Selling on Amazon through FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) is convenient — but it’s not error-free. Inventory gets lost, damaged, miscounted, or customer refunds are issued incorrectly.
That’s where Amazon reimbursement claims come in.
However, many sellers lose thousands of dollars simply because they make mistakes while filing claims.
In this guide, we’ll cover the most common mistakes to avoid when filing an Amazon reimbursement claim, and how to ensure you recover every dollar you’re entitled to.
What Is an Amazon Reimbursement Claim?
An Amazon reimbursement claim is a request submitted by sellers when:
- Inventory is lost in Amazon warehouse
- Items are damaged during fulfillment
- Customer refunds are issued but product not returned
- Returned items are damaged and marked sellable
- Removal orders are lost
Amazon investigates and compensates you if the claim is valid.
15 Mistakes to Avoid When Filing Amazon Reimbursement Claims
1. Not Auditing Your Account Regularly
Biggest mistake:
Sellers assume Amazon automatically reimburses everything.
Reality: Many cases go unnoticed.
✔ Check:
- Inventory adjustment reports
- Returns reports
- Reimbursements report
- Removal order reports
Best practice: Audit at least once per month.
2. Filing Claims Too Late
Amazon has strict time limits.
Typical windows:
- Lost inventory: within 18 months
- Customer return claims: within 90–120 days (varies by case)
If you miss the deadline, you lose eligibility.
3. Filing Claims Too Early
If you file before Amazon completes internal reconciliation, your claim may be rejected.
For example:
Lost inventory often requires waiting 30 days before filing.
Always verify eligibility first.
4. Submitting Incomplete Documentation
Amazon requires proof.
Common required documents:
- Shipment ID
- Tracking number
- Invoice from supplier
- Proof of delivery
- SKU or ASIN
If documentation is incomplete, the case will be denied.
5. Using Emotional or Aggressive Language
Support teams respond better to professional communication.
Avoid:
- Threatening language
- Blaming Amazon
- Long emotional explanations
Use clear, factual, data-based messages.
6. Not Attaching Supplier Invoices Properly
Invoices must:
- Match your business name
- Be dated within 365 days
- Include supplier contact details
- Show purchased quantity
Handwritten or fake invoices can lead to rejection — or even account review.
7. Claiming Ineligible Inventory
Not everything qualifies.
Amazon will not reimburse:
- Customer-damaged items beyond policy
- Expired inventory
- Improperly labeled products
- Restricted category violations
Always check FBA reimbursement policy before filing.
8. Ignoring Partial Reimbursements
Sometimes Amazon reimburses less than expected.
Many sellers never verify if:
- The reimbursement matches selling price
- Fees were deducted correctly
- Quantity was calculated properly
Always cross-check reimbursement value.
9. Filing Duplicate Claims
Opening multiple cases for the same issue can:
- Delay processing
- Trigger account review
- Lead to denial
Track all case IDs carefully.
10. Not Tracking Lost Shipments to Amazon
When sending inventory to FBA warehouses, sellers often forget to reconcile:
- Units shipped
- Units received
- Units closed
If units go missing during inbound shipment, you must reconcile and file properly.
11. Ignoring “Customer Refund Without Return” Cases
Sometimes:
Customer gets refunded
But never returns the item
Amazon does not always automatically reimburse you.
Check:
- Refund report
- Return status
- Disposal status
12. Poor Case Formatting
Messy cases get rejected.
Best format:
- Clear subject line
- Bullet points
- Shipment ID
- SKU
- Dates
- Attached documents
Keep it structured and professional.
13. Not Following Up
Amazon may close cases automatically.
If unresolved:
Follow up within 3–5 days.
Consistency increases recovery success.
14. Not Calculating Total Recoverable Amount
Many sellers focus only on lost inventory.
But you can also claim:
- Warehouse damage
- Customer return damage
- Destroyed inventory errors
- Removal order losses
- Weight & dimension fee errors
Small amounts add up over time.
15. Doing Manual Claims Without a System
Manual tracking becomes overwhelming as sales grow.
Advanced sellers either:
- Use spreadsheets
- Create internal SOPs
- Hire VA specialists
- Use reimbursement audit software
Without a system, money slips through.
Pro Tips to Maximize Reimbursements
✔ Audit monthly
✔ Maintain clean supplier invoices
✔ Keep organized shipment records
✔ Track reconciliation reports
✔ Maintain case tracking sheet
✔ Understand policy updates
How Much Money Sellers Lose by Not Filing Claims?
Many 6-figure sellers recover:
- 1–3% of total annual revenue
- Sometimes even 5%+ in high-volume accounts
For example:
If you sell $500,000/year
You may recover $5,000–$15,000 in reimbursements.
That’s pure profit recovery.
Final Thoughts
Filing reimbursement claims on Amazon is not optional — it’s part of professional account management.
Most sellers don’t lose money because Amazon makes errors.
They lose money because they don’t audit and claim properly.
Avoid these mistakes, stay organized, and treat reimbursements as a regular business process.
