The Ultimate Guide to Amazon Reimbursements in 2025

TL;DR

• Amazon FBA reimbursements can help you get money back for lost, damaged, or mishandled inventory, but you need to file claims to get it.

• In 2025, Amazon now requires you to provide the manufacturing cost for some claims and has shortened the time you have to file.

• Regularly check your FBA reports to find any missed reimbursements.

• Common claims include lost items, damaged products, customer-damaged returns, refunds without returns, and overcharged fees.

• Don’t just rely on Amazon’s automatic reimbursements, take action and use tools to track reimbursement opportunities.

• Keep good records and make reimbursement checks part of your routine to avoid missing out on money.

In 2025, understanding Amazon’s reimbursement policies is more important than ever for FBA sellers. When things go wrong, like lost or damaged inventory, misplaced returns, or shipping errors, Amazon may owe you money through reimbursements. However, the process can be complex, and failing to stay on top of it could lead to lost profits.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Amazon FBA reimbursements in 2025, including the new changes to the reimbursement policy, how to spot reimbursement opportunities, and the types of claims you should be aware of.  We’ll also cover common mistakes that many sellers make and share tips to help you protect and maximize your reimbursement value.

By staying consistent with audits, documenting everything, and integrating reimbursement recovery into your daily routine, you can ensure that you're not leaving money on the table and that your FBA business remains as profitable as possible.

What is Amazon FBA reimbursement?

Amazon FBA reimbursement is when Amazon pays you back for lost, damaged, or mishandled inventory that occurred while your products were in Amazon’s fulfillment centers. This can happen when items are lost during storage or shipping, or if they are damaged while being handled by Amazon.

For example, if Amazon loses an item you sent them or damages a product while storing or shipping it, you are entitled to a reimbursement. In some cases, if a customer returns an item in poor condition and it can’t be resold, you may also be eligible for reimbursement.

It’s important to know that Amazon doesn’t automatically catch every mistake. You must check your FBA reports regularly and file claims for any missing or damaged inventory. By staying on top of these reimbursements, you can recover money that would otherwise be lost and keep your business profitable.

What is new in Amazon reimbursement policy?

In 2025, Amazon made some important changes to its reimbursement policy that you need to know. One major change is that Amazon now asks you to provide your manufacturing cost when filing certain claims for lost or damaged items. This means you’ll need to know how much it costs to make your product to get reimbursed.

Another change is that the time to file claims has become shorter. In the past, you had up to 9 months to file claims, but now the time limit is reduced for some cases. This means you need to check your reports more often and file claims quickly when you spot an issue.

These changes can affect how much you get back and how quickly. To keep up, you should automate tracking, keep accurate records, and do regular audits to avoid missing out on reimbursements.

How to identify reimbursement opportunities?

Identifying reimbursement opportunities in Amazon FBA starts with regularly checking your reports. Amazon doesn’t always catch every issue, so it’s up to you to monitor your inventory.

The first step is to review your inventory adjustments report and reimbursement report in Seller Central. Look for discrepancies like lost or damaged inventory that hasn’t been reimbursed. These reports will show you any missing or broken items in Amazon’s warehouse.

Next, check your returns report to see if customers were refunded but didn’t return the product. Also, review the customer concessions report for any items marked as "customer damaged" but not reimbursed.

Be proactive about tracking these issues regularly. Set a reminder to check your reports at least once a month. If you spot a problem that hasn’t been reimbursed, file a claim with Amazon to recover your money.  Staying on top of these opportunities can help Amazon inventory reimbursement and protect your profits.

Types of Amazon reimbursement claims you need to know 

There are several types of Amazon reimbursement claims that FBA sellers need to be aware of. Understanding these can help you recover money that Amazon may owe you.

#1 Lost inventory

This happens when Amazon can’t find your products after they’ve been received at the warehouse. It could be misplaced or lost during transfers between fulfillment centers. If it’s not found, you may be eligible for a reimbursement.

#2 Damaged inventory

If your products are damaged while in Amazon’s warehouse or during shipping, Amazon may owe you money. This includes products broken during handling or storage.

#3 Customer-damaged returns

Sometimes customers return items that are damaged or not resellable. If Amazon marks them as "customer damaged" but doesn’t reimburse you, you can file a claim.

#4 Refunds without returns

If a customer gets a refund but doesn’t return the product, Amazon owes you money for the missing inventory.

#5 Overcharged FBA fees

If Amazon charges you the wrong FBA fees for shipping, storage, or handling, you can file a claim to get reimbursed.

Knowing these types of claims helps you keep track of what to look for and when to take action.

What can you do to protect your reimbursement value

To protect Amazon FBA reimbursement value, it's important to stay proactive. 

• First, regularly check your FBA reports, like the inventory adjustments and reimbursement reports, to spot any discrepancies or lost items. If something’s missing or damaged, file a claim promptly to get reimbursed before the deadline.

• Next, keep detailed records of your inventory, shipments, and any claims you’ve filed. This helps you provide the right information quickly if Amazon asks for it. Also, make sure your product details, like size and weight, are accurate to avoid overcharged fees.

• Lastly, consider using tools that automatically track your Amazon FBA inventory reimbursement opportunities. In this case, Refunzo can help you stay organized and catch errors that you might miss manually, ensuring you don’t lose money due to Amazon’s mistakes.

Common mistakes sellers make

• Missing the filing deadline

• Not checking FBA reports regularly

• Relying only on Amazon’s automatic reimbursements

• Failing to track returned items properly

• Not filing claims for damaged inventory

• Providing incomplete or inaccurate claim information

• Not following up on unresolved claims

• Overlooking small discrepancies that add up

• Ignoring reimbursement opportunities for lost inventory

• Not using tools to track and automate claims

Final tips for 2025

As we move into 2025, here are some final tips to help you manage Amazon reimbursements and protect your profits.

• Stay consistent with audits: Regularly check your FBA reports to catch any lost or damaged inventory, shipping errors, or refund discrepancies. Monthly audits will help you spot issues early and ensure you don’t miss any reimbursements.

• Document everything: Keep detailed records of your inventory, claims, and communications with Amazon. This documentation will be crucial if you need to provide evidence for any claims or follow up on unresolved issues.

• Don’t assume Amazon will catch all issues: While Amazon automatically reimburses some errors, it misses a lot. It’s your responsibility to track and file claims for any discrepancies that Amazon might overlook.

• Make reimbursement recovery part of your regular business process: Treat your reimbursement tracking and recovery as an ongoing task, not a one-time event. Incorporate it into your daily or weekly routine to ensure you’re recovering all the money Amazon owes you.

By staying on top of these practices, you’ll protect your business and maximize your earnings.

Final words

It is important for you to keep track of Amazon reimbursements, as it is important for your profits and business. By checking your FBA reports regularly, filing claims quickly, and keeping good records, you can get back the money Amazon might owe you for lost or damaged inventory.

Don’t just rely on Amazon’s automatic reimbursements take action when you spot problems. Make checking for reimbursements part of your routine to make sure you’re not missing out on money. 

If it feels too much to handle, you can always work with an Amazon reimbursement specialist to help manage the process. With the right approach, you can keep your FBA business profitable and avoid losing money.