How Amazon's Automotive Fitment Manager (AFM) Works for Vehicle Parts Sellers
Amazon's Automotive Fitment Manager (AFM) is the required tool for submitting vehicle compatibility data for auto parts listings. This reference covers how to submit ACES-format fitment data directly or through third-party providers.
Overview
Amazon's Automotive Fitment Manager (AFM) is the dedicated tool that automotive sellers must use to submit vehicle compatibility data for their parts and accessories listings. Fitment data tells customers exactly which vehicles a part fits, making it essential for reducing returns and improving the buyer experience. Understanding how AFM works is critical for any seller in the automotive parts category who wants their products to display accurate fitment information.
Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know
- AFM is the only accepted submission tool - Amazon exclusively receives fitment data through the Automotive Fitment Manager. No other method is supported, and the legacy Amazon Marketplace Transport Utility (AMTU) has been replaced.
- Data follows the ACES standard - All fitment data must be submitted in ACES (Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard) XML format, which is the industry-standard way of describing vehicle compatibility.
- Two submission paths exist - Sellers can submit fitment data directly through AFM or indirectly through an approved third-party data provider.
- Multi-region support - AFM accepts fitment data for the United States, Canada, and Mexico, identified by region IDs 1, 2, and 3 respectively in ACES files.
- Processing takes up to one week - Uploaded fitment data can take up to seven days to match to existing products on Amazon, and potentially longer for newly created listings.
- Amazon does not edit submitted data - Once fitment data is in their system, Amazon can only delete fitment records, not modify them. Accuracy at the time of submission is essential.
How Fitment Data Submission Works
Fitment data flows through several systems after being submitted via AFM. The data is uploaded as XML feeds in the ACES format and passes through a pipeline that ultimately matches fitment information to ASINs in Amazon's product catalog. Sellers should understand that Amazon accepts fitment data from multiple sources, so the data you provide may not be the only fitment information displayed for a given product. Region-specific data in ACES files determines where fitment information is applied — if a region is specified, the data only applies to that marketplace. If data is submitted without a region designation (regionless), it may apply across multiple regions. Deleting region-specific data only affects that single region, while deleting regionless data impacts all applicable regions.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
Automotive parts sellers rely on accurate fitment data to match products to specific vehicles, which directly impacts conversion rates and return rates. Without proper AFM setup, listings may lack critical compatibility information that buyers need.
Key Takeaways
- AFM is Amazon's only accepted tool for fitment data — the legacy AMTU has been retired
- Fitment data must be in ACES XML format and can take up to one week to process
- Not all sellers are approved as direct fitment providers — Amazon prioritizes manufacturers and brand owners
- Submitted fitment data cannot be edited by Amazon, only deleted, so accuracy at submission is critical
Recommended Actions
- →Decide whether to submit fitment data directly or through a third-party provider based on your ACES data capabilities
- →Prepare your AAIA brand list and example ACES file before requesting AFM access through Seller Central
- →If fitment data doesn't appear within one week, open a Seller Central case with your provider name, brand, submission date, and example ASINs
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