For Amazon sellers, inventory management is everything. You invest in products, send them to Amazon’s fulfillment centers, and expect them to be available for sale. But what happens when your inventory is sitting in a warehouse, yet customers can’t buy it? That’s stranded inventory—a hidden issue that can drain profits, increase fees, and even affect your account health if left unresolved.
The good news? Stranded inventory isn’t a permanent problem. With the right approach, you can fix it quickly and take steps to prevent it from happening again.
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What Causes Stranded Inventory?
Stranded inventory happens when products are physically stored in Amazon’s fulfillment centers but are not linked to an active, buyable listing. There are several reasons why this might occur:
- Deleted or closed listings: If you manually close or delete a listing but still have inventory in Amazon’s fulfillment centers, those units will be stranded.
- Expiration dates and discontinued products: Perishable goods past their expiration date, as well as products that Amazon has stopped selling, may become stranded.
- Listing errors: If an ASIN is blocked, restricted, or under review due to compliance issues, the associated inventory becomes stranded. This can happen due to intellectual property claims, safety concerns, or Amazon category restrictions.
- Pricing and SKU mismatches: A listing without a price or an SKU discrepancy between your FBA inventory and Seller Central can cause Amazon to deactivate the product.
- Dangerous goods classification: Some products require hazardous materials documentation. If this information is missing or pending approval, Amazon may prevent the listing from going live.
- Fulfillment channel conflicts: If you switch a product from FBA to FBM (or vice versa) but don’t update the listing properly, the inventory can become stuck in limbo.
This Is How You Can Fix Stranded Inventory in Amazon Seller Central
Amazon provides several tools to help sellers fix stranded inventory. Here’s how you can resolve these issues efficiently:
1. Check the Fix Stranded Inventory Page
- Log in to Seller Central and navigate to Inventory → Fix Stranded Inventory.
- Review the stranded reason provided by Amazon.
- Take the recommended action, such as relisting, updating information, or converting fulfillment channels.
2. Use 1-Click Relist and Fulfillment Updates
- If Amazon allows it, you can relist your stranded inventory with a single click.
- You can also quickly change inventory from FBM to FBA (or vice versa) without manually editing the listing.
3. Bulk Fix for Large Inventories
- If multiple products are stranded, select up to 25 items at once and apply batch fixes.
- Download the Bulk Fix Stranded Inventory Report to update missing details across multiple SKUs efficiently.
4. Enable Automatic Relisting
- Amazon offers auto-relisting for stranded inventory that has been inactive for 7 days.
- You can also configure automatic conversion of stranded FBM inventory to FBA within 5 days.
How to Prevent Stranded Inventory
While stranded inventory is fixable, it’s always better to avoid the issue in the first place. Here are some proactive steps to keep your inventory active and selling:
✅ Stay Compliant with Amazon’s Policies
Ensure that your products meet all category, brand, and safety compliance requirements to avoid unexpected restrictions.
✅ Respond Quickly to Amazon Notifications
Amazon alerts sellers when inventory becomes stranded. These notifications appear in Seller Central and are also sent via email. Quick action can prevent unnecessary storage fees and removals.
✅ Monitor Seller Central Reports Regularly
Check the Stranded Inventory Report frequently to catch potential issues before they escalate. Amazon updates this information in real time, giving you the chance to take early action.
✅ Use Automated Inventory Management Tools
AI-driven inventory tracking solutions can help you monitor listing status, detect potential issues, and even take automatic corrective actions before inventory gets stranded.
✅ Ensure Listings Are Complete and Accurate
Make sure your listings contain all necessary details, including pricing, SKUs, and category information. Incomplete listings can trigger deactivation, leading to stranded inventory.
Stranded inventory is an unavoidable challenge for many Amazon sellers, but it doesn’t have to be a long-term problem. By understanding the causes, using Amazon’s built-in tools, and taking proactive steps to prevent future occurrences, you can keep your inventory active and selling.
Regular monitoring, quick fixes, and automation will not only save you time but also protect your profits and account health. Stay ahead of stranded inventory issues, and you’ll ensure a smoother, more efficient Amazon selling experience.
