Removal orders in practice.
The commercial background: stock that doesn't turn over costs storage fees month after month, which rise sharply with long-term storage. Customer returns, damaged packaging or expiring products should be checked regularly and removed – ideally as a fixed monthly routine or via automatic rules.
We'll explain it to you over the phone – no jargon and no sales pressure.
When a removal order pays off.
The maths is usually simple: as long as the storage fees for a product are higher than the expected contribution from future sales, the stock belongs out of the warehouse. With long-term storage fees this calculation tips quickly.
Four situations almost always argue for a removal order: customer returns marked as unsellable, damaged outer packaging with intact goods inside, products with an approaching best-before date, and overstock ahead of the cut-off dates for long-term storage fees.
The second case is especially worthwhile: a considerable share of returns classed as "unsellable" are, on closer inspection, perfectly fine and can be sent back in after repackaging.
How to go about it.
Check in the Seller Central inventory report: what's been sitting how long, what's unsellable?
A return for checkable stock, disposal only for genuinely worthless items.
Create the removal order via "Manage Inventory".
Have unsellable stock removed automatically instead of hunting for it manually.
Inspect returned items – much of it is reusable.
Check once a month rather than getting a shock once a year.
Common mistakes.
Acting too late. If you only react at the fee statement, you've already paid.
Disposing of everything across the board. A large share of the stock is sellable – checking almost always pays off.
Underestimating the processing time. Removal orders can take several weeks, especially before the Christmas trade.
Frequently asked questions about removal orders.
What does a removal order cost?
How long does a removal order take?
Return or disposal?
Let's talk about your project.
Request your no-obligation callback – we'll discuss your goals and tell you honestly whether and how we can help.
We will get back to you as soon as possible – usually the same working day.