Amazon Product Expiration Guidelines Print
Modified on: Thu, 29 Dec, 2022 at 12:56 PM
Date-Sensitive Products:
Watch this brief video for examples of how to prep your products for shipment to and storage in Amazon fulfillment centers:
Expiration Date Labels and Requirements:
Date and temperature-sensitive products
All topical and ingestible products (including nutritional supplements), be it for human or animal consumption, will be considered date sensitive.
IMPORTANT: Amazon considers a “best by” or “sell by” date equivalent to an expiration date in order to provide customers the best possible experience.
Food and beverage products (or units containing food or beverage) and products sensitive to temperatures will only be accepted if they meet the following requirements:
- A product that has an expiration date may be listed with FBA as long as the unit is lot-controlled and the remaining shelf life is greater than 90 daysfrom the time of receipt by Amazon.
- Units that are within 50 days of the expiration date will be removed for disposal by Amazon.
- Units subject to disposal will not be available for return.
- Some products would need to be received earlier than 90 days. For example: a daily supplement that had 240 tablets, the remaining shelf life would be 240 days or greater, however the same supplement with only 180 tablets would have a remaining shelf life of 180 days or greater.
- Products that can expire must have the expiration date printed on the master carton in 36 (or larger) point font AND on the individual/retail display unit.
- Expiration dates must be displayed in the format MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYYY. If the expiration date is printed in a different format, a sticker with the correct format must be applied, covering the original expiration date. Lot numbers alone are insufficient.
Please note: Numerical date formats are preferred. However, expiration dates that are stated with an alphabetical abbreviation for the month (for example, DD-JAN-YYYY) are also acceptable. - Note: Products that are printed with a "manufactured date" must have this date covered and labeled with an Expiration date in the above format. Failure to cover the manufactured date on a product may cause delays in receiving your products, or may cause your products to be received as "Expired."
- Expiration dates must be displayed in the format MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYYY. If the expiration date is printed in a different format, a sticker with the correct format must be applied, covering the original expiration date. Lot numbers alone are insufficient.
- Products with expiration dates cannot be commingled and must have FBA labels. For more about FBA label requirements, please refer to the FBA help page for Labeled Inventory.
- Products must be fully enclosed and sealed in packaging suitable for shipping.
IMPORTANT: There are a small number of categories, specifically consumable products, that have different expiration dates than the ones described above. If you are in doubt, please contact Seller Support for details.
Products that expire and are contained in packaging that requires additional prep, such as glass jars or bottles, must be prepped to ensure that the expiration date is accessible for Amazon associates during the receive process.
- You are required to include the expiration date on the outside of the prepped product. The expiration date must be printed on a label in a human-readable font, in the required format, MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYYY. For example, if the product is bubble wrapped and the barcode is obscured and no longer scannable, a label with the expiration date must be placed on the outside of the bubble wrap along with the product label.
- Units that are labeled with the incorrect expiration date may lead to increased customer returns for your units, or negative customer reviews.
- Failure to include the expiration date on the outside of the prepped unit may cause the unit to be relabeled at your cost.
Temperature-sensitive products
- Temperature-sensitive products must be able to withstand at least a minimum temperature of 50 degrees and at least a maximum temperature of 100 degrees for the duration of the product's shelf life without adversely affecting product quality. Carton markings must not include storage temperature requirements unless expressed explicitly as a range from 50 to 100 degrees.
- FBA accepts products that are subject to melting (such as chocolates) between October 1 and April 30 of each calendar year.
- Meltable products that are sent to FBA between May 1 and September 30 will be received as unfulfillable or disposed of.
- Any unsold meltable inventory in the Amazon fulfillment center after May 1 of each year may be determined to be unfulfillable and disposed of.
- You must submit a removal order to have your unsold meltable inventory returned to you prior to May 1 of each calendar year. Review the "Returns timing" section of the Removal Orders help page to ensure that you submit your removal or disposal order so that the inventory is returned or disposed of before May 1.
- No products requiring refrigeration, air conditioning, or freezing are allowed.
- No perishables, including but not limited to fresh meats, fruits, or vegetables, are allowed. This may include some supplements, such as probiotics.
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As an expert in e-commerce logistics and Amazon's seller policies, I bring a wealth of knowledge and practical experience in navigating the intricacies of selling on the platform. My expertise extends to the guidelines and best practices associated with handling date-sensitive products, particularly those with expiration dates and temperature considerations.
Let's delve into the concepts presented in the provided article:
Date-Sensitive Products:
1. Date and Temperature-Sensitive Products:
- Considered Products: All topical and ingestible products, including nutritional supplements, for human or animal consumption.
- Definition of Expiration Date: Amazon considers "best by" or "sell by" dates as equivalent to expiration dates for customer satisfaction.
- Acceptance Criteria for Food and Beverage Products:
- Expiration date must be greater than 90 days from receipt by Amazon.
- Units within 50 days of expiration will be removed for disposal.
- Labeling Requirements:
- Expiration date on master carton and individual/retail display unit.
- Must be in 36-point font or larger.
- Format: MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYYY.
- Lot numbers alone are insufficient.
- Numerical Date Formats Preferred: DD-JAN-YYYY is also acceptable.
- Manufactured Date: If present, it must be covered, and an expiration date must be added.
2. FBA Labeling and Packaging:
- No Commingling: Products with expiration dates cannot be commingled.
- FBA Labels: Required for products with expiration dates.
- Packaging: Must be fully enclosed and sealed for shipping.
3. Prepping for Additional Packaging:
- Prep for Certain Packaging: Products in glass jars or bottles need prep.
- Expiration Date Accessibility: Must be accessible during the receive process.
- Labeling: Expiration date must be on the outside in a human-readable font.
4. Temperature-Sensitive Products:
- Temperature Requirements: Must withstand a minimum of 50 degrees and a maximum of 100 degrees.
- Melting Products: Acceptable between October 1 and April 30.
- Unsold Meltable Inventory: Removal order required before May 1 each year.
- Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, Freezing: Not allowed.
- Perishables: Not allowed, including fresh meats, fruits, vegetables, and certain supplements.
Conclusion:
Ensuring compliance with Amazon's guidelines for date-sensitive and temperature-sensitive products is crucial for a seamless and successful selling experience. Adhering to these requirements not only avoids potential issues like disposal and customer returns but also enhances the overall customer satisfaction and trust in your products.
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