Problems With Receiving

Problems With Receiving: Chargeback Prevention Guide

This guide covers the ten chargeback types most commonly issued during Amazon's fulfillment center receiving process, including carton content accuracy, labeling, dunnage, product expiry, dimensions/weight, and general receiving accuracy defects (ASN and label compliance). For each chargeback, you'll find what triggers it, how to avoid it, the current rate card, and the documentation Amazon requires if you need to dispute a charge.


1. Carton Content Accuracy Chargeback

A Carton Content Accuracy chargeback means the products or product quantities in a received box don't exactly match the Advance Shipment Notification (ASN). The factor assessed is product quantities. There are four subtypes: Shortage/Missing ASINs, Unexpected Item Overage (UIO), Unexpected Quantity Overage (UQO), and Case Pack Defect.

What triggers this chargeback

Triggered whenever actual carton contents don't match the ASN at receiving. US rate is a flat $1.67 per unit discrepancy across all subtypes. EU rates vary by subtype: €0.22 (Unexpected Item Overage), €0.30 (Unexpected Quantity Overage), and €0.75 (Shortage).

  • Shortage / Missing ASINs — carton contains fewer units than declared in the ASN.
  • Unexpected Item Overage (UIO) — an item not listed in the ASN is found in the carton.
  • Unexpected Quantity Overage (UQO) — more units of a listed item are present than declared.
  • Case Pack Defect — case packs are transparent, with item-level barcodes on the case pack rather than the sellable item, causing receiving errors.

Exceptions

No chargeback if the discrepancy was caused by an Amazon FC receiving error, confirmed in writing by the fulfillment center. There is no compliance threshold for automatic waiver — every unit discrepancy between the ASN and received carton is subject to the per-unit chargeback rate.

How to avoid this chargeback

  • Provide the correct ASN for each shipment — ensure ASIN, quantity, and carton contents are exact.
  • Ensure barcodes on each unit are mapped to the correct ASIN in the catalog.
  • Ensure case packs (inner boxes) are not transparent — item-level barcode must only be visible on the sellable item.
  • Do not place item barcode labels on top of the case pack — labels must be on individual sellable items only.

Rate card

Subtype Factor US rate / unit EU rate / unit
Shortage / Missing ASINs Product quantities $1.67 €0.75
Unexpected Item Overage (UIO) Product quantities $1.67 €0.22
Unexpected Quantity Overage (UQO) Product quantities $1.67 €0.30
Case Pack Defect Product quantities $1.67

Required documentation for dispute

Item labels on case packs / master packs

Images showing a face-open box, inner packs, and individual sellable units of the ASIN.

Evidence for wrong items received

Comparison with the ASN showing expected vs. received items, plus an image of the barcode for the missing or unexpected ASIN.

Dispute evidence examples

Approved submission

ASN declares 10 units of ASIN-A — received box contains exactly 10 units, no unexpected items or quantity discrepancy. Case pack photos show non-transparent inner boxes with item barcodes only on sellable units.

Denied submission

Shortage of 2 units of ASIN-A vs. ASN, plus 4 units of ASIN-B (UIO) not declared — multiple defects. Per-unit chargeback applied to all discrepant units; no documentation provided to explain the mismatch.


2. Dunnage Not Compliant Chargeback

A Dunnage Not Compliant chargeback means you used unacceptable packaging materials to ship products to an Amazon fulfillment center. Amazon only accepts specific approved dunnage types — loose fill materials are strictly prohibited.

What triggers this chargeback

Triggered when a shipment arrives at the FC containing non-compliant packaging (dunnage) materials inside cartons. The chargeback is $25 per carton where non-compliant materials are found.

  • Approved materials: foam, air pillows, bubble wrap, full sheets of paper.
  • Prohibited loose fill materials: Styrofoam peanuts, biodegradable packing peanuts, cornstarch packing peanuts, crinkle wrap, shredded paper.

Exceptions

No chargeback if the non-compliant dunnage was included by a third-party prep center without vendor knowledge, confirmed with documentation. There is no compliance rate threshold for automatic waiver — every carton with prohibited materials is subject to the $25 chargeback.

