Amazon Seller Policy Update: Urgent Requirement to Remove Meltable Inventory
Starting in a few weeks, sellers using Fulfillment By Amazon (FBA) will be required to remove all meltable inventory from fulfillment centers. This policy will last through the summer months, and places the onus on sellers to handle relocating their inventory outside of FBA. In this blog, we walk sellers through the timeline of these policies, and how sellers can handle disputes with Amazon over FBA.
FBA Meltable Inventory Update
By April 20th, sellers are required to remove all meltable inventory from their FBA inventory. At that time, Amazon will begin charging disposal fees and penalizing sellers who do not comply with this updated policy. Meltable inventory will be stockable again in Amazon’s FBA warehouses in late-September, as this policy primarily targets months during the Summer.
Meltable products include things like food/candy, wax-based products, and anything else that could melt at higher temperatures in these warehouses. It is important to note that you can still sell these products, but they cannot be sold through FBA and must be fulfilled by you the seller.
If you have not taken care of your meltable inventory by May 1st, you can pay a fee to Amazon to have them dispose of it for you. Doing so will help to ensure that your account stays in good health with Amazon, and is vital to prevent product suspension when you return to being allowed to stock meltable goods in the Fall.
AMZ FBA Lost Inventory Disputes
If you have been selling on Amazon for a while and use Fulfillment By Amazon, it is an unfortunate reality that many sellers will encounter lost inventory. Often, Amazon is willing to compensate you for this inventory, but requires extensive proof and potentially filing for arbitration to force their hand.
Arbitration is a private legal proceeding that plays out much like a courtroom, but with an independent arbitrator handing out a legally binding decision. For lost inventory cases, arbitration is often a final step after attempting to resolve the issue through filing a reimbursement claim with Amazon, then filing for pre-arbitration to up the pressure to resolve your case. However, if arbitration is required, you want to be prepared with extensive evidence of how your goods were lost, and how much you are owed.
Contact Amazon Sellers Lawyer Today!
At Amazon Sellers Lawyer, we help sellers with the arbitration process, finding key evidence and making convincing arguments as to why you are owed money. We have been focused exclusively on helping Amazon sellers since 2016, filing dozens of arbitrations every year. If FBA has lost your inventory and you don’t know your next step, give us a call at 212-256-1109 or fill out our online form here.
About the Author
CJ Rosenbaum, Esq.
CJ Rosenbaum is the founding partner of Amazon Sellers Lawyer. He’s been practicing law since 1995, and since 2016 his firm has focused exclusively on helping Amazon sellers deal with issues like suspensions, intellectual property disputes, and withheld funds.
CJ has written six books on Amazon seller legal issues including the Amazon Sellers’ Guide to Copyright Law. He has spoken at major industry events like the Prosper Show, Global Sources Summit, Retail Global. CJ also works with the Amazon Sellers Lawyer team to provide free content for Amazon sellers. This is available through their online blog and YouTube channel, frequently covering major Amazon updates and important topics relevant to the seller space.
Through BrandProtectionAmazon.com, the firm also supports brands in protecting their products. This gives the team the unique opportunity to learn from case wins on both sides of the fence, strengthening protection for both the sellers and brands that Rosenbaum & Segall P.C. represents.
Amazon repeatedly rejecting your Plan of Action? Amazon Sellers Lawyer handles suspension appeals and account reinstatement cases – including arbitration against Amazon when they’re withholding seller money. Contact us to discuss your situation and figure out the best path forward.