Having your product incorrectly marked as a hazmat or dangerous good can harm your business. This post will teach you how to fix hazmat or dangerous goods issues on Amazon. Amazon’s rigorous standards for products classified as hazardous materials (hazmat) or dangerous goods are put in place to ensure that customers are safe. However, sometimes Amazon listings are incorrectly flagged and classified as hazmat or dangerous goods which makes the product unavailable, disrupting sales and inventory. If you sell a Hazmat product incorrect classification or registration information can also impact availability and can potentially result in the listing being removed from the marketplace. In this blog post, we will cover how to avoid hazmat or dangerous goods issues. Sellers should be proactive and familiarize themselves with Amazon’s Dangerous Goods Identification Guide and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) requirements. Below is a comprehensive guide about avoiding hazmat-related issues, maintaining compliance, and how to appeal incorrect classifications.
Hazmat and Dangerous Goods Products
Some products sold on Amazon are frequently flagged as Hazmat and/or dangerous goods. Products that contain certain types of batteries can be a common trigger for hazmat warnings. Also, any product that includes or is a pressurized aerosol or spray are considered hazmat.
Here is a list of possible Hazmat or Dangerous goods. These possible Hazmat products can be found in many different categories. Pressurized aerosols are found in health and beauty (hair sprays), home and household (cleaning sprays and other spray products), and Garden and Outdoor (pesticide and herbicide sprays). Battery-related hazmat products can be found in a variety of categories including the electronics category. Other hazmat types include corrosives, oxidizers, poisonous substances (especially if inhaled) flammable liquids/solids, and radioactive materials. Overall, batteries and aerosols tend to most frequently encounter issues. For products that genuinely fall under the hazmat category, compliance is key. Organizing SDS (Safety Data Sheets), lab test reports, and other compliance certificates are critical for product and category approval on Amazon. It is best to submit the SDS as a link for each ASIN as you create the listing so you can get ahead of any issues. FBA hazmat storage has reduced storage limits, and your inventory will be shipped and stored in specific FBA facilities so plan inventory level forecasting accordingly. Dangerous goods are split into nine different classes based on specific characteristics. Some classes or divisions within classes are prohibited for FBA.
Dangerous goods that can be sold through FBA:
The following Products Classes Cannot be sold through FBA:
Certain products across various categories may have specific requirements or considerations due to their components or characteristics. Below is a list of product categories that may be included.
In apparel, items such as hats and vests with rechargeable batteries, hat stiffeners, and apparel stain removers are included.
The automotive category covers products like engine and tire care, interior and paint care, oils and fluids, lead-acid batteries, spillable and non-spillable batteries, and airbags.
For baby products, items such as baby grooming skincare products, and antibacterial products are notable.
Beauty and personal care include spray deodorants, hairspray, hair colors and dyes, perfumes, essential oils, self-tanning lotions and sprays, antiseptics, disinfectants, verruca, and wart treatments, insect repellents, aftershave treatments, cleaning cartridges for electric shavers, hair removal solutions, shaving creams or foams, and nail polish.
Books can include songbooks, magazines with beauty product samples, and e-readers.
In consumer electronics, power banks, cell phones, chargers, batteries, darkroom supplies, and speakers are covered.
Food and beverages include aromatic essential oils, products with high alcohol content, foods in pressurized containers like whipped cream, and spirits.
Health and household products include cleansers, dishwashing liquids and powders, and laundry products.
Home improvement covers grills, pest and insect control items, and related supplies.
Office products include cartridges, toners, equipment cleansers, adhesives, glue, markers, highlighters, pens, and refills.
Pet products include ear and eye care, flea and tick control, itch remedies, deodorizers, aquarium glass cleaners, and water treatments.
Shoes may feature light-up shoes, sole and shoe stain removers, and shoe polish.
Sports and outdoor products include airsoft supplies, camp stoves, hand warmers, e-bikes, e-scooters, bike tools, spillable and non-spillable batteries, and life-saving vests.
