are owed money, from damaged goods to fee errors, so you’ll know exactly when to act.

By the end, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to catch mistakes early, file successful claims, and protect your profits like a pro.

Know exactly when to file a reimbursement claim with Amazon

#1 Inbound shipment problems

Inbound shipment issues are one of the most common reasons Amazon sellers miss out on reimbursements. When you send inventory to an Amazon fulfillment center, things don’t always go as planned. 

Boxes can go missing during transit, items might never get checked in, or shipment counts may not match what you actually sent. Sometimes, products get damaged before they’re even received into stock.

List of the most common Inbound shipment problems 

Amazon does offer reimbursement for these situations, but only if you file a claim within the allowed timeframe, now 60 days from the shipment date for most inbound issues under the new 2025 reimbursement policy. That’s why it’s critical to track every shipment closely and keep proof of what you sent, including carrier tracking, box contents, and invoices.

By monitoring your shipment reconciliation reports in Seller Central, you can quickly spot discrepancies and act before the deadline. If you want to save time and avoid missed claims, a reimbursement service or tool can automatically audit shipments and file claims for you.

#2 Lost and missing inventory

Lost and missing inventory is a major concern for Amazon sellers, with an estimated 3% of FBA inventory lost or damaged every year. These losses can happen for many reasons, including mislabeling during inbound shipments, misplaced stock inside the fulfillment center, damage during transit, or even warehouse accidents.

The problem is, if you don’t notice these issues and act quickly, you could miss the window to file a claim and lose money you’re entitled to. Amazon’s policy allows you to request an Amazon FBA refund reimbursement for inventory that goes missing or gets damaged while under their control, but only if you file within the allowed time frame.

That’s why it’s important to regularly review your inventory reports, track shipments closely, and reconcile your records with Amazon’s data. By staying proactive, you can catch discrepancies early, file claims on time, and recover funds that would otherwise slip through the cracks, helping protect your profits and keep your business running smoothly.

#3 Damaged inventory

Damaged inventory is one of the most common reasons Amazon owes you money, and knowing when to file a claim can make all the difference. As an FBA seller, your products can get damaged at different stages: during inbound shipping to Amazon’s warehouse, while being stored in the fulfillment center, or even during packing and delivery to the customer. Sometimes, items are also damaged during the customer return process and can’t be resold.

Amazon’s policy allows Amazon seller reimbursement for this situation, but only if you file the claim within their set timeframe, 60 days from the incident. That’s why it’s important to regularly check your FBA inventory reports for “damaged” status items and compare them against your actual stock.

Missing the deadline means losing money you’re entitled to, so act quickly. Keep invoices, shipment IDs, and product details ready to speed up the process. By staying proactive, you protect your profits and ensure damaged goods don’t become unrecovered losses.

#4 Customer return issues

Customer returns can be a hidden profit drain for Amazon sellers, especially if you’re not filing reimbursement claims on time. According to research, around 65% of sellers reported facing issues related to customer returns, and about 30% of returned items are unsellable. 

Challenges faced by sellers in customer returns

That means if you don’t track and address these returns properly, you could be losing money without realizing it. Common problems include returned items going missing, arriving damaged, or never making it back to your sellable inventory. 

In these cases, you may be eligible for a reimbursement from Amazon, but only if you file within the allowed time frame. 

The key is to regularly review your FBA return reports, check for discrepancies, and act fast when something’s wrong. Missing the window means missing the money. Using a reimbursement service or tool can help catch these issues early and make sure you claim every dollar you’re owed.

#5 FBA fee errors

FBA fee errors are one of the most common and costly issues Amazon sellers face. In fact, studies show that up to 20% of inventory is potentially misclassified, which can lead to overcharges in both fulfillment and storage fees. 

It happens when Amazon records incorrect product dimensions or weights, placing your items in a higher fee tier than they should be. These errors are fixable, but only if you catch them in time. Amazon has strict timeframes for filing claims, so knowing exactly when to submit a reimbursement claim is crucial. 

Regularly auditing your FBA fee reports can help you identify overcharges quickly, giving you the chance to file before the deadline. By staying on top of these audits, sellers can typically recover 2–5% of their total FBA costs annually. 

