How to Get Amazon FBA Reimbursements for Lost or Damaged Inventory

Recently, we followed this process and successfully recovered over $1,888 in reimbursements from Amazon. These included compensation for lost and damaged FBA inventory, unrefunded customer returns, and incorrect fee charges.

To our surprise, we weren’t even aware that we were eligible for these reimbursements—and it’s unlikely Amazon planned to inform us. 🙄

Reclaiming these funds turned out to be a straightforward process, taking just a few hours to complete.

🤠 Quick Answer: How can you get Amazon FBA reimbursements?You can either rely on Amazon's automatic reimbursement system or proactively file claims manually via Seller Central for issues like lost, damaged, or mishandled inventory—just be sure to act within the designated eligibility period.

🕵️‍♂️ In this guide, we’ll cover:

What types of reimbursements you can claim.
How to check for eligible reimbursements.
Step-by-step instructions for filing claims.
Whether you should consider using third-party FBA reimbursement services.

We’ll guide you through the exact process of recovering funds for lost inventory, warehouse-damaged stock, incorrect fees, and unreceived reimbursements from customer returns.

Let’s dive in and help you reclaim the money you deserve!

What Are Amazon FBA Reimbursements? 🤔

Amazon FBA reimbursements are a process that enables sellers to claim compensation for inventory that has been lost, damaged, or mishandled while in Amazon's care. Additionally, sellers can request reimbursements for incorrect FBA fee charges.

The FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) program allows sellers to store products in Amazon's fulfillment centers, with Amazon handling the picking, packing, and shipping of orders.

While FBA offers many benefits, it’s not flawless. Issues like inventory discrepancies, damaged products, and unexpected fees can erode your profit margins.

What Qualifies for Reimbursement?

✅ Lost InventoryLost inventory includes items that disappear during transit or while stored in Amazon warehouses. This could be due to mix-ups, employee mishandling, or even theft.

✅ Damaged InventoryThis covers items damaged during handling or shipping, such as those dropped, crushed, exposed to water, or otherwise harmed. Ensuring your products are well-packaged can minimize these risks.

✅ Incorrect FBA FeesDespite its advanced systems, Amazon sometimes miscalculates storage or referral fees. Sellers should periodically review their statements for discrepancies.

✅ Uncredited ReturnsWhen customers return products, Amazon should credit your account. However, items may get lost or damaged during the return process, or customers might not send them back at all.

How We Claimed $1,888 in Reimbursements 😎

We identified lost inventory across multiple Amazon warehouses over recent months. Amazon doesn’t make the process straightforward, likely to discourage claims. The steps we followed helped recover funds that might have otherwise been overlooked.

Checking FBA Inventory for Issues 🤓

Amazon offers detailed reports to help sellers identify lost or damaged items. Regularly auditing these reports ensures you can file accurate claims within Amazon's time limits.

Key Reports to Analyze:

✅ Inventory Adjustments ReportThis report highlights changes in inventory unrelated to orders or shipments, such as lost, damaged, or misplaced items. Reviewing this regularly can help spot discrepancies.

✅ Received Inventory ReportThis report tracks all inventory shipped to Amazon’s fulfillment centers. Compare it with your shipment records to ensure all items have been received and accounted for.

✅ Removal Order Detail ReportThis report shows items removed from Amazon's fulfillment centers. Check it to verify that the quantities requested match what was returned to you.

Steps to Claim FBA Inventory Reimbursements

Download Inventory DataGo to your Amazon Seller Reports > Fulfillment by Amazon > Inventory Adjustments and download up to 18 months of data.
Review the DataAnalyze the file to identify discrepancies in inventory adjustments, such as missing (M) and found (F) items.
Highlight Missing ItemsCompare the totals of missing and found items. If there are more missing than found, highlight these rows for further investigation.
Submit Claims to AmazonProvide the relevant data to Amazon through Seller Central, requesting them to reconcile the discrepancies and issue reimbursements.

By following these steps, you can effectively reclaim funds for lost, damaged, or mishandled inventory and ensure your FBA account remains financially optimized. 💰

Reviewing Warehouse Damaged Inventory 🏭

To identify and manage damaged inventory in Amazon warehouses, review your inventory reports. Typically, when Amazon handles damaged inventory, three related entries will appear for the same FNSKU.

