The Importance of HAZMAT Documentation on Amazon: Why Is It Important for Safe Shipping and Handling
If you’re thinking about selling HAZMAT products on Amazon, there’s an essential documentation process you must follow to ensure your products meet the necessary criteria for approval. Without this, they could get rejected at the fulfillment centers, and your listings might be taken down. In serious cases, your account could even be suspended.
To avoid these issues, we’ve created a simple guide that will take you through each step to successfully complete the process. Let’s dive right in.
What Are HAZMAT Goods?
Firstly, what are HAZMAT goods?
HAZMAT, short for “Hazardous Materials,” refers to products that could harm people and the environment if not handled, stored, or transported properly.
On Amazon, the issue of HAZMAT items particularly impacts sellers who use FBA. In this case, the eCommerce giant takes on the responsibility of storing and shipping products. But these hazardous items can pose risks to warehouses and shipping processes. To strike a balance, Amazon permits the sale of certain products in limited quantities via the FBA Dangerous Goods Program. To qualify, sellers must meet specific requirements and provide the necessary documents.
Permitted HAZMAT Product Classes on Amazon: What Can You Sell?
Although Amazon prioritizes safety, it does allow the sale of certain hazardous classes via FBA. This includes:
– Solids that can ignite or catch fire
– Flammable liquids
– Combustible Gases
– Non-flammable and non-toxic gases
– Oxidizers
– Organic peroxides
– Toxic substances
– Corrosive substances
– Various other hazardous items like lithium batteries
Note: It’s important to note that all permitted HAZMAT products are categorized. You can find a comprehensive list of these items on Seller Central.
Amazon Dangerous Goods Program
If you are planning to sell HAZMAT items on Amazon, then you must also ensure regulated shipping for customer safety. Amazon offers the FBA Dangerous Goods program to facilitate efficient shipping and handling.
As a seller, you can join this program to ensure shipping compliance with Amazon’s standards and avoid potential issues such as incidents during transportation, account suspension or deactivation due to policy violations, and so on.
To join the FBA Dangerous Goods Program, visit your Seller Central account and navigate to the “Manage Dangerous Goods Classification” tab. Then, choose the “FBA Dangerous Goods program” option and click on “Apply to the FBA Dangerous Goods program.”
What HAZMAT Categories Cannot Be Sold Through FBA?
While Amazon strives to accommodate a wide range of products, it draws a line at certain HAZMAT categories due to their high-risk nature. These include:
– Explosive substances
– Toxic gases
– Materials that become dangerous when wet
– Materials prone to spontaneous combustion
– Substances with infectious characteristics
– Radioactive materials
How to Check If Your Products Are Classified as HAZMAT?
To check a product for HAZMAT, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Log into Seller Central and navigate to the Manage Dangerous Goods Classification page through the following URL:
https://sellercentral.amazon.com/fba/compliance-dashboard/index.html
Step 2: Click on Check if an ASIN is a dangerous good in the top right corner, and click Next.
Step 3: Enter the ASIN and click Check status.
What Do You Mean by HAZMAT Documentation?
HAZMAT documentation refers to the process of submitting essential documents to Amazon to get permission to sell Amazon HAZMAT products through FBA. Sellers can only sell these items after their documents are approved. If not completed, delivery might be paused. The purpose is to make sure anyone involved in the shipping or handling process of these products is cautious.
Why Is HAZMAT Documentation Important in Shipping and Handling?
As mentioned above, FBA sellers can only sell Amazon HAZMAT products after they provide the necessary documentation. This is especially important during the shipping and handling process, because:
1) Ensures Regulatory Compliance
One of the main reasons why HAZMAT documentation is important on Amazon is to meet regulatory compliance. If you’re based in the US and are shipping these products, you need to follow a long list of regulations imposed by various authorities like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), and Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. Properly completed HAZMAT documentation shows compliance with these rules and ensures that your shipment meets all necessary safety standards.
2) Ensures Safe Transportation
Safety is the top priority when dealing with hazardous materials during shipping. Accurate HAZMAT documentation gives vital details about the materials being shipped, such as their potential hazards and how to handle them safely. This information helps carriers, handlers, and emergency responders take the right precautions, minimizing the chances of accidents, spills, or other dangerous situations during transportation.
