Overview

Amazon enforces strict guidelines for sellers who list ink and toner cartridges on the marketplace. These rules are designed to protect customers from receiving defective, mislabeled, or improperly packaged products. Whether you sell original brand cartridges, compatible alternatives, or remanufactured units, understanding these requirements is essential to staying compliant and avoiding listing removals.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• No used or refurbished condition listings — Amazon prohibits sellers from listing ink or toner cartridges in "Used" or "Refurbished" condition. All cartridge listings, including remanufactured, refilled, and compatible products, must be listed in "New" condition.
• Separate ASINs for non-OEM products — Remanufactured, refilled, and compatible cartridges must be listed on their own ASINs. Sellers cannot piggyback on the original manufacturer's product listing.
• Sealed retail packaging required — Every ink or toner cartridge must arrive in unopened retail packaging. Open-box items or cartridges sold in bare factory foil wrapping are not permitted.
• Expiration date rules apply — Cartridges with manufacturer-printed expiration dates must be shipped to customers with at least 180 days remaining before expiration. FBA sellers need to send inventory to fulfillment centers well ahead of that 180-day cutoff.
• UPCs required for major brands — Listings for cartridges from well-known brands must include valid UPC or GTIN codes, including for bundles and multipacks.

Cartridge Categories Explained

Amazon classifies ink and toner cartridges into four distinct types, and sellers must categorize their products accordingly. Same-brand cartridges (also called OEM) are manufactured by the same company that makes the printer — think HP cartridges for HP printers, or Canon cartridges for Canon printers. Compatible cartridges are designed to work with a specific printer but are produced by a third-party manufacturer, not the original printer brand. These are typically made with mostly or entirely new parts and components. are previously used cartridges that have been disassembled, cleaned, had worn parts replaced, and refilled with fresh ink or toner. Finally, are used cartridges that have simply been topped off with new ink or toner without any disassembly, cleaning, or part replacement.