How to Fix Stranded Inventory on Amazon

TL;DR 

• Stranded inventory happens when items in Amazon’s warehouses aren’t linked to active listings, making them unsellable.

• Common causes include closed listings, approval issues, policy violations, missing product information, and incorrect ASIN or SKU links.

• To fix stranded inventory, sellers should review the “Stranded Inventory” section in Seller Central, update listing details, and obtain necessary approvals.

• By identifying the root cause and addressing it, whether at the listing or account level, sellers can get their products back in front of shoppers.

• Taking proactive steps not only reduces storage fees but also improves sales opportunities and account performance.

If you’re an Amazon seller, you know how frustrating it is to have products sitting in storage that no one can buy. This is stranded inventory items that are stuck, not making sales, but still costing you storage fees. It can feel like a problem you can’t fix, but the good news is that there’s a way forward.

In this guide, we’ll explain what stranded inventory is, why it happens, and how you can fix it. You’ll learn how to find stranded inventory in Seller Central, understand the most common reasons behind it, and follow simple steps to get your products back in front of shoppers.

We’ll also give you practical solutions for different types of stranded inventory, so you can keep your business running smoothly. By taking the right steps, you can turn stranded inventory into sales, reduce costs, and boost your Amazon ranking strategy.

What is stranded inventory on Amazon?

Stranded inventory happens when items stored in Amazon’s warehouse can’t be sold because they aren’t connected to an active listing. These products are physically in Amazon’s fulfillment center, but customers can’t see or buy them.

This problem can occur for many reasons. A listing might be closed or removed because it doesn’t meet Amazon’s rules, is missing important details, or requires approval. Sometimes, inventory becomes stranded when switching from merchant-fulfilled to FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) if it’s not linked properly.

Even though the inventory isn’t sellable, Amazon still charges you storage fees. Over time, these costs add up and can hurt your profits. To fix stranded inventory, you need to find out why it’s stuck. Once you know the reason, you can reactivate the listing, update missing information, or make sure it follows Amazon’s guidelines. 

By solving the problem, your inventory becomes available to customers again, helping you recover lost sales and reduce unnecessary storage costs.

Why does inventory become stranded?

Inventory becomes stranded on Amazon when products stored in their warehouse are not linked to an active listing. This means that even though the items are available in the warehouse, customers can’t buy them.

Sometimes inventory becomes stranded for reasons you might not expect. For example, if Amazon updates its internal policies or systems, a product might temporarily become unsellable. In these cases, sellers need to review and adjust the listing to get it back online.

Mistakes during bulk uploads or incorrect settings in third-party tools can also cause items to lose their connection to active listings. Even a small error, like entering the wrong SKU when restocking, can leave products stranded.

These less common causes show that stranded inventory isn’t always due to obvious reasons. By regularly checking inventory reports and paying attention to changes, sellers can spot and fix these issues quickly.

By understanding why inventory becomes stranded, sellers can more easily fix the issue and get their products back in front of customers.

How to find stranded inventory in Seller Central

If you suspect you have stranded inventory items sitting in Amazon’s warehouses that aren’t connected to an active listing, it’s important to locate and address the issue quickly. Here, Seller Central provides tools to help you identify these stranded products.

#1 Log in to Seller Central

Begin by signing into your Seller Central account using your registered credentials.

#2 Go to the inventory dashboard

Once you’re in, hover over the “Inventory” tab in the top navigation menu, and then click on “Manage Inventory.” From here, you’ll have access to your inventory records.

#3 Access the stranded inventory view

On the Manage Inventory page, look for the “Stranded Inventory” option. You can typically find this on the left-hand side menu under the “Inventory” heading. Clicking this link will display a list of all inventory units flagged as stranded.

#4 Review stranded listings

In this section, you’ll see a detailed table showing stranded items. This table will include columns like the product name, ASIN, SKU, the number of stranded units, and the reason for the stranded status. Take note of these reasons as they’ll guide you on what actions to take next.

#5 Download reports for further analysis

If you need a more comprehensive look, you can download a stranded inventory report. Simply click the “Download” button and open the report in a spreadsheet to sort, filter, and analyze your stranded inventory data more easily.

By using the tools and reports available in Seller Central, you can quickly pinpoint stranded inventory and understand why it’s stuck. This is the first step to resolving the issue, reconnecting those items to active listings, and getting your products back in front of customers.

The most common reasons for stranded inventory

Stranded inventory happens when items in Amazon’s warehouse aren’t connected to an active listing, so they can’t be sold. Some reasons for this problem occur more often than others. Here are the main causes:

#1: Inactive or closed listings

This is one of the most common reasons. If a listing is closed, deleted, or deactivated either by the seller or by Amazon, the inventory is left stranded.

#2: Approval issues

Some products need special approval to be sold in certain categories. If you don’t have the required approvals, Amazon may deactivate the listing, leaving the inventory unsellable.

#3: Policy violations or restricted products

Amazon has strict rules about what can be sold. If your listing breaks these rules, such as listing prohibited items, using incorrect conditions, or setting unusual prices, Amazon may remove the listing, stranding your inventory.

#4: Incomplete product information

Missing details like product descriptions, pictures, or pricing can lead to listing errors. If the listing isn’t complete, Amazon may deactivate it, causing the inventory to become stranded. Here, you can select the best Amazon listing optimization services to keep your inventory active and efficient.

#5: Linking problems with ASINs or SKUs

When switching from merchant-fulfilled to FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) or changing product codes, items can become disconnected from their listing. Without the right link, the inventory is stranded.

By understanding these common reasons, you can take steps to fix stranded inventory and keep your products available for customers.

How to fix stranded inventory

• Check the “Stranded Inventory” section in Seller Central, then go here to see which items are stranded and why.

• Reactivate inactive listings. If a listing is closed or deactivated, reactivate it to make the product available again.

• Get required approvals. If your product needs category approval, apply for it. Once approved, your listing can go live.

• Fix listing errors and make sure your product details are complete. Check for correct pricing, clear images, and accurate descriptions. Fix any problems and relist the item.

• Link the correct ASIN or SKU, double-check that the inventory is linked to the right ASIN or SKU. If not, update it.

• Confirm updates and relist, so that once you’ve made all necessary changes, review the listing and relist the item. This reconnects your inventory to an active listing so customers can buy it again.

Types of stranded inventory and solutions

Wrap up

Stranded inventory on Amazon can be a frustrating problem, but it’s not hard to fix. First, understand what stranded inventory is and why it happens. Then, check your Seller Central reports often so you can spot these issues quickly. Common causes include inactive listings, policy violations, and missing product details.

Fixing stranded inventory means lower storage fees and more chances to sell your products. This helps improve sales, move inventory faster, and boost your profits. If you’re not sure how to handle it, our Amazon consultants are here to help. We’ll show you how to find stranded inventory and fix the issues so your products are back on track and ready for customers.