Amazon Expiration Date Policy (Everything That FBA Seller Needs To Know)

It’s important to understand Amazon’s expiration date policy to ensure compliance and avoid any issues.

Many sellers shy away from expiration-dated items due to a lack of knowledge, but there are lucrative opportunities if you know the rules.

Amazon requires that all topical and consumable products, including nutritional supplements, have expiration dates, even if they are not indicated on the packaging.

When sending products to an FBA warehouse, they must have a minimum remaining shelf life of 90 days and must be sold before there are less than 50 days remaining on the shelf life. Meltable items also have additional guidelines due to their sensitivity to heat.

Understanding these requirements is crucial for FBA sellers to avoid any complications and maintain a successful business on Amazon.

In this article, we’ll delve into Amazon’s expiration date policy in detail, covering general requirements, specific product categories, time constraints, shipping requirements, labeling, and more.

By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of what it takes to navigate Amazon’s expiration date policy as an FBA seller.

Key Takeaways:

• Amazon requires expiration dates for all consumable and topical products, including nutritional supplements.
• Items must have a minimum remaining shelf life of 90 days when sent to an FBA warehouse.
• Products in categories like Grocery, Beauty, Health & Personal Care, and Pet Supplies may require expiration dates.
• Meltable items have additional guidelines and restrictions due to their sensitivity to heat.
• Proper labeling and shipping requirements must be followed to comply with Amazon’s policies.

Amazon’s General Requirements for Expiration-Dated Inventory

When it comes to selling expiration-dated inventory on Amazon, there are specific requirements that FBA sellers need to be aware of.

Amazon considers all consumable and topical products, including nutritional supplements, to be subject to expiration, even if there is no expiration date indicated on the packaging.

This means that items in categories such as Grocery, Beauty, Health & Personal Care, and Pet Supplies may require expiration dates.

In addition to requiring expiration dates, Amazon also has time constraints for expiration-dated items.

Food and beverage products, as well as products that ship with food or beverages, must have a minimum remaining shelf life of more than 90 days when sent to an FBA warehouse.

It’s important to note that items that have less than 50 days remaining on the shelf life upon arrival at the warehouse will be marked for disposal by Amazon.

To give you a better understanding of these requirements, let’s take a look at the table below which outlines the general requirements for expiration-dated inventory on Amazon:

Product Category	Expiration Date Requirement
Grocery	Expiration date is required
Beauty	Expiration date is required
Health & Personal Care	Expiration date is required
Pet Supplies	Expiration date is required

As you can see, it’s essential for FBA sellers to be aware of these general requirements to ensure compliance with Amazon’s policies and avoid any issues with expiration-dated inventory.

Items that Require Expiration Dates for Amazon FBA

When it comes to selling products on Amazon FBA, many sellers mistakenly believe that only Grocery items require expiration dates.

However, Amazon has a broader definition of expiration-dated items.

According to their policy, all topical and consumable products, including nutritional supplements, are subject to expiration, regardless of whether there is an expiration date indicated on the packaging.

This means that items in categories such as Beauty, Health & Personal Care, and Pet Supplies may also require expiration dates.

As an FBA seller, it’s important to understand that there is a wide range of products with expiration dates that can be profitable on Amazon’s marketplace.

Don’t avoid these products simply because you are unsure of how to handle them.

Instead, take the time to familiarize yourself with Amazon’s requirements and guidelines for expiration-dated items to ensure that you can confidently source and sell these products.

Examples of Topical and Consumable Products Requiring Expiration Dates

Category	Examples
Beauty	Skincare products, makeup, hair care products
Health & Personal Care	Vitamins, supplements, over-the-counter medications
Pet Supplies	Food, treats, grooming products

As you can see from the table above, there are numerous categories and products that fall under the umbrella of topical and consumable items requiring expiration dates.

By recognizing the potential profitability of these products, you can expand your product sourcing options and tap into new markets.

Remember, complying with Amazon’s expiration date policy is crucial for maintaining a successful FBA business.

Stay informed, follow the guidelines, and seize the opportunities presented by expiration-dated inventory.

Time Constraints for Expiration-Dated Items

When it comes to expiration-dated items, time is of the essence.

Amazon has specific time constraints in place for accepting and handling these items within their FBA warehouses.

Understanding these time constraints is crucial for FBA sellers who want to effectively manage their inventory and avoid any issues.

