What are the new changes in Amazon Reimbursement policies?

What are the new changes in Amazon Reimbursement policies
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Are you unsure about the recent changes to Amazon’s reimbursement policies and how they differ from the previous rules? Are you confused about how these updates will impact your claims process? Then you are not alone!

At KwickMetrics, we stay on top of all policy changes and have extensive experience with Amazon’s reimbursement procedures. Our detailed insights will help you understand exactly what has changed and how it affects you.

By reading this article, you’ll gain a clear overview of the new policy updates, compare them with the previous rules, and stay informed about what to expect moving forward.

What are the updates in Amazon Reimbursement policies?

Starting November 1, 2024, Amazon will introduce a more streamlined approach to handling reimbursements for items lost in their fulfillment centers. Amazon will now proactively reimburse you as soon as an item is reported as lost, with the status of these reimbursements trackable in the Reimbursements report on Seller Central. This shift aims to save your time and money by reducing the need for manual claim research and filing.

Almost all claims related to lost or damaged items in fulfillment centers, as well as customer returns, will now be handled automatically. However, if you don’t receive an automatic reimbursement, you’ll still need to file a manual claim. Additionally, all claims related to removal operations will continue to require manual submission.

Starting October 23, 2024, Amazon is also updating its eligibility window policy for only amazon.com US marketplace, significantly shortening the timeframes within which manual claims must be filed. This policy has been updated only for amazon.com marketplace and not for any other marketplace as on September 2024(Source: Amazon Selling Partner Support Team).

1. Fulfillment center operations claims

Previous policy

You had an 18-month window to file claims for items lost or damaged in Amazon’s fulfillment centers, providing flexibility in the claims process.

New policy (Effective October 23, 2024)

You must submit a claim for any items lost or damaged in a fulfillment center within 60 days of the date the item was reported as lost or damaged.

2. Customer returns claims

Previous policy

You previously had an 18-month window to file claims for items lost or damaged during customer returns, giving you ample time to address any issues.

New policy (Effective October 23, 2024)

The new policy shortens the claim window significantly. You must now submit claims between 60 to 120 days after the customer’s refund or replacement date. You need to wait 60 days to allow time for the customer to return the item. Once this waiting period is over, you have a 60-day window to file your claim.

3. Removal claims

Previous policy

For removal claims, you could file for lost-in-transit items 14 days after the last shipment movement, with an 18-month window for all other lost or damaged items, and a 30-day window for grading disputes.

New policy (Effective October 23, 2024)

The new policy sets stricter timelines:

  • Lost items in transit – Claims must be filed between 15 and 75 days from the shipment creation date. Submissions before 15 days are not allowed to ensure that the shipment has adequate delivery time.
  • Other removal claims – All other claims must be submitted within 60 days of shipment delivery.

These updated timelines require you to be more vigilant in tracking and filing claims promptly, ensuring faster resolution and reducing the chances of missing the claim windows. Visit Amazon Seller Central to know more on Reimbursement Policies.

What are the updated timeframes for Amazon Reimbursement claims for Amazon.com US Marketplace?

Policy Area Previous Timeline New Timeline Effective Date
Fulfillment Center Claims 18 months 60 days October 23, 2024
Customer Returns Claims 18 months 60-120 days October 23, 2024
Removal Claims Lost-in-transit - 14 days Lost-in-transit - 15-75 days October 23, 2024
Lost or damaged items - 18 months Other removal claims - 60 days
Grading disputes - 30 days

Check How Much Money You Deserve to Get Back!

When to file Amazon Reimbursement claims?

You now have a clear understanding of the new timelines and processes for filing Amazon reimbursement claims.

If the policy changes have caused uncertainty in managing your claims process, many others are facing similar challenges, so you’re not alone.

Use the information provided by KwickMetrics to compare the new policies with the old ones and adjust your claims process accordingly. Additionally, take advantage of our free audit to discover how much money you deserve to get back.

At KwickMetrics, our deep expertise in Amazon’s reimbursement procedures ensures you understand the implications of these updates and can refine your strategies for effective claims management.

At the end of the day understanding and managing reimbursement policies can be challenging, especially with frequent updates. With the information from KwickMetrics, you’re now prepared to take action and optimize your reimbursement process.

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