FBA Shipment Reconciliation: Don't Leave Money on the Table
Amazon's fulfillment centers process millions of units daily. Mistakes happen. Reconciling your shipments ensures you're not losing inventory and money.
What Is Shipment Reconciliation?
After Amazon receives your FBA shipment, they report how many units were received vs. how many you shipped. Discrepancies are common:
- Short shipments: Amazon received fewer units than you sent
- Over shipments: Amazon received more than expected (rare)
- Damaged units: Units damaged during receiving
How to Check Reconciliation
- Go to Seller Central → Inventory → Shipments
- Find your shipment and click Track Shipment
- Check the Reconcile tab
- Compare "Units Shipped" vs "Units Received"
Common Discrepancies
| Issue | Frequency | Typical Cause |
|---|---|---|
| Units short 1–5 | Very common | Counting error, lost during check-in |
| Units short 5+ | Common | Box not scanned, misplaced pallet |
| Entire box missing | Occasional | Pallet left on dock, box fell off |
| Damaged units | Common | Poor packaging, rough handling |
Filing a Reimbursement Claim
If Amazon received fewer units than you shipped:
- Wait 30 days after delivery for full reconciliation
- Go to Shipments → Reconcile → Research Missing Units
- If unresolved, open a case with Seller Support
- Provide: BOL with signed delivery confirmation, packing list, product invoices
- Amazon investigates and reimburses at current selling price
Preventing Discrepancies
- Accurate box content information — Use 2D barcodes
- Clear pallet labels — 4 per pallet, visible through wrap
- Signed BOL — Have FC staff sign your BOL at delivery
- Count verification — Double-check counts before sealing boxes
- Photo documentation — Photograph loaded pallets/truck
The Financial Impact
A seller shipping 10,000 units/month with a 2% discrepancy rate at $20 average selling price loses $4,000/month — or $48,000/year — if claims aren't filed.
Automate Reconciliation
Several third-party tools automate FBA reconciliation, but nothing replaces proper shipping documentation. Work with a freight partner who provides accurate BOLs and delivery confirmation.