How to avoid this chargeback

  • Use only Amazon-accepted packing materials: foam, air pillows, bubble wrap, or full sheets of paper.
  • Never use any type of loose fill — Styrofoam peanuts, biodegradable peanuts, cornstarch peanuts, crinkle wrap, or shredded paper.
  • Train warehouse teams on approved dunnage types and post guidelines at packing stations.
  • Audit third-party prep centers to ensure they follow Amazon's dunnage requirements before shipment.

Rate card

Chargeback type Factor Rate Basis
Dunnage Not Compliant Packaging materials $25 Per non-compliant carton

Required documentation for dispute

Image(s) of the PO label

Photos of the PO label on the shipment carton confirming the order details.

Dunnage / packaging materials with ASIN

Photo evidence of the actual dunnage used with one ASIN from the shipment carton visible, confirming compliant materials were used.

Dispute evidence examples

Approved submission

PO label present and scannable. Dunnage photos show bubble wrap and foam — both Amazon-approved materials. No loose fill detected in any carton.

Denied submission

Styrofoam peanuts and crinkle wrap found in 36 cartons — both prohibited loose fill materials. No compliant dunnage documentation provided: $25 × 36 cartons = $900 chargeback applied.


3. Expired Product Chargeback

An Expired Product chargeback is issued when Amazon receives a product that has either reached its shelf life (expired) or will expire within the next 90 days. All products must arrive at Amazon's fulfillment center with an expiration date of more than 90 days from the estimated delivery date.

What triggers this chargeback

Triggered when the FC receives a product that has already expired or will expire within 90 days of the estimated delivery date. Rate: $2 per unit + 100% of the product's cost (COGS) — one of the highest chargeback rates. The expiration date must also use a globally unambiguous format (e.g. formats like 12/1/11 are not acceptable). Recommended format: YYYY-MMM-DD (e.g. 2025-Mar-01).

Exceptions

No chargeback if the expiration date discrepancy was caused by an Amazon receiving system error, confirmed in writing by the FC. There is no compliance threshold for automatic waiver — every unit received with an expiration date within or past the 90-day window is subject to the full chargeback.

How to avoid this chargeback

  • Ship products with more than 90 days of shelf life remaining from the estimated delivery date to the FC.
  • Use a globally unambiguous date format — avoid formats like 12/1/11. Use YYYY-MMM-DD (e.g. 2025-Mar-01).
  • Ensure clear and compliant labeling — expiration dates must be visible, legible, and correctly formatted on every unit.
  • Refer to Amazon's instructional videos in Vendor Central to guide proper labeling and handling of perishable or dated products.

Rate card

Chargeback type Factor Rate Basis
Expired Product Expiry date $2/unit + 100% COGS Per non-compliant unit

Required documentation for dispute

Image(s) of the PO label

Photos of the PO label on the shipment carton confirming the order details and shipment date.

Expiration date on the ASIN

Clear image of the expiration date printed on the product, showing the date format used and confirming the date was beyond the 90-day window at time of shipment.

Dispute evidence examples

Approved submission

Expiration date is 2027-Sep-15 — 469 days from delivery, well beyond the 90-day minimum, in unambiguous YYYY-MMM-DD format. PO label and ASIN expiry photo both submitted.

Denied submission

Expiration date only 12 days away — well within the 90-day prohibited window. Ambiguous format (06/30/26) also flagged. Full $2/unit + 100% COGS chargeback applied; no documentation can waive an expired product shipment.


4. No Carton Content Label (NCCL) Chargeback

A No Carton Content Label (NCCL) chargeback occurs when a carton in a non-palletized (floor-loaded) shipment does not have a valid carton label, or the carton label information is not transmitted in the ASN. The factor assessed is the carton label, and chargebacks are assessed per box based on your trailing 7-day (T7D) labeling defect rate.

What triggers this chargeback

  • Subtype 1 — No Valid LP Label on Carton: carton arrives without any scannable License Plate label; the FC cannot auto-receive it.
  • Subtype 2 — LP Label Not in ASN: physical label exists but was not transmitted in the ASN, so no system match can be found at receiving.

LP labels must carry a compliant format: SSCC, AMZNCC, or 2D-BPS, each displaying a 20-digit carton ID plus ASN/BOL in both barcode and text format. A GTIN-14 Gold List (GTIN-14 → ASIN → unit quantity per carton) must also be provided.

