Amazon Policy Adherence Checklist for Sellers

Amazon has strict policies for sellers, and non-compliance can lead to serious consequences, including account suspension. This guide highlights key areas to focus on for staying compliant, improving account health, and avoiding penalties. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Listing Rules: Follow updated 2025 title and photo standards, avoid misleading descriptions, and ensure search terms are accurate.
  • Pricing and Inventory: Maintain fair pricing, accurate stock levels, and comply with Amazon’s Inventory Performance Index (IPI) requirements.
  • Safety Standards: Ensure product certifications, avoid banned items, and follow packaging guidelines.
  • Performance Metrics: Stay within defect rate limits and maintain strong customer support practices.
  • Policy Violations: Act quickly to resolve issues, submit a Plan of Action (POA), and monitor your Account Health Dashboard.

Tools like Amazon Seller Central and FlatFilePro can simplify compliance management. Use these resources to stay updated, manage bulk changes, and safeguard your seller account.

Overview of Amazon selling policies

Basic Listing Rules

Amazon’s 2025 listing guidelines focus on making product details clear, accurate, and helpful for customers. Following these rules is essential to keep your listings active and avoid potential account issues.

Title Requirements 2025

Starting January 21, 2025, Amazon will enforce updated title formatting rules across all categories. Key points include:

  • 200-character limit for most categories, with a mobile-friendly recommendation of 80 characters to avoid truncation.
  • Capitalize the first letter of each major word.
  • Avoid using special characters unless they are part of the brand name.
  • Limit word repetition to a maximum of two times.
  • Place important keywords at the beginning of the title.

Photo Standards

Amazon has specific requirements for product images to ensure they look professional and meet customer expectations:

  • Main images must have a pure white background and a resolution of at least 1,000 x 1,000 pixels (1,600 x 1,600 is recommended).
  • Products should fill at least 85% of the image frame.
  • Maximum image dimensions: 10,000 pixels on the longest side.
  • Sellers can upload up to 8 alternative images (7 are visible on mobile devices).

Use the Content Compliance Issues section in Seller Central to check if your images meet these standards.

While striking images grab attention, clear and detailed text is what helps buyers make informed decisions.

Text and Search Terms

Product descriptions need to be both accurate and engaging while sticking to Amazon’s content rules. Here’s what to keep in mind:

  • Use bullet points to highlight key features and benefits.
  • Ensure the description matches the product’s actual specifications.
  • Naturally include relevant keywords without overloading the text.

Tools like FlatFilePro make it easier to manage these requirements by allowing bulk edits and ensuring consistent product details across different marketplaces.

Price and Stock Management

Keeping your prices and inventory in check is key to running a successful Amazon seller account. Amazon enforces strict rules to ensure sellers provide accurate pricing, maintain proper stock levels, and offer reliable shipping.

Price Rules

Amazon’s Fair Pricing Policy lays out clear guidelines for sellers to follow:

  • Keep prices consistent: Match your prices with recent offers, both on and off Amazon.
  • Avoid overpricing: Don’t set prices significantly above market rates.
  • Use accurate reference prices: Reference prices should reflect actual recent sales.
  • Update prices promptly: Make sure your pricing information is always up to date.

If Amazon finds your pricing practices harm customer trust, they might take actions like removing the Buy Box, suspending offers, or even terminating your selling privileges.

Pricing isn’t the only thing to monitor – keeping your inventory accurate is just as important.

Stock Level Management

Accurate stock levels help avoid overselling, meet customer expectations, and stay compliant with Amazon’s policies. Here are some key metrics to track:

Inventory Metric Target Range
Inventory Performance Index (IPI) Above 400
Days of Inventory 60 days
Maximum Age Under 90 days

Using tools like FlatFilePro can make a big difference. These tools offer real-time tracking, forecasting, and alerts for low stock, helping you avoid stockouts and maintain the right inventory levels.

Once your inventory is in order, the next step is to focus on your shipping practices.

