New FBA Reimbursement Policy Postponed

New Timeline Gives Sellers More Time to Finalize Sourcing Costs
Amazon has announced a change to the effective date for its updated Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) inventory reimbursement policy. Previously scheduled to go into effect on March 10, 2025, the policy will now become effective on March 31, 2025. This announcement was made on Seller Central. Amazon says that the purpose of the delay is to offer sellers additional time to prepare and manage their sourcing costs before the new reimbursement calculation takes hold.
Why the Date Has Changed
The decision to push back the effective date was made to help sellers transition smoothly to the updated reimbursement method. Under the new policy, reimbursements for lost or damaged items (before a customer orders) will be calculated based on each product's manufacturing cost rather than other factors such as shipping or handling fees. By delaying the policy's launch, Amazon aims to ensure that sellers have adequate time to accurately update or confirm their manufacturing costs through the Manage Your Sourcing Cost page in the Inventory Defect and Reimbursement portal.
Also Read: EPR Pay on Behalf Service Fee for UK Packaging Begins April 1, 2025
Key Details from the Earlier Announcement
Amazon previously revealed that the updated reimbursement model would provide greater transparency and consistency. Under this model, the term "manufacturing cost" includes any expense to source a product from a manufacturer, wholesaler, or reseller or the cost to produce the item if you manufacture it yourself. It does not cover additional costs such as shipping, handling, customs duties, or other expenses incurred when bringing products to market. If sellers do not provide their manufacturing cost, Amazon will generate an estimate based on market data for similar items sold through its platform and other wholesale channels.
Pre-Policy Rollout and Access to the Portal
Since January, Amazon has gradually been rolling out the Manage Your Sourcing Cost page to sellers to ensure a seamless experience. All sellers will have access to this page by February 28, 2025, which should allow them ample time to enter or review their sourcing costs before the new policy goes live.
Key Dates and Action Steps
Below are the main dates and important reminders to keep in mind:
• January 2025: Gradual rollout of the Manage Your Sourcing Cost page began.
• February 28, 2025: All sellers will have access to the Manage Your Sourcing Cost page.
• March 31, 2025: Updated FBA inventory reimbursement policy takes effect.
Preparing for the New Policy
Sellers are encouraged to log into their Seller Central accounts and navigate to the Inventory Defect and Reimbursement portal. Within the portal, they can update their manufacturing costs under the Manage Your Sourcing Cost page. For those who prefer to let Amazon handle these estimates, Amazon will automatically apply its own calculation. However, the new timeline allows sellers the option to make final adjustments and submit the most accurate figures possible before the policy is implemented.
By shifting the effective date from March 10 to March 31, 2025, Amazon is giving sellers valuable breathing room to organize and verify their sourcing cost data. This change underscores Amazon's commitment to a smoother, more transparent transition for its FBA partners. As the date approaches, sellers should make the most of the extended window to ensure they are fully prepared for the policy update. Being proactive now will pave the way for a more seamless experience once the new FBA reimbursement framework officially takes hold.
Also Read: ChannelMAX Unveils New Repricing Interface
Disclaimer:
Amazon is the registered trademark of the e-commerce brand.
By ChannelMAX Staff Writer
Feb-2025#34
Amazon has announced a change to the effective date for its updated Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) inventory reimbursement policy. Previously scheduled to go into effect on March 10, 2025, the policy will now become effective on March 31, 2025. This announcement was made on Seller Central. Amazon says that the purpose of the delay is to offer sellers additional time to prepare and manage their sourcing costs before the new reimbursement calculation takes hold.
Why the Date Has Changed
The decision to push back the effective date was made to help sellers transition smoothly to the updated reimbursement method. Under the new policy, reimbursements for lost or damaged items (before a customer orders) will be calculated based on each product's manufacturing cost rather than other factors such as shipping or handling fees. By delaying the policy's launch, Amazon aims to ensure that sellers have adequate time to accurately update or confirm their manufacturing costs through the Manage Your Sourcing Cost page in the Inventory Defect and Reimbursement portal.
Also Read: EPR Pay on Behalf Service Fee for UK Packaging Begins April 1, 2025
Key Details from the Earlier Announcement
Amazon previously revealed that the updated reimbursement model would provide greater transparency and consistency. Under this model, the term "manufacturing cost" includes any expense to source a product from a manufacturer, wholesaler, or reseller or the cost to produce the item if you manufacture it yourself. It does not cover additional costs such as shipping, handling, customs duties, or other expenses incurred when bringing products to market. If sellers do not provide their manufacturing cost, Amazon will generate an estimate based on market data for similar items sold through its platform and other wholesale channels.
Pre-Policy Rollout and Access to the Portal
Since January, Amazon has gradually been rolling out the Manage Your Sourcing Cost page to sellers to ensure a seamless experience. All sellers will have access to this page by February 28, 2025, which should allow them ample time to enter or review their sourcing costs before the new policy goes live.
Key Dates and Action Steps
Below are the main dates and important reminders to keep in mind:
• January 2025: Gradual rollout of the Manage Your Sourcing Cost page began.
• February 28, 2025: All sellers will have access to the Manage Your Sourcing Cost page.
• March 31, 2025: Updated FBA inventory reimbursement policy takes effect.
Preparing for the New Policy
Sellers are encouraged to log into their Seller Central accounts and navigate to the Inventory Defect and Reimbursement portal. Within the portal, they can update their manufacturing costs under the Manage Your Sourcing Cost page. For those who prefer to let Amazon handle these estimates, Amazon will automatically apply its own calculation. However, the new timeline allows sellers the option to make final adjustments and submit the most accurate figures possible before the policy is implemented.
By shifting the effective date from March 10 to March 31, 2025, Amazon is giving sellers valuable breathing room to organize and verify their sourcing cost data. This change underscores Amazon's commitment to a smoother, more transparent transition for its FBA partners. As the date approaches, sellers should make the most of the extended window to ensure they are fully prepared for the policy update. Being proactive now will pave the way for a more seamless experience once the new FBA reimbursement framework officially takes hold.
Also Read: ChannelMAX Unveils New Repricing Interface
Disclaimer:
Amazon is the registered trademark of the e-commerce brand.
About ChannelMAX.NET :
Established in 2005, ChannnelMAX has been integrated with Amazon technology since 2007, helping thousands of third-party sellers on various eCommerce platforms. Some of the eCommerce platforms, aka marketplaces, supported by ChannelMAX.NET, are Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and Shopify. Some of ChannelMAX key offerings include ChannelMAX Repricer, a pricing management tool, 2ndly, ChannelMAX FBA RefundMAX, an offering for managing Amazon FBA Refunds Reimbursement management for lost or damaged or misplaced inventory for which Amazon is responsible and for which seller deserves appropriate credit reimburse from Amazon, additionally ChannelMAX Remote (aka Virtual) Full-Time eCommerce Assistant to help 3P sellers run their day to day business. Check ChannelMAX at Amazon Selling Partner Appstore, an application with a 5 star rating.