Steps to Review Damaged Inventory:

Match the following entries:
- Damaged Sellable (-1): Indicates an item returned to Amazon as damaged.
- Damaged Unsellable (+1): Shows the item added temporarily to your inventory.
- Transfer to Holding Account (-1): Confirms the item was removed from inventory and returned to you.
Processed Inventory:If these entries align, it means the issue has been resolved, and you can delete these rows.
Unmatched FNSKUs:If any FNSKUs lack a corresponding "Transfer to Holding Account" entry, it indicates the item hasn’t been returned or reimbursed. Save these discrepancies in a separate CSV file for further action.

Raising a Claim for Unresolved Items:

Create a case with Amazon Seller Support and attach the CSV file listing the affected products.

Sample Claim Message:

Subject: Lost and Damaged Inventory Research  

Dear Amazon,  

I am reviewing my account and noticed that some items listed as lost or damaged in the warehouse have not been reimbursed. Please find the attached file for details. Kindly investigate and credit my account as appropriate.  

Thank you,  
[Your Name]

Amazon typically responds within a few days, providing a list of reimbursed products and explanations for any rejected claims.

Handling Refunds for Items Not Returned 💱

When customers initiate returns, Amazon issues refunds immediately and sends an email confirmation. A second email should confirm the returned item’s arrival at the warehouse, allowing you to decide whether to have it sent back or destroyed.

Common Issues:

Unrecorded Returns: If the second email doesn’t arrive, check FBA Reports > Returns. Missing entries usually mean the customer hasn’t returned the item or it was lost in transit.
No Reimbursement: Amazon may refund the customer but fail to return the product or reimburse you.

Steps to Resolve Unreturned Items:

Track orders where customers have been refunded but no return has been recorded.
Wait 45 days after the refund date.
Raise a claim for unreturned items using a message like this:

Sample Claim Message:

Subject: Order XYZ – Customer Refunded but Not Returned  

Dear Amazon,  

This order was refunded on 17.1.24. We have not received the customer return, and more than 45 days have passed. Please investigate and reimburse if appropriate.  

Thank you,  
[Your Name]

Amazon usually responds within 24 hours, confirming whether they will reimburse you. Update your records once the claim is resolved.

By regularly auditing inventory reports and promptly addressing discrepancies, you can minimize losses and ensure reimbursement for damaged or unreturned items.

How to File a Claim for Items Lost During Transit to Amazon FBA

One crucial area to review is your shipments under ‘Inventory > Manage FBA Shipments > Shipping Queue.’ Check the ‘Shipped’ and ‘Received’ columns for all shipments marked as ‘CLOSED.’

If the numbers don’t match, it usually indicates that Amazon misplaced your inventory at some point during the shipping process. 🤦‍♂️

Steps to Address Missing Inventory

Reconcile Missing Items:
- Navigate to the ‘Reconcile’ tab for the shipment in question.
- Report the missing items as discrepancies.
- Wait at least 10 days from the shipment’s arrival at the warehouse before filing a claim.
Provide Supporting Documents:Amazon may request an invoice for the items in question. Typically, reimbursements are issued based on the invoice value.
Verify Shipment Weight and Dimensions:
- Keep track of the weight of all parcels you send to Amazon.
- Request Amazon to compare the recorded parcel weight from your courier (e.g., UPS) with the weight of the received shipment.
- If applicable, use the dimensions of the parcel for larger items to confirm the quantity shipped.

Pro Tip:

Before sealing your parcels, take photos of their contents. These images can serve as evidence in case of disputes, showing the quantity and condition of your items. 💡

Regular Checks Are Essential

Amazon automatically marks shipments as ‘CLOSED’ even if discrepancies exist. They won’t investigate unless you raise a case. Ensure you review your shipments consistently to catch any issues early.

👉 Fun Fact: About one in ten shipments has missing items. Act promptly, as you only have 9 months to file a claim for missing inventory. 😫

Claim Timelines and Filing Eligibility

Type of Claim	When to File a Claim
Shipment to Amazon	Within 9 months of verified delivery to Amazon's warehouse.
Fulfillment Center Loss/Damage	Within 18 months of the item being reported lost or damaged in the Inventory Adjustment Report.
Customer Returns	No sooner than 60 days and no later than 18 months after the customer is refunded.
Removal Claims	For lost in-transit items: No sooner than 14 days after the last confirmed movement. For lost/damaged items: Within 18 months.

Steps to File a Reimbursement Claim

Before filing a claim, ensure you have the necessary documents.