Exceptions

No chargeback if the label defect was caused by an Amazon FC scanning error, confirmed in writing by the FC. Your tier is determined by your T7D defect rate — keep the defect rate ≤65% for the lowest Tier 3 rate.

How to avoid this chargeback

  • Use SSCC, AMZNCC, or 2D-BPS on every carton — one label per carton, never multiple.
  • Display the 20-digit carton ID plus ASN/BOL number in both barcode and text format.
  • Include all LP label data in the ASN before shipment arrives — the ASN must match the physical labels.
  • Submit the GTIN-14 Gold List mapping GTIN-14 → ASIN → unit quantity per carton.

Rate card

Tier T7D defect rate Rate / box Shipment type
Tier 1 ≥ 90% $15 Non-palletized (NCCL)
Tier 2 65.1% – 89.9% $10 Non-palletized (NCCL)
Tier 3 ≤ 65% $5 Non-palletized (NCCL)

Required documentation for dispute

Carton content label example

Sample label showing SSCC/AMZNCC, the 20-digit ID, and ASN/BOL in barcode and text format.

ASN transmission screenshot / extract

Screenshot or EDI extract confirming LP label data was transmitted in the ASN before arrival at the FC.

GTIN-14 Gold List

Maps GTIN-14 → ASIN → unit quantity per carton — confirms carton content accuracy for auto-receiving.

Dispute evidence examples

Approved submission

Valid SSCC label on every carton — LP label data fully transmitted in the ASN before shipment arrived at the FC. GTIN-14 Gold List submitted and verified. T7D defect rate 12% → Tier 3: $5/box.

Denied submission

34 cartons missing LP labels — FC unable to auto-receive. GTIN-14 mapping not in ASN. T7D defect rate 78% → Tier 2: $10 per defective box. No documentation provided to dispute.


5. No PO Label on Carton Chargeback

A No PO Label on Carton chargeback means you did not include the purchase order (PO) number on the shipping container. Every carton must carry a valid label containing the PO number so Amazon can match it to the correct order at receiving.

What triggers this chargeback

Triggered when cartons arrive at the FC without a valid label containing the PO number. Rate: $10 per carton. ASN shipping labels must contain all PO information and follow Amazon's Carton Labeling Guidelines. GS1-128 barcodes with a (400) prefix must not be used for PO identification.

Exceptions

No chargeback if the label was lost or damaged in transit, confirmed with carrier documentation and pre-shipment photos showing labeled cartons. There is no compliance threshold for automatic waiver — every carton missing a PO label is subject to the $10 chargeback.

How to avoid this chargeback

  • Ensure ASN shipping labels contain all PO information, including the PO number, on every carton.
  • Follow Amazon's Carton Labeling Guidelines for label format, placement, and content requirements.
  • Do not use GS1-128 barcodes with a (400) prefix for PO identification — use compliant label formats only.
  • Verify all cartons are labeled before the shipment leaves your facility — take pre-shipment photos as documentation.

Rate card

Chargeback type Factor Rate Basis
No PO Label on Carton Missing PO number $10 Per unlabeled carton

Required documentation for dispute

Image(s) of a valid label on a carton

Clear photos showing the compliant PO label on the carton, including PO number, ASN information, and label format used — taken before or at time of shipment.

Dispute evidence examples

Approved submission

All 24 cartons have valid ASN shipping labels with the PO number clearly visible — GS1-128 compliant format used. No (400) prefix barcodes detected.

Denied submission

PO number missing from all 18 cartons — no valid label found at receiving. No pre-shipment photos or label evidence provided: $10 × 18 cartons = $180 chargeback applied.


6. Non-Compliant Barcode Chargeback

A Non-Compliant Barcode chargeback means you either did not include a barcode on the products you shipped, or the barcode provided could not be scanned by Amazon's fulfillment center systems.

What triggers this chargeback

Triggered when the FC receives products where the barcode is missing, unscannable, or the product identification number is not updated in the catalog. Rate: 3% of the product's cost (COGS). Every product must have a scannable barcode (UPC, EAN, GTIN, or FNSKU) matching a valid product identifier in your Amazon catalog.

