If you’re an Amazon FBA seller, you know that errors happen—inventory gets lost, damaged, or miscounted. When this happens, Amazon is supposed to reimburse you, but the process isn’t always straightforward. How long does it actually take to receive your money?
The answer depends on several factors, including the type of Amazon reimbursement claim you file, Amazon’s response time, and whether you handle the process yourself or use an automated service like Refunzo.
In this guide, we’ll break down how long Amazon typically takes to process refunds, the factors that affect reimbursement speed, and how to get your money back as quickly as possible.
How long does Amazon take to process an FBA reimbursement?
Amazon’s refund timeline varies depending on the type of issue you’re filing a claim for. Below is an estimate of how long each type of reimbursement usually takes:
| Reimbursement Type | Estimated Processing Time |
| Lost inventory | 7-14 days (if automatic), up to 30 days if manually filed |
| Damaged inventory | 7-21 days |
| Customer return errors | 10-30 days |
| Overcharged fees | 7-21 days |
| Warehouse transfer issues | 14-30 days |
| Destroyed inventory | 10-30 days |
- Automatic reimbursements (7-14 days)
Amazon’s system automatically detects some errors (like lost or damaged inventory) and processes refunds without you needing to file a claim. If Amazon catches the mistake, you’ll typically receive your money within 7-14 days.
However, Amazon doesn’t always issue refunds automatically, which is why it’s important to regularly audit your account for missing reimbursements.
- Manual claims (10-30 days or longer)
If Amazon doesn’t automatically reimburse you, you’ll need to file a manual claim through Seller Central. Once you submit a claim, Amazon typically responds within 7-14 days.
However, the full process can take up to 30 days or more, depending on:
- How complex the issue is (some claims require multiple follow-ups).
- How quickly Amazon’s support team responds (during busy seasons, response times may be slower).
Whether Amazon requests additional documentation (this can delay the process further).
- Disputed claims (30+ days)
If Amazon denies your claim, you may have to appeal the decision or provide additional proof. This can extend the reimbursement timeline to 30 days or more.
How to speed up the reimbursement process
While Amazon controls the timeline for refunds, there are steps you can take to speed things up and ensure you get your money back as quickly as possible.
- File claims as soon as possible
Amazon has strict time limits for filing reimbursement claims:
- Lost or damaged inventory – 18 months
- Customer return errors – 45 days
- Overcharged fees – 90 days
If you wait too long, you may lose the chance to recover your money forever. Filing claims as soon as you spot an issue ensures Amazon processes your reimbursement faster.
- Provide complete and accurate documentation
When submitting an Amazon reimbursement claim, make sure to include:
- Order ID or shipment ID (if applicable)
- Proof of inventory sent to Amazon
- Screenshots or reports showing discrepancies
- A clear explanation of the issue
Providing complete details reduces back-and-forth communication, making it easier for Amazon to approve your refund.
- Follow up regularly
Amazon’s support team handles thousands of requests daily. If you don’t follow up, your claim could get delayed or ignored.
If you haven’t received a response after 7-10 days, send a polite follow-up message. Persistent (but professional) follow-ups can help get your case resolved faster.
- Automate the process with Refunzo
Manually tracking reimbursements takes time. Instead of spending hours searching for missing refunds, you can use Refunzo to automate the process.
Refunzo offers Life Time Free Amazon FBA Reconciliation, which means you can:
- Automatically scan your account for lost, damaged, or mischarged inventory.
- Get a detailed report on how much Amazon owes you.
- Let Refunzo handle the claims so you don’t have to deal with Seller Central support.
Why some sellers wait months for reimbursements
While most claims are processed within 7-30 days, some sellers experience delays of 60 days or more. Here’s why:
- Busy seasons – Amazon’s support team is overwhelmed during Q4 and Prime Day, leading to slower response times.
- Insufficient documentation – If your claim lacks necessary details, Amazon may reject or delay your reimbursement.
- Multiple claims at once – If you submit many claims at the same time, Amazon may take longer to review them.
- Disputed cases – If Amazon denies your initial claim, you’ll need to appeal and provide more proof, which extends the timeline.
By using Refunzo’s automated system, you can reduce delays and ensure your claims are handled correctly the first time.
Final thoughts
Getting a refund from Amazon usually takes between 7-30 days, depending on the type of reimbursement claim and whether you need to file manually. If Amazon denies your claim, the process can take even longer.
To avoid delays and maximize your recovered funds, it’s important to:
- File claims quickly before deadlines expire.
- Provide complete documentation to avoid unnecessary delays.
- Follow up regularly if Amazon doesn’t respond in a timely manner.
- Use an automated service like Refunzo to track reimbursements efficiently.
With Life Time Free Amazon FBA Reconciliation, Refunzo makes sure you never miss a reimbursement, helping you recover every dollar Amazon owes you—without the headache.
Start your free scan today and see how much Amazon owes you!