What You’ll Need:

Inventory Records: Include tracking numbers, shipment details, and received inventory reports.
Amazon Reports: Access Inventory Adjustments, Received Inventory, and Removal Order Detail reports.
Order Information: Provide order numbers, tracking details, proof of delivery, and transaction data.
Previous Communication: Include any prior correspondence with Amazon Seller Support.
Photographic Evidence: For high-value items, photos of damaged goods can strengthen your claim.
Invoices or Receipts: These validate the value of the missing or damaged items.

Why Documentation Matters:

Comprehensive and organized documentation streamlines the claims process, increasing the likelihood of approval.

What to Expect After Filing

Amazon typically reviews claims within 5-8 business days.

Possible Outcomes:

Approved: Amazon agrees and issues a reimbursement.
Partially Approved: A portion of your claim is reimbursed.
Denied: Amazon rejects your claim and provides a reason.
Request for More Information: Amazon may request additional evidence to process your claim.

Reimbursement Timeline:

Approved claims are credited to your seller account within 3-5 business days of approval.

Tips for Handling Denials

If your claim is denied or partially approved:

Review Amazon’s explanation thoroughly.
Gather any additional evidence.
Respond to their message or open a new case to appeal the decision.

By staying proactive and keeping accurate records, you can recover funds for items lost or damaged during transit, ensuring your Amazon FBA operations remain profitable and efficient. 💰

Amazon FBA Reimbursement Services

For sellers on Amazon, there are now software tools and services that can simplify and automate the process of recovering reimbursements for lost, damaged, or mishandled inventory.

Using these services can save you time and effort, while also improving your chances of successfully claiming reimbursements. Some tools are dedicated solely to reimbursements, while others include this functionality as part of broader inventory management software.

Here’s a comparison of some top Amazon reimbursement services:

Service	Cost	Key Features
GETIDA 🏆	25% of recoveries	Authorized Amazon Partner, automated account monitoring. Recovers funds up to 18 months back. High success rate (90%+). Start with $400 fee-free reimbursements: Get Started with GETIDA.
Seller Investigators	25% of recoveries	Free audit available to estimate your reimbursements. Charges a 25% fee on successful claims. Highly recommended by satisfied users.
Sellerise	$35.99/month	Offers a suite of tools for managing your Amazon business, including reimbursements, financial analytics, PPC management, and inventory tools. No extra fees for claims. Includes a 7-day free trial.
Refunds Manager	25% of recoveries	Easy-to-use service with no hidden fees. Highly rated on Trustpilot. Recovers funds for up to 18 months.
Jungle Scout	$49/month	Part of an all-in-one tool suite for product research, listing optimization, inventory management, and more.

Our Recommendation: GETIDA

GETIDA is highly effective for FBA inventory reimbursements, offering a comprehensive service with an excellent success rate.

Special Offer: Enjoy up to $400 in reimbursements for free using GETIDA. Click here to check how much Amazon owes you.

Summary: Amazon Reimbursement Process

By following these methods, you can recover hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars in reimbursements for lost or mishandled inventory. Regularly auditing your account every three months or using tools like GETIDA can help you stay on top of this process.

To reconcile your data, download reports such as ‘Returns,’ ‘Reimbursements,’ ‘Adjustments,’ and ‘Removal Order Details’ from Seller Central. Compare these with your email confirmations and refunds to ensure nothing is missed.

If you have questions, feel free to leave them in the comments or join our supportive Amazon FBA Facebook Group:

Amazon FBA Selling for Beginners & Pros – a community for new and experienced sellers. 😎

FAQs: Amazon FBA Reimbursements

Q: What’s the time limit for filing a reimbursement claim?A: Typically, you have 18 months from the shipment date, incident, or fee charge to file a claim.

Q: Can I claim reimbursement for lost or damaged customer returns?A: Yes, you can claim for items that were lost or damaged during the return process.

Q: How is the reimbursement amount calculated?A: The reimbursement is based on the item’s average selling price over the past 90 days. FBA fees and item condition may also affect the calculation.

Q: What if my claim is denied or the reimbursement amount is incorrect?A: You can appeal by contacting Seller Support and providing additional documents, such as invoices, photos, and tracking details.

Q: Does Amazon automatically reimburse for all discrepancies?A: Amazon may automatically process some reimbursements for lost or damaged inventory, but inbound discrepancies and overcharged fees often require manual claims.

Q: How long does the reimbursement process take?A: Most claims are resolved within 5-8 business days, with reimbursements typically added to your Seller Central account within another 1-5 days.

By using these tools and following a structured approach, you can recover funds efficiently and maintain a profitable Amazon FBA business. Happy Selling! 💰