Overview

Amazon updated its FBA reimbursement policy introducing shorter eligibility windows for filing claims on lost, damaged, or missing inventory effective January 2025. The changes affect fulfillment center operations (60-day cap), customer returns (45-105 day window), and removals (split into two categories), with sellers missing deadlines losing ability to recover funds.

Key Points

• Fulfillment Center Claims — Lost or damaged inventory in Amazon warehouses must be filed within 60 days of reported incident date (when Amazon's system flags item, not when seller discovers).
• Customer Return Claims — Filing window is 45-105 days after customer refund/replacement date; cannot file before 45 days (rejected), must file before 105 days.
• Removal Claims - Lost in Transit — Filing window is 15-75 days after shipment creation date; 15-day minimum allows delivery time before considering lost.
• Removal Claims - Other — Damaged or incorrect quantity arrivals must be filed within 60 days of shipment delivered to seller.
• Automated Alerts Critical — Tighter deadlines require more frequent inventory reconciliation vs monthly/quarterly audits; third-party tools help catch events in real time.

Impact by Claim Type

• FC Operations — 60-day window from "reported" date means sellers must monitor inventory health reports weekly vs monthly to catch discrepancies before deadline.
• Returns — 60-day active filing window (days 45-105) requires tracking refund dates and setting reminders at 45-day mark for high-volume sellers.
• Removals — Inspection upon arrival critical; waiting weeks to unbox returned inventory eats into 60-day delivery deadline.
• Historical Claims — Sellers who previously filed claims quarterly or annually will lose significant recovered revenue under compressed timelines.

Compliance Strategies

• Weekly Inventory Audits — Review inventory adjustments, return reports, and removal order statuses weekly vs monthly to catch eligible claims early in filing window.