Hazardous Materials: Amazon Guide to Selling Hazmat Products
According to Federal Aviation Administration, Amazon.com Inc. allegedly violated the Hazardous Materials Regulations on May 7, 2016. The FAA proposes a $91,000 civil penalty for a shipment that allegedly contained hazardous goods that don’t have proper warning labels. The workers at the FedEx sorting facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, discovered the leaking shipment.
Knowing Amazon’s hazmat policy is essential for sellers. Not understanding which products are hazardous can put you and others at risk. It is necessary to comply with the program and know how to manage dangerous goods classification to ensure the safety of the sellers, buyer, and the transportation of these items.
What is a Hazardous Material?
Chemicals or substances that could harm the environment or pose a risk to human health or property while being transported are considered hazardous material (hazmat). Based on the kind of risk they pose, hazmats are divided into nine classifications
- Explosives
- Gases
- Flammable liquids
- Flammable solids
- Oxidizers
- Toxic materials
- Radioactive materials
- Corrosive materials
- Miscellaneous dangerous goods
Understanding Hazmat Products
Hazardous materials can be dangerous, and it’s necessary to know the associated risks, a breakdown of what they are, and tips on handling and transporting them properly. Let’s learn and get familiar with the hazardous products you may plan to sell or use daily.
Home and Kitchen Products
Household cleaners like detergent and dishwashing liquid may contain harmful substances, including volatile organic compounds. Oven and stovetop fuel, aerosols, and propane tanks can be flammable, while aerosol cans may have pressurized gases, which can be hazardous if mishandled. Propane tanks, while convenient, can be dangerous due to their flammability and the potential for overfilling or leaking.
Gardening Products
Pesticides contain chemicals that can be poisonous or corrosive to humans. Fertilizers can cause air pollution if used in excess and leak into local waterways. Weed killers may contain solids or toxic substances such as arsenic.
Pet products
Flea and tick treatments may contain hazardous chemicals such as insecticides which can be harmful if mishandled. Pet-related equipment, such as grooming tools, may also be considered hazmat.
Personal care products
Bubble baths can contain corrosive ingredients such as sodium laureth sulfate. Perfumes may contain flammable components such as alcohol and may be in pressurized containers.
Nail polish remover may contain volatile chemicals such as acetone, which can be flammable. Hair dye may contain ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide and ammonia, which can be harmful if mismanaged. Essential oils are also considered hazmat.
Gaming products
Gaming consoles may contain flammable liquids or gases used to power the device and, in some cases, may include a lithium battery which can pose a fire hazard. Controllers, gaming accessories, and other electronic devices may also contain lithium batteries.
Amazon Hazmat Products for FBA Sellers
It is essential to follow Amazon and the government’s applicable laws and provide all the necessary product compliance to sell these dangerous products. Without prior authorization, Amazon forbids selling goods categorized as hazardous materials or dangerous goods.
Allowed Hazmat Items
Sellers can list and sell hazardous commodities under the Fba’s dangerous goods program. Be aware of the hazmat items on Amazon’s platform that should have limited quantities. These limited quantities are necessary to ensure safety and compliance with amazon’s policy.
Hazmat Items that are NOT allowed by Amazon
The sale of goods involving explosive substances, toxic gas, or radioactive materials is prohibited on Amazon. These dangerous goods can be highly hazardous and cause harm to customers and the environment. Here’s amazon’s guide on prohibited products.
How to Check if a Product is Dangerous Good or Not?
To determine whether a product is hazardous, go to Amazon Seller Central Help Center, search for “hazmat,” then go to Manage Dangerous Goods Classification, then click Look up and ASIN. You can also check SDS with the product manufacturer or supplier before listing it. As a Fba seller, checking if it falls under the hazmat category is vital.
FBA Dangerous Goods programs
This program is offered to FBA brands or businesses to sell FBA-eligible hazardous materials products. It enables the sellers to send their items to a facility that can handle dangerous products. Amazon will ship these products safely and securely to customers upon program enrollment.
The following are the steps to add products to the list.
- Log in to the Seller Central
- Go to Manage Classification of Dangerous Goods
- Select the FBA Dangerous Goods program
- Click apply to enroll in the FBA Dangerous Goods program
- The program currently has a waitlist for prospective sellers.
Dangerous Goods Review Process
Sellers must provide SDS or exemption sheets to comply with the hazmat safety administration. Test reports and certification sheets are not considered in the amazon hazmat review process.
MSDS exemption sheets are only accepted for products with non harmful chemicals, batteries, and battery-powered devices. To upload SDS or exemption sheets, go to Manage Dangerous Goods Classification.
Fba dangerous goods team typically takes two business days to review and classify hazardous goods products with complete and correct information. Providing incorrect and inaccurate information may result in sales blockage.
How Amazon Properly Handles and Transports Hazmat Products
Amazon has established procedures for properly handling and transporting hazmat products. Before any shipment of hazardous materials, amazon reviews the item description to ensure that it is correctly classified as a dangerous good.
