Overview

Amazon enforces specific condition guidelines for sellers listing products in the Video Games category. These rules dictate how sellers must grade and describe the physical and functional state of their inventory, covering everything from packaging expectations to bonus content disclosures. Understanding these standards is essential for avoiding listing removals, negative buyer feedback, and potential account health issues.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• Approval may be required — Certain products within the Video Games category are gated, meaning sellers must obtain approval before creating listings. Check your eligibility in Seller Central before sourcing inventory.
• U.S. market assumption — Unless otherwise specified, all video game items sold on Amazon.com are assumed to be U.S. region products. Sellers listing imports or region-locked titles must clearly disclose this.
• Packaging matters for New condition — New video game items are assumed to come in full retail packaging unless the listing title states otherwise. Plain white boxes, brown boxes, or non-retail packaging are not permitted for New condition listings unless explicitly noted.
• Bonus content codes may be missing or expired — Across all used conditions, Amazon allows that redemption codes for bonus online content may be missing or expired. Sellers are not required to guarantee these codes will work.
• Downloadable content is not guaranteed — Used video game listings may not include downloadable content (DLC) that was originally bundled with the product.
• Essential materials rule — Acceptable condition items must still include essential accompanying material. A game disc alone without critical components may not qualify for listing.

Condition Definitions for Video Games

Amazon defines five condition tiers for video games, each with distinct requirements. New condition means the item is sealed in its original full retail packaging with all inserts, manuals, and bonus content codes intact. The product must be indistinguishable from what a buyer would receive from a retail store. Any deviation from standard retail packaging must be called out in the product title.