Overview

Error 99042 is a product listing validation error that occurs in Amazon Seller Central when a seller attempts to create or update a product listing without providing a value for the "item_type" field. This required field tells Amazon how to classify your product within its catalog, directly affecting product discoverability and search placement.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• The item_type field is mandatory — Amazon requires this value for every product listing, and submissions will be rejected without it.
• Item type determines product classification — This field controls where your product appears in Amazon's browse tree and category structure.
• Discoverability is at stake — An incorrect or missing item type can prevent customers from finding your product through category browsing and filtered searches.
• Category-specific values apply — Each product category on Amazon has its own set of valid item_type values, so sellers must use the correct one for their product's category.

How the Item Type Field Works

The item_type field serves as a classification identifier that maps your product to a specific node within Amazon's category hierarchy. When you submit a product listing through a flat file, inventory loader, or the Add a Product tool, Amazon validates that this field contains a recognized value. If the field is left blank or contains an invalid entry, the system returns Error 99042 and the listing will not be created or updated. This applies whether you are listing products individually or uploading listings in bulk via spreadsheet templates.

Finding Valid Item Type Values

To resolve this error, sellers need to locate the correct item_type value for their specific product category. Amazon provides category-specific inventory file templates, also known as flat file templates, which contain a list of accepted item_type values for each category. These templates can be downloaded directly from Seller Central by navigating to the inventory upload section. Sellers should select their product's category, download the corresponding template, and review the "item_type" column or the data definitions tab to find the appropriate value. Using the Browse Tree Guide (BTG) is another reliable method for identifying valid item_type entries, as it maps each product type to its correct classification within Amazon's catalog structure.