Overview

Amazon enforces strict rules around products with expiration dates that are stored and fulfilled through FBA. Sellers who send in items with limited shelf life need to understand minimum remaining shelf-life requirements, proper date labeling, and packaging standards — or risk having inventory disposed of and potentially losing selling privileges.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• Broad definition of expiration-dated products — Amazon considers any product with a shelf life or that loses effectiveness over time to be expiration-dated, even if no date is printed on the packaging. This includes food, supplements, cosmetics, cleaning supplies, and even bundled products where one component can expire.
• Minimum shelf life required at check-in — Products must have enough remaining shelf life for full consumption plus an additional 90-day buffer when they arrive at a fulfillment center. For example, a supplement bottle with 240 daily servings needs at least 330 days of remaining shelf life.
• Strict labeling rules apply — All ingestible products must display a clear expiration or manufacturing date. Lot numbers alone are not sufficient. Baby food and formula specifically require expiration dates without exception.
• One expiration date per ASIN per box — When shipping to fulfillment centers, each box can only contain one expiration date per ASIN. If you have the same product with different expiration dates, they must go in separate boxes.
• Expired products will be destroyed — Any items that arrive at a fulfillment center past their expiration date are marked for disposal and cannot be returned to you.

Shelf-Life Minimums by Product Category

Amazon publishes specific minimum shelf-life requirements that vary significantly by product type. Snack foods like chips and crackers need at least 90 days of remaining life at arrival. Dried fruit and baby formula require 180 days, while beverages including coffee, tea, and juice need 270 days. Condiments, dressings, and baking supplies also fall in the 270-day range. Products like salt, pepper, and jams must have at least 365 days remaining. The longest requirements apply to vitamin and mineral supplements at 730 days, and personal care products such as shampoos, lotions, and cosmetics at 900 days. Cleaning supplies also carry the 900-day minimum. These thresholds mean sellers need to plan their supply chain carefully to ensure products arrive well within these windows.