Shipping Method Rules

Your shipping methods directly impact customer satisfaction and Amazon’s performance metrics. Both FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) and FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant) sellers must stick to Amazon’s shipping requirements:

  • Use proper packaging and labeling: Ensure items are packaged securely and labeled correctly.
  • Stick to timelines: Ship orders on time and provide accurate tracking information.
  • Follow preparation guidelines: Prepare products as per Amazon’s standards.
  • Handle returns efficiently: Process returns quickly and according to Amazon’s policies.
  • Provide good customer service: Address customer concerns promptly and professionally.
  • Update shipping templates regularly: Keep your shipping settings in Seller Central up to date.

Safety Standards

Amazon’s safety standards are essential for maintaining customer trust and holding sellers accountable.

Required Certificates

Different product categories on Amazon require specific safety certifications. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Product Category Required Certifications Verification Method
Electronics UL, ETL, CE Independent lab testing and certification
Children’s Products CPSC, ASTM Testing by accredited safety facilities
Medical Devices FDA, CE (EU) Regulatory agency evaluation and approval
Personal Care FDA, GMP Verification of manufacturing quality systems

Keep digital copies of these certifications in your Seller Central account to ensure compliance.

Banned Items List

Amazon prohibits certain items from its marketplace to maintain safety:

  • Hazardous Materials: Items like explosives, compressed gases, and flammable liquids
  • Controlled Substances: Prescription drugs, illegal substances, and some supplements
  • Counterfeit Products: Unauthorized copies of branded goods
  • Recalled Items: Products flagged by manufacturers or the CPSC
  • Weapons: Firearms, ammunition, and specific types of knives

Package Requirements

Your packaging must meet Amazon’s safety guidelines:

  • Use sturdy, new corrugated boxes with proper cushioning.
  • Include warning labels and safety information as needed.
  • Add batch numbers and manufacturing dates if required.
  • Apply hazmat labels for hazardous materials.
  • Ensure all barcodes are clearly scannable.

Special Handling Tips: Glass items should be double-boxed with cushioning, liquids need leak-proof seals, and temperature-sensitive products require insulation.

Tools like FlatFilePro can simplify compliance checks and help you update safety details across multiple listings in bulk. Following these guidelines not only protects customers but also helps maintain your account’s performance metrics on Amazon.

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Seller Performance Rules

Amazon has strict standards to ensure the quality of its marketplace. Meeting these standards is essential for maintaining your account and achieving long-term success.

Defect Rate Limits

Amazon tracks several key performance metrics that directly affect your account’s health:

Metric Maximum Allowed Rate Measurement Period
Order Defect Rate (ODR) 2% 60-day window
Pre-fulfillment Cancel Rate 2.5% 7-day window
Late Shipment Rate 4% 30-day window
Account Health Rating (AHR) Minimum 250+ 6-month period

To stay within these limits, regularly check your Account Health dashboard. Address negative feedback quickly (within 24 hours), maintain accurate inventory, ship orders on time, and provide clear, detailed product descriptions. These steps can help you avoid unnecessary issues and keep your metrics in good standing.

Providing top-notch customer support is also essential for meeting Amazon’s performance expectations.

Support Requirements

Customer support is a major factor in maintaining strong performance metrics and ensuring satisfied buyers. Amazon expects sellers to:

  • Respond to customer messages within 24 hours.
  • Resolve problems quickly.
  • Use professional communication in the marketplace’s primary language.
  • Offer support during standard business hours in the target marketplace’s time zone.

To make this easier, you can use automated response templates for common questions but ensure personalized responses for specific cases. Balancing efficiency with a personal touch can make a big difference.

Fix Policy Violations

"If you face an Amazon policy violation, it’s essential to act quickly to protect your seller account." – Enso Brands

Here’s how to handle policy violations effectively:

  1. Review the details carefully: Understand the issue and stop any activities that caused the violation. While policy warnings stay visible for 180 days, resolving them ensures they no longer impact your account.
  2. Document your actions: Keep a record of all steps taken to fix the issue. Tools like FlatFilePro can simplify bulk updates across listings to address violations efficiently.
  3. Submit a Plan of Action (POA): Within 48 hours, provide Amazon with a detailed plan outlining the root cause, corrective steps, prevention strategies, and any necessary documentation.