According to Amazon’s guidelines, items sent to an FBA warehouse must have a minimum remaining shelf life of more than 90 days.

This ensures that the products have a reasonable amount of time to be checked in, stocked, and sold before the expiration date approaches.

However, it’s important to note that if an item has less than 50 days remaining on its shelf life at the time of arrival, Amazon will mark it for disposal.

This means that the item cannot be returned to the seller and will be disposed of by Amazon.

To prevent any problems with expiration-dated items, FBA sellers should carefully consider the timing of their shipments. It’s crucial to plan ahead and account for shipping and processing time to ensure that the products have sufficient time to be sold before their expiration dates.

Here are a few tips to help you manage the time constraints for expiration-dated items:

• Monitor the remaining shelf life of your inventory regularly to avoid any surprises.
• Plan your shipments in advance to allow for sufficient time for the products to be checked in and sold.
• Consider using expedited shipping options to minimize the time in transit.
• Keep an eye on market trends and seasonal fluctuations to adjust your inventory management accordingly.

Tips for Managing Time Constraints

Tips	Description
Monitor Shelf Life	Regularly check the remaining shelf life of your inventory to ensure it meets Amazon’s requirements.
Plan Shipments	Plan your shipments in advance to allow for sufficient time for the products to be checked in and sold.
Expedited Shipping	Consider using expedited shipping options to minimize the time in transit and maximize selling time.
Stay Aware of Market Trends	Keep an eye on market trends and seasonal fluctuations to adjust your inventory management accordingly.

By understanding and adhering to the time constraints for expiration-dated items, FBA sellers can effectively manage their inventory and ensure compliance with Amazon’s policies.

This will help them avoid any potential disposal of their products and maintain a successful business.

Now that you understand the time constraints for expiration-dated items, it’s important to also be aware of the special rules for items intended for regular use. We’ll explore these rules in the next section.

Special Rule for Items Intended for Regular Use

When it comes to expiration-dated products intended for regular use, Amazon has a special rule in place to ensure that customers receive products with enough shelf life to fulfill their intended purpose.

In addition to the 90-day minimum requirement, these products must have a remaining shelf life that includes the consumption period.

Let’s say you have a product that is meant to last for 240 days of regular use. According to Amazon’s rule, this product must have a remaining shelf life of 240 days plus an additional 90 days at the time of check-in at the fulfillment center.

By following this requirement, you can guarantee that your customers will receive products that meet their expectations.

As an FBA seller, it’s crucial to be aware of this special rule when sourcing and selecting expiration-dated products.

Shipping Expiration-Dated Items to Amazon

When it comes to shipping expiration-dated inventory to Amazon’s warehouses, there are specific guidelines that FBA sellers need to follow.

These requirements ensure proper labeling and tracking of expiration dates, helping sellers effectively manage their inventory.

By adhering to these shipping requirements, you can avoid delays or additional charges from Amazon.

One important rule to remember is that each box should only contain ASINs (Amazon Standard Identification Numbers) with a single expiration date. This means that if you have multiple ASINs with different expiration dates, they should not be shipped in the same box. However, if all the ASINs in a box share the same expiration date, it is permissible to include them together.

By following this rule, Amazon can accurately label and track each item’s expiration date.

This ensures that customers receive products with sufficient shelf life and also helps prevent any potential issues related to expired items.

It’s crucial for FBA sellers to comply with these shipping requirements to maintain a smooth and efficient workflow.

Failure to do so can result in operational delays, additional charges, and potential customer dissatisfaction. Therefore, it’s essential to keep track of the expiration dates of your inventory and package them accordingly.

Below is an example of how to correctly ship expiration-dated items to Amazon:

Box Number	ASIN	Expiration Date
Box 1	123456	2023-05-01
Box 2	789012	2023-05-01

As you can see in the example above, both ASINs in Box 1 have the same expiration date, while the ASIN in Box 2 has a different expiration date.

By packaging the items this way, you ensure compliance with Amazon’s shipping requirements.

Remember, following the correct shipping requirements for expiration-dated inventory is crucial for your success as an FBA seller.

By properly managing and labeling your inventory, you can maintain a seamless selling experience and provide customers with products that meet Amazon’s standards.

Labeling Items with Expiration Dates for Amazon FBA

Properly labeling your products ensures compliance with Amazon’s guidelines and helps provide accurate information to customers.

