How to Fix Seller Central Error 90057: Invalid Attribute Values in Product Listings
Error 90057 occurs when a required attribute in a flat‑file upload contains a value not matching Amazon’s approved list. In a recent case, 500 apparel items with extra spaces like “Blue ” caused the error, but correcting entries via the template’s dropdown and re‑uploading a 20‑item test cleared it. Using the latest flat‑file template and selecting values from the built‑in dropdown prevents the halt.
Overview
Sellers uploading product data with Amazon’s flat‑file templates frequently encounter error 90057 when a required attribute contains a value that does not match Amazon’s approved list. The issue appears during the validation stage of a bulk upload and can halt the entire file’s processing, forcing sellers to pause their listing schedule. Fixing the error quickly is essential to keep catalog updates on track, especially during high‑volume periods.
Key Points
- Root cause — The error is raised when an attribute receives a value outside the predefined dropdown options for that field.
- Error wording — The message typically reads: “[attribute] field contains an invalid value: []. Choose from the valid set of values."
- Template cues – In the uploaded spreadsheet, columns flagged by Amazon are highlighted in orange, pinpointing the exact cells that need correction.
- Product‑type dependency – Each product type (PT) has its own list of permissible values; using a template that omits the relevant PT will leave some attributes without proper dropdowns.
- Copy‑paste trap – Pasting text into a dropdown column rather than selecting from the list is a common way to introduce hidden characters or outdated terminology that triggers the error.
How the Validation System Works
- File submission — When a seller uploads a flat file, Amazon’s backend scans every controlled‑vocabulary column (e.g., Color, Size, Material).
- Example: A seller submits a file for a line of kitchen knives; the “Blade Material” column is checked against Amazon’s approved list such as “Stainless Steel,” “Carbon Steel,” etc.
- Value comparison — The system compares each cell’s content with the master list stored for that attribute and product type.
- Example: The seller entered “Stainless‑steel” (lower‑case “s” and hyphen) which does not exactly match “Stainless Steel,” causing a mismatch.
- — Any cell that fails the exact‑match test is marked, the column turns orange in the template, and an error code 90057 is returned in the upload report.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
Although error 90057 doesn’t affect account health, it can pause a 500‑item apparel upload, adding labor and delaying launches. Fixing it within one upload cycle saves hours of rework and keeps seasonal launches on schedule.
Key Takeaways
- Error 90057 is triggered when a controlled‑vocabulary field (e.g., Color, Blade Material) contains a value outside Amazon’s exact‑match list.
- In the example, 500 apparel rows with extra spaces or typos like “Redd” caused the error, but a pilot upload of 20 rows identified issues early.
- The template highlights invalid cells in orange and provides a dropdown menu with approved values such as “Red,” “Blue,” “Stainless Steel.”
- Using the latest flat‑file template that includes all relevant product types (PTs) prevents missing dropdowns for attributes like Material Type.
Recommended Actions
- →In Seller Central, go to Inventory > Add Products via Upload, download the correct flat‑file template for all product types you’ll list, and open t...
- →Open the uploaded file, locate orange‑highlighted cells, click each cell and select the proper value from the built‑in dropdown (e.g., change “Redd...
- →Save the file as .txt or .xlsx, then re‑upload it via the same “Add Products via Upload” page and verify the validation report shows no error 90057.
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