Top Mistakes Sellers Make During an Amazon Reimbursement Audit

TL;DR

• Sellers often assume Amazon processes all refunds, but many claims require manual tracking.

• Poor record-keeping and missing documentation lead to denied or delayed reimbursements.

• Delaying claims can result in expired refunds, as Amazon has strict time limits.

• Small discrepancies add up over time, leading to thousands in unclaimed reimbursements.

• Incomplete claims with vague details or missing shipment IDs often get rejected.

• Automating audits and using reimbursement services helps maximize recovered funds.

Selling on Amazon FBA comes with many advantages, but it also involves risks. Lost inventory, damaged stock, overcharged fees, and incorrect customer refunds can lead to significant financial losses if sellers don’t monitor their accounts closely. While Amazon has a reimbursement policy to compensate sellers for such errors, the process is not always straightforward. Many sellers make mistakes during an Amazon FBA reimbursement audit, leading to delayed refunds or denied claims.

Tracking reimbursements can be overwhelming, especially for high-volume sellers. Amazon FBA reimbursement services help automate the process, but even with these tools, sellers must avoid common errors like missing deadlines, failing to submit proper documentation, or relying too much on Amazon’s automated refunds.

In this blog, we’ll explore the top mistakes sellers make during an Amazon reimbursement audit and how working with an Amazon reimbursement specialist can help recover lost funds efficiently. Avoiding these errors ensures maximum reimbursement and higher profits.

1. Not tracking reimbursements regularly

Many sellers assume Amazon automatically processes all reimbursements, but this is not always the case. If you don’t audit your account regularly, you may miss expired claims since Amazon has a time limit (9–18 months) for filing most reimbursement requests.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Conduct monthly or bi-weekly audits of your inventory and transactions.

• Use Amazon FBA reimbursement services to automate tracking.

2. Poor record-keeping

Failing to keep accurate records of your inventory can make it difficult to identify lost or damaged stock and prove reimbursement claims. Amazon requires sellers to provide proof of inventory discrepancies, and without proper documentation, claims may be denied.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Maintain detailed inventory reports to cross-check with Amazon’s data.

• Store receipts, invoices, and shipment records for every batch of inventory.

3. Delaying reimbursement claims

Amazon has strict time limits for filing reimbursement claims, and sellers who wait too long lose the opportunity to recover their money. Some sellers don’t realize they have missing refunds until it’s too late.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Regularly review reports for discrepancies and file claims immediately.

• Set up automated alerts to track unprocessed refunds before the deadline.

4. Overlooking small discrepancies

Many sellers only check for large missing shipments but fail to claim smaller losses. Over time, small discrepancies add up to thousands of dollars in unrecovered reimbursements.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Treat every discrepancy seriously, no matter how small.

• Run detailed audits using an Amazon reimbursement specialist to identify overlooked claims.

5. Inadequate documentation for claims

Amazon requires sellers to submit clear proof of missing, damaged, or mishandled inventory. Claims without shipment IDs, order numbers, or product details are more likely to be rejected.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Gather shipment invoices, transaction logs, and tracking numbers before submitting claims.

• Keep screenshots and reports from Amazon Seller Central to support your request.

6. Not understanding Amazon’s reimbursement policies

Many sellers file claims incorrectly because they don’t fully understand Amazon’s FBA reimbursement policy. Some assume every lost item qualifies for a refund, while others don’t know which reports to check for discrepancies.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Study Amazon’s reimbursement policies to understand what qualifies for a refund.

• Work with an Amazon reimbursement specialist who knows how to file claims properly.

7. Relying solely on Amazon for reimbursements

Amazon does process some reimbursements automatically, but many errors go undetected unless sellers track them manually. If you don’t audit your account, you could miss significant amounts of lost money.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Regularly review inventory, shipment, and refund reports to detect missing reimbursements.

• Use Amazon FBA reimbursement services to automate the detection process.

8. Submitting vague or incomplete claims

Claims that lack details or supporting documents are more likely to be denied or delayed by Amazon. Without proper proof, Amazon may reject the request due to “insufficient information.”

How to avoid this mistake:

• Include shipment IDs, order numbers, and ASINs in every claim.

• Clearly explain why the reimbursement is owed and provide screenshots or invoices as proof.

9. Failing to follow up on claims

Amazon may delay or ignore reimbursement requests, especially if claims are not properly documented. Sellers who don’t follow up risk losing refunds that should have been approved.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Track the status of each claim in Amazon Seller Central.

• If a claim is stuck in review, send follow-up messages until Amazon provides an update.

10. Not using available tools and services

Manually tracking every lost item, overcharged fee, and refund error is overwhelming, especially for high-volume sellers. Many sellers struggle with reimbursements simply because they don’t use automation tools or professional services.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Use Amazon FBA reimbursement services to automate claim tracking and filing.

• Hire an Amazon reimbursement specialist to audit your account and maximize refunds.

Final thoughts

Amazon’s FBA reimbursement process is essential for sellers who want to recover lost funds and maximize profits. However, many sellers miss out on reimbursements due to simple mistakes like delaying claims, failing to track inventory, or submitting incomplete requests. By staying proactive, regularly auditing reports, and using Amazon FBA reimbursement services, sellers can ensure they receive every dollar owed.

If tracking reimbursements manually feels overwhelming, working with an Amazon reimbursement specialist can simplify the process. Automated tools and expert services help sellers detect missing refunds, file claims efficiently, and follow up on unresolved cases, ensuring no money is left behind.

Recovering lost inventory costs isn’t just about protecting your bottom line—it’s about ensuring Amazon remains accountable for handling your products correctly. By avoiding these common mistakes and using the right strategies, sellers can secure their reimbursements and keep their FBA business profitable.