To raise a Flipkart SPF claim, identify the return that qualifies under the current SPF policy in Seller Hub, check the claim window, collect your evidence (order ID, return ID, photos or video, dispatch proof), file the claim or support ticket, and track it to closure. Then confirm the approved amount appears in your settlement report.
What the Flipkart Seller Protection Fund covers
The Seller Protection Fund (SPF) is Flipkart's route for sellers to seek compensation in certain return and dispute situations where the loss was not the seller's fault. A typical example is a customer return that comes back damaged, with a different item, or with parts missing.
Eligible scenarios, claim windows, document requirements and payout limits are set by Flipkart and can change. Treat the current SPF policy in Seller Hub and your seller agreement as the source of truth, and confirm the latest terms before you build any internal process around them.
Before you raise a claim: check these four things
- Eligibility: does the return reason and condition match a scenario the current SPF policy covers?
- Deadline: note the date the return was delivered to you and compare it with the claim window in the policy.
- Order status: confirm the return is marked as received or delivered in your Returns view, and that the order has not already been compensated.
- Evidence: check that you have what the policy asks for, such as images or video of the returned package and product.
Missing the window is the most common reason a good claim fails, so build the deadline into your return-handling routine.
Step-by-step: how to raise an SPF claim
- Pull the return list. Download your returns report from Seller Hub and filter for returns that arrived with an issue (damaged, wrong, missing, used).
- Match each return to its order. Note the order ID, return ID, SKU, order value and delivery date of the return.
- Open the claim path. In Seller Hub, go to the returns or support section where SPF claims are raised. The menu names can change, so follow the current Seller Hub help.
- Select the right reason. Choose the category that matches what you received, not a generic one.
- Attach evidence. Upload photos or video and any documents requested, with the package label visible.
- Submit and save the ticket number. Record the ticket ID, date raised and amount claimed in your tracker.
- Follow up inside the response time. If there is no update, escalate through the same ticket with a short factual note.
Evidence checklist by type of issue
| Issue | Evidence to keep |
|---|---|
| Damaged product returned | Photos or video of sealed or opened package, product close-ups, shipping label |
| Wrong item returned | Photo of item received next to your SKU reference, label, order and return IDs |
| Missing parts or quantity | Video of opening the package, packing list or SKU specification |
| Used or tampered product | Close-ups of wear, missing tags or seals, comparison with your dispatch photos |
Record the opening of return parcels on video as standard practice. It costs little and is hard to recreate later. Check the SPF policy for the exact evidence format Flipkart accepts.
Track the claim and match it to your settlement
An approved claim is not recovered until the money reaches you. After approval, find the credit in your settlement report and match it to the claim by order ID or ticket reference. Check three things: the amount credited against the amount approved, the settlement cycle in which it appears, and whether any fee or adjustment was deducted against the same order.
Doing this by hand across hundreds of returns gets messy. A reconciliation tool such as MarketplaceMetrics by Fundle can track returns and recovery cases against settlements, though support for marketplaces beyond Myntra Excel reports is a scoping discussion, so ask before assuming Flipkart coverage.
Mistakes that get SPF claims rejected
- Raising the claim after the window has closed.
- Choosing a reason that does not match the evidence uploaded.
- Uploading unclear photos with no visible label or order reference.
- Raising several tickets for the same return, which can create conflicts.
- Not following up on a rejection with a clear, evidence-based reply.
- Never checking whether approved amounts actually landed in settlement.
Worked example
Illustrative example only: a seller receives a return for an order of ₹1,499 (illustrative) where the customer sent back a different item. The seller films the unboxing, notes the order ID, return ID and delivery date, and raises the claim within the policy window.
| Item | Illustrative amount |
|---|---|
| Order value claimed | ₹1,499 |
| Amount approved on ticket | ₹1,100 |
| Amount credited in settlement | ₹1,100 |
| Difference to review | ₹399 |
The seller then checks the policy to see whether the ₹399 gap is explained by a payout rule. If it is not, they reply on the same ticket with the evidence and ask for the basis of the calculation.
Questions and answers
Where do I raise a Flipkart SPF claim?
Claims are raised through Seller Hub, in the returns or support section that Flipkart currently designates for SPF. Menu names and flows change, so check the latest Seller Hub help or your account manager for the current path.
How long do I have to raise an SPF claim?
The claim window is defined in Flipkart's current SPF policy and usually runs from the return delivery date. I cannot confirm the exact number of days, so read the policy in Seller Hub and diarise the deadline for each return.
What if my SPF claim is rejected?
Read the rejection reason, then reply on the same ticket with clearer evidence or a correction if the wrong category was chosen. Keep replies short and factual. If it still fails, escalate through your account manager and check the policy terms.
How do I know the SPF payout was received?
Match the approved amount to a credit in your settlement report using the order ID or ticket reference. Check the amount, the settlement cycle and any deductions. If it is missing after the stated timeline, follow up on the original ticket.