Managing an Amazon FBA business means keeping track of inventory, sales, and customer returns. However, one area many sellers overlook is FBA reimbursements. Amazon is responsible for lost, damaged, and miscounted inventory, but they don’t always issue refunds automatically.
To recover lost funds, sellers must file claims based on the Amazon FBA reimbursement policy. While you can manage reimbursements manually, an automated tool like Refunzo makes the process easier and helps you maximize your reimbursement claims.
But what’s the real difference between doing it yourself and using Refunzo? Let’s compare both options.
How does the Amazon FBA reimbursement process work?
Amazon’s fulfillment system isn’t perfect, and mistakes happen. Here are the most common reasons sellers qualify for reimbursements:
- Lost inventory – Items disappear inside Amazon’s fulfillment centers.
- Damaged inventory – Amazon damages products but doesn’t always issue refunds automatically.
- Customer return errors – A customer gets a refund, but the item is never returned or is returned in unsellable condition.
- Overcharged fees – Amazon incorrectly calculates storage, referral, or weight-based fees.
- Mishandled warehouse transfers – Stock is lost or misplaced when moved between fulfillment centers.
Amazon provides detailed policies outlining which cases qualify for reimbursements, but sellers are responsible for tracking these issues and filing claims. If you don’t monitor your account, you could be missing out on thousands of dollars in unclaimed refunds.
Option 1: Handling reimbursements yourself
If you choose to manage FBA reimbursements manually, you’ll need to follow these steps:
- Identify reimbursement opportunities
Amazon does not always notify sellers when they qualify for a refund. To find missing reimbursements, you must:
- Download and review inventory reports from Seller Central.
- Compare shipments with received inventory to check for missing stock.
- Audit customer return reports to verify that refunded items were actually returned.
- Check fee invoices for incorrect charges.
This process is time-consuming and requires careful attention to detail.
- Submit claims through Seller Central
Once you identify a missing reimbursement, you must:
- Open a support case in Seller Central.
- Select the correct reimbursement category (lost, damaged, customer return, or fee issue).
- Provide proof such as tracking numbers, order IDs, and screenshots.
- Wait for Amazon to respond, which may take 7-30 days.
- Follow up on claims
Amazon does not always approve claims right away. In many cases, sellers must:
- Send follow-up messages if there is no response after 10-14 days.
- Provide additional documentation if Amazon requests more details.
- Appeal rejected claims, which can take even longer.
Challenges of doing it yourself
Handling reimbursements manually can be difficult because:
- It takes a lot of time – Sellers may spend hours every month reviewing reports and submitting claims.
- Errors can lead to rejected claims – If a claim is missing documentation or filed incorrectly, Amazon may deny it outright.
- It’s easy to miss refunds – Without an automated system, many sellers fail to track every reimbursement opportunity.
If you only sell a few products, you might be able to manage reimbursements manually. However, for most sellers, the process quickly becomes overwhelming.
Option 2: Using Refunzo for automated reimbursements
Refunzo simplifies the reimbursement process by automating everything. Instead of spending hours searching for missing refunds, sellers can use Refunzo to scan their account and file claims automatically.
How Refunzo works
- Sync your Amazon account – Securely connect your account in just a few clicks.
- Get a full inventory analysis – Refunzo scans your account for over 20 different types of errors.
- Receive a detailed reimbursement report – See exactly how much Amazon owes you.
- Let Refunzo handle the claims – Refunzo files the necessary claims on your behalf.
Benefits of using Refunzo
- Saves time – No need to manually review reports or file claims.
- Finds every eligible refund – Ensures sellers don’t miss hidden reimbursement opportunities.
- Faster processing – Claims are filed quickly and follow-ups are automated.
- No upfront costs – You only pay a small fee when a claim is successfully recovered.
How to maximize your reimbursement claims
Whether you choose to handle reimbursements yourself or use an automated service like Refunzo, here are the best ways to maximize your reimbursement claims:
- Track reimbursements consistently
Amazon has strict time limits for submitting claims. Regularly check your reports and file claims before the deadline to avoid losing money.
- Provide complete documentation
Amazon requires clear proof before approving a reimbursement. Always include:
- Order IDs and tracking details
- Screenshots of inventory discrepancies
- Shipment and return records
- Use the correct reimbursement category
Amazon processes claims based on specific categories (lost inventory, damaged stock, fee disputes, etc.). Selecting the wrong category can delay or reject your claim.
- Follow up on claims
Amazon support teams handle thousands of requests daily. If a claim is still pending after 10-14 days, send a follow-up message to keep it active.
- Automate the process with Refunzo
Tracking reimbursements manually is time-consuming, and small mistakes can lead to lost refunds. Refunzo helps sellers recover more money by automating the entire process.
Final thoughts
The Amazon FBA reimbursement policy places the responsibility on sellers to track missing refunds. While Amazon does issue some reimbursements automatically, many go unnoticed unless the seller files a claim.
Sellers have two choices:
- Manually track and submit claims, which takes time and effort.
- Use Refunzo to automate the process and recover reimbursements more efficiently.
If you want to maximize your reimbursement claims and avoid losing money due to Amazon’s mistakes, an automated system like Refunzo is the best option.
Check your account today and see how much Amazon owes you.
