How to Deal with Amazon Stranded Inventory – Step-by-Step Fix (Updated for 2025)

Stranded inventory is a silent profit killer for Amazon FBA sellers. It’s when your inventory is physically in Amazon’s fulfillment centers but not available for sale due to listing or account issues. Every minute your product is stranded, you’re losing money—on storage fees, missed sales, and even potential account health hits. 

This guide breaks down what stranded inventory is, why it happens, and the exact steps to resolve and prevent it. 

🧊 What Is Amazon Stranded Inventory? 
Stranded inventory refers to FBA items that are in Amazon warehouses but are not connected to an active, buyable product listing. That means the product cannot be purchased by customers, even though it's taking up space (and accruing fees). 

⚠️ Common Causes of Stranded Inventory 
Understanding the triggers helps you fix issues faster. Some of the most common causes include: 

• Listing Closed or Deleted: If you accidentally close a listing or Amazon flags and removes it. 
• ASIN Suppression: Due to image violations, title formatting, or missing attributes. 
• Pricing Errors: Prices set too high or too low outside Amazon's fair pricing policies. 
• Account Health Issues: Policy violations or seller performance problems. 
• Missing Listing Information: SKU not tied to an ASIN or incomplete product details. 
• Restricted Products: Category gating or compliance issues can render listings inactive. 
• Outdated or Inactive Offers: Offers that are no longer linked to current catalog listings. 

🔍 How to Find Stranded Inventory in Seller Central 

• Log in to Seller Central. 
• Go to: Inventory > Manage Inventory. 
• Select the “Stranded Inventory” tab (you may need to enable it from the preferences). 
• Review the list of affected SKUs along with the specific stranded reason shown. 

✅ Step-by-Step Fix: Resolving Stranded Inventory 

Each cause has a tailored fix. Here’s how to address them: 

1. Fix Listing Errors 

• If the listing is incomplete or suppressed, go to Inventory > Manage Inventory. 
• Click Edit next to the product and correct any missing or incorrect attributes. 
• Resubmit for review if it was suppressed. 

2. Relist the Product 

• For closed or inactive listings, choose Relist from the stranded inventory page. 
• Confirm the pricing, inventory quantity, and shipping settings before saving. 

3. Resolve Pricing Errors 

• Navigate to Fix Price Alerts in your pricing dashboard. 
• Ensure your price is within Amazon’s fair pricing range. 
• Enable automated pricing rules (if needed) to stay compliant. 

4. Appeal Restrictions 

• If your product is restricted or flagged, open a case in Seller Central. 
• Provide supporting documentation (e.g., compliance certificates, invoices). 
• Monitor the “Account Health” dashboard for enforcement trends. 

5. Create a New Listing (if needed) 

• If the listing is unrecoverable, create a new SKU under the same ASIN. 
• Then, file a “Listing Merge” request to recover reviews or historical data. 

6. Remove or Dispose 

• If unsellable or stuck, create a removal order to either: 
• Return inventory to your location. 
• Dispose of it to stop storage charges. 

💡 Proactive Measures to Prevent Stranded Inventory 

Prevention is better (and cheaper) than the cure. Here’s how to avoid issues: 

• Enable Alerts – Use tools like SentryKit to get notified instantly when inventory becomes stranded, so you can act before fees accumulate. 
• Regularly Monitor Seller Central – Set weekly reminders to check the Stranded Inventory tab. 
• Check Pricing Rules – Avoid pricing suppression by maintaining competitive, realistic price ranges. 
• Update Listings in Bulk – Use flat files or inventory feeds for faster corrections. 
• Improve Listing Quality – Use Amazon’s Listing Quality Dashboard to catch missing attributes that trigger suppression. 

🧾 What Happens If You Ignore Stranded Inventory? 

• Storage Fees: You’re still charged for every unit in fulfillment centers. 
• Lower IPI Score: Impacts your Inventory Performance Index, which affects restock limits. 
• Lost Sales: Customers can’t buy what they can’t see. 
• Account Risk: Repeated violations may lead to listing or even account suspensions. 

📈 Final Thoughts 

Stranded inventory is frustrating—but it’s also avoidable with the right systems in place. By staying proactive, using alert systems like SentryKit, and resolving issues promptly, you can protect your margins and improve your account health. 

In 2025, where restock limits and storage fees are tighter than ever, managing stranded inventory isn’t optional—it’s essential.