Account health, ads, inventory and fulfilment · Recovering lost, damaged and mis-billed inventory
Reimbursement claims
Three claim families, the evidence each one needs, and the monthly reconciliation that stops money leaking.
Key facts
| Family 1 | Inventory lost or damaged in the fulfilment network |
|---|---|
| Family 2 | A customer refund that was not followed by a returned unit within the allowed window |
| Family 3 | Fee overcharges, including dimension or weight misclassification |
| Evidence | Shipment ID, ASIN, event date, reconciliation report and the order or adjustment identifier |
| Windows | Claim windows differ by type and marketplace; inventory reconciliation commonly looks back many months |
| Official source | FBA reimbursement policy and the reimbursement report in Seller Central |
The three claim families
Inventory claims cover units that were lost or damaged while in Amazon's control. Refund claims cover orders where the customer was refunded but the unit was not returned within the allowed window. Fee claims cover charges that do not match the measured size, weight or category.
Each family has a different evidence trail. A shipment claim needs the shipment ID and the reconciled unit count. A refund claim needs the order ID and the return status. A fee claim needs the measurement evidence and the fee transaction.
Build a monthly reconciliation
Download the inventory ledger, the reimbursements report and the fee preview, then match units in, units out and units reimbursed. The gap is the claim list. Do this monthly; the longer the gap sits, the harder the evidence is to assemble.
Automate the first pass with a spreadsheet or a script, but review the exceptions by hand. Duplicate claims and claims for units that were actually returned are the fastest way to lose credibility with the support team.
Frequently asked questions
Are reimbursements automatic?
Some inventory events are reimbursed automatically. Refund and fee errors often require a claim with evidence.
How far back can I claim?
It depends on the claim type and marketplace. Inventory reconciliation windows are commonly measured in months, so do not wait a year to start.
Why was my claim denied?
Common reasons are missing evidence, a unit that was returned, a duplicate claim, or a fee that was already corrected. Re-check the ledger before resubmitting.
Can I claim for a return that arrived damaged?
If the unit was refunded and the returned item is unsellable, the applicable policy may cover it. Keep the return and condition evidence.
Ask a compliance question
Free first answer by email. Tell us the destination, the product and the channel — we will point you to the rule and the official source. No obligation, no sales sequence.