That’s money right back into your pocket. Whether you do it yourself or use a reimbursement service, don’t let fee errors quietly eat into your profits.

#6 Customer refund errors 

Customer refund errors happen when Amazon refunds a customer but fails to charge them correctly or doesn’t deduct the refunded amount from your account properly. For Amazon FBA sellers, this can mean losing money without realizing it. 

Common issues include customers receiving a full refund without returning the product, partial returns being refunded in full, or Amazon refunding more than the purchase price due to system glitches. To claim Amazon seller reimbursement for refund errors, you need to track your return reports regularly. 

Look for cases where the product was never returned, returned after the allowed window, or returned in an unsellable condition, but no reimbursement was issued. Act quickly, gather proof like order IDs and return details, and submit your case through Seller Central. By catching refund errors early, you protect your profits and prevent revenue loss.

#7 Order quantity issues 

It happens when the number of units Amazon receives, stores, or ships doesn’t match what was actually sent or ordered. For Amazon sellers, these mistakes can occur in several ways, such as FBA receiving fewer units than you shipped, sending fewer units to the customer than they purchased, or even charging you for more units than were handled.

If you notice a mismatch in your inventory records, it’s important to act fast. Amazon has strict timeframes for filing claims, and missing them can mean losing the reimbursement you’re entitled to. Regularly review your shipment reports, inventory adjustment reports, and order details to spot any discrepancies early.

When you catch an order quantity error, file a claim in Seller Central with supporting proof like shipment IDs, invoices, and tracking details. By staying on top of these checks and filing promptly, you can recover lost revenue, keep your records accurate, and protect your profits.

#8 Removal fee errors 

It can quietly eat into your profits if you’re not paying close attention. When you request inventory to be returned or disposed of, Amazon charges a removal fee based on the item’s size and weight. However, mistakes can happen; your products might be measured incorrectly, billed at the wrong rate, or charged for removals you didn’t authorize.

To protect your bottom line, you need to know exactly when to file a reimbursement claim with Amazon. If you spot a mismatch between the fees charged and your product’s actual dimensions or removal request details, gather evidence like SKU info, product measurements, and removal order IDs. 

By catching removal fee errors early, you can recover overpaid charges and prevent repeat issues. Many sellers use reimbursement tools or services to track these discrepancies automatically, saving time. 

How to identify these issues?

• First, monitor your inventory reports regularly. These reports give you a clear view of what Amazon says you have in stock versus what you’ve actually shipped. If numbers don’t match, it could indicate lost or misplaced inventory that may qualify for a reimbursement claim.

• Next, compare shipment records with what Amazon shows in Seller Central. Look at your own shipping logs, tracking information, and carrier receipts, then match them against Amazon’s received shipment data. If certain units never show up in Amazon’s records, you’ll know exactly which cases to investigate and file claims for.

• Finally, check refund and fee reports for inconsistencies. Sometimes, you might be overcharged for fees like storage, removals, or returns. Other times, refunds to customers may not align with returned inventory. These small discrepancies add up over time.

By keeping a close eye on these reports, you can catch problems early, file claims within Amazon’s allowed timeframes, and recover money that would otherwise be lost. Many sellers also use automated reimbursement tools to track these details, saving time and ensuring nothing is missed. 

Tips for raising successful Amazon reimbursement claims 

• Keep detailed shipment and inventory records.

• File claims within Amazon’s allowed timeframes.

• Provide clear and accurate documentation.

• Include order IDs, SKUs, and tracking numbers.

• Use Amazon’s correct claim categories.

• Double-check product measurements and weights.

• Track claim status regularly.

• Follow up promptly on pending or denied claims.

• Stay updated on Amazon’s reimbursement policies.

• Consider using automated reimbursement tools.

Final insights

Recovering lost profits on Amazon isn’t just about spotting errors, it’s about acting fast and filing claims the right way. From lost inventory to fee mistakes, every missed claim is money left on the table. That’s why using the best Amazon reimbursement service can be a game-changer.

With the right tools and experts on your side, you can catch every discrepancy, stay compliant with Amazon’s rules, and maximize your recovery without the stress of manual tracking. Don’t let unnoticed errors drain your profits.

Start protecting your business today, partner with a service that recovers for every dollar you’ve earned.