Amazon’s March 10, 2025 FBA Inventory Reimbursement Policy Changes: How Helium 10’s Managed Refund Service Can Protect Your Bottom Line

Amazon has recently announced some significant updates to its Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) inventory reimbursement policy, set to take effect on March 10, 2025. These changes, along with the time-sensitive nature of reimbursements, make it more important than ever to have a robust system for auditing and claiming refunds. This is where Helium 10’s Managed Refund Service can really save the day.

Understanding Amazon’s New Inventory Reimbursement Policy

Effective March 10, 2025, Amazon is updating its FBA inventory reimbursement policy. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know: 

• Reimbursement based on manufacturing cost: Amazon will reimburse sellers for lost or damaged inventory based on the product manufacturing cost. This cost includes the amount you paid to source the product from a manufacturer, wholesaler, reseller, or the cost to produce the item if you are the manufacturer. It excludes costs like shipping, handling, customs duties, or other related expenses. This is a significant shift from past practices, where reimbursements were based on the sales price. 

• Choosing how Amazon determines manufacturing cost: Amazon will provide a manufacturing cost estimate based on comparable products sold by Amazon, other sellers, and through wholesale channels. However, you also have the option to provide your own manufacturing costs directly. If you don’t provide these costs, Amazon will use their estimate, which you can change later. This added level of control can help ensure you are accurately reimbursed for the cost of your goods. 

• Reimbursement for items lost/damaged after a customer order: The above changes affect inventory within Amazon FBA’s system before they’re sold, but for items that are lost or damaged after a customer order on Amazon, you will still be reimbursed for the sales price on the original order minus applicable fees. 

And just as a reminder of another change implemented in November 2024, Amazon also reduced its reimbursement recovery window from 18 months to a mere 60 days, highlighting the need for sellers to proactively manage claims and not leave money on the table. 

The Challenge of Managing FBA Reimbursements

While Amazon has made some positive changes to its reimbursement process, it is still crucial to actively monitor your account. Many sellers don’t realize how much money they could be getting back with Amazon FBA seller refunds because these transactions can slip through the cracks. 

In the past, Amazon allowed sellers to request refunds for lost and damaged items up to 18 months prior. The current policy, however, means sellers need to audit their accounts very regularly to catch any discrepancies. For sellers with a high volume of orders, keeping track of lost or damaged inventory and reconciling reimbursement reports can be extremely time-consuming and complex. 

How Helium 10’s Managed Refund Service Can Help

For those looking to maximize their reimbursements and save even more time, upgrading to a Diamond plan, which includes Managed Refund Service, is highly recommended. Here’s how it works: 

• Full Claim Automation: Managed Refund Service automates the entire claim filing and management process. After identifying discrepancies, the tool automatically submits claims and tracks their progress, eliminating the need to manually submit claims or track each one. 

• Thorough Audits: Managed Refund Service ensures more thorough audits, so no potential reimbursements are overlooked. 

• Time Savings: By automating the audit and claims process, you can save significant time and effort that can be better spent on other aspects of your business, such as product development and marketing. 

• Maximize Reimbursements: By using Managed Refund Service, you can maximize the amount of money you recover from Amazon. This can significantly impact your bottom line, turning what would have been losses into reclaimed profits.

• Peace of Mind: Knowing that your refunds are being handled automatically gives you peace of mind. You don’t have to worry about missing deadlines or making errors, which is particularly valuable given the new, shorter reimbursement window.

Conclusion

The upcoming changes to Amazon’s FBA inventory reimbursement policy underscore the importance of having a robust system for managing refunds. With a shorter reimbursement window, proactive auditing and claim filing are crucial for Amazon sellers. Helium 10’s Managed Refund Service is a powerful tool that can help you save time, maximize your reimbursements, and protect your business from unnecessary losses. By automating the entire process, you can focus on growing your business, confident that your refunds are being handled efficiently and effectively.

Don’t leave money on the table; explore the benefits of Helium 10’s Diamond plan today and take control of your Amazon FBA reimbursements!