If you’re an Amazon FBA seller, mistakes like lost inventory, overcharged fees, or damaged products are almost inevitable. When these errors occur, Amazon provides reimbursement opportunities to compensate sellers. But one of the most common questions sellers ask is: How long does it take to get reimbursed by Amazon?
The timeline can vary depending on the type of claim, the accuracy of your submission, and how quickly Amazon processes your case. In this guide, we’ll explore the reimbursement process, typical timeframes, and tips for faster resolutions for claims like Amazon FBA refund reimbursement or FBA customer damaged reimbursement.
Types of Amazon FBA reimbursements
Amazon offers reimbursements for a variety of issues, including:
- Lost or damaged inventory: Items lost or damaged in Amazon’s fulfillment centers. Products damaged during delivery to customers.
- FBA customer damaged reimbursement: Returned products damaged by customers and rendered unsellable.
- Refund reimbursement: Refunds are issued to customers when the product wasn’t returned or was returned in an unsellable condition.
- Overcharged fees: Incorrect FBA fees due to miscalculated dimensions or weight.
- Mishandled removals or destroyed inventory: Inventory lost or damaged during removal or disposal requests.
Each of these reimbursement categories has its claim process and timeline, which we’ll break down below.
How long does it take to get reimbursed?
The time it takes to get reimbursed depends on the type of claim and Amazon’s investigation process. Here’s what you can expect:
Lost or damaged inventory claims
When you submit a claim for lost or damaged inventory, Amazon typically takes 7 to 14 business days to review the case and issue reimbursement if approved.
Timeline breakdown:
- Case creation: Once you file a claim, Amazon starts investigating the discrepancy.
- Investigation phase: Amazon cross-references its records (e.g., fulfillment center logs, shipment data) with your claim.
- Approval or denial: After reviewing your case, Amazon either approves the claim or provides a reason for denial.
FBA customer damaged reimbursement
If a product is returned damaged by a customer and cannot be resold, you can file for a reimbursement. However, Amazon’s process for these claims may vary:
- If Amazon is at fault (e.g., the damage occurred during shipping or returns processing), they often issue automatic reimbursement within 7 to 10 business days.
- If you file a manual claim, the investigation may take 10 to 14 business days.
Important to note: For customer-damaged items, you must ensure the damage occurred during the return process. Damage caused by improper use by the customer may not qualify for reimbursement under Amazon’s policy.
Amazon FBA refund reimbursement claims
When customers are refunded but don’t return the product (or return it in unsellable condition), you may file for reimbursement.
Typical timeline:
- Refund reimbursements usually take 10 to 14 business days to process after filing a claim.
- If Amazon automatically detects the issue, the reimbursement may appear in your account within 7 to 10 days.
However, be aware of the 45-day window Amazon allows customers to return a product. You can only file a claim if the customer hasn’t returned the item after this period.
Overcharged FBA fees
If you discover that Amazon is overcharging your FBA fees due to incorrect product dimensions or weight, you can submit a reimbursement request.
Processing time:
- Claims for overcharged FBA fees typically take 10 to 14 business days to resolve.
To speed up the process, ensure you provide accurate product dimensions and weight, along with documentation to support your claim.
Mishandled removals or destroyed inventory
When you request a removal order or disposal, Amazon is responsible for ensuring your inventory is processed correctly. If items are lost, damaged, or destroyed without authorization, you’re entitled to reimbursement.
Timeline:
- Claims for mishandled removals or destroyed inventory are usually processed within 10 to 14 business days.
Factors that affect reimbursement timelines
- Accuracy of your claim: Claims with incomplete or incorrect details may be delayed or denied. Ensure all required information (e.g., order ID, SKU, product details) is included.
- Amazon’s investigation process: Some cases may require additional investigation, especially for complex claims involving lost shipments or large quantities of inventory.
- Volume of claims: During busy seasons (e.g., Q4), Amazon’s support team may take longer to process claims due to high volumes.
- Claim type: Automated claims (like lost inventory) are often processed faster than manual claims requiring seller input.
- Follow-ups: If Amazon requests additional documentation or clarification, responding promptly can help avoid delays.
How to speed up the reimbursement process
To ensure your claims are processed as quickly as possible, follow these tips:
1) Submit complete claims:
Provide all necessary details, such as:
- SKU or ASIN
- Order ID or shipment ID
- Relevant reports (e.g., Returns Report, Inventory Adjustments Report)
- Photos or other documentation, if applicable
2) Understand Amazon’s policies:
Familiarize yourself with Amazon’s reimbursement policies to ensure your claim qualifies. For example:
- Wait 45 days before filing an Amazon FBA refund reimbursement claim for unreturned items.
- Ensure customer-damaged items meet the criteria for FBA customer damaged reimbursement.
3) Follow up on claims:
If a claim seems delayed, open a support ticket to follow up with Amazon’s Seller Support team.
4) Stay organized:
Regularly review your account to identify discrepancies early. Use tools or reports in Seller Central to track lost inventory, returns, and fees.
5) Leverage professional services:
If managing reimbursements feels overwhelming, consider working with an Amazon FBA reimbursement service. These experts can identify opportunities, file claims on your behalf, and ensure you recover every dollar Amazon owes you.
How reimbursements are credited to your account
Once Amazon approves your claim, the reimbursement amount is credited directly to your seller account. You can view this in:
- Payments > Transaction View in Seller Central.
Reimbursements appear as credits under categories like:
- “FBA Inventory Reimbursement”
- “Refund Reimbursement”
The funds are included in your next payout.