Toys include battery-operated toys, arts and crafts items such as building kits, chemistry sets, painting kits, and kits with sprays or crackers.
Finally, video games include controllers, wireless and Bluetooth headsets, and gamepads.
How to Avoid Miscategorization of Hazmat or Dangerous Goods
Correcting Amazon's incorrect classification or understanding of a product can be challenging. Proactive action is key to prevention. Accurate categorization is crucial to prevent products from being mistakenly flagged as hazmat or dangerous goods. Assigning products to the most specific and appropriate category is crucial. It is also important to ensure that the product listing attributes and product ID (UPC, GTIN) match the correct specifications that are listed on your SDS or other certificates. It may seem obvious but certain words within the Amazon listing will often trigger a listings removal. Terms such as EXPLOSIVE, HAZARDOUS, KILLS, or CORROSIVE should only be used if absolutely necessary and accurate. We recommend sellers regularly audit merchandising including product titles, descriptions, bullet points, and A+ content to make sure you are not using any terms that put the listing at risk for removal are not being used. Submitting accurate weight, dimensions, and ingredient information (including having the ingredient list visible as an image) can also help mitigate Hazmat issues.. Make sure everyone on your team is up to date with the latest rules and regulations and has access to shared SDS and compliance information so that someone does not mistakenly edit a listing and cause it to be flagged as Hazmat or Dangerous goods. By taking these steps, sellers can minimize disruptions, ensure compliance, and maintain seamless operations while selling on Amazon.com.
How to Fix Hazmat and Dangerous Goods Issues on Amazon
Mistakes happen and sometimes Amazon can miscategorize your listing as Hazmat or Dangerous Goods. If this happens to you, you should attempt to correct the issue through appeal as quickly as possible. First, start by reviewing Amazon’s Hazmat or Dangerous Good message/notification. This could be received as a performance notification in your account or as an email to the primary administrator on the account. If you are unable to get a clear view of the situation from that communication, reach out to Account Health or general seller support to collect more information. Be sure to cross-check Amazon’s communication and listing attribution with your product’s SDS report to identify if there are any differences. It is important to determine if the issue is related to product detail page terms or image use or if the violation is related to categorization or compliance documentation. If there is a discrepancy, gather supporting documentation such as SDS, product images, and test reports to compile evidence.
The SDS Report must:
Be less than 5 years old
Have the same title as our ASIN title
Include supplier information in section 1 that matches the supplier information
Include all 16 standard SDS sections
Next, open a case through Amazon’s Seller or Vendor Central. If the violation appears under Performance > Account Health, an appeal case should be submitted there. If the issue is not visible under account health, you will need to submit an appeal through the normal support pathway.
In your appeal case attach and include all relevant evidence and information while providing a clear explanation of the mistake. If you are seeing inaccuracies regarding what is displayed on the product detail page or attributed to the ASIN be sure to include screenshots of these issues in your case. Be sure to follow Amazon’s recommended plan of action format for the appeal including a root cause, action taken, and future action. Even if you do not believe you have made a mistake or error, taking on ownership and blame for the situation can improve your odds of success in the appeal. As with all Amazon cases, monitor so that you can respond quickly and get to a resolution as quickly as possible. If your appeal is rejected, do not resubmit the same appeal again, sellers are only allowed so many submissions or appeals, and if Amazon has rejected the current appeal, it needs to be altered or improved. If you are not making progress on the case, try calling into account health to collect more information on the situation as you may have an incorrect understanding of the violation. If you are not getting a response in your case, try calling general support and have them expedite the case or mark it as urgent.
If your appeal is denied, it will most likely be for the following reasons:
The product name on the SDS report does not exactly match the product name or brand on the listings page
The SDS report does not have all 16 sections filled out
The SDS has no date or is over 5 years old
The Seller uploaded something besides an SDS sheet
Classification or term use on the listing has not been corrected
If it is not one of these issues, triple-check that everything matches the Amazon listing and SDS report before escalating the case to someone within Amazon.
