Behind the Scenes of FBA Inventory Discrepancies
Amazon FBA inventory discrepancies are one of the most common and least understood problems sellers face. Inventory that was checked in suddenly goes missing. Units appear damaged or unfulfillable without explanation. Reimbursements stall or never arrive.
While Amazon positions FBA as fully managed, inventory discrepancies often happen quietly in the background, impacting cash flow, forecasting, and account health. Understanding what actually causes these discrepancies and how Amazon evaluates them is critical for sellers who want to protect margins and avoid long-term losses.
At Seller Candy, we deal with FBA inventory discrepancies daily. Here’s what’s really happening behind the scenes and why many sellers struggle to recover lost inventory without expert intervention.
What Is an FBA Inventory Discrepancy?
An FBA inventory discrepancy occurs when the physical inventory Amazon receives, stores, or ships does not match what Seller Central reports. This can include missing units, unexpected damage, incorrect disposals, or mismatched fulfillment counts.
These discrepancies typically surface inside Amazon Seller Central under Inventory Adjustments, Reconciliation reports, or Reimbursements dashboards. However, Amazon does not always notify sellers clearly when losses occur, which makes proactive monitoring essential.
The Most Common Causes of FBA Inventory Discrepancies
Check-In and Receiving Errors
Inbound shipments are processed at scale. Units can be miscounted, incorrectly scanned, or temporarily misplaced during receiving. In many cases, the inventory appears weeks later or is never reconciled automatically.
Warehouse Transfers and Internal Moves
Amazon frequently transfers inventory between fulfillment centers. During these moves, units can be damaged, mislabeled, or lost without immediate updates to Seller Central.
Fulfillment and Customer Return Issues
Customer returns may be incorrectly classified as damaged or unsellable. In some cases, returned units are never re-added to available inventory or flagged for reimbursement.
Disposal, Removal, and Write-Off Errors
Inventory scheduled for removal or disposal can be lost, incorrectly processed, or written off without proper documentation, making recovery more difficult later.
Why Many Discrepancies Are Never Reimbursed
Amazon’s reimbursement system is rule-based and time-sensitive. If discrepancies are not identified and addressed within Amazon’s eligibility windows, sellers permanently lose the ability to recover funds.
Common reasons reimbursements fail include:
- Missing or inconsistent shipment documentation
- Incorrect reconciliation logic
- Automated case closures without human review
- Sellers submitting claims without supporting reports or timelines
Once a case is denied or closed incorrectly, reopening it requires precise escalation paths and documentation that most sellers don’t realize exists.
How Amazon Evaluates Inventory Discrepancy Claims
Amazon does not investigate discrepancies holistically. Each claim is reviewed in isolation based on:
- Shipment and reconciliation reports
- Internal warehouse movement logs
- Customer order and return data
- Reimbursement policy thresholds
This fragmented review process is why sellers often receive inconsistent responses and contradictory case outcomes. Understanding how these internal systems intersect is key to getting claims approved.
Why Expert Support Makes a Difference
Most sellers lose money on FBA discrepancies not because Amazon refuses reimbursement, but because claims are submitted incorrectly, too late, or without the right evidence.
Seller Candy approaches inventory discrepancies with a structured, data-driven process. We identify losses across multiple reports, validate eligibility, prepare compliant claims, and escalate when automated reviews fail. This minimizes denials and accelerates reimbursements while reducing repetitive case handling inside Seller Central.
Long-Term Risks of Ignoring FBA Inventory Discrepancies
Unresolved discrepancies don’t just impact reimbursements. Over time, they affect:
- Inventory planning and restock decisions
- Cash flow forecasting
- Profitability analysis
- Seller trust in FBA data accuracy
Left unmanaged, these issues compound and quietly erode margins month after month.
FAQs About FBA Inventory Discrepancies
How long do I have to file an FBA inventory discrepancy claim?
Time limits vary by discrepancy type, typically ranging from 18 to 60 days. Missing these windows usually voids reimbursement eligibility.
Does Amazon automatically reimburse lost FBA inventory?
Sometimes, but not reliably. Many discrepancies require manual review and proactive case submission to recover funds.
Can denied reimbursement cases be escalated?
Yes, but only with proper documentation and escalation paths. Reopening cases incorrectly can lead to permanent closures.
Get a Free FBA Inventory Audit
Inventory discrepancies should not be treated as the cost of doing business. If you suspect lost units, denied reimbursements, or inaccurate FBA reporting, guessing won’t fix it.
👉 Get a Free FBA Inventory Audit from Seller Candy.
Our experts will review your inventory data, identify recoverable losses, and show you where Amazon’s systems are costing you money so you can protect cash flow and scale with confidence.