The first requirement to note is that the expiration date must be prominently displayed on the packaging.

Amazon specifies that the expiration date should be printed in a font that is at least 36 points or larger.

Furthermore, the date format should follow the MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYYY format. If your product package has a different date format, it must be covered with a printed label displaying the expiration date in the correct format.

It’s essential to mention that lot numbers alone are not sufficient for expiration-dated items.

In addition to lot numbers, any printed manufactured date on the packaging must be covered with a label containing the expiration date.

This ensures that customers can easily identify the expiration date when making a purchase decision.

If your expiration-dated products require additional preparation, such as poly bagging or bubble wrap, it’s important to apply labels with the expiration dates in a font size of at least 36 points to the outside of the packaging.

This helps ensure that the expiration date remains visible and readable even after the additional prep is applied.

Ensuring your products are correctly labeled according to Amazon’s requirements is essential for maintaining compliance and providing transparent information to customers.

By following these labeling guidelines, you can confidently sell expiration-dated items on the Amazon FBA platform.

Amazon FBA Labeling Requirements Summary

Requirement	Details
Font Size	Expiration date must be printed in a font size of 36 points or larger
Date Format	Expiration date should be displayed in MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYYY format
Different Date Formats	If the expiration date is in a different format, it must be covered with a printed label in the correct format
Lot Numbers	Lot numbers alone are not sufficient; any printed manufactured date on the packaging must be covered with a label containing the expiration date
Additional Prep	Expiration-dated products requiring additional prep must have labels with expiration dates in a font size of 36 points or larger applied to the outside of the packaging

Making Sense of Lot Codes

Sometimes, expiration-dated products don’t have a specific “Best By” or “Expires On” date printed on the packaging.

In such cases, manufacturers often use lot codes to track production dates and identify products in the event of a recall.

If you come across a product without a clear expiration date, you may need to contact the manufacturer to convert the lot code into an expiration date.

Similarly, some products may have a “manufactured on” date instead of a “best by” date. In these instances, you can calculate the expiration date by taking into account the manufacturing date and the product’s shelf life.

Understanding lot codes is crucial for FBA sellers, as it allows you to determine expiration dates for products that lack specific printed dates.

By decoding lot codes and knowing how to calculate expiration dates, you can confidently handle expiration-dated products for your Amazon FBA inventory.

Expiration Date Format	Calculation Example
MM-DD-YYYY	If the lot code is XYZ, you need to contact the manufacturer to convert it into an expiration date.
MM-YYYY	If the lot code is ABC, you can calculate the expiration date by adding the product’s shelf life to the manufacturing date.

By understanding lot codes and determining expiration dates for products without specific printed dates, you can effectively manage your FBA inventory and ensure compliance with Amazon’s expiration date policy.

Let Your Worries Melt Away

Meltable items can be a lucrative addition to your Amazon FBA inventory, but it’s important to understand the guidelines and restrictions that come with them.

Meltable items include popular treats like chocolate, gummies, yogurt, and probiotics. These items have their own set of rules in addition to the expiration date requirements.

Due to their sensitivity to heat, Amazon does not fulfill meltable products during certain times of the year.

After May 1st, any meltable inventory in the fulfillment centers is marked as unfulfillable and disposed of.

To prevent wastage and potential losses, FBA sellers with meltable inventory in April should consider lowering prices to sell before it becomes unfulfillable.

Being aware of the restrictions and guidelines for meltable items is crucial to avoid any issues or waste of inventory.

By understanding and planning ahead, you can navigate the challenges and maximize the profitability of your meltable inventory on Amazon FBA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Maybe you still have some questions about Amazon’s expiration date policy so we will try to answer them in the section below.

What are Amazon’s general requirements for expiration-dated inventory?

Amazon considers all consumable and topical products, including nutritional supplements, to be subject to expiration, even if there is no expiration date indicated on the packaging.

Items in categories such as Grocery, Beauty, Health & Personal Care, and Pet Supplies may require expiration dates.

Items must have a minimum remaining shelf life of more than 90 days when sent to an FBA warehouse, and they must sell before there are less than 50 days remaining on the shelf life.

Meltable items have additional guidelines and restrictions due to their sensitivity to heat. It’s important for FBA sellers to understand and comply with these requirements to avoid issues and maintain a successful business.