Exceptions

No chargeback if the barcode was damaged during transit by the carrier, confirmed with carrier documentation and photos taken before shipment. There is no compliance threshold for automatic waiver — every unit with an unscannable or missing barcode is subject to the 3% COGS chargeback.

How to avoid this chargeback

  • Ensure the product identification number from the barcode is updated in your catalog before shipment.
  • Use a scannable, undamaged barcode (UPC, EAN, GTIN, or FNSKU) on the exterior of every unit.
  • Test-scan barcodes before shipment to confirm they are readable by standard scanning equipment.
  • Ensure labels are not obscured, wrinkled, or placed under packaging material that prevents scanning.

Rate card

Chargeback type Factor Rate Basis
Non-Compliant Barcode Product can't be identified 3% of COGS Per non-compliant unit

Required documentation for dispute

Image(s) of the label and ASIN barcode

Clear photos of the product label showing the barcode and ASIN, confirming the barcode is present, undamaged, and correctly placed on the product exterior.

Dispute evidence examples

Approved submission

Label photo shows a clear, scannable UPC-A barcode on the product exterior — product ID verified in catalog. All units successfully scanned at the FC.

Denied submission

Barcode label is damaged and unscannable — product ID not updated in catalog. 3% COGS chargeback applied; no pre-shipment barcode test photos provided to dispute.


7. Oversized Cartons Chargeback

An Oversized Carton chargeback occurs when a carton sent to an Amazon fulfillment center has measurements greater than Amazon's requirements. Size limits vary by facility type. If any side of a carton exceeds the limit, the carton must contain only one sellable unit with proper warning labels.

What triggers this chargeback

Triggered when a carton's dimensions exceed Amazon's maximum size limits for the receiving facility. US rate: $25 per box. EU rate: €2.73 per box (triggered when any side exceeds 63.5 cm).

  • IXD / Sortable facilities: max 36" length × 25" width × 25" height.
  • Traditional NonSort (TNS): max 48" length × 29" width × 25" height.
  • EU: 63.5 cm on any single side.

Exceptions

If a carton exceeds size limits on any side, it is permitted only if it contains one sellable unit with proper warning labels in a highly-visible location. There is no compliance threshold for automatic waiver — every oversized carton is subject to the chargeback.

How to avoid this chargeback

  • Do not exceed Amazon's maximum carton size limits — confirm your destination facility type (IXD/Sortable or TNS) before packing.
  • For IXD/Sortable: stay within 36" × 25" × 25". For TNS: stay within 48" × 29" × 25".
  • If a carton must exceed size limits, ensure it contains only one sellable unit with warning labels affixed in a highly-visible location.
  • Measure all cartons before shipment — repack oversized cartons into compliant dimensions where possible.

Rate card

Market Facility type / condition Max dimensions (L×W×H) Rate
US IXD / Sortable 36" × 25" × 25" $25 / box
US Traditional NonSort (TNS) 48" × 29" × 25" $25 / box
EU Any side 63.5 cm 63.5 cm (any side) €2.73 / box

Required documentation for dispute

Dimensions of each individual item

Documented dimensions (L×W×H) of each item in the shipment, confirming they are within Amazon's size requirements for the facility type.

Summary of shipped carton contents

A summary of each shipped carton's contents including item count, dimensions, and confirmation that any oversized carton contains only one sellable unit with warning labels.

Dispute evidence examples

Approved submission

Largest carton is 34" × 24" × 22" — within the IXD/Sortable limit of 36" × 25" × 25". Item dimension summary submitted showing all individual items within size requirements.

Denied submission

Carton measures 52" × 30" × 26" — exceeds IXD/Sortable limits on all three sides, and multiple units were found inside. No single-unit proof or warning labels; $25/box chargeback applied.


8. Overweight Cartons Chargeback

An Overweight Carton chargeback occurs when a carton sent to an Amazon fulfillment center contains more than one sellable unit and weighs over 50 lbs (US) / 23 kg (EU). Single sellable units over 50 lbs are permitted with proper warning labels.

What triggers this chargeback

Triggered when a carton arrives containing more than one sellable unit and weighing over 50 lbs. US rate: $25 per carton. In the EU, any box exceeding 23 kg triggers a €1.25 per box chargeback regardless of unit count.

