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FLEX. Logistics
We provide logistics services to online retailers in Europe: Amazon FBA prep, processing FBA removal orders, forwarding to Fulfillment Centers - both FBA and Vendor shipments.
Many Amazon sellers overlook inventory removal management — and it costs them. Whether you are dealing with damaged goods, slow-moving stock, or looming long-term storage fees, knowing how to create an Amazon removal order is an essential skill for any Amazon seller.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know: what a removal order is, why it matters, and exactly how to set one up in Seller Central.
What is an Amazon Removal Order?
An Amazon removal order is a request submitted via Seller Central instructing Amazon to remove your FBA inventory from a fulfilment centre.
Depending on your selection, Amazon will either return the items to you or dispose of them.
This process gives sellers direct control over their stock, allowing them to retrieve unsellable items, reclaim excess inventory, and avoid unnecessary storage fees.
Why Amazon Sellers Create Removal Orders
Efficient removal workflows reduce storage costs and improve inventory control.
Common scenarios prompting a removal order include:
- Avoiding long-term storage fees: Remove slow-moving stock before the 181-day threshold to avoid escalating Amazon fees.
- Clearing unsellable stock: Retrieve or dispose of items that are returned, damaged, or deemed unsellable.
- Managing excess inventory: Free up capital and cut storage costs by removing overstock to rebalance inventory.
- Recalling a product: Quickly pull items from fulfilment centres due to safety concerns, product updates, or pricing errors.
- Closing an FBA listing: Clear out remaining stock when discontinuing a product through Amazon FBA.
How to Access Removal Orders in Seller Central
To get started, log in to your Amazon Seller Central account. From the main dashboard, navigate to the Inventory tab and select Manage Inventory.
From there, you can search for the specific product you want to remove using its ASIN, SKU, or product name. Alternatively, you can access removal orders directly through Inventory → Manage FBA Inventory and filter by fulfilment centre or inventory status.
Once you have identified the relevant products, you are ready to begin the removal process.
Step-by-Step Process to Create a Removal Order
The following steps explain how to create a removal order in Seller Central. The process is straightforward, but it is important to review each stage carefully to avoid errors.
Step 1: Log in to Seller Central and Navigate to Manage Inventory
Open your Seller Central account and go to Inventory → Manage FBA Inventory. Use the search bar to locate the specific product you wish to remove. You can search by product name, ASIN, or SKU.
Step 2: Select the Product and Open the Actions Menu
Once you have found the product, tick the checkbox next to it. Then click the Actions button or the dropdown arrow next to the product listing. From the menu that appears, select Create Removal Order.
Step 3: Review Inventory Data and Choose Quantity
A new page will load showing the inventory data for that product, including the number of units available, the number of units in an unsellable condition, and their current location within the Amazon fulfilment centre network. Review this data carefully. Enter the quantity of units you wish to remove.
Step 4: Choose Between Return or Disposal
You will now be prompted to select a removal method.
There are two options:
- Return: Amazon ships the items back to an address you specify. This is suitable for resale or repair.
- Disposal: Amazon disposes of the items on your behalf. This is typically used for damaged, expired, or unsellable stock.
If you choose the return option, ensure the delivery address is correct and that someone will be available to receive the shipment.
Step 5: Review and Submit the Order
Before you submit, review all the details on the confirmation page.
Check the product, the quantity, the removal method, and the delivery address, if applicable.
Once you are satisfied, click the Submit button to finalize the removal order.
Amazon will send a confirmation to your registered email address.
Step 6: Track the Progress of Your Removal Order
You can monitor the status of your removal order by navigating to Inventory → Manage FBA Shipments or by checking the Removal Order Reports in Seller Central. Processing times vary, but removal orders are typically completed within 14 to 30 business days.
Choosing Between Disposal and Return Options
Selecting the right removal method depends on inventory condition and business goals:
- Return: Best for sellable inventory (excess or seasonal stock). You can redirect these units to other sales channels or store them in a 3PL warehouse until demand increases.
