Changes to FBA Reimbursement

Amazon will be making some big changes to their FBA Reimbursement policies. These changes include a new automated system for reimbursing sellers, as well as reducing the reimbursement claim window for missing/lost inventory.

Changes to the Claim Window

Starting October 23, Amazon will update their eligibility window from 18 months to just 60 days. All manual claims must now be submitted within the following timelines:

• A fulfillment center operations claim for an item that is lost or damaged in the fulfillment center must be submitted no later than 60 days after the item was reported lost or damaged. (Previous claim window was 18 months)
• An FBA customer returns claim can be submitted between 60-120 days after the customer refund or replacement date. Claims must not be submitted before 60 days to ensure the customer has time to return the item to us for processing. (Previous claim window was between 60 days – 18 months)
• A removal claim for items lost in transit can be submitted 15-75 days from the shipment-creation date. Claims must not be submitted before 15 days to ensure the shipment can be delivered back to you. (Previous claim window was 14 days - 18 months)
• All other removal claims must be filed within 60 days of the shipment being delivered back to you. (Previous claim window was 18 months)

​This means that when this policy goes into effect, sellers will lose the chance to file a reimbursement claims for shipments in the previous 16 months:

• On October 22, 2024 (18 Month window): Reimbursement claims eligible from April 22, 2023
• On October 23, 2024 (60 Day window): Reimbursement claims eligible from August 24, 2024

Sellers should check all FBA shipments in the last 18 months and file any reimbursement claims possible before October 22.

New FBA Reimbursement Program

Starting on November 1, 2024, Amazon will begin to proactively reimburse sellers for any Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) items that were lost while in Amazon’s fulfillment centers. They will issue the reimbursement as soon as an item is reported as lost by the fulfillment center (which can be tracked in the Reimbursements report on Seller Central). This new automated system will save sellers time by minimizing the need to manually research and file claims for lost items.
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​Almost all reimbursement claims related to lost/damaged items in the warehouse and customer returns cases will now be proactively reimbursed. However, if you do not receive an automatic reimbursement and you believe that your inventory has been lost or damaged, you will need to file a manual claim.

Amazon will not automatically reimburse for any past FBA inventory issues. Any potential reimbursements outside of the previous 60 days will no longer be claimable if those claims are not filed before the October 23 deadline.

Adapting to the Changes

Amazon’s latest updates to its FBA reimbursement policy represent a significant shift for sellers who rely on FBA for their fulfillment needs. While the proactive reimbursement system introduces greater efficiency, the reduced claim window poses a new challenge.

Sellers must adapt quickly to these changes by improving their inventory management processes and file any claims before the changes take effect. By staying informed and proactive, sellers can continue to succeed on Amazon despite these new hurdles.