Overview

Error 8012 is a common product listing error that Amazon sellers encounter when uploading inventory files or product data feeds through Seller Central. This error indicates that the Item Type (also called Product Type) field is either missing entirely or contains a value that Amazon does not recognize. Since the Item Type determines which department and browse node your product appears under on Amazon.com, resolving this error is essential for getting your listings live and properly categorized.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• Item Type is a required field — Every product listing submitted through a flat file or data feed must include a valid Item Type value. Amazon uses this to classify your product into the correct department and browse category.
• Invalid values trigger the error — If you enter an Item Type that does not match Amazon's accepted values for your product category, the upload will be rejected with Error 8012.
• Blank fields also cause this error — Leaving the Item Type column empty in your inventory file or omitting the element from your XML feed will produce the same result.
• Valid values vary by category — Each product category has its own set of accepted Item Type values. There is no universal list, so you need to check the correct reference for your specific category.
• This error blocks your listing entirely — Products flagged with Error 8012 will not go live on Amazon until the issue is corrected and the file is resubmitted.

Understanding the Item Type Field

The Item Type field is one of the core classification attributes that Amazon requires for every product. It tells Amazon's catalog system which product category template to apply, which in turn determines the browse node (department and subcategory) where your listing appears to shoppers. For example, a kitchen product might use an Item Type like "kitchen-utensils" while a pet product might use "dog-collars." When this field is missing or contains a value Amazon cannot map, the system cannot determine where to place your product, and the entire listing submission is rejected. This is distinct from other listing errors because it prevents the product from being created in Amazon's catalog at all.