Helium 10 Buzz 11/23/22: Amazon Health Assurance | New FBA Fees | Black Friday Prep
On Nov 23 2022 Helium 10 reported Amazon’s Health Assurance rollout, obligating sellers of health‑related items to upload safety documents within 14 days. Referral fees rise 0.5 % (Health & Personal Care to 15.5 %, Sports & Outdoors to 12.5 %), long‑term storage fees increase to $0.20/$0.35 per cu‑ft, and removal fees add $0.10 per unit. Sellers must act before Black Friday.
Overview
On November 23, 2022 Helium 10 released its weekly “Buzz” episode, highlighting three Amazon updates that directly affect sellers: the launch of Amazon Health Assurance, modest revisions to U.S. referral and FBA fees, and a detailed checklist for Black Friday readiness. The changes reshape cost calculations, compliance obligations, and seasonal inventory tactics, making them essential knowledge for anyone operating a storefront on Amazon.
Key Points
- Health Assurance rollout — Amazon now obligates sellers of health‑related items to submit safety documentation, aiming to curb counterfeit and unsafe products.
- Referral fee revisions — Select categories, such as Health & Personal Care and Sports & Outdoors, see a 0.5 % increase in referral percentages, nudging up overall expense for high‑volume merchants.
- Long‑term storage fee hike — The per‑cubic‑foot charge for inventory stored beyond 365 days rises from $0.15 to $0.20 for standard‑size units and from $0.30 to $0.35 for oversized units.
- Removal fee increase — Amazon adds $0.10 per unit to the cost of removing standard‑size inventory, encouraging proactive stock management.
- Black Friday timeline — Sellers are urged to lock in inventory levels and advertising plans by early November to capture premium placement during the holiday surge.
- Helium 10 tip — The weekly tip stresses leveraging the Inventory Performance Index (IPI) dashboard to identify excess stock before the new storage fees take effect.
How Amazon Health Assurance Works
- Eligibility screening — Sellers offering products in regulated categories—dietary supplements, personal care, medical devices, etc.—must enroll in Health Assurance. Example: A vendor listing vitamin C tablets must provide a Certificate of Analysis before the SKU becomes active.
- Document upload — Required safety data sheets, third‑party lab results, and compliance certificates are uploaded to a dedicated portal inside Seller Central. Example: A brand selling silicone facial masks attaches a lab‑verified biocompatibility report to satisfy the program’s standards.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
Health Assurance can remove listings if documentation isn’t submitted, risking sales loss, while the 0.5 % referral increase and higher storage/removal fees erode margins on high‑volume SKUs. Timely compliance and price adjustments are essential to maintain profitability during the peak Black Friday period.
Key Takeaways
- Health Assurance requires safety docs (Certificates of Analysis, lab reports) for health‑related SKUs, with a 14‑day upload deadline.
- Referral fee for Health & Personal Care rises from 15 % to 15.5 % and Sports & Outdoors from 12 % to 12.5 %.
- Long‑term storage fee per cu‑ft for standard‑size units jumps to $0.20 (oversized $0.35) after 365 days.
- Removal fee for standard‑size inventory increases by $0.10 per unit.
Recommended Actions
- →In Seller Central, go to Settings > Account Health > Health Assurance and upload required safety documents for each health‑related SKU within 14 days.
- →Update product pricing in the Manage Inventory view to offset the 0.5 % referral increase and higher storage/removal fees.
- →Check the Fees Dashboard (Reports > Fulfillment > Fees) to verify the new long‑term storage and removal rates before planning Black Friday inventory.
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