Selling on Amazon using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is convenient, but errors happen frequently. Inventory can get lost, damaged, overcharged, or mishandled, and many sellers don’t realize Amazon owes them money. If you don’t regularly check for mistakes, you could be losing thousands of dollars in unclaimed reimbursements.
The good news is that Amazon has a reimbursement system to compensate sellers for certain errors. However, not all issues qualify, and many reimbursements require manual claims from sellers. Understanding which FBA errors qualify for reimbursements can help you recover lost revenue faster. If you don’t have time to manage this yourself, an Amazon FBA reimbursement service can help automate the process and ensure you get every dollar Amazon owes you.
This guide covers the most common FBA errors that qualify for Amazon reimbursement claims and how to get your money back.
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Lost or damaged inventory at Amazon fulfillment centers
What happens?
Amazon sometimes loses or damages inventory in its fulfillment centers. This can happen during:
- Storage (shelving, packing, or moving inventory).
- Warehouse transfers (when inventory moves between fulfillment centers).
- Order fulfillment (when an item is damaged before it reaches the customer).
Does Amazon automatically reimburse?
Amazon will sometimes automatically process a reimbursement. However, in many cases, sellers need to file an Amazon reimbursement claim to recover their losses.
How to check for reimbursement?
- Go to Seller Central > Reports > Fulfillment > Inventory Adjustments.
- Look for inventory marked as lost or damaged.
- If Amazon hasn’t reimbursed you within 30 days, file a claim.
Claim deadline: 18 months from the date of loss/damage.
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Inbound shipment discrepancies (Lost or missing inventory sent to Amazon)
What happens?
When you send inventory to Amazon’s warehouses, some items might:
- Go missing in transit.
- Be received with incorrect quantities.
- Get misplaced within Amazon’s system.
Amazon’s receiving process is not perfect, and they may fail to account for all your inbound units.
Does Amazon automatically reimburse?
Amazon does not always detect shipment discrepancies. You must manually check your inbound shipment reports and file a claim for missing inventory.
How to check for reimbursement?
- Go to Seller Central > Inventory > Manage FBA Shipments.
- Compare the shipped quantity vs. the received quantity.
- If there’s a discrepancy, submit an Amazon reimbursement claim with proof of shipment.
Claim deadline: 9 months from the shipment date.
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Customer return errors
What happens?
Amazon offers a generous return policy, but sometimes:
- Customers receive a refund but never return the product.
- Returned items are damaged or unsellable, and Amazon fails to reimburse you.
- A return is processed incorrectly, leading to revenue loss.
Does Amazon automatically reimburse?
Amazon does sometimes process automatic reimbursements, but mistakes happen, and sellers should check manually.
How to check for reimbursement?
- Go to Seller Central > Reports > Fulfillment > Returns Report.
- Look for customer refunds that don’t have a corresponding returned item.
- If Amazon has not reimbursed you after 45 days, file a claim.
Claim deadline: 60 days from the return date.
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Overcharged FBA fees (Weight & dimension discrepancies)
What happens?
Amazon calculates FBA fulfillment fees based on product size and weight. Sometimes, Amazon miscalculates, leading to:
- Overcharged fulfillment fees.
- Incorrect storage fees.
- Higher referral fees than expected.
Does Amazon automatically reimburse?
No. Sellers must manually check their FBA fee charges and dispute incorrect fees.
How to check for reimbursement?
- Go to Seller Central > Reports > Payments > Fee Preview Report.
- Compare the fee charged vs. the actual dimensions of your product.
If Amazon is charging the wrong fee, file an Amazon reimbursement claim with proof (manufacturer specs, images, or invoices).
Claim deadline: 90 days from the date the incorrect fee was charged.
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Destroyed or disposed inventory without seller permission
What happens?
Amazon may dispose of inventory without your approval due to:
- Warehouse space issues.
- Mislabeling errors.
- Unintentional removals.
If Amazon destroys your inventory without permission, you are entitled to a reimbursement.
Does Amazon automatically reimburse?
No, you must file a claim and prove that the disposal was unauthorized.
How to check for reimbursement?
- Go to Seller Central > Reports > Fulfillment > Disposal Order Detail Report.
- Look for items marked as disposed or destroyed.
- If you did not request disposal, file a claim for reimbursement.
Claim deadline: 18 months from the disposal date.
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Orders not shipped but marked as delivered (Amazon logistics errors)
What happens?
- Amazon may mark an order as delivered when it was never shipped.
- A customer may never receive the package, but Amazon still charges the seller.
Does Amazon automatically reimburse?
No. If Amazon incorrectly marks an order as delivered but not shipped, you need to submit a claim.
How to check for reimbursement?
- Go to Seller Central > Reports > Payments > Transaction Reports.
- Look for orders that were marked as delivered but never fulfilled.
- File a claim with order details and tracking information.
Claim deadline: 60 days from the order date.
Why work with an Amazon FBA reimbursement service?
Manually checking for FBA reimbursement claims can be time-consuming and complex. Many sellers lose thousands of dollars simply because they don’t audit their accounts regularly.
An Amazon FBA reimbursement service can:
- Automatically track missing inventory.
- File claims on your behalf.
- Ensure maximum reimbursement payouts.
- Follow up with Amazon support until your claim is processed.
For sellers with high sales volume, using a professional service can recover lost money without extra effort.
Final thoughts
Amazon makes mistakes, and if you don’t monitor your FBA account regularly, you could be losing money. The most common reimbursement opportunities include:
- Lost or damaged inventory.
- Inbound shipment discrepancies.
- Customer return errors.
- Overcharged FBA fees.
- Unauthorized inventory disposal.
- Logistics errors on undelivered orders.
If you don’t have time to manually track and file claims, using an Amazon FBA reimbursement service can help recover lost revenue quickly and efficiently. Whether you manage it yourself or outsource the process, staying on top of Amazon reimbursement claims ensures you get every dollar Amazon owes you.
