Selling Using the Amazon Dangerous Goods Program (Amazon Hazmat)
Although it may be obvious that items like radioactive waste cannot be sold on Amazon, there are actually several everyday products that are considered hazardous materials (Amazon Hazmat). While many products on Amazon are safe for consumers and sellers, there are also dangerous goods such as electronic devices, automotive parts, oils, and beauty products. These Hazmat items contain elements that make them high-risk, so Amazon FBA sellers must be knowledgeable about potential safety and health risks. With the right information, brands can safely manage these items during storage, handling, transportation, and use.
Overview of Amazon's FBA Dangerous Goods Program
Hazmat, short for hazardous materials, are products that could cause harm to health and safety if not handled properly. To protect both workers and customers from potential dangers, Amazon has introduced the FBA Dangerous Goods Hazmat Program. Even though many hazmat items are everyday objects that people use and own, Amazon takes responsibility for ensuring that these products are stored, handled, and shipped safely. This program plays a crucial role in maintaining safety standards and managing hazardous goods within Amazon's fulfillment network.
Identifying Amazon Dangerous Goods
Amazon categorizes a variety of products as hazardous materials, which can include everyday items that may have toxic or flammable components. Here's what falls under the Amazon Hazmat program:
Products with Lithium Batteries: This covers laptops, cameras, smartphones, tablets, and chargers.
Items with Magnetized Materials: For instance, speakers, headphones, light meters, and certain children's toys.
Chemical-based Products: Like glue, adhesives, spray deodorants, hairspray, hair dyes, and pest control substances.
For FBA sellers, Amazon allows the sale of limited amounts of the following hazardous classes:
Flammable solids, liquids, and gases
Non-flammable and non-toxic gases
Oxidizers and organic peroxides
Toxic, corrosive, and miscellaneous dangerous substances (including lithium batteries and magnetized materials)
However, the following classes are not permitted for FBA sales:
Explosive substances and toxic gases
Substances that are dangerous when wet or prone to spontaneous combustion
Infectious substances and radioactive materials
It's important for sellers to be aware of these hazmat products and ensure they are sold safely on Amazon, as improper handling or usage can be dangerous.
Common Products that can be Amazon Dangerous Goods
To effectively spot hazmat products in your inventory, begin by utilizing the ASIN classifications found in Seller Central. This tool makes it easier to identify dangerous goods within your listings. In addition, refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provided by manufacturers, which offers detailed hazard classifications for each product. Hazards can be present in various product categories such as apparel, automotive products, baby products, beauty and personal care items, books, consumer electronics, food and beverage, health and household supplies, office supplies, pet products, home improvement items, sports and outdoor equipment, toys, and video games. By staying alert and utilizing these tools, sellers can ensure they are following Amazon's safety guidelines and safeguarding both themselves and their customers.
Enrollment and Requirements of the Amazon FBA Dangerous Goods Program
To sign up for Amazon's FBA Dangerous Goods Program for hazmat products, interested sellers in the US can follow these steps:
Log in to Seller Central.
Go to "Manage Dangerous Goods Classification."
Choose the "FBA Dangerous Goods program" option.
Select "Apply to the FBA Dangerous Goods program."
Some sellers may be automatically enrolled if their products are classified as hazardous. Once accepted, their products will be moved to specialized warehouses for hazmat goods. Sellers must follow specific guidelines, such as shipping new, FBA-eligible products in limited quantities according to regulations. While some hazmat items are not eligible for FBA storage and shipping, they can still be sold on Amazon with the seller handling fulfillment. Keep in mind that although these items are Prime-eligible, they may not qualify for 2-day shipping due to safety regulations.
Understanding the Dangerous Goods Review Process
The team at Amazon responsible for handling dangerous goods has the important task of evaluating each ASIN that is designated for FBA. Their main goal is to ensure that these products comply with safety standards, especially when it comes to hazardous materials. To carry out this evaluation, they heavily rely on the accuracy and completeness of the catalog information provided by sellers. This includes details such as the product title, a detailed description, bullet points, and images. If any updates are made to these catalog details, it may lead to a reassessment or even a reclassification of the product by Amazon. It's crucial for sellers to understand that even items powered by batteries or those containing chemicals that are not considered harmful still require a Safety Data Sheet to be reviewed. This thorough review process plays a vital role in maintaining a safe shopping environment on Amazon's platform.
Optimizing Hazmat Product Storage in FBA Fulfillment Centers
Amazon takes the safety of hazardous materials seriously by using specialized fulfillment centers that are equipped to handle these products. These facilities categorize Amazon Hazmat items into aerosols and flammables, and Amazon has strict storage limits in place to protect its employees. Sellers can easily keep track of their Hazmat storage limits through the 'Storage Monitor' section on Seller Central, which can be accessed via the 'Shipping Queue' and 'Inventory Performance' tabs. In addition, Amazon's FBA Onsite program combines the benefits of FBA and Seller-Fulfilled Prime (SFP), allowing sellers to optimize their own warehouses using Amazon's software for better management and fulfillment. This program also includes Amazon's selection of registered carriers for shipping, including international deliveries, ensuring that dangerous goods are handled with compliance and efficiency.
Seller Compliance and Responsibility for Hazmat Goods
When sending hazardous materials to Amazon, sellers have to follow strict rules and regulations to ensure safety. In the United States, these products are regulated by different authorities such as the US DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). They must also comply with the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) and the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. It's really important for sellers to make sure that all dangerous goods meet these regulations. They are also required to provide detailed product information, including a current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or an exemption sheet, to maintain compliance and protect everyone involved.
To speed up the hazmat review process on Amazon, it's best to provide a valid Safety Data Sheet (SDS) right away to show if your product has any hazardous materials like chemicals or batteries. If you don't have an SDS and your product is chemical-free, you can submit an exemption sheet by following these steps:
Get the exemption sheet template from the "Manage Dangerous Goods Classification" section.
Fill out all the necessary fields, including the ASIN and any required warning label acknowledgments.
Go back to the "Manage Dangerous Goods Classification" section.
Choose the right ASIN, marketplace, and file language.
Attach the completed exemption sheet (make sure it's under 20 MB).
Click on "Upload file."
If needed, do the same for any additional sheets.
Keep in mind that the Dangerous Goods team usually reviews submitted documents within four business days, including exemption sheets for products with batteries.
Implications of Amazon Hazmat Classification on Sales
When Amazon decides to categorize a product as hazardous, it can have a big impact on your sales. Usually, they temporarily stop your listing and ask for more paperwork, causing unavoidable downtime. This classification could lead to a sales suspension that lasts around four to five weeks. During this time, you'll need to get the necessary approvals and Amazon will transport your products to a specialized FBA facility that can handle hazardous materials. Although this might seem disheartening, selling hazmat products through the FBA dangerous goods program can actually be quite profitable. There's far less competition, which makes it a potentially rewarding challenge for sellers.
While it may seem evident that items like radioactive waste are prohibited, many everyday products sold on Amazon are classified as hazardous materials. This category includes widely used items like electronic devices, automotive parts, oils, and beauty products. These products contain elements that pose significant health and safety risks, necessitating that Amazon FBA sellers are well-informed about these dangers. Through the FBA Dangerous Goods Hazmat Program, Amazon aims to ensure that such items are managed safely throughout their lifecycle, from storage and handling to transportation and usage. This program not only helps in maintaining rigorous safety standards but also supports sellers in effectively managing these high-risk items, thereby safeguarding the Amazon marketplace for both workers and customers. Stay safe handling Amazon Hazmat products!
Thank You,
Commerce Canal Team
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