For sellers using Amazon FBA, it is important to know the inventory policies. If you do not comply with certain guidelines, Amazon may not accept your products and consequently not store them in the logistics centre. To ensure that this does not happen, we inform you about the individual guidelines in this article. We will also introduce you to the Helium 10 Inventory Protector.
Amazon has listed some inventory policies in Seller Central. These are guidelines on products, labelling, packaging, shipping and stock quantity limits. We have summarised the most important guidelines for you so that you can manage your inventory for Amazon FBA without any problems.
If you want to sell your products as "New", you must meet some guidelines. Firstly, the goods must be spotless and in good condition. They must be brand new, i.e. show no traces of previous use. If the products do not meet these guidelines, they will not be accepted by Amazon. For example, books must not have water damage, tears in the binding or visible signs of wear. For media products, you should make sure that the packaging is not bent or creased and that no plastic wrapping is broken. Other products will not be recognised as new if the outer packaging is damaged or they show a high degree of dirt.
If, on the other hand, you would like to sell used products, these will also be checked by Amazon. These products must also be usable and must not have any serious defects. If your goods are damaged during transport to an Amazon logistics centre, Amazon recommends that you clarify compensation with the transport service provider.
Barcodes also have specific requirements according to the Amazon FBA inventory guidelines. The types of codes are differentiated between manufacturer barcodes, Amazon barcodes and Transparency authenticity codes. Manufacturer barcodes are used to identify and track inventory and must be printed by each Seller on their respective items. For certain products, you must use an Amazon barcode. This applies, for example, to products with an expiry date, products that are intended for consumption or cosmetic products. You can either print the Amazon barcodes yourself or have Amazon do it for a fee. Transparency codes are used to protect against counterfeiting. They must not be covered by another sticker. If you are afraid of counterfeits on Amazon, we can recommend the Helium 10 Alerts. In our blog you will find a post explaining all the functions of the tool.
When you prepare your goods for storage in the Amazon logistics centre, you must observe the packaging guidelines. You should also be aware that some products need to be prepared individually. First and foremost, you should make sure that your goods are packed in such a way that they cannot be damaged. You must also observe the following guidelines:
Violations of the packaging policy may result in Amazon rejecting the item or repackaging it at your expense. In addition, you may be charged for your violation.
You must give each package or pallet a specific number. Some requirements apply. Each label must be printed and intended for one box only. The size is 8.4 cm x 10.2 cm. In addition, labels should never be affixed over openings and should only be clearly visible on flat surfaces. For pallets, you must also affix a label on each side. If you do not provide correct information, Amazon may reject your goods in the future and charge you. If you have any further questions about labelling items, please feel free to contact us.
Special guidelines also apply to the boxes you use to send your items. For example, a maximum weight of 23 kg is allowed for normal items. From 15 kg, the large weight must be marked with a label. The maximum side length for boxes is 63.5 cm. You are also not allowed to attach any covers or foils to the outside. The products must be securely packed. If necessary, you must use the approved filling materials. These include sheets of paper, newspaper or polystyrene sheets. However, polystyrene splinters, polystyrene flakes or crumpled foil are not permitted.
You should be aware that some ASINs have stock quantity restrictions. Products with such ASINs may therefore only have a corresponding number. The restrictions are in place to prevent low demand products from being stocked in Amazon's logistics centres. Due to the division of stock between the EU and the UK after the Brexit, some stock quantity restrictions have also been divided. From now on, the restrictions will therefore apply separately.
If you need help managing inventory, we can recommend Helium 10 Inventory Protector. The Helium 10 tool not only helps you manage your own inventory, but also for deliveries to Amazon logistics centres. If you would like to find out about Helium 10 prices, you can find an article on our blog. You can also find out about other Helium 10 tools there.
These were all the important Amazon FBA inventory guidelines. Do you have any further questions about specific requirements or perhaps about Amazon SEO? Then please feel free to contact us. We are always available to help and advise you. Feel free to write us a message - without any obligation of course.
MadeByBrain - Agency for Amazon Sellers
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