Exceptions

Cartons over 50 lbs are permitted if they contain only one sellable unit with proper warning labels affixed in a highly-visible location. There is no compliance threshold for automatic waiver — every non-compliant overweight carton is subject to the full chargeback.

How to avoid this chargeback

  • Limit carton weight for multi-unit boxes — do not exceed 50 lbs (US) / 23 kg (EU) when packing multiple sellable units.
  • For cartons over 50 lbs, ensure there is only one sellable unit inside each carton.
  • Affix proper warning labels in a highly-visible location on all single-unit cartons that exceed 50 lbs.
  • Weigh cartons before shipment and repack if necessary to stay within weight limits.

Rate card

Market Condition Rate Basis
US Multi-unit carton 50 lbs $25 Per non-compliant carton
EU Box weight 23 kg €1.25 Per non-compliant box

Required documentation for dispute

Summary of carton contents + item weights

A detailed summary of the shipped carton's contents along with the weight of each individual item — required when carton weight is under 50 lbs to confirm multi-unit compliance.

Proof of single sellable unit

Evidence confirming the carton contains only one sellable unit — required when the carton exceeds 50 lbs, along with photos showing warning labels in a highly-visible location.

Dispute evidence examples

Approved submission

Carton weight summary shows the heaviest multi-unit carton at 42 lbs — within the 50 lb limit. All single-unit cartons over 50 lbs have warning labels in highly-visible locations, properly documented.

Denied submission

Multi-unit carton weighs 68 lbs — exceeds the 50 lb limit, and warning labels are missing. No proof of single sellable unit provided; $25/carton chargeback confirmed with no waiver available.


9. Receiving Accuracy: ASN Compliance Defects

ASN compliance chargebacks are issued when Amazon is unable to accurately or automatically receive shipments due to Advance Shipment Notification (ASN) non-compliance. ASNs must be submitted on time, contain a single valid submission, and include accurate expiration date and label matching information.

What triggers this chargeback

ASN defects are triggered when the submitted ASN does not meet Amazon's compliance standards at receiving. Chargebacks are assessed on your 12-week rolling defect rate: 2% PCOG above 95% compliance, 4% between 70–95%, and 6% below 70%.

Exception to the tiers: "Expiration Date Is Less Than 30 Days" carries a flat, non-tiered rate of 100% PCOG + $2/unit (US) or €1.70/unit + 85% PCOGS (EU) at every compliance level.

  • Multiple Submitted ASNs
  • Late ASN
  • Pending ASN Submission
  • ASN Structure Mismatch
  • Missing Expiration Date
  • Expiration Date Too Close to Expiry
  • Expiration Date Too Far in the Future
  • Pallet or Box Label Doesn't Match ASN
  • Missing ASN
  • Expiration Date Less Than 30 Days (highest penalty tier)

Exceptions

No chargeback if the ASN defect was caused by an Amazon system error at the fulfillment center, confirmed in writing. Maintaining above 95% compliance keeps your rate at the lowest tier; the expiration-date-under-30-days defect has no tiered reduction — 100% PCOG applies at all compliance levels.

How to avoid this chargeback

  • Submit an ASN for every shipment, regardless of shipment type.
  • Ensure the ASN is submitted before the shipment arrives at the fulfillment center.
  • Do not leave ASNs in draft or pending status — confirm and submit fully.
  • Assign only one ASN per carton or pallet — do not submit multiple ASNs for the same shipment.
  • Ensure ASN details match the physical shipment — labels, quantities, and expiration dates.
  • Never ship products with expiration dates less than 30 days away — this triggers the highest penalty tier.

Rate card

Sub-infraction > 95% 70–95% < 70%
Multiple Submitted ASNs 2% 4% 6%
Late ASN 2% 4% 6%
Pending ASN Submission 2% 4% 6%
ASN Structure Mismatch 2% 4% 6%
Missing Expiration Date 2% 4% 6%
Expiration Date Too Close to Expiry 2% 4% 6%
Expiration Date Too Far in the Future 2% 4% 6%
Pallet/Box Label Doesn't Match ASN 2% 4% 6%
Missing ASN 2% 4% 6%
Expiration Date Less Than 30 Days 100% PCOG + $2/unit (all bands)
EU sub-infraction Rate / unit
Late ASN €0.30
Pending ASN submission €0.30
Missing ASN €0.30
ASN structure mismatch €0.30
Pallet/box label doesn't match ASN €0.30
Multiple submitted ASNs €0.30
Missing expiration date €0.07
Expiration date too far in the future €0.07
Expiration date too close to expiry €1.70
Expiration date < 30 days / in the past €1.70 + 85% PCOGS

Required documentation for dispute

Advance Shipment Notification (ASN)

The ASN submitted in Vendor Central, with a timestamp confirming it was submitted before the shipment arrived at the FC.

