Overview

Amazon has upgraded the Catalog Items API (v2022‑04‑01) by adding a classifications query option. The new parameter lets sellers and vendors retrieve the complete category tree for any ASIN in the same request they use to pull item details. Consolidating this data into a single SP‑API endpoint removes the need for the older MWS category calls and speeds up integration workflows.

Key Points

• New query flag — The classifications flag is placed inside the includedData array, enabling a single call to return both product attributes and the full category hierarchy.
• MWS retirement — Legacy MWS operations GetProductCategoriesForSKU (seller) and GetProductCategoriesForASIN (vendor) are scheduled for deprecation and will cease delivering data after the upcoming quarterly update.
• Complete hierarchy — The response now includes every level from the root node to the leaf node, for example “Home & Kitchen > Kitchen & Dining > Cookware”, instead of a single category identifier.
• Unified security — All requests rely on SP‑API authentication (LWA token plus IAM role), eliminating the separate credential set that MWS required.
• Batch capability — Up to 20 ASINs can be queried in one request, reducing the number of HTTP calls needed for large inventories and lowering overall latency.

How the Classifications Parameter Works

1. Authenticate with SP‑API — Obtain an LWA access token and assume the IAM role that grants Catalog Items permissions.

   • Example: Using the AWS SDK, invoke sts.assumeRole with a policy such as AmazonSPAPIAccess, then exchange the temporary security credentials for an LWA token via Amazon’s token endpoint.

2. Compose the request URL — Add includedData=classifications to the GET /catalog/v0/items endpoint and list the desired ASINs in the query parameter.