When venturing onto the Amazon marketplace, endless product options are at your fingertips. Amazon keeps their virtual shelves stocked with trustworthy items thanks to their strict Product Eligibility policies. These guidelines aren’t just about keeping customers happy though; they’re also a lifeline for merchants to ensure their products meet Amazon’s standards and are buyer ready.

With average eCommerce return rates hovering around 20% to 30% — often due to mismatched expectations, incorrect sizing, or product dissatisfaction — Amazon’s rigorous approval process offers much-needed assurance. So, let’s delve into how these policies work and what to do when your listing is removed.

What makes a product eligible for sale on Amazon?

Amazon’s criteria guarantee that what customers see online matches what they receive. This creates a better experience for everyone involved. Here’s what determines a product’s eligibility on the platform.

It complies with its category requirements

Amazon organizes their marketplace into various categories, each with unique requirements and additional approval processes. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t cut it for Amazon, as generalized requirements might overlook essential issues or concerns specific to certain items. Moreover, category-specific certifications and documentation ensure products sold are safe and compliant. We’ll explore these requirements further below.

It adheres to restricted and prohibited product policies

Despite their expansive catalog of items, you can’t sell everything on Amazon. The platform has strict guidelines to keep hazardous materials, counterfeit goods, and certain adult-only products off their shelves.

Some items must receive explicit approval from Amazon before they’re listed or sold. These limitations serve to ensure safety and regulatory compliance and maintain high product quality for customers.

Additionally, Amazon’s restrictions come in various forms and often overlap. They may forbid specific products, categories, subcategories, brands, or certain types of listings. That’s why it’s crucial to keep yourself up to date on their list of Prohibited products, which includes:

• Alcohol
• Animals & Animal-Related Products
• Drugs and drug paraphernalia
• Explosives, weapons, and related items
• Export-controlled products
• Jewelry & Precious Gems
• Surveillance Equipment
• Tobacco & Tobacco-Related Products

You risk serious consequences if your product falls within any of these categories; Amazon could remove your listings, suspend your account (temporarily or permanently), and you could even face legal action.

It follows product condition guidelines

Amazon allows products to be listed in various conditions, giving sellers flexibility beyond offering only brand-new items. Specifically, you can list under the following product conditions:

• New: Unused, unopened, and in perfect condition
• Used: Previously owned but still functional and presentable. This designation has further subcategories:
  • Like New: No signs of wear or damage, appearing and functioning as if unused
  • Very Good: Minor cosmetic imperfections but in great shape overall
  • Good: Noticeable wear and tear but still in acceptable condition and fully operational
  • Acceptable: Significant signs of wear, cosmetic issues, or missing parts but still functional and usable
• Refurbished: Professionally restored to work like new

You must label products correctly according to their condition. This promotes transparency, prevents disputes and returns, and maintains customer trust.

It requires accurate and detailed product information

Amazon expects sellers to provide clear and accurate information in their listings. After all, they heavily influence a customer’s buying decision. Misleading product details are a surefire way to lose trust and rack up returns or exchanges.

To keep your customers happy and avoid headaches, your listings must include:

• UPC (Universal Product Code), EAN (European Article Number), or ISBN (International Standard Book Number): These are unique identifiers that help both customers and Amazon accurately identify and distinguish your products. They also keep your listings organized and searchable.
• Product dimensions and weight: Customers need to know the size and weight of your product to ensure it’ll fit their needs.
• Manufacturer details: Providing information about the maker of your product builds credibility and trust.
• Clear, high-quality images: Showcase your product in its best light with sharp, detailed photos from multiple angles.

When your listings are complete and transparent, they create a smoother buying experience, which translates to a greater consumer loyalty and brand reputation.

It meets relevant local, state, and federal regulations

Remember, compliance isn’t just about passing a check — it protects you as a seller. Beyond reassurance, it safeguards you from legal issues and potential liabilities. Depending on the product type and where you sell, your items may also need to meet specific legal requirements. For example:

• Food items must comply with FDA regulations.
• Electronics require FCC certification.
• Children’s products must meet CPC (Children’s Product Certificate) requirements.
• Imported products may need customs clearance.