"Your account health rating (AHR) might take a beating due to either one of these. Any unresolved policy violations and warnings will affect your account’s integrity." – Melanie, Author at SellerEngine

Staying proactive and addressing issues quickly will help you maintain a strong seller account and avoid long-term problems.

Policy Management Tools

Managing compliance with Amazon’s policies requires a mix of effective tools and resources. Below is an overview of key platforms that can help sellers stay aligned with Amazon’s guidelines.

Amazon Seller Central Tools

Amazon Seller Central

The Account Health Dashboard in Amazon Seller Central provides real-time updates on compliance and performance metrics. Keeping an eye on this dashboard can help sellers catch potential issues early, preventing them from turning into major violations that could jeopardize selling privileges. While Seller Central includes built-in tools, third-party solutions like FlatFilePro can make compliance management easier, especially for sellers with extensive catalogs.

FlatFilePro

FlatFilePro

FlatFilePro is a third-party platform designed to simplify compliance tasks. It offers features such as:

  • Bulk updates to ensure listings meet new policy requirements.
  • Validation of listings against current Amazon policies.
  • Version control to track changes and maintain a compliance history.

These features make it easier for sellers to manage their listings and stay in line with Amazon’s policies.

Seller Training Resources

Beyond tools, sellers should take advantage of Amazon’s educational resources to stay updated on policy changes and best practices.

"Sellers should stay informed about updates to Amazon’s policies and tools, as well as advancements in third-party solutions. Being prepared to adapt to new regulatory requirements and changes in consumer behavior is crucial for maintaining compliance." [2]

Amazon’s Seller University offers training on a range of topics, including policy basics, category-specific rules, and international compliance standards. Staying informed through these resources can help sellers navigate changes and maintain their standing on the platform.

Conclusion

Following Amazon’s policies is essential for success in the e-commerce space. Data indicates sellers who adhere to these rules perform better in the Buy Box and maintain stronger account privileges through Amazon’s Account Health Rating system [2].

Key areas to focus on include:

  • Ensuring product safety, accurate listings, and proper documentation
  • Meeting performance metrics and maintaining customer satisfaction
  • Complying with regional requirements, such as EU and UK marketplace regulations

"Maintaining a compliant and healthy Amazon account is key to growing your sales and sustaining long-term success on the platform." – SageSeller [2]

Tools like Seller Central and FlatFilePro can make compliance management easier by identifying potential issues early. For international sellers, staying updated on regional rules is especially important – such as meeting the Country of Origin documentation deadlines for EU and UK markets by December 31, 2024 [1].

To stay on top of compliance and avoid violations, use resources like Seller Central and Seller University. Regularly reviewing your compliance checklist and updating listings as policies change will help you maintain a thriving Amazon business.

Key compliance tips:

  • Check your Account Health Dashboard often
  • Resolve any policy violations quickly
  • Keep product documentation up to date
  • Stay aware of marketplace-specific rules
  • Leverage tools to manage compliance efficiently

FAQs

What are Amazon compliance requirements?

Meeting Amazon’s compliance standards helps keep your listings active, builds customer trust, and reduces legal risks. Below, we address common concerns and share practical tips based on Amazon’s policies.

Key areas to focus on include:

Core Standards

  • Proper product certifications and accurate labeling
  • Respecting intellectual property rights and tax laws
  • Following marketplace-specific rules
  • Maintaining performance metrics and listing accuracy
  • Adhering to privacy laws
  • Avoiding prohibited items

"Amazon considers that it’s your responsibility to comply with their policies and your local state and federal laws." – Seller Assistant Blog [2]

How to Stay Compliant

  • Keep Documentation Organized: Maintain safety certificates, test results, import papers, and proof of product authenticity.
  • Monitor Your Account: Use tools like the Account Health Dashboard to track performance, stay updated on policies, and meet regional requirements.
  • Avoid Common Mistakes: Ensure product descriptions are accurate, include necessary safety certifications, and steer clear of listing prohibited items.

FlatFilePro offers tools to help sellers manage compliance, with features like bulk edits and catalog management.

Compliance rules can vary depending on:

  • The product category
  • The region you’re selling in
  • Your sales volume
  • Your account’s history

For the latest updates or specific concerns, visit Amazon Seller Central or consult with Amazon selling experts.

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