- Disposal: Best for damaged, expired, or zero-value items. Amazon's per-unit disposal fee is typically lower than the cost of return shipping and storage.
If you need a reliable address in Germany to receive returned Amazon inventory, FLEX. Logistik can serve as your third-party logistics provider in Germany, handling returned stock efficiently on your behalf.
Managing Unsellable and Excess Inventory
Proactive inventory management is key to maintaining healthy Amazon FBA operations.
Sellers who regularly audit their stock and manage inventory removal effectively are better placed to control costs and avoid unexpected charges.
Consider the following strategies:
- Monitor your Inventory Health Report in Seller Central regularly to identify slow-moving or ageing stock.
- Set reorder thresholds based on realistic demand forecasts to reduce the risk of overstocking.
- Act on removal orders before the 181-day storage threshold to avoid long-term storage fees.
- Work with inventory forwarding services for FBA shipments to streamline routing returned goods to their next destination.
Common Amazon Removal Order Mistakes
Even experienced sellers make avoidable errors with removal orders. Here are the most common mistakes and how to fix them:
- Entering the wrong quantity: Double-check unit counts before submitting. Over-removing disrupts sales momentum, while under-removing leaves excess stock behind.
- Providing an incorrect delivery address: Ensure your return address is accurate and up to date to prevent lost shipments.
- Waiting too long to act: Delaying the issuance of removal orders increases storage costs. Review inventory data monthly and act promptly.
- Confusing disposal with return: Double-check your method. Disposal is permanent—once submitted, units cannot be recovered.
- Not tracking order status: Monitor the process in Seller Central. If the order stalls, contact Amazon Seller Support immediately.
Best Practices for Amazon Inventory Management
Effective inventory management requires a systematic approach to monitoring stock, forecasting demand, and acting on Seller Central data.
Follow these best practices to keep your Amazon operations running smoothly:
- Schedule regular inventory audits: Review FBA stock monthly, focusing on ageing, unsellable units, and items nearing long-term storage fee thresholds.
- Use Amazon’s Restock Inventory tool: Leverage data-driven recommendations to avoid both stockouts and overstocking.
- Automate removal orders: Set up automated removals for unsellable inventory within Seller Central settings.
- Diversify your fulfilment strategy: Combine FBA with 3PL warehousing to reduce storage costs and increase flexibility during slow periods.
- Keep listings accurate: Up-to-date listings minimize returns and unsellable stock, reducing the need for removal orders.
FLEX. Logistik helps Amazon sellers manage inventory efficiently across Europe.
From FBA shipments and storage solutions to return handling for removal orders, we help you build a leaner, more cost-effective supply chain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an Amazon removal order take?
Most orders are processed within 14 to 30 business days, though peak holiday seasons may take longer. Track the progress directly in Seller Central.
Does Amazon charge a fee for removal orders?
Yes. Amazon charges a per-unit fee based on product size and weight, with disposal fees generally lower than return fees.
Check Seller Central for the current fee schedule.
Can I cancel a removal order after submitting it?
You can cancel via Seller Central only if Amazon has not yet begun processing the order. Once processing starts, cancellations are usually not possible.
What happens to my inventory after a disposal order?
Amazon permanently discards the units. This action is irreversible, so carefully review your inventory data before confirming.
How do I avoid long-term storage fees on Amazon?
Monitor inventory age regularly and submit removal orders before the 181-day threshold. Use Amazon’s Restock Inventory tool to match stock levels with actual demand.
However, running a truly successful ecommerce business requires a complete mastery of both the digital and physical realms. While AWS handles your digital assets seamlessly in the background, you still have to move physical boxes to your customers. For brands utilizing FBA to sell across Europe, having a reliable physical staging ground is just as vital as having a good digital S3 bucket. Utilizing pre-amazon Storage Services in Germany ensures your physical inventory is staged perfectly, compliant, and ready before it ever enters the Amazon fulfillment network. By partnering with a dedicated logistics expert like FLEX. and using our services, such as forwarding to Amazon, you can achieve the exact same level of frictionless, scalable efficiency in the real world that Amazon S3 provides for your data in the cloud.
