Update: Feed retention policy change from 90 days to 28 days
Effective May 30 2024, Amazon will cut feed document retention from 90 days to 28 days for feeds submitted via the Feeds API. Files uploaded on or after that date disappear after 28 days, while pre‑May 30 uploads keep the 90‑day window. Sellers must download the feed via GetFeedDocument within the window to avoid loss.
Overview
Starting May 30 2024, Amazon will cut the time it keeps feed documents from the long‑standing 90‑day period to just 28 days. The change applies only to feeds submitted through the Amazon Feeds API, meaning sellers who automate product, inventory, or pricing updates must revise their data‑retention and troubleshooting processes. Missing the new deadline will prevent access to older feed files, potentially disrupting audits, compliance checks, and support interactions.
Key Points
- Retention window trimmed — Feed files posted on or after May 30 2024 will disappear after 28 days instead of the previous three‑month window.
- Pre‑May 30 uploads exempt — Any feed uploaded before the cutoff continues to enjoy the original 90‑day lifespan, giving sellers a short transition period for historic data.
- API‑only impact — The rule targets feeds sent via the Feeds API; files uploaded through Seller Central’s web interface remain unaffected.
- Audit‑trail pressure — Sellers that rely on feed logs for regulatory or performance reviews now must capture the XML or flat‑file content within four weeks of submission.
- Support‑ticket surge risk – Without timely backups, sellers may encounter “feed not found” errors when trying to view processing results after the 28‑day limit expires.
- Automation encouragement — Amazon recommends embedding a download‑and‑store step into existing order‑processing pipelines to preserve feed data automatically.
How the Retention Change Works
- Feed submission — A seller sends a product, inventory, or price update through the Feeds API after May 30 2024; Amazon generates a unique Feed ID and begins processing. Example: On June 5 2024 a seller uploads an inventory file containing 10,000 rows and receives Feed ID 123‑ABC.
- Retention countdown starts — The moment the feed document is successfully stored, a 28‑day timer begins. During this interval the file can be fetched via the GetFeedDocument endpoint. Example: The June 5 2024 inventory feed remains downloadable until July 3 2024.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
The shortened 28‑day window limits the time sellers have to retrieve feed files for audits, compliance checks, or troubleshooting. Missing the deadline triggers “Document not found” errors, forcing teams to reconstruct data from other sources. Automating backups ensures continuous access and reduces support tickets.
Key Takeaways
- Retention window reduced to 28 days for feeds submitted via the Feeds API on or after May 30 2024.
- Feeds uploaded before May 30 2024 retain the previous 90‑day retention period.
- After 28 days the document is removed; the Feed ID remains queryable but GetFeedDocument returns a 404.
- Amazon advises embedding a download‑and‑store step (e.g., Lambda listening to FeedProcessingFinished) to preserve feeds automatically.
Recommended Actions
- →Add a GetFeedDocument call in your FeedProcessingFinished notification handler and store the file in an S3 bucket (e.g., AWS Lambda > S3).
- →Update internal SOPs to include a step: retrieve feeds via GetFeedDocument within 28 days; reference the API docs in your knowledge base.
- →Create a CloudWatch alarm for 404 responses from GetFeedDocument to alert the ops team of expired feeds.
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