Lost inventory on Amazon can cost sellers between 1% and 3% of their sales. Here’s how to recover it quickly:
- Find Missing Inventory: Use Amazon reports like Inventory Adjustments and Reconciliation to identify discrepancies.
- Collect Documents: Gather shipping records (e.g., Bills of Lading, tracking numbers) and inventory details (e.g., SKUs, invoices).
- Submit Claims: File claims via Seller Central within Amazon’s strict 60-day window.
- Track Claims: Monitor claim status and follow up with Amazon Support if needed.
- Prevent Future Losses: Perform regular audits, use inventory management tools, and maintain accurate records.
Key Tip: Amazon’s automated system misses 40% of reimbursements, so manual claims are critical. Act fast to avoid losing money.
| Action | Deadline |
|---|---|
| File Warehouse Claims | 60 days |
| File Customer Return Claims | 60–120 days |
Recover Lost & Damaged Inventory Reimbursements (2024 Guide)
Step 1: Find Missing Inventory
To locate missing inventory, start by using Amazon’s reporting tools. Regularly reviewing Seller Central reports can help you identify discrepancies and recover inventory. Focus on specific Amazon reports to zero in on the problem areas.
Check Amazon Inventory Reports
These reports provide key insights into your inventory status:
- Amazon Fulfilled Inventory Report: Gives near real-time details of FBA products, including stock levels and movements.
- Inventory Ledger Report: Tracks your inventory from start to finish, covering opening balances, received items, customer orders, returns, adjustments, removals, and closing balances.
- Inventory Adjustments Report: Highlights corrections and updates related to damage, loss, receiving errors, and transfers.
Match Internal and Amazon Records
Comparing your internal records with Amazon’s data is essential for spotting inconsistencies. Here’s how to do it:
-
Download Reports
Navigate to Seller Central’s "Inventory Reports" section and download the following:- Active Listings Report
- Inventory Reconciliation Report (up to 18 months of data)
- Inventory Health Report (specific to FBA sellers)
-
Reconcile Regularly
Use spreadsheet software to compare the downloaded reports with your internal records. Match SKUs, check for quantity mismatches, verify prices, and align ASINs. -
Document Issues
Record any discrepancies, including SKU, quantity differences, dates, and transaction IDs, for follow-up.
| Report Type | Purpose | Availability | Key Data Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Listings | Shows current status | 30 days | SKUs, prices, quantity |
| Inventory Reconciliation | Tracks historical data | 18 months | Stock movements, adjustments |
| Inventory Health | FBA stock details | 30 days | Sales velocity, inventory age |
Step 2: Collect Required Documents
Having the right documents ready is crucial for filing an Amazon reimbursement claim. Proper documentation can significantly improve your chances of approval.
Gather Shipping Records
Shipping records are essential to prove that your items were delivered to Amazon. Make sure to collect and organize the following:
- Bills of Lading (BOL): Include carrier signatures.
- Packing Slips: Confirm item counts and SKUs.
- Carrier Confirmations: Provide tracking numbers.
- FBA Shipment IDs: Available in Seller Central.
- Proof of Delivery (POD): Verify delivery completion.
Complete POD documentation is a must – missing this can result in claim denial . Organize your records by shipment date, carrier name, FBA shipment ID, and warehouse destination for easy reference.
Once your shipping records are ready, move on to documenting the missing items.
Record Missing Item Details
To strengthen your claim, document all missing items thoroughly. Here’s what you need:
- Inventory Documentation: Include purchase orders, invoices, inventory adjustment reports, stock counts, product photos, and any relevant customer communications.
- Financial Records: Compile sales reports, fee statements, bank statements, and Amazon payment reports.
The table below highlights the key documents and their purposes:
| Document Type | Purpose | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping Records | Prove delivery | Tracking numbers, signatures, dates |
| Inventory Reports | Show discrepancies | SKUs, quantities, adjustments |
| Financial Documents | Validate losses | Costs, fees, reimbursement amounts |
Regularly auditing your inventory by comparing physical stock with Amazon’s reported figures can help you catch discrepancies early . Be sure to double-check all your information, file claims within Amazon’s required timeframe, and keep a record of all communications with Amazon Support.
Using inventory management tools like SoStocked can simplify the process of organizing documents and managing claims .
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Step 3: Submit Your Claim
Submitting Through Seller Central
Once your documentation is ready, follow these steps to submit your reimbursement claim via Seller Central:
- Log in to Seller Central.
- Navigate to Reports > FBA Reimbursements.
- Create a new Safe-T claim.
- Enter the shipment or order ID.
- Upload all required documents.
- Clearly outline the missing quantity, when it was detected, and any prior interactions with Amazon Support.
When submitting, focus on the details: the exact quantity missing, the date you noticed the issue, any support case numbers, and a summary of past communication. After submitting, keep an eye on your claim’s status to address potential delays quickly.
