inventory performance index<\/a> (IPI). Amazon uses this system to make sure their sellers are optimizing their inventory in a more efficient manner, grading their inventory performance on a scale of 0 to 1000. While Amazon doesn’t say exactly how they judge your performance, it wouldn\u2019t be a surprise that stranded inventory is a negative factor considering that it takes up unnecessary space in the Amazon warehouse. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThis is something you should be worried about since if your IPI score drops below 400, Amazon will put a limit on your storage space in their warehouses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, it is vital that <\/strong>any Amazon stranded inventory issue is dealt with as soon as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/span>What is the Difference Between Stranded and Unfulfillable Inventory? <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIt is a little difficult to distinguish what Amazon means by unfulfillable inventory and stranded inventory. However, there is one key difference between the two: the status of their listing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here is how you can tell the two apart:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Unfulfillable Inventory<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUnfulfillable inventory gets its name because even if the offer is active, the product is unable to be shipped. This is usually because of the inventory itself, whether the products are misplaced, damaged, or some components are lost in transit or storage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, it isn\u2019t unheard of to have unfulfillable inventory due to other factors. For instance, unfulfillable inventory can occur due to shipment discrepancies, listing errors, or even poor labeling. Despite the reason behind the inventory being unfulfillable, the seller will be billed every time there is a mid-month inventory cleanup. So, like stranded inventory, it is important to fix the problem to prevent that from happening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Stranded Inventory<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBasically, Amazon stranded inventory<\/strong> is the opposite of unfulfillable inventory. While the units are in the fulfillment center, the listing may be inactive, missing, or incomplete. Even though the product isn\u2019t able to be sold, Amazon will continue to store it and charge you fees. <\/p>\n\n\n\nFor both situations, it is important to resolve them as quickly as possible or you can end up paying expensive Amazon fees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Reasons For Stranded Inventory <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThere are many reasons why your inventory can become stranded. Down below, we go over the most common ones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>1. Suspended Listing<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSuspended or suppressed listings usually occur when a specific product listing doesn’t follow Amazon\u2019s requirements. This may be caused by missing information\u2014such as bullet points, images, age requirements, etc.\u2014or your product may have received a large number of returns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>2. Pricing Error<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIf Amazon thinks your price is too low or too high, then they will suppress the listing. However, this issue is easy to counteract by adding a minimum and maximum price in your \u2018Manage inventory\u2019 section. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>3. Restricted ASIN<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSometimes, Amazon restricts the sale of an ASIN. This could be because of poor product quality, or intellectual property violations. Or in some cases, because your product requires additional safety testing. There may also be other more specific reasons. As this issue can occur for a variety of reasons, you will need to contact seller support to identify the particular issue and resolve it from there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>4. Listing Error<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nListing errors occur when your product is not connective to any active ASIN, such as if your listing was deleted (usually by accident or a competitor). Luckily, you can easily fix this by relisting the ASIN. However, in some cases, you may need to contact seller support. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>5. Expired Product<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhen you sell a grocery item that has recently expired, Amazon will mark your inventory as stranded. If this happens, there will need to be a physical removal of the inventory from the warehouse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>6. Closing or Deleting a Listing<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhen a listing is deleted from your seller account immediately after selling out, any lost or returned products will become stranded in the warehouse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>7. Bulk Update Error<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYou may end up with stranded Amazon FBA inventory if you fill out the quantity field when filling out a bulk template upload file. Why? Because your listings will shift from Fulfilled by Amazon to Fulfilled by Merchant, which leaves your inventory stranded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Where to Find Your Amazon Stranded Inventory<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nOn Amazon\u2019s Seller Central, you can view your stranded inventory report. To access this, you hover over the \u2018Inventory Tab\u2019 and select \u2018Manage Inventory.\u2019 <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\nWhen you have <\/strong>Amazon stranded inventory, you will be able to view a section labeled \u2018Fix-stranded inventory\u2019 on this page. You can also access this by selecting \u2018Inventory Dashboard\u2019. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\nFrom there, you\u2019ll be able to view all your <\/strong>inventory as well as the reason why it\u2019s stranded. The options shown are dependent on the reason why your inventory is stranded. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\nThere will be a dropdown menu on the right side of the screen containing options on how to handle the stranded inventory. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/span>How to Fix Amazon Stranded Inventory<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNow that we’ve told you the possible causes of stranded inventory and where to find them, we can now go over how to fix stranded inventory issues on Amazon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Usually, Amazon will send you a notification when your inventory becomes stranded. It is up to you as a seller to fix inventory errors within 30 days of being notified. If you fail to take action within 30 days, Amazon will automatically remove and dispose of the inventory from the warehouse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, you shouldn\u2019t rely completely on Amazon to inform you about inventory issues. As a seller, you should keep an eye on your account frequently to help you understand whether there are any problems that need to be fixed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are a few ways to fix stranded inventory issues on Amazon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Contact Seller Support<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYou may not always have to contact seller support before you get notified or get your issues resolved. Sometimes, the seller support team actually fixes inventory issues without requiring you to file a case. However, in certain situations, you may have to file a new case. Here’s how to go about creating a new seller support case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nOn Seller Central, select \u2018Help\u2019 in the top right corner.<\/li>\n\n\n\n At the bottom of the page, find the section \u2018Need more help?\u2019 and click on \u2018Get support\u2019.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\nUnder the \u2018What service can we help you with?\u2019, select \u2018Selling on Amazon\u2019, then \u2018Fulfillment by Amazon, then \u2018Investigate Other FBA Issues\u2019, then \u2018Stranded Inventory or FBA No Listing Error\u2019.<\/li>\n\n\n\n Click on \u2018Select Issue\u2019 and then enter your ASIN\/FNSKU and select \u2018Next\u2019.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nThis page may tell you exactly what problem you are experiencing and how to fix it. However, if it doesn\u2019t solve your issue, then you can click \u2018Need more help with this issue? Contact Us.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Remove your Amazon stranded inventory<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnother way to fix stranded inventory issues is to file a removal order. You can file a removal order for your stranded inventory by following the steps listed below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nUse the \u2018Create Removal Order\u2019 option from the dropdown menu in the Action field<\/li>\n\n\n\n In this menu, you can select to either have the product disposed of or returned to you<\/li>\n\n\n\n Either way, you will have to pay removal order fees <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Relist stranded inventory<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nRelisting your stranded inventory is another option, but first, you have to figure out what caused Amazon to deactivate your offer. It could be one of many reasons, such as pricing or quantity error, incomplete listing, or invalid ASIN. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, select \u2018Relist\u2019 or \u2018Edit’ on the \u2018Manage inventory\u2019 page and make the necessary adjustments to your inventory listing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also relist up to 25 items in bulk by selecting their listings and clicking the \u2018Relist\u2019 option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to create a new listing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIf your listing has been deleted, discontinued, or you would just rather restart the process altogether, then you can create a new listing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nUnder the \u2018Inventory\u2019 menu on Seller Central, click \u2018Add a Product.\u2019 <\/li>\n\n\n\n From there, you can choose to create a listing from three methods: add a product that is already on Amazon, \u2018Create a new product listing\u2019 for any brand new product that is currently not sold on Amazon, and \u2018Bulk upload.\u2019<\/li>\n\n\n\n From there, you will have to input a variety of information depending on the method you choose, such as product title, manufacturer and brand, and pricing. <\/li>\n\n\n\n Click \u2018Save and Finish\u2019, and you\u2019re done! <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n