What if you’re losing money on Amazon—and not even realizing it?
Even the best sellers believe Amazon catches every lost item, damaged shipment, or return mistake. In reality, errors happen often and if you’re not watching closely, you could be losing profits over time. That’s where FBA claims come in. Filing claims for missing inventory, mishandled returns, and incorrect fees isn’t just busywork, it’s an important strategy to protect what you’ve earned.
The challenge? Amazon’s process isn’t always simple. It takes careful tracking, the right documentation, and knowing when and how to file claims properly.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the full step-by-step process, from spotting eligible claims to submitting clear cases that get approved. Whether you’re new to FBA or managing a large catalog, learning how to handle claims the right way can put real money back into your business and help you avoid costly mistakes.
What are FBA claims?
FBA claims are requests sellers make to Amazon to recover money or inventory lost due to errors within the Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) system. As an FBA seller, Amazon handles your storage, packing, shipping, and customer returns but mistakes can happen.
For example, Amazon might lose or damage your products in the warehouse, or refund a customer without receiving the item back. When this happens, sellers can file an Amazon reimbursement claim.
Common FBA claim types include:
- Lost or damaged inventory
- Customer returns not received
- Incorrect fees charged for weight or dimensions
- Missing or mishandled removal orders
Filing a claim means submitting proof (like order IDs, tracking info, or reports) through Amazon Seller Central. But there are time limits, usually 18 months so regular checks are important. FBA claims help protect your profits and ensure Amazon makes things right when errors happen on their end.
Step-by-step guide for managing FBA claims
If you sell through Amazon FBA, you might assume that Amazon handles everything from inventory to returns, and refunds. But here’s the reality: Amazon doesn’t always catch every mistake. Whether it’s lost inventory, unreturned items, or overcharged fees, you may be missing money without realizing it.
Filing claims for reimbursements can recover hundreds or even thousands of dollars over time. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to doing it right.
Step 1: Identify eligible claim types
Before diving into reports, know what Amazon reimburses. Eligible refund claim types include:
- Lost inventory inside Amazon fulfillment centers.
- Damaged items are caused by Amazon during handling or transit.
- Customer refunds where the product was never returned.
- Incorrect FBA fees, like overcharges based on wrong weight or dimensions.
- Missing items from removal or disposal orders.
Not every error qualifies, so focus on these key claim types to save time and effort. Managing FBA claims properly is key to securing your Amazon lost inventory reimbursement and protecting your profits.
Step 2: Gather your reports
Go to Seller Central > Reports > Fulfillment and download the following:
- Inventory adjustments report – Shows items marked as lost or damaged.
- Returns report – Helps track customer refunds and if returns were completed.
- Inventory event detail report – Useful for removal of order discrepancies.
- Fee preview report – Check if Amazon is using the correct size/weight for fees.
- Reimbursements Report – Shows refunds already processed, helping you avoid duplicate claims.
These reports form the base of your audit. Save them regularly, as Amazon may remove older data over time.
Step 3: Reconcile discrepancies
This step requires comparing what Amazon reports vs. what happened. For example:
- A customer was refunded, but the item was never restocked.
- Amazon reported damage to your product, but you were never reimbursed.
- The FBA fee seems too high—when checked, your product dimensions were mismeasured.
Highlight these mismatches. Keep a spreadsheet to log each issue, including product SKUs, dates, and order numbers. This will make your claim process much smoother later.
Step 4: Prepare your case
For each issue you find, prepare a clear and focused claim. Include:
- Order ID or shipment ID
- Product SKU or ASIN
- Screenshots of relevant report data
- Tracking numbers (if applicable)
- A short explanation of the issue (keep it factual, not emotional)
This is the most important part—Amazon support prefers specific and direct cases. Don’t just say “I’m missing a refund.” Show them the proof.
Step 5: Open a case in Seller Central
Go to Seller Central > Help > Get Support, then choose:
Selling on Amazon > Fulfillment by Amazon > FBA Inventory Reimbursement.
Paste your prepared message and attach any relevant screenshots or files. Choose the right issue category so your request gets routed to the correct team. Most cases are reviewed within a few business days.
Step 6: Track responses and follow up
Amazon typically responds within 5–10 business days. Once a claim is approved, the refund will be credited to your account and appear in your payments report.
If the claim is denied, read the explanation carefully. Sometimes it’s a misunderstanding or missing information. Reopen the case with better documentation or escalate if needed.
Keep a tracking sheet of open cases, resolved claims, and the total amount recovered—it’s satisfying and helps you stay organized.
Mistakes to avoid
Filing Amazon refund claims can help you recover lost money but doing it the wrong way can lead to delays, denials, or even account warnings. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
1. Not checking regularly
Many sellers assume Amazon handles all refunds automatically. In reality, some issues slip through. If you’re not checking your reports monthly, you could be missing out.
2. Submitting incomplete claims
Always include key details like order IDs, SKUs, and screenshots. Vague or incomplete claims are more likely to be rejected.
3. Filing duplicate claims
Submitting the same claim more than once can cause confusion and lead to unnecessary delays. Always check if a case has already been filed or resolved.
4. Using the wrong report data
Make sure you’re referencing the correct Amazon reports (like Inventory Adjustments or Returns Reports) to support your claim.
5. Waiting too long
Amazon has strict time limits for claims—some as short as 9 months. If you wait too long, you lose the chance to recover your money.
6. Not following up
If your claim is denied, don’t give up. Recheck your evidence and reopen the case if needed.
Avoiding these mistakes will save you time, reduce frustration, and help you recover more money.
Tips to improve your reimbursement success rate
- Audit your reports regularly
- Submit clear and complete cases
- Use Amazon’s case categories correctly
- Stick to Amazon’s time limits
- Avoid emotional or vague language
- Track and follow up on cases
- Use tools or experts for support
Final words
Managing FBA claims isn’t just about spotting mistakes—it’s about protecting the money you’ve already earned. Many sellers lose thousands each year simply because they assume Amazon will automatically correct every error. By following a structured process of identifying issues, gathering the right reports, filing strong claims, and tracking responses you can recover lost profits and keep your business healthy.
Mistakes like missing deadlines or submitting incomplete claims are easy to avoid once you understand how the system works. Staying organized, proactive, and persistent makes all the difference.
If the process feels overwhelming or you want expert support to maximize your reimbursements, working with experienced Amazon consultants can help. They understand Amazon’s systems inside and out, can catch mistakes you might miss, and ensure every claim is handled properly so you can focus on growing your business instead of chasing lost dollars.