Amazon’s Reimbursement Deadlines
Make sure to adhere to these claim timeframes:
| Claim Type | Time Window | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Warehouse Lost/Damaged | 60 days | For items lost or damaged in Amazon’s warehouses. |
| FBA Customer Returns | 60–120 days | Varies depending on the type of return. |
| Transit Loss Claims | 15–75 days | Covers items lost during removal. |
| Other Claims | 60 days | Includes all other reimbursement claims. |
Amazon has significantly shortened the submission window from 18 months to these stricter timelines, an 88.89% reduction . Industry reports indicate this change might leave up to 40% of reimbursements unclaimed, with some sellers potentially losing as much as 60% of their eligible claims .
Tips for Smooth Claim Submission
- Submit claims as soon as you identify a problem.
- Include all necessary documents in one submission, using clear file names.
- Reference specific inventory adjustment reports for accuracy.
- Follow up if your claim isn’t resolved within the usual review timeframe.
Once your claim is filed, monitor its progress closely to ensure it’s handled promptly. Keep copies of all documents for your records. Claims are generally reviewed within a few business days, but staying proactive is key to avoiding unnecessary delays.
Step 4: Track Your Claims
Check Claim Progress
Keep an eye on your reimbursement claims through Amazon Seller Central using the Amazon Reimbursement Report . To access it, go to Reports > FBA Reimbursements, then choose your desired date range to view or download the report.
Here’s what you’ll find in the report:
| Information | Description |
|---|---|
| Claim ID | A unique number assigned to your reimbursement request |
| Submission Date | The date you filed the claim |
| Current Status | Whether the claim is Pending, Under Review, Approved, or Denied |
| Reimbursement Amount | The approved amount (in USD) |
| Resolution Timeline | The estimated completion date for your claim |
If your claim status doesn’t change or issues arise, it’s time to take action.
Handle Delayed Claims
For claims stuck in limbo, reach out to Seller Support with your claim ID and any necessary documents . If your claim is denied, carefully review the response and file an appeal. Include:
- A clear explanation of why your claim qualifies
- Relevant sections of Amazon’s policies
- Proof of inventory loss
- Any additional supporting evidence
To stay on top of things, review your Amazon Reimbursement Report regularly – ideally every month. Compare it with your inventory reports and keep a record of all correspondence with Amazon .
For a more detailed analysis of your claims and recoveries, consider using tools like the Seller Investigators dashboard . Staying organized and proactive helps you recover lost inventory more effectively and can guide you in preventing future issues.
Step 5: Prevent Future Losses
Smarter Inventory Tracking
Perform quarterly audits by comparing your internal records with metrics like the Inventory Performance Index, stock age reports, and sell-through rates (aiming for above 7.0). Any discrepancies should be documented immediately to minimize losses .
"Amazon’s inventory management tools use world-class machine learning algorithms to create customized restock strategies, taking into account current inventory levels, restock preferences, supply chain constraints, and anticipated demand." – Kevin G., FBA Inventory Optimization Team
Keep around 60 days of supply on hand. Stock exceeding 90 days is considered excess and can result in additional fees .
Using Inventory Management Software
Take this process to the next level by adopting inventory management software. Tools like FlatFilePro can simplify operations – editing listings up to 17x faster – and help avoid common mistakes . Its error detection feature can reduce issues by up to 8x, catching problems before they grow.
Here’s how the right software can make a difference:
| Feature | Benefit | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time Tracking | Updates inventory levels automatically | Prevents overselling and stockouts |
| Error Detection | Spots discrepancies early | Cuts down issues by up to 8x |
| Automated Alerts | Sends notifications for low stock | Helps maintain optimal inventory levels |
| Data Backup | Secures inventory records | Avoids data loss and ensures accuracy |
Additional tips to optimize inventory management:
- Set up low stock alerts
- Use bulk update tools for efficiency
- Apply ABC analysis to prioritize high-value items
- Track all inventory movements carefully
- Keep an eye on overhead and freight costs
Conclusion: Summary of Recovery Steps
If you’ve experienced lost inventory within Amazon’s 60-day reimbursement window (effective November 1, 2024) , here’s how you can take action to recover it.
"Amazon Reimbursement ensures you recover funds from lost or damaged inventory, overcharged fees, and more, putting your hard-earned money back where it belongs." – My Amazon Guy
Sellers can recover around 3% of their annual sales by filing proper reimbursement claims . Here’s a quick breakdown of what to do and when:
| Timeline | Action Required | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Promptly | Check for inventory discrepancies | Use the Inventory Adjustments report |
| Within 30 days | Document and gather evidence | Standard review window |
| Within 60 days | Submit reimbursement claim | Manual claim deadline |
Amazon automatically handles reimbursements for reported FBA losses, but manual claims require timely action.
To make this process smoother, consider using automation tools. For example, Sellerlogic’s Lost & Found can handle discrepancy searches , while services like Getida help refine documentation for better claim approval rates . Tools like FlatFilePro can also simplify catalog management, ensuring your inventory data stays accurate. By integrating these solutions, you can save time and recover your funds more efficiently.
