Understanding the Amazon Meltable Product Policy will ensure that you know how to sell a meltable product using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). As a brand owner, or distributor, that is selling a heat-sensitive product, it is your responsibility to comply with Amazon’s policies to ensure that when a customer receives the meltable product, it arrives intact and unmelted. In this post, we will cover the products Amazon defines as “meltable,” when customers can utilize FBA for the fulfillment of meltable products, how to file an appeal for misclassified products, and steps to take at the end of the meltable fulfillment window.
What Products Does Amazon Define As “Meltable”?
Before listing your temperature-controlled products with FBA, it’s essential to know what products are suited for FBA, and which products aren’t. Products that are Fulfilled by Amazon are subject to constant temperature fluctuations from the time it leaves the manufacturer’s shipping dock until it is delivered to the customer. Amazon delivers to your customers’ doorstep, no matter which part of the country they live in. Meltable products are especially susceptible to damage during the summer months when temperatures climb. For this reason, Amazon has created specific guidelines and rules for listing meltable ASINs in the FBA Program.
“Meltable” refers to “heat-sensitive products that are eaten or swallowed, including chocolate, yogurt, gummies, and probiotics.” FBA meltable products must be able to withstand a minimum temperature of 50⁰ F and a maximum temperature of 155⁰ F throughout the product’s shelf life. Packaging markings should not display storage temperature requirements unless they explicitly specify a range of 50 - 155⁰ F.
Products that require refrigeration, air conditioning or freezing, are considered perishable products. Perishable products are not suited for Fulfillment by Amazon and are prohibited year-round in the program.
Timing For Fulfilling Meltable Products Through Amazon FBA
The FBA program will accept your Meltable Products between October 16 - April 14th only. Amazon will alert you to the meltable product list on March 1st. You must submit a removal order by April 15th. Inventory stored at FBA or arriving between April 16th - October 14th is marked unfulfillable and disposed of.
Amazon Sellers that have advanced fulfillment operations can still offer their meltable products on the Amazon platform during the period when they are not allowed in FBA, as long as they can prove their packaging design can protect the meltable items from quality damage caused by excessively hot or cold temperatures. While meltable products can be partially protected using combinations of styrofoam coolers & dry ice, this additional protection adds cost to your product and in most cases increases the price offered to your customers. Ultimately, sellers need to ensure their products can withstand the temperature fluctuations that their products will be subjected to throughout distribution whether using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) or Merchant Fulfillment.
How Do I Appeal If An ASIN Is Incorrectly Classified As Meltable By FBA?
If you find yourself in a situation where an ASIN in your catalog has been marked as meltable, but you believe it should be exempt from the Meltable Product Policy, contact the manufacturer of the product for more information. If the manufacturer of the product agrees with your assessment, provide a letter from the manufacturer confirming that the ASIN can be stored at a maximum temperature of 155⁰ F for extended periods. Send this letter to Seller Support.
What Should I Do With My Meltable FBA Inventory At The End Of The Season’s Meltable Window?
With the end of this meltable season quickly approaching, it’s important to be mindful of your current meltable inventory that is stored at Amazon.
Increase Sales of Meltable Products before April 15th
If your In-Stock meltable inventory is higher than your projected sales between today and April 15th, you should take action now! Consider promotion opportunities to increase your meltable Item’s Sales Velocity, or increase your advertising budgets to reach a larger audience for your meltable FBA Products. If you take these steps and your in-stock inventory continues to exceed your projected sales, consider the reverse logistics cost of processing FBA Removal Orders. Since many Meltable Products are also time-sensitive, it’s also important to consider the likelihood of selling this inventory through an alternative channel. In some cases, it might be most cost-effective to let Amazon Dispose of the remaining Meltable Inventory, as opposed to submitting removal orders for your Meltable Products.
Consider Timing of Replenishment
With a shortened FBA Availability Window, it’s important to take advantage of the full Meltable Product window. Shipments sent to Amazon at the end of the Meltable Products window don’t need to be avoided, but additional factors should be considered. How many days of sales are left in the season (consider lead time on Inbound Shipments)? What is your current sell-through rate on these meltable SKUs? What are the projected costs of Disposing of any unsold inventory, or the costs of reverse logistics for unsold inventory on April 15th?
Selling Meltable Inventory using Fulfillment by Amazon - Final Thoughts
Sellers that wish to market their meltable products using Amazon need to be familiar with Amazon’s Meltable Product Policies - especially if they plan on using the Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) Program. Understanding the differences between Perishable Products and Meltable products is extremely important, as is understanding the Meltable Product Dates for FBA. Ensuring your meltable products are in-stock as soon as FBA Accepts them, as well as being mindful of your meltable inventory at the end of the FBA Meltable Products window can help sellers maximize their sales of meltable products through FBA while also reducing the reverse logistics/shrink costs of this inventory at the end of the season. If you have questions about the FBA Meltable Product Policy such as:
Is my product considered a Meltable Product or a Perishable Product?
When does FBA allow me to enroll my Meltable Products?
How do I appeal an incorrect Meltable Product Classification made by FBA?
What should I do with my meltable inventory at the end of the FBA Meltable Season?
I encourage you to reach out to Goat Consulting. We have experience in navigating the FBA Meltable Product Policy and are ready to help address any meltable policy questions sellers might face. The best way to contact us is to fill out a contact form below: