How to Fix Error 6000: TimeValue Outside Accepted Range in Amazon Feeds
Error 6000 is triggered when any time field in a flat‑file or XML feed is not a six‑digit HHMMSS string (e.g., 214500). Valid values range from 000000 to 235959; values like 236060 are rejected. Adding a pre‑submission check such as =TEXT(A2,"000000") can automate compliance.
Overview
Amazon sellers encounter Error 6000 when a time value in a flat‑file or XML feed does not meet Amazon’s strict formatting rules. The feed is rejected, preventing updates to inventory, pricing, or availability. Fixing the issue requires reformatting every time entry to the exact six‑digit HHMMSS pattern and resubmitting the file, a step that can be automated to avoid future disruptions.
Key Points
- Error trigger — The feed is blocked when any time field deviates from the required six‑digit, separator‑free format, causing Amazon’s validation engine to reject the entire submission.
- Six‑digit rule — Time must be expressed as a continuous six‑digit string (e.g.,
235959), with no colons, dashes, spaces, or AM/PM markers. - Acceptable range — Valid values span from
000000(midnight) to235959(one second before the next day), covering the full 24‑hour clock. - Resubmission requirement — The only remedy is to correct the offending values in the source file and upload the revised feed through Seller Central or the API.
- Common source — Spreadsheet exports and third‑party inventory tools often insert colon separators or retain 12‑hour clock formats, leading to automatic rejections.
- Automation safeguard — Adding a pre‑submission validation step that enforces the HHMMSS pattern can eliminate the error for large catalogs and scheduled uploads.
How the Time Format Works
- Extract hour, minute, second — Identify the three components of the time you need to convey. For instance, a sale that ends at 9:45 PM translates to hour = 21, minute = 45, second = 00.
- Convert to 24‑hour numeric string — Concatenate the components without any punctuation:
21+45+00becomes214500. This six‑digit string is the exact value Amazon expects. - Validate range — Ensure the hour portion is between 00 and 23, the minute between 00 and 59, and the second between 00 and 59. A value like fails because both minutes and seconds exceed their limits.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
The feed rejection halts inventory, pricing, or deal updates, which can cost sales during peak periods. Correcting the time format restores the feed, allowing listings to go live on schedule and preventing revenue loss.
Key Takeaways
- Error 6000 occurs when a time field deviates from the required six‑digit, separator‑free HHMMSS format.
- Amazon accepts only values between 000000 (midnight) and 235959; e.g., 236060 fails validation.
- Converting 12‑hour times like 09:45 PM to 24‑hour numeric strings (214500) resolves the error.
- A pre‑submission validation step (e.g., Excel formula =TEXT(A2,"000000") or a Python script) can automatically enforce the format.
Recommended Actions
- →In Seller Central, open the rejected feed, locate every “TimeValue” column or XML tag, and replace entries like 09:45:00 PM with the six‑digit stri...
- →Update your export template or add an Excel macro that strips non‑numeric characters and applies =TEXT(A2,"000000") to produce HHMMSS before saving.
- →Implement a validation script (Python/VBA/JavaScript) that scans the file for non‑numeric characters and flags values outside 000000‑235959, then r...
Comments
Join the discussion
Log in or create an account to share your thoughts on this update.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!