Amazon rules for Hazmat and Dangerous Goods
Amazon HazMat stands for ‘hazardous materials’. These are dangerous goods and substances/materials that can mean risk to safety, health, property or environment.
They may be flammable, corrosive, pressurized, etc. In any case, HazMat products are dangerous.
Such objects can be harmless while standing on a shelf but become dangerous in motion or under pressure or affected by high temperatures. Amazon takes this into consideration, as storing and shipping products are held within different conditions. This is very important for FBA sellers whose products are processed by Amazon.
Amazon can issue a HazMat Review for any product, if there is at least a suspicion that it contains dangerous materials. The company continues updating their specs for HazMat products and always checks listings of third-party sellers to not let them sell something dangerous.
This policy is very aggressive, so once a product is identified for Amazon HazMat Review, there will be a strict inspection.
How Can HazMat Review Affect Amazon FBA Sellers?
If you have worked as an FBM seller and decided to switch to FBA, your products can undergo Amazon HazMat Review.
You’ll need to complete online forms to specify whether your products belong to dangerous goods or not. Even if you answer ‘No’ to all the questions, Amazon can initiate the HazMat Review process which usually lasts for 3 business days. If Amazon finds your product improper for selling, they can unlist it at any time.
Keep in mind that Amazon checks products from their database randomly from time to time. That is why you can notice that some of your already approved products became unavailable for sale or restricted.
Amazon has the list of examples of HazMat products. Surprisingly, but some items like video game controllers are assumed as HazMat too. Well, another Amazon’s detailed guide on what they mark as ‘dangerous goods’ may be useful. It helps us understand why some items are flagged as HazMat.
What If a Product Is Under Amazon HazMat Review?
Don’t panic if you’ve received a notice about Amazon HazMat Review. That means that Amazon wants to collect more information about your product and make sure it is safe for everyone. They just collect details about your product.
For example, for batteries and products containing or sold with batteries, you will be asked for descriptive characteristics such as battery composition (e.g., lithium ion, alkaline, etc.) and the number of batteries. Most technical details are available from the manufacturer.
For products considered dangerous goods, you will be required to provide additional information to identify characteristics of the product such as flammability or corrosiveness that would indicate the transportation classification (UN Number). This information can often be found on the item’s outer packaging or a Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
If Amazon collects enough information about your product and it is ok, you just keep selling that product. If they find out that your product containing hazardous materials, such a product can be rejected.
Sources: SellerNexus, Hyclogistics.com
