Overview

Amazon maintains a comprehensive set of product guidelines that govern what sellers can list and how products must be presented on the marketplace. These guidelines span a wide range of categories — from adult products and chemical safety to ink cartridges and software — and understanding them is essential for maintaining your selling privileges and avoiding listing removals.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• Multiple category-specific rules apply — Amazon enforces distinct guidelines for different product types including adult products, chemicals, food items, electronics, and media. Sellers must review the rules specific to their product categories before listing.
• CPSIA compliance is mandatory — Products subject to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act must include proper cautionary statements and meet federal safety standards, particularly for items marketed to children.
• USDA regulations govern food and agricultural products — Sellers offering food, supplements, or agricultural items must comply with USDA requirements in addition to Amazon's own marketplace rules.
• Chemical and safety regulations are strictly enforced — Products containing chemicals must meet safety regulations, and sellers should be prepared to answer frequently asked questions about chemical compliance and provide proper documentation.
• NIOSH standards apply to relevant products — Items related to workplace safety or respiratory protection must meet National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health standards.
• Ink and toner cartridges have specific listing rules — Amazon has dedicated guidelines for ink and toner products to address issues like counterfeit cartridges and proper product condition descriptions.

How Product Guidelines Work

Amazon's product guidelines function as a gatekeeper system that determines whether your listings remain active and compliant on the platform. Each product category has its own set of requirements that sellers must satisfy before and during the listing process. These guidelines are not optional suggestions — they are enforceable rules that Amazon uses to protect buyers and maintain marketplace integrity. Violations can result in listing suppression, account warnings, or in severe cases, account suspension. Sellers should treat these guidelines as the baseline standard for every product they offer.