How to Audit the Amazon Settlement Report for Hidden Fees

A settlement audit explains credits and deductions and checks them against the relevant records. It does not establish that every unfamiliar charge is an error or that the deposit equals profit.

Read the Report Schema

Amazon’s Flat File V2 settlement report groups amounts using amount-type, amount-description, and amount, with transaction, order, SKU, currency, and date fields where applicable. Multiple rows can belong to one order. Summing a copied order total on every fee row can overstate revenue.

Build a Reconciliation

1. Retain the original file and its settlement identifier.
2. Parse local currency/decimal formats correctly.
3. Group signed amounts by transaction and fee type.
4. Reconcile the report’s settlement amount with reserves, transfers, and bank receipts on matching dates.
5. Investigate unexplained differences using the specific transaction records.

Test a Suspected Error

For a fulfillment-fee discrepancy, check packaged measurements, the applicable rate, and eligible transaction dates. For a return or inventory loss, use the relevant reimbursement policy and evidence. Do not reuse the weight/dimension claim window for every charge.

A refund is not proof that a reimbursable loss occurred; the return outcome and policy conditions matter.

Complete the Financial Picture

Add product costs, outside freight, advertising, agency/software charges, overhead, and other records not present in the settlement. Seller Scale recommends classifying a deduction as confirmed correct, confirmed disputed, explained timing, or unresolved. Only a substantiated discrepancy should become a reimbursement claim.

Sources and Scope

The linked sources support the documented points above. Recommendations and hypothetical calculations are editorial guidance, not Amazon rules or promised results. Check the current requirements for your marketplace and account before acting.

• Amazon Flat File V2 settlement schema
• Amazon weight/dimension fee reimbursement
• Amazon FBA inventory reimbursement policy