It meets specific packaging and labeling standards

It’s essential to verify your product’s packaging is durable, properly labeled, and tamper-proof to make it through the shipping process and reach your customers in excellent condition. These are just the basic packaging requirements Amazon sets though. For items that require special handling, there are additional guidelines you’ll need to follow:

• Fragile items should be marked with “Fragile” labels and have cushioning to protect them.
• Liquid items must be packed in leak-proof containers, tightly sealed, and placed inside a closed poly bag.
• Amazon has specific packaging requirements for sharp items, hazmats, and other sensitive products to ensure they ship safely.

The platform also offers the Ships in Product Packaging (SIPP) program for applicable products, which emphasizes three main principles:

1. Easy to open: No need for scissors or knives
2. Recyclable: Use eco-friendly materials that are easy to recycle
3. Minimal packaging: Only use what’s necessary to protect the product so as to reduce waste

It’s enrolled in Amazon’s Brand Registry

While not strictly mandatory, enrolling your products in Amazon’s Brand Registry protects your store against counterfeits. Additionally, it helps you create a more professional and polished product listing. That can be highly influential, as customers feel more confident purchasing an item with this Amazon-backed approval.

What to do if your listing is removed

Listing removals happen sometimes, especially if you neglect Amazon’s rules. But don’t panic — you can reinstate your listing by following these seven steps:

1. Find out why your product was deactivated: The most crucial step in reinstating your product or listing is figuring out why Amazon removed it in the first place. Understanding what went wrong will guide you toward resolving the issue and get it back on track.
2. Fix the issue: Once you know the cause, you can take the necessary steps to resolve the problem. This could involve altering your packaging, addressing compliance issues (which may require specific documentation), or other platform-specific adjustments. Be sure to address everything before moving on to the next step.
3. Write a clear plan of action: Once you’ve mended the issue, write an appeal to Amazon. Explain the problem clearly, detail the steps you’ve taken to correct it, and outline how you’ll prevent it from happening again.
4. Submit your appeal to Amazon: Include all necessary supporting documents to strengthen your case along with your written appeal. This will reduce unnecessary back-and-forth communication and speed up the reinstatement of your listing.
5. Wait for Amazon’s response: The waiting that follows this process is probably the most frustrating for sellers, as each day the listing is down is a lost opportunity. Keep an eye out for emails or messages about Amazon’s action on your appeal.
6. Reach out to Amazon Seller Support if necessary: If you have more concerns, contact Amazon Seller Support. Time is crucial in this situation, so if you need any clarification, don’t hesitate to reach out.
7. Keep your product quality in check: Once your listings are reinstated, be proactive by keeping up with Amazon’s policies. Or, consider partnering with Amazon consultants and specialists who can help you navigate the platform’s guidelines and protect your business.

Categories with specific regulations

Selling on Amazon can be tricky, because each product category has its own rules to follow. Those can include safety standards, labeling requirements, or specific approvals, so we recommend staying up to date with category-specific guidelines:

• Electronics: Electronics listings must meet strict certification standards, provide accurate product descriptions, and include proper documentation.
• Health & Personal Care Products: These items are highly regulated and require FDA compliance, substantiated claims, and complete documentation. Some products also need Amazon approval before listing.
• Food & Beverages: Compliance with FDA and local regulations is critical in this category. Sellers must ensure proper certifications, customs clearance, and adherence to Amazon’s shelf-life requirements.
• Toys & Games: Kids’ safety is a top priority. To keep your Amazon account in good standing, products must be authentic, and warnings (e.g., choking hazards) should be clearly displayed.
• Clothing, Shoes, & Jewelry: Detailed size charts, clear labeling, and accurate descriptions are key to avoid returns and provide a seamless shopping experience.
• Automotive Parts & Accessories: OEM compliance and proper labeling are necessary to meet industry standards and ensure product reliability.
• Books & Media: Copyright compliance maintains credibility and keeps listings active.
• Pet Supplies: Pet owners only want the best for their furry friends, so complying with animal health regulations proves you’re serious about quality.

Wrapping up — Take your Amazon product management seriously

Amazon maintains high standards for the products sellers list on their platform, and with so many regulations to follow, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or make a mistake. Luckily, errors can be rectified, and the marketplace allows you to appeal. That said, the best approach is to avoid a listing removal in the first place by combing through each product’s eligibility requirements and monitoring them after they’re published.

One way to do that is by partnering with Amazon experts like MyFBAPrep. With decades of experience on Amazon, our team knows the ins and outs of product management and compliance. Our team is highly trained in FBA standards to ensure listings are fully compliant and expertly prepared.

Want to avoid delays and problems with Amazon prep requirements? Reach out to our team today to see how we can help.