3) Reduces Liability Risks
For Amazon sellers, having HAZMAT documentation is crucial to lower liability risks when shipping hazardous materials. By making sure all needed paperwork is in place, sellers show their dedication to safety and compliance, which in turn reduces the likelihood of legal issues or fines. Proper documentation also provides a clear paper trail, making it easy to trace if there’s an incident, and safeguards sellers from untrue claims.
4) Simplifies Shipping Processes
Proper HAZMAT documentation also simplifies the shipping operations on Amazon. Clear instructions provided in the documents help shipping staff understand the nature of the materials and handle them appropriately. This smooth process minimizes delays, prevents bottlenecks, and ensures timely deliveries, all of which contribute to customer satisfaction and a positive shopping experience.
What Documents Should You Submit to Amazon?
Instead of waiting for your product to be flagged or your listing to be deactivated, consider submitting the following documents when you start listing your Amazon HAZMAT product for sale:
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
The SDS, sometimes referred to as the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), is an important document for products that are chemicals or otherwise classified as hazardous, but do not relate to batteries. It’s typically supplied by the product manufacturers and offers crucial information regarding the handling, storage, and shipment of such products.
The SDS also guides people on how to react to a spillage or properly dispose of the product if necessary. If your manufacturer doesn’t have an SDS, you can always use a third-party MSDS/SDS service.
Exemption Sheet
This document is necessary for products requiring batteries to operate, irrespective of whether the batteries come with the product or the product needs to be plugged in. This also applies to products that are batteries themselves. It typically includes warning labels (if any), the ASIN of the product, the product name, and a full list of ingredients.
If you don’t have an ingredient list, you can opt to submit your product for material analysis. This usually costs a few hundred dollars and takes two or more weeks to complete.
How to Upload An SDS and Exemption Sheet on Amazon
To upload an SDS and Exemption sheet on Amazon, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Log into Seller Central and navigate to the Manage Dangerous Goods Classification page.
Step 2: Click on Upload Document.
Step 3: Upload your SDS or your Exemption Sheet so that the Amazon HAZMAT reviews process begins.
Step 4: After the file is uploaded, it will be reviewed by the Dangerous and Goods Team. The Amazon HAZMAT review process will take 2 business days to be completed.
FAQs
What happens if I fail to provide the necessary HAZMAT documentation?
Failure to provide the required HAZMAT documentation can result in your product being rejected at Amazon’s fulfillment centers, leading to potential listing deactivation or even account suspension in serious cases.
Are there any additional fees associated with selling HAZMAT products on Amazon?
Yes. Amazon has a separate fulfillment fee structure for its HAZMAT products. These fees cover the extra handling and storage costs associated with handling these goods.
Can I sell HAZMAT products on Amazon if I’m a new seller?
Yes, you can sell HAZMAT products on Amazon as a new seller, but you must ensure that you comply with all the necessary documentation and safety requirements outlined by Amazon.
How to Sell HAZMAT on Amazon?
To start selling HAZMAT products on Amazon, ensure that they adhere to the strict safety regulations. Amazon is a customer-centric marketplace focusing on good and safe customer experience. So, ensure that the products you plan to sell have SDS (safety data sheets), proper labeling and are compliant with shipping regulations for HAZMAT products.
How do you get Approved to Sell Hazmat on Amazon?
If you want to sell Hazmat products on Amazon, you must first get approved. This process involves several steps, and you must ensure that your products meet Amazon’s HAZMAT guidelines and requirements. After submitting proper documentation, simply wait for 4 to 5 weeks.
What happens if my HAZMAT documentation is rejected by Amazon?
If your HAZMAT documentation is rejected by Amazon, you’ll receive a notification explaining the reasons for the rejection. You’ll then need to address the issues highlighted and resubmit the required documents for review.
Summary
It’s critical for Amazon sellers to understand and comply with the HAZMAT goods regulations By following these guidelines, you can improve the safety measures during handling and transportation, resulting in an improved overall selling experience.
For a convenient and efficient solution to manage your Amazon selling operations, consider utilizing Enso Brands. As a one-stop shop for Amazon sellers, Enso Brands offers a range of tools and services to streamline your selling process. Contact us today for more information about our full-service Amazon agency.
