b. ASIN creation policy

There are undisclosed limits to the number of new listings a seller can make. Amazon will go over them every week. And it will also check to see that you don’t create duplicate listings. Make sure you don’t sell multipacks instead of legitimate bundles too. And check that your product variations are accurate and consistent.

c. Category and Product Restrictions

Product restrictions include but are not limited to, legal requirements. Expired products, testers, age-inappropriate or offensive products are just a few examples of products you can’t sell on Amazon in 2020.

But there are also products that can only be sold in new condition or only through seller fulfillment. A tool like Profit Bandit can warn you about product restrictions before you buy an item, so that you’re not stuck with inventory you can’t sell.

When it comes to product categories, some are ‘gated’. That’s seller jargon for “requires approval”. The list of restricted categories includes Video, DVD, & Blu-Ray and Toys & Games (over the holidays only). Storefronts like Made in Italy and restricted brands like Nike are also gated. So too are warranties like the Watch Protection Plan.

d. Prohibited Product Claims

Aside from restricting products, Amazon can also ban them. For example, products without valid FDA approval (e.g. dietary supplement) can’t be listed on any of its venues. These items usually come with unfounded claims like ‘FDA-approved’ or ‘healing’. But the FDA does not approve dietary supplements or any other product that only claims to cure, prevent, or treat something.

e. Product Detail Page Rules

The Quick Start Guide to listing on Amazon covers the basics. These rules apply to all the sections of a product listing that a buyer can see. For instance, titles should be under 200 characters long, with capitalized initials only. There should be no special characters or references to promotions or product popularity.

As a general rule, using code (e.g. HTML, JavaScript) is forbidden. But line breaks () are allowed in the description. Adding contact information, URLs, prices, conditionProducts can only be listed on Amazon if… More or availability information is forbidden. And spoilers, reviews, quotes, dates, and testimonials are out.

Watermarks, borders, drawings, animation, and text on images are also not permitted. Nor should you use anything other than a white background for your images. Items sold separately must be pictured on their respective listing. For more guidance on product image best practice, read these 7 Tips on Product Images.

Some categories have special requirements. Check your Inventory Templates for special fields. Also, product categories should be classified correctly during the listing process. To make sure you do so, it’s best to use the Product Classifier or the Browse Tree Guide.

f. Product Guidelines

Some guidelines only refer to specific products. Software can only be sold if it’s the full retail version, for instance (i.e. not promotional version, Beta version). Textbooks can’t be sold if their ISBN or cover type (e.g. paperback) doesn’t match the one listed on Amazon.

Promotional samples, bundles, and advance book copies are also not allowed. Expired or soon-to-expire products are not allowed either. Nor are items deemed unsellable or earmarked for disposal by the supplier or manufacturer.

Some of these Amazon rules are category specific. As mentioned in a previous post, cameras can only be sold in their original packaging. Unless the title says otherwise, that is. And computers without the original packaging are only ‘Acceptable’ on Amazon.

But whatever the category, the item must be original, clean, and easy to use. It shouldn’t need any repairs or servicing. And it shouldn’t have any stains, corrosion, or mold, or missing parts (usually). As you choose the condition and write the description, you should always follow these 7 Condition Guidelines: