TL;DR: When Amazon processes a removal order, the quantity you requested is an instruction to the fulfillment network — not a guarantee of what ships in a single delivery. Multiple fulfillment centres may process the same order in batches, and minor quantity discrepancies at receiving are common. Here’s how it works from a Canadian prep centre’s perspective.
How Amazon Handles Removal Orders Behind the Scenes
When you create a removal order in Seller Central, you are issuing a quantity instruction to Amazon’s fulfillment network. Amazon does not assign that order to a single fulfillment centre and ship everything at once. Instead, it distributes the removal across whichever centres currently hold your inventory.
This means a single removal order for 100 units may result in:
- 40 units shipping from YYZ3 (Brampton) in week one
- 35 units shipping from YXU1 (St. Thomas) in week two
- 25 units shipping from YYZ7 (Bolton) in week three
Each shipment arrives separately, often on different carriers and at different times. The total eventually reconciles to your requested quantity — but the timing and grouping are controlled by Amazon, not by you.
Why the Received Quantity May Not Match the Removal Order
Several factors cause the quantity you receive at a prep centre or warehouse to differ from what your removal order shows:
Amazon’s inventory is continuously reallocated. Units may be transferred between fulfillment centres between the time you create the removal order and when Amazon processes it. The fulfilment system routes units from wherever they are at the moment of processing.
Removal orders are processed in batches. A removal order for 200 units may generate 4 or 5 separate outbound shipments over several days or weeks. Each shipment has its own tracking number and arrives independently.
Receiving is done by box or pallet, not by unit. When removal shipments arrive at a third-party prep centre, the standard receiving process verifies box count and pallet count, not individual unit count. A full unit-level count happens during inspection — which may reveal minor discrepancies from what Amazon’s removal order stated.
Amazon’s own count may differ from yours. Amazon’s unit-level inventory tracking is not always perfectly synchronized with what is physically located at each fulfillment centre. Quantity differences of 1–3% on large removal orders are not unusual and are generally treated as operational variance by both Amazon and third-party prep facilities.
What Happens at the Prep Centre When Quantities Don’t Match
When a removal order shipment arrives at MoRo Prep, the receiving process follows a documented sequence:
- Inbound count: We verify the number of boxes and pallets against the shipment documentation. Any visible damage to outer packaging is photographed and recorded at this stage.
- Unit-level inspection: Each box is opened and units are counted individually. This is where discrepancies between Amazon’s stated quantity and actual received quantity become visible.
- Discrepancy documentation: Any shortfall or surplus is recorded by ASIN and SKU, with reference to the removal order number. This documentation is shared with the seller so they have a record for any Amazon claim.
- Seller notification: If the discrepancy is material (more than 2–3 units on a small order, or more than 1% on a large order), we contact the seller before proceeding with relabeling or repackaging.
What Sellers Can Do About Quantity Discrepancies
Track each shipment separately. Removal orders that span multiple shipments should be tracked shipment-by-shipment, not as a single delivery. Each tracking number represents a distinct batch, and the total reconciles over time — not all at once.
Create removal orders by ASIN. Mixing multiple ASINs in a single removal order makes it harder to identify where shortfalls occurred. Single-ASIN removal orders are easier to track and discrepancy claims are easier to substantiate.
Wait for all batches before raising a claim. Amazon may split a 150-unit removal into three 50-unit shipments over two weeks. Filing a quantity discrepancy claim before all batches arrive will typically result in Amazon pointing to the remaining open shipments.
Use your prep centre’s receiving records. A documented unit-level count at the prep centre, with timestamps and reference to the removal order number, is the primary evidence for any Amazon reimbursement claim related to missing units.
When to File a Reimbursement Claim
If your prep centre’s documented received quantity is consistently and materially below what your removal orders state — after all shipments have been accounted for — you may have grounds for a reimbursement claim through Amazon Seller Central.
The claim process requires:
- The removal order ID
- The ASIN and quantity discrepancy
- Evidence of your receiving documentation (prep centre records, carrier delivery confirmation)
Amazon’s reimbursement team reviews claims against their own fulfillment records. Prep centre receiving logs that document the discrepancy at the unit level support stronger claims than seller assertions alone.
Why This Matters for Sellers Using Canadian Prep Centres
For Canadian sellers routing removal orders through a local Ontario prep centre, the multi-batch nature of removal order processing means that your prep centre may receive partial quantities across several weeks. Communicating your expected removal order volume — and the timeline — helps prep centre staff manage receiving capacity and prioritise inspection for your inventory.
MoRo Prep handles removal orders from YXU1 (St. Thomas), YYZ1–YYZ7 (GTA cluster), and YOW (Ottawa) regularly. If you’re managing a high-volume removal order and want to coordinate receiving logistics, contact us in advance.
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