- First establish where the loss occurred: inbound, fulfilment centre, customer delivery/return, or removal order. Each event can use a different Amazon workflow.
- Before filing a claim, check whether Amazon has already returned the unit to inventory or issued a reimbursement.
- Reconcile FNSKU-level movements using the Reimbursements Report and Inventory Ledger rather than relying only on a current stock count.
- Claim windows and evidence requirements are time-sensitive; Amazon’s 2026 inbound workflow includes a 30-day claim window for certain missing-from-inbound claims.
1. A stock discrepancy is not automatically a reimbursement claim
FBA inventory moves through inbound receiving, fulfilment-centre transfers, reservations, customer orders/returns, damage dispositions and removals. A unit that disappears from one inventory view may have moved to another state or may already have been reimbursed.
Start by identifying the event, FNSKU, quantity, date and related shipment/order/removal ID. Reconcile the movement before assuming Amazon owes a reimbursement.
2. Know the main loss categories
Common FBA reimbursement investigations include units missing during inbound receiving, units lost or damaged inside a fulfilment centre, units lost during customer delivery/return logistics under the applicable FBA policy, and units missing or damaged in a removal order.
The evidence and claim route differ. An inbound shortage is not investigated the same way as a removal-order shortage.
3. Check the Reimbursements Report and Inventory Ledger first
Amazon’s current India reimbursement guidance points sellers to the Reimbursements Report to determine whether a unit has already been reimbursed. For fulfilment-centre losses, missing inbound units and lost removal orders, the Inventory Ledger can help show whether the FNSKU was later added back to inventory.
This prevents duplicate claims and helps distinguish an unresolved loss from a delayed/reversed inventory event.
4. Inbound shipment shortages: wait for reconciliation, then act within the window
Inbound shipments can be received in stages. Amazon may require a waiting period before a missing-from-inbound claim can be raised so the fulfilment centre can finish receiving and reconciliation. Current 2026 Amazon India guidance retains a minimum 14-day waiting period in the applicable MFI workflow.
Amazon also states that the updated Contents-tab MFI claim window is 30 days, with a transition period through 23 October 2026 for the Help Page workflow. Because this is a time-sensitive rule, sellers should check the live shipment workflow immediately rather than relying on older claim deadlines.
5. Prepare inbound evidence before the deadline
Keep shipment ID, FNSKUs, quantities, carrier/tracking information, carton labels, proof of delivery and purchase/manufacturing evidence where Amazon asks for it. If the shipment was delivered through a carrier, the delivery record should tie back to the shipment being reconciled.
Do not alter packing lists or invoices after the fact. If Amazon asks for proof of ownership or cost, provide genuine source documents that match the product and period.
6. Removal-order loss or damage needs strong handover evidence
For removal-related claims, Amazon India guidance emphasizes valid proof of delivery (POD) and supporting shipment evidence. The current help page lists items such as Removal Order ID, tracking ID, missing FNSKUs, the full shipping label, POD noting short receipt, and outer-box images where tampering is visible.
Record shortages or visible damage at delivery where possible. Waiting to document the condition can weaken the evidence trail.
7. How Amazon values reimbursement
The current Amazon India lost-inventory policy states that Amazon may replace inventory with the same FNSKU or reimburse according to the policy valuation. The help page describes Fair Market Value and deduction of applicable FBA/selling fees in the calculation for covered losses.
Valuation rules can change and can differ by event/disposition. Use the current reimbursement decision/report rather than assuming retail price or supplier invoice value is the automatic payout.
8. Reconcile after reimbursement too
A reimbursement can later be reversed if Amazon finds the inventory or determines the reimbursement should be clawed back under its policy. Continue reconciling Inventory Ledger and reimbursement transactions so recovered inventory and reimbursement reversals are not counted twice.
For accounting, keep the event reference, quantity, reimbursement transaction and any later reversal linked together.
9. Escalate only the unresolved discrepancy
When the standard workflow does not resolve the issue, raise a case with the exact FNSKU, quantity, event type, shipment/order/removal ID, dates, reconciliation evidence and the report lines showing why the discrepancy remains unresolved.
A focused discrepancy is easier to investigate than a broad statement such as “FBA inventory is missing”.
FBA reimbursement investigation sequence
- Identify the exact FNSKU, quantity, shipment/order/removal reference and event date.
- Check whether Amazon has already returned the unit to inventory or issued a reimbursement before opening a duplicate claim.
- For inbound discrepancies, allow the required receiving/reconciliation period before filing where Amazon requires it.
- Keep shipment labels, tracking, proof of delivery, carton/quantity evidence and purchase/manufacturing-cost records where the workflow requests them.
- Recheck current claim windows immediately; some 2026 inbound workflows use shorter deadlines than older processes.
| Inventory event | Where to reconcile | What you are trying to establish |
|---|---|---|
| Lost in transit / delivery | Payments Report, Reimbursements Report and the current reimbursement workflow | Whether the loss/refund has already been reimbursed or remains unresolved |
| Fulfilment-centre loss | Reimbursements Report + Inventory Ledger | Whether Amazon reimbursed the FNSKU or later added the unit back to inventory |
| Inbound shortage / missing from shipment | Shipment Contents / reconciliation workflow + Inventory Ledger/Reimbursements as applicable | Whether receiving is complete and whether units remain missing after Amazon reconciliation |
| Removal order lost/damaged | Removal order details, tracking, POD and required claim evidence | Whether the returned inventory discrepancy is documented within the applicable claim window |
Frequently asked questions
Which reports should I check before claiming lost FBA inventory?
Amazon India points sellers to the Reimbursements Report and, for several inventory-loss categories, the Inventory Ledger. The exact workflow also depends on whether the loss is inbound, FC, customer transit or removal.
How soon can I claim missing inbound units?
The current 2026 MFI workflow includes a minimum 14-day waiting period so the fulfilment centre can receive/reconcile the shipment, followed by the applicable claim window shown in Seller Central.
What is the current MFI claim window?
Amazon India currently states that the Contents-tab MFI claim window is 30 days, with a transition through 23 October 2026 for Help Page claims. Because this is time-sensitive, verify the live workflow before relying on that date.
What do I need for a removal-order shortage?
Amazon India lists the Removal Order ID, tracking ID, missing FNSKUs, full shipping-label image and a valid POD showing short receipt among the key evidence; outer-box images can also be relevant where tampering is visible.
Does Amazon always reimburse the selling price?
No. Amazon’s current policy uses its reimbursement valuation rules and may deduct applicable FBA/selling fees. Use the current policy and actual reimbursement transaction for the case.
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