How to Fix Error 6000: Missing Double Quotation Mark in Inventory Files
Error 6000 is triggered when a required double‑quotation mark is missing in a tab‑delimited inventory file. A single omitted quote can reject an entire upload of up to 5,000 SKUs. Using Amazon’s “Inventory Loader” or “Inventory File – Professional Sellers” template prevents the issue.
Overview
Sellers uploading inventory or product listings via tab‑delimited text files sometimes see Error 6000. The message means a required double‑quotation mark is missing, which stops Amazon’s parser from reading the file correctly. Fixing the issue quickly prevents delays in getting new SKUs, price changes, or stock updates live.
Key Points
- Quotation marks mark field limits — In a tab‑delimited file, a pair of double quotes tells Amazon where a data field starts and ends, so any missing quote breaks the file structure.
- Special characters demand quoting — Fields that contain commas, tabs, line breaks, or an internal double quote must be wrapped in opening and closing double quotes.
- Inch symbols often cause the error — A product description that includes 12" or 5" uses the double‑quote character for inches, which the parser may mistake for a field delimiter if the whole field isn’t quoted.
- Official templates reduce risk — Amazon’s flat‑file templates automatically apply the correct quoting rules, so sellers who start from a template are less likely to encounter Error 6000.
- Manual edits increase exposure — Changing a downloaded file in a plain‑text editor rather than a spreadsheet program often removes required quotes, triggering the error.
How the Error Occurs
- Parser reads the file line by line — Amazon’s system scans each row, looking for tab characters to separate columns. If it encounters a double quote, it treats the following characters as part of the same field until it finds a matching closing quote. Example: a line that reads
SKU123<TAB>12"without surrounding quotes will cause the parser to think the field ends after the first quote, leaving the rest of the line orphaned. - Special‑character field lacks surrounding quotes — When a column contains a comma, newline, or an internal double quote (such as the inch symbol), the seller must enclose the entire column in a pair of double quotes. If the opening quote is present but the closing quote is omitted, the parser cannot locate the field’s end.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
A missing quote stops Amazon’s parser, causing the whole file to be rejected and delaying new SKUs, price changes, or stock updates. For large catalogs, one malformed row can halt thousands of items, leading to lost sales and extra manual re‑upload work.
Key Takeaways
- Error 6000 occurs when a required double‑quote is absent in a tab‑delimited inventory file.
- A single missing quote can cause rejection of an entire batch, e.g., a 5,000‑SKU upload.
- Amazon’s official "Inventory Loader" and "Inventory File – Professional Sellers" templates automatically apply correct quoting.
- Inch symbols (12" or 5") must be escaped as 12"" or wrapped in quotes to avoid the error.
Recommended Actions
- →In Seller Central go to Inventory > Add Products via Upload, download the official template, fill data in Excel/Google Sheets, and export as tab‑de...
- →Before uploading, open the file in a text editor, use Find to locate stray double quotes and replace 12" with 12"" inside quoted fields.
- →Upload a test batch of 10‑20 SKUs via Seller Central > Inventory > Add Products via Upload to confirm no Error 6000 before the full file.
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