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When you can claim
An inbound (shipment to Amazon) claim covers units that were lost or damaged on the way to, or while being received at, a fulfillment center — the classic "we sent 200, Amazon received 188". Your shipment has to match the shipping plan you created; Amazon won't reimburse units that were never in the plan or the box.
You can file once the shipment shows eligible for investigation in the Status column on the Contents tab of the shipment's Summary page. The deadline is nine months after the verified delivery date to the fulfillment center.
Reconcile before you file
- Confirm the shipment matches your plan. The contents and number of units should equal what you entered in the shipping plan.
- Open the Contents tab. It shows the difference between what you shipped and what the fulfillment center received, per SKU.
- Check your Reimbursements report. Amazon may already have reimbursed some units — don't claim them twice.
- Wait for "eligible for investigation". Then file one claim covering everything still missing or damaged.
The proof Amazon asks for
- Amazon shipment ID — from your Shipping Queue.
- Proof of ownership — a supplier invoice, a receipt from another seller, or a signed packing slip if you're the manufacturer. It must show the date of purchase, product names that match the lost or damaged items, and quantity.
- Proof of delivery — for LTL or FTL, a document stamped by Amazon showing the number of boxes and total weight at pickup; for small parcels, the active tracking ID of every package. If you didn't use an Amazon-partnered carrier and didn't enter tracking when you created the shipment, you must add it before you can be reimbursed.
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How much Amazon pays
Inbound losses happen before any customer order, so Amazon reimburses your sourcing cost — what you paid to buy or make the item, excluding shipping, handling and duties — up to $5,000 per unit. If you haven't entered a sourcing cost on the Manage Your Sourcing Cost page in the Inventory Defect & Reimbursement portal, Amazon uses its own estimate. Sometimes Amazon replaces the unit instead, or reconciles the shipment.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file an inbound shipment claim?
Once the shipment shows as eligible for investigation on the Contents tab of its Summary page, you can file. The claim must be submitted no later than nine months after the verified delivery date to the fulfillment center.
Can I file more than one claim per shipment?
No. Amazon allows one claim per shipment; extra claims for the same shipment are declined.
What proof does Amazon want for an inbound claim?
The shipment ID, proof of ownership (a supplier invoice, a receipt from another seller, or a signed packing slip if you're the manufacturer, with the purchase date, matching product names and quantity), and proof of delivery: an Amazon-stamped POD with box count and weight for LTL/FTL, or active tracking IDs for small parcels.
How much will Amazon reimburse for a lost inbound unit?
Inbound losses happen before a customer order, so Amazon reimburses your sourcing cost — your cost to buy or produce the item, excluding shipping, handling and duties — up to $5,000 per unit.
Official Amazon sources
US marketplace guidance. Seller Central sign-in may be required. Check the linked policy for current eligibility and requirements.