Keep in mind that you will have 14 business days to comply with product safety compliance requirements. If you do not provide the information it could result in delayed shipments, canceled customer orders, or inventory destroyed and disposed of at your expense. Amazon always reserves the right to take the corresponding actions without prior notice.
FAQ: Amazon Hazmat and Dangerous Goods Issues
What are common triggers for products being flagged as hazmat on Amazon?
Products containing certain types of batteries, pressurized aerosols or sprays, and flammable materials are common triggers. Incorrect product details, such as dimensions, weight, or battery information, can also lead to hazmat flags.
How can I prevent my product from being incorrectly flagged as hazmat or Dangerous Good?
Ensure accurate categorization, avoid unnecessary use of hazmat-related terms in product descriptions, and provide clear and precise product details. Regularly audit your listings and stay updated on Amazon’s guidelines.
What documentation is required for hazmat products on Amazon?
Required documents may include Safety Data Sheets (SDS), test results (e.g., UN38.3 for lithium batteries), compliance certificates, and clear product labeling with hazard information.
What should I do if my product is incorrectly flagged as hazmat?
Review Amazon’s notification, cross-check with your product’s SDS and attributes, gather supporting documentation, and submit a case through Seller Central. Provide a clear explanation and evidence to support your claim.
How can I ensure my appeal for a hazmat misclassification is successful?
Be clear and concise, attach all relevant evidence, and maintain professional communication. Leverage Amazon’s Dangerous Goods Team for support and escalate the case if necessary.
What proactive steps can I take to avoid hazmat-related issues?
Organize compliance documents, train your team on hazmat guidelines, regularly audit product listings, and work with Amazon compliance experts to ensure your listings meet all requirements.
Are there storage limitations for hazmat products in Amazon’s fulfillment centers?
Yes, Amazon imposes reduced storage limits for hazmat products. Sellers should monitor inventory levels closely and plan accordingly to avoid disruptions.
What are the most common hazmat categories on Amazon?
Batteries, aerosols, flammable liquids/solids, corrosives, oxidizers, poisonous substances, and radioactive materials. Batteries and aerosols are the most frequently flagged.
Conclusion
By staying informed, keeping product information up to date, and by being proactive, you will keep your listing active and navigate any of Amazon’s Hazmat or Dangerous Goods policies. Amazon’s Hazmat and Dangerous Goods policies are put in place to protect Amazon customers. Setting up your listing is not a set-it-and-forget-it process and successfully managing hazmat-related challenges will require consistent effort including accurate categorization, precise product descriptions, and clear documentation. Staying up to date with Amazon’s latest rule changes and guidelines is key to being compliant. By being proactive, sellers can protect their inventory, maintain smooth operations, and build a trusted presence in the marketplace. Be prepared to appeal to Amazon when problems arise and if you have any questions about Amazon product Hazmat issues or Dangerous goods problems, please contact us through the button below.
About the Author - Will Tjernlund
Will Tjernlund is the co-founder and CMO at Goat Consulting. Will is a notable figure in the e-commerce industry, speaking at conferences around the world, including the United States, Europe, and Asia. Will started his Amazon selling career at his family's 80+ year-old manufacturing company with the goal of expanding their Amazon presence. The efforts by Will quickly made Amazon the number one sales channel for his family's business, which now grosses tens of millions of dollars annually. Will uses his background in economics, experience selling on Amazon, and insights gained from speaking with businesses around the world to help brands and manufacturers have a clear strategy for success.
Disclaimer - The information provided in this article is informational advice, it is not legal advice, should not be relied upon as legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the content will always reflect the latest updates to Amazon policies, local, state, and federal legal advice. This information is not a substitute for reading and understanding policies and regulations. As a seller on Amazon, you must ensure that your products comply with all dangerous goods regulations.