Amazon’s FBA reimbursement policy is designed to compensate sellers for lost, damaged, or unreturned inventory. However, even when sellers file legitimate claims, Amazon may reject or deny them without a clear reason. If this happens, you don’t have to accept the rejection—you can appeal the decision and still recover your money.
If you’ve experienced Amazon FBA mistakes that led to lost inventory or unfair rejections, this guide will walk you through how to appeal denied reimbursement claims and improve your chances of getting paid.
Why Amazon denies FBA reimbursement claims
Amazon may reject your reimbursement request for several reasons, including:
- Lack of supporting evidence – If your claim doesn’t include proper documentation, Amazon may deny it.
- Time limit exceeded – Some reimbursements have a claim window of 18 months, and missing the deadline means automatic rejection.
- Amazon claims the issue is resolved – Sometimes, Amazon mistakenly marks a case as “resolved” even when you haven’t received reimbursement.
- Incorrect claim category – If you select the wrong issue type when submitting a claim, Amazon may reject it.
- Repeated claims for the same issue – Submitting multiple claims for the same issue without new evidence can lead to rejection.
If your claim was rejected unfairly, an appeal can help you recover your lost funds.
How to appeal a rejected Amazon FBA reimbursement claim
If Amazon denies your claim, follow these steps to submit an appeal:
Step 1: Gather strong supporting evidence
Amazon requires clear proof that you are owed a reimbursement. Before filing an appeal, collect the following:
- Order ID or transaction details related to the missing inventory.
- Amazon’s return reports showing refunded but unreturned items.
- Inventory adjustment reports proving FBA warehouse errors.
- Any previous communication with Amazon regarding the claim.
Step 2: Open a new case in Seller Central
- Go to Seller Central > Help > Contact Us
- Select Fulfillment by Amazon > FBA Issue > Appeal Reimbursement Decision
- Provide a clear, professional explanation of why Amazon’s rejection was incorrect.
Use a structured appeal message:
Subject: Appeal for Denied FBA Reimbursement – Case #[Original Case ID]
Message:
“Dear Amazon Support,
I am writing to appeal the denied reimbursement claim for Order ID [Order ID]. According to Amazon’s policy, sellers are eligible for reimbursement if inventory is lost or if a customer is refunded without returning the product. Our records indicate that [explain the issue—e.g., item was refunded but never restocked]. Attached are relevant reports that confirm this discrepancy. Please review the case again and process the reimbursement accordingly. Thank you for your time.”_
Step 3: Follow up if needed
If Amazon does not respond or rejects your appeal again:
- Reopen the case with additional evidence.
- Request escalation to a senior support representative.
- Keep communication professional and persistent.
How to avoid FBA reimbursement claim rejections
To reduce the risk of claim denials, follow these best practices:
- File claims within Amazon’s 18-month deadline for lost or damaged inventory.
- Use clear documentation with reports and transaction details.
- Track reimbursements regularly to catch errors early.
- Work with an Amazon reimbursement service to handle claims efficiently.
Final thoughts
Amazon doesn’t always approve reimbursement claims on the first attempt, but a well-prepared appeal can help you recover lost funds. By keeping detailed records, submitting strong evidence, and following up persistently, sellers can successfully appeal denied claims.
If managing FBA reimbursements feels overwhelming, an Amazon reimbursement service can streamline the process, ensuring that all Amazon FBA mistakes are identified and resolved, helping you recover every dollar you’re owed.