To verify that each shipment complies with all relevant rules and regulations for safe transit, Amazon also works with its transportation partners, trained to handle and transport hazmat products safely and securely.
Amazon Hazmat FBA Storage
All hazardous products are kept apart from other items during the packaging and loading. There are two categories of FBA storage facilities for dangerous goods: flammable and aerosol.
Once registered with the program, you may view your storage restrictions for dangerous goods on Shipping Queue and Inventory Performance. Expand the storage monitor section at the bottom of the page to check the storage limitations for flammables and aerosols.
Hazmat product storage limitations are determined by how well your store performs and how much storage usage. These are Amazon’s indicators to evaluate any changes in the limitations. The Inventory Performance Index score is not used to determine your storage limitations.
Importance of Amazon Hazmat Product Classification
Amazon’s Hazmat product classification ensures the safety and trustworthiness of products sold on its platform. Seller compliance with Amazon’s guidelines and regulations for selling hazmat goods, sellers can ensure that dangerous products are safely packed, stored, and shipped.
MSDS helps identify potential product risks and protects customers and employees. Accurate product categorization is essential for product safety compliance requisites. It helps Amazon adhere to government regulations and applicable laws regarding which of these products are considered hazmat.
It enables Amazon to provide accurate shipping information and ensure customers know of any potentially harmful materials associated with their purchase.
How does Amazon Conduct Hazmat reviews?
Each ASIN changed to Fulfilled by Amazon is checked by the Dangerous Goods team to conduct amazon hazmat reviews. It is essential to provide complete product data when creating amazon listings. It is Amazon’s best way to identify potentially dangerous goods. Any changes may require another review. You may need to submit additional documentation like an SDS exemption sheet,
How Do Hazardous Materials Affect Your Sales?
If a product is labeled as hazardous material, Amazon sellers are required to provide more information about the product to ensure its safety. This may include asking for the number of batteries, the composition of the batteries, or whether the product is toxic or has flammable parts.
If Amazon gathers enough information and determines the product is safe, sales can continue as normal. Any products that don’t meet these standards will not be shipped. It could lead to a drop in sales or negative reviews for the product. The product will be disposed of if the required information is not provided within 14 days.
Conclusion
Fulfilling amazon’s guidelines and regulations for selling hazardous materials are essential to ensure customer safety and trustworthiness. With Amazon’s secure storage and shipping of dangerous items, sellers can provide peace of mind when purchasing hazardous materials online. Keeping accurate product categorization, and providing the SDS exemption document before listing their hazmat items, helps protect customers, employees, and sellers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Amazon FBA Dangerous Goods Program?
Amazon’s program provides a safe and secure way to store and ship hazardous materials. It allows sellers to enroll in the program and send their products to a warehouse equipped to handle hazmat goods, and Amazon will then ship these products safely and securely to customers.
What documents do I need for the amazon hazmat review process?
Amazon sellers must provide SDS for each product that must be provided. Test reports, certification sheets, and material analysis are not considered in the amazon hazmat review process. MSDS exemption sheets are only accepted for products with non harmful chemicals, batteries, and battery-powered devices.
What is needed for a safety data sheet (SDS)?
To list and sell these items, sellers must provide updated SDS within the past five years that match the Amazon listings (ASIN title and the product name on the SDS), including the supplier information and all 16 standard SDS sections.
What is the cost of storing amazon hazmat items?
The cost of storing hazmat items is determined by the type of hazmat item and how much space it takes up in the warehouse.
Why is Hazmat classification important?
It helps amazon comply with government regulations and laws regarding handling hazardous materials, provides accurate shipping information, and ensures customers are aware of any potentially harmful materials associated with their purchase.
What is a material safety data sheet?
A detailed information guide helps identify potential risks associated with hazardous materials. It provides first aid measures, safe handling and storage procedures, physical and chemical properties, exposure controls, personal protection measures, and other important information needed to safely handle the product.
What are the Amazon hazmat restrictions?
Amazon restricts the types and quantities of hazmat stored in its warehouses. Conditions can vary based on the item’s classification, size, weight, and other factors. When selling hazmat items, sellers must meet all applicable local, state, and federal laws.
What are the everyday hazmat items available on Amazon?
Examples of common hazmat items available on Amazon are batteries, gas, aerosols, dangerous cleaning products, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, fertilizer, and pesticides.
Why are essential oils considered hazmat?
Essential oil is classified as hazardous because it contains volatile chemicals that may be harmful if not handled carefully.
Why did my ASIN suddenly turn into a dangerous good?
Amazon continually evaluates the products in its database to spot those classified as harmful. Changes in classification may take place during these reviews.
Is selling hazmat products worth it?
Yes, selling amazon these products can be profitable. Fba dangerous goods sellers need to understand amazon’s regulations and the importance of product classification.