Which items require expiration dates for Amazon FBA?

All topical and consumable products, including nutritional supplements, require expiration dates for Amazon FBA.

This includes items in categories such as Beauty, Health & Personal Care, and Pet Supplies.

It’s important for FBA sellers to be aware that a wide range of products with expiration dates can be profitable, and they should not avoid them simply because they are unsure of how to handle them.

What are the time constraints for expiration-dated items?

Food and beverage products and products that ship with food or beverages must have a minimum remaining shelf life of more than 90 days when sent to an FBA warehouse.

Items that have less than 50 days remaining on the shelf life upon arrival will be marked for disposal by Amazon. FBA sellers should carefully consider the timing of their shipments to ensure that items have enough time to be checked in and sold before the shelf life expires.

Is there a special rule for items intended for regular use?

Yes, Amazon has a special rule for expiration-dated products intended for regular use.

These products must have a remaining shelf life that includes the consumption period in addition to the 90-day minimum requirement. FBA sellers should be aware of this rule when sourcing and selecting expiration-dated products.

What are the shipping requirements for expiration-dated items?

Each box must only contain ASINs with a single expiration date, and multiple ASINs can be shipped in the same box only if they all have the same expiration date.

This allows for accurate labeling and tracking of expiration dates by Amazon. It’s important for FBA sellers to follow these shipping requirements to ensure that their inventory is properly managed and labeled.

What are the labeling requirements for items with expiration dates?

The expiration date must be printed in a font that is 36 point or larger, and it must be displayed in the format MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYYY. If the expiration date is in a different format, it must be covered with a printed label in the correct format.

Lot numbers alone are not sufficient.

Additionally, any printed manufactured date must be covered with a label containing the expiration date.

Expiration-dated products that require additional prep, such as poly bagging or bubble wrap, must have labels with expiration dates in 36-point font or larger applied to the outside of the packaging.

How can I make sense of lot codes for products without specific expiration dates?

Sometimes, expiration-dated products may not have a specific “Best By” or “Expires On” date.

In these cases, manufacturers often use lot codes to track production dates and identify products in the event of a recall. FBA sellers may need to contact the manufacturer to convert the lot code into an expiration date.

Additionally, some products may have a “manufactured on” date instead of a “best by” date. In these cases, sellers can calculate the expiration date based on the manufacturing date and the product’s shelf life.

What are the guidelines for meltable items?

Meltable items, such as chocolate, gummies, yogurt, and probiotics, have their own set of guidelines in addition to expiration dates.

Amazon does not fulfill meltable products during certain times of the year due to temperature sensitivity.

Meltable inventory in fulfillment centers after May 1st is marked as unfulfillable and disposed of. FBA sellers with meltable inventory in April should consider lowering prices to sell before it becomes unfulfillable.

It’s important for FBA sellers to be aware of the restrictions and guidelines for meltable items to avoid any issues or waste of inventory.

Why is it important to understand and comply with Amazon’s expiration date policy?

Understanding and complying with Amazon’s expiration date policy is essential for FBA sellers who want to sell items with expiration dates.

By following the rules and requirements outlined by Amazon, sellers can effectively manage their inventory, avoid costly mistakes, and maintain compliance with regulations.

It’s important to be aware of the specific requirements for expiration-dated items, including labeling, shipping, and time constraints.

By understanding and adhering to these guidelines, FBA sellers can confidently source and sell profitable items with expiration dates on Amazon’s marketplace.

Conclusion

Understanding and complying with Amazon’s expiration date policy is crucial for FBA sellers who want to sell items with expiration dates.

By following the rules and requirements outlined by Amazon, you can effectively manage your inventory, avoid costly mistakes, and maintain compliance with regulations.

It’s important to be aware of the specific requirements for expiration-dated items, including labeling, shipping, and time constraints.

When it comes to labeling, make sure to display the expiration date in the correct format and font size as specified by Amazon.

When shipping, ensure that each box contains only ASINs with the same expiration date to facilitate accurate tracking. And don’t forget to consider the time constraints, with items needing a remaining shelf life of more than 90 days upon arrival at the FBA warehouse.

By understanding and adhering to these guidelines, you can confidently source and sell profitable items with expiration dates on Amazon’s marketplace.

Remember, compliance is key to maintaining a successful business. Stay informed, stay compliant, and continue to thrive as an Amazon FBA seller.