Mastering Amazon Reimbursements: Your Essential Guide to Claiming What You’re Owed

Imagine investing time and effort into building your Amazon business, only to realize that a portion of your profits is missing. Some items may have been lost, damaged, or stolen while being shipped. This scenario is frustrating for any seller. The good news? Amazon offers a reimbursement program—but here’s the catch: they don’t notify you if you’re eligible. It’s essential to file a claim for the funds Amazon owes you. 

Whether you’re new to selling on Amazon or a seasoned seller unaware of this program, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about filing Amazon reimbursement claims.

Understanding the Basics: Refunds vs. Reimbursements

Let’s clarify a common misunderstanding: “refunds” and “reimbursements” are not interchangeable terms when discussing Amazon transactions. Both involve the return of money, but they operate differently.

What Are Refunds?

Refunds are amounts returned to customers when they send back merchandise. The buyer receives the full purchase price via their preferred payment method after Amazon processes the return.

What Are Reimbursements?

Reimbursements are compensations Amazon pays to sellers when an item is lost, damaged, or incorrectly processed. Sellers must initiate the claim process to recoup these losses.

The Amazon FBA Reimbursement Process: A Seller’s Guide

If you’re enrolled in Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program, it’s crucial to understand the various stages where errors can occur—and how to claim reimbursements for those mistakes.

1. Identify Eligible Items

Amazon sets strict criteria to determine which items qualify for reimbursement. Your product must meet these conditions:

• Registered in the FBA program when the damage or loss occurred.
• Compliant with FBA product restrictions and inventory guidelines.
• Properly documented in the shipping plan.
• Not damaged by the customer.

2. Know the Reimbursement Policy

Amazon’s reimbursement policies cover several situations but come with specific rules:

• Make sure to provide sufficient evidence, such as receipts or invoices, when filing your claim. 
• Amazon may reverse the reimbursement if the lost inventory is recovered later.
• Expired or prohibited products are not eligible for reimbursement. 

3. Reimbursement Types

Below are the most typical scenarios in which you can file for reimbursement:

• Items Lost in the Warehouse: If inventory is misplaced or mixed with another seller’s stock, Amazon must compensate you.
• Damaged During Shipment: Amazon’s quick handling of orders can sometimes lead to damage, for which they owe you a reimbursement.
• Customer Returns: You can file a claim if a customer fails to return an item but still receives a refund.

Step-by-Step Guide to Filing a Reimbursement Claim

Shipment and Inventory Discrepancies

1. Regularly review your shipments and inventory reports.
2. Verify the delivery date and reconcile discrepancies through the Seller Central dashboard.
3. Make sure to gather all required documents, like shipment IDs and delivery confirmations.

Warehouse Damages

1. Go over the Inventory Adjustments report to verify any product loss or damage. 
2. Make sure the product isn’t faulty or has already been reimbursed before submitting your claim.
3. Use the appropriate transaction or stock-keeping unit (SKU) details to file your claim.

Customer Returns

1. Be sure to file any claims within 45 days of the return being processed by the customer.
2. Provide the customer order ID and any relevant details to support your claim.

6 Tips for Stress-Free Reimbursement Claims

1. Avoid Automation Pitfalls: Amazon flags bot-like responses, so handle each claim manually.
2. Create Templates: Organize claims by category to avoid account suspension for mass submissions.
3. Send Regular Status Updates: Follow up on open claims to ensure they are being processed.
4. Optimize Inventory Management: Prevent discrepancies with an organized inventory system.
5. Double-check Order Details: Verify order accuracy to minimize errors that lead to reimbursement claims.
6. Use Reimbursement Tools: If managing claims becomes overwhelming, explore tools designed to help automate the process.

Managing Amazon FBA Is a Full-Time Job

Beyond optimizing listings and PPC campaigns, maintaining your FBA inventory and handling shipments are key to keeping your business profitable. While Amazon handles fulfillment, lost and damaged items can disrupt your operations. Staying organized and vigilant will help you minimize losses—but when things go wrong, knowing how to claim reimbursements is essential.

Ready to Maximize Your Amazon Business? Partner with Pro Seller Marketing!

At Pro Seller Marketing, we help Amazon sellers like you manage their FBA accounts, ensuring you never miss a reimbursement opportunity. Our team of experts will handle the entire reimbursement process, giving you peace of mind and more time to grow your business. Ready to get started? Book a Discovery Call today! Allow us to simplify the Amazon reimbursement process and help you recover what’s due to you.