Overview

Amazon has introduced an Inventory Defect and Reimbursement (IDR) portal that consolidates loss, damage, and return‑defect data for Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) sellers into a single dashboard. Launched in early 2024, the tool replaces a patchwork of separate reports, giving sellers a clearer view of reimbursable incidents and the chance to recover funds more efficiently.

Key Points

• Unified view — Warehouse losses, handling damage, and customer‑return defects now appear together on one screen, eliminating the need to toggle between multiple reports.
• Complete defect record — Each entry lists the defect type, date it was logged, Amazon’s actions, the reasoning behind any resolution, and the current status, allowing sellers to track progress at a glance.
• Automatic reimbursement flags — The portal cross‑checks defect data against Amazon’s reimbursement policies and highlights cases that qualify for payment, surfacing opportunities that were previously hidden.
• Trend analytics — Frequency charts let sellers identify which SKUs or defect categories recur most often, supporting data‑driven decisions on packaging, prep, or fulfillment strategy.
• Limited scope — The system only covers post‑receipt issues (lost, damaged, or mishandled after the unit is checked into Amazon’s network); inbound‑shipment discrepancies, removals, and disposals remain outside its purview.

How the IDR Portal Works

1. Defect detection — When Amazon’s fulfillment center records an item as missing, damaged during handling, or mishandled in a customer return, the incident is automatically entered into the IDR portal. Example: A seller’s ASIN B07XYZ1234 is flagged as “warehouse damage” after a pallet is dropped, and the entry appears the same day.
2. Data aggregation — The portal pulls information from shipment, return, and reimbursement logs, attaching the defect type, creation timestamp, and any actions Amazon has taken. Example: The same ASIN shows a “damage assessment completed” note and a reference to the internal policy that permits reimbursement for damages over $5.