Carton and pallet labels (SSCC)

Copies of SSCC labels showing they match the submitted ASN data — no structure mismatch.

Bill of Lading (BOL) or PRO number

BOL confirming the shipment identity, carrier, and delivery to the fulfillment center.

Shipment creation and confirmation records

Records showing shipment creation and ASN confirmation prior to departure from your facility.

Expiration date documentation (if applicable)

Product expiration date records confirming the expiry date on shipped products was within the compliant range.

Dispute evidence examples

Approved submission

A single ASN submitted before shipment arrival — timestamp confirms pre-arrival compliance. Expiration date is Jun 2027, well within the compliant range, and pallet labels match ASN data.

Denied submission

Three ASNs submitted for the same shipment, plus submission after FC arrival — multiple defects confirmed. Expiration date is less than 30 days out: highest penalty tier applies (100% PCOG + $2/unit US, or €1.70 + 85% PCOGS EU).


10. Receiving Accuracy: Label Compliance Defects

Label compliance chargebacks are issued when Amazon is unable to accurately or automatically receive shipments due to labeling non-compliance. Each carton and pallet must carry a clear, unique, scannable label that meets Amazon's specifications and has not been reused within the past 12 months.

What triggers this chargeback

Triggered when shipments arrive with label defects that prevent accurate automated receiving. Chargebacks are calculated on your 12-week defect rate: 2% PCOG above 95%, 4% between 70–95%, and 6% below 70% — applied to the total cost of all defective products in the shipment.

  • No Scannable Label on Pallet / Box
  • Multiple Scannable Labels Present on Pallet / Box
  • Reused Scannable Label Within 12 Months

EU market applies a fixed €0.14 per unit fee regardless of compliance rate.

Exceptions

No chargeback if the label defect was caused by an Amazon fulfillment center scanning error, confirmed in writing by the FC. Maintaining above 95% compliance keeps your penalty rate at the lowest tier (2% PCOG).

How to avoid this chargeback

  • Use one clear, scannable label per carton or pallet — never apply multiple labels.
  • Ensure labels meet Amazon specifications and can be scanned by Amazon systems.
  • Do not reuse labels that have been used within the past 12 months.
  • Remove or cover any old or duplicate labels before shipping.

Rate card

Sub-infraction > 95% 70–95% < 70%
No Scannable Label on Pallet/Box 2% 4% 6%
Multiple Scannable Labels on Pallet/Box 2% 4% 6%
Reused Scannable Label Within 12 Months 2% 4% 6%
EU sub-infraction Rate / unit
No scannable label on pallet or box €0.14
Multiple scannable labels on pallet or box €0.14
Reused scannable labels within 12 months €0.14

Required documentation for dispute

Advance Shipment Notification (ASN)

ASN submitted in Vendor Central confirming the shipment details and label information.

Carton and pallet labels (SSCC)

Copies of the SSCC GS1-128 labels applied to cartons and pallets, confirming they are unique and compliant.

Bill of Lading (BOL) or PRO number

BOL or PRO confirming shipment identity and delivery to the fulfillment center.

Shipment creation and confirmation records

Records showing the shipment was created with correct label specifications and confirmed before departure.

Dispute evidence examples

Approved submission

SSCC labels are unique, not reused within 12 months, and all pallets have a single scannable label. ASN submitted with matching label data — receiving completed without defects.

Denied submission

Reused label detected — same SSCC used within the prior 12-month window. Multiple labels also found on pallet #4, causing automated scanning to fail. Defect confirmed at receiving.


For more information download the attached one-pagers on these topics at the bottom of this article.

Was this article helpful?
0 out of 0 found this helpful

Comments

0 comments

Please sign in to leave a comment.