Changes to program policies

Listed below are upcoming changes to Amazon’s program policies.

New EU Commission Standard Contractual Clauses program terms

Effective August 5, 2022, we are updating the Amazon Services Europe Business Solutions Agreement to reflect updated regulatory guidance on international data transfers.

For sellers located outside of the EEA and the UK, the changes to the Amazon Services Europe Business Solutions Agreement introduce a new program policy adopting the new European Commission and UK contractual mechanisms. This is known as the Controller to Controller Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) and the UK Addendum to the EU SCCs. This is for Amazon's transfer of EEA and UK Amazon customer information to sellers outside of the EEA and the UK as part of the Amazon services. The updates also provide further clarification on Amazon's and the seller's respective obligations under the applicable data protection law when handling Amazon customer information.

An English version with changes highlighted is available here. Courtesy translations in German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, and Polish will be published on Seller Central on August 5, 2022.

Your continued use of selling services after August 5, 2022, constitutes your acceptance of the changes.

Update to the European VAT Calculation Services methodology

We are making changes to the European VAT Calculation Services methodology Program Policy due to a change in the law, to expand SDI reporting to Italian Tax Authorities to include B2B and B2C cross-border sales of goods from Italy.

Effective July 25, 2022, these changes will apply to all sellers using the services covered by this Program Policy, who have a valid Italian VAT Registration Number and are physically present in Italy.

An English version with changes highlighted is available at the program policy link. Courtesy translations will be published on Seller Central on July 25, 2022.

Your continued use of Selling Services after the date of effectiveness constitutes your acceptance of the changes.

Listed below are upcoming changes to Amazon’s program policies.

Update to Amazon Renewed program terms

We are updating the Amazon Renewed program terms to specify that, in relation to Renewed products, sellers are required to provide Renewed customers with any mandatory legal guarantee relating to conformity for the period set out under applicable law.

Effective July 14, 2022, these changes will apply to all the sellers who use the services or features covered by the Amazon Renewed program terms.

An English version with changes highlighted is available at the program policy link. Courtesy translations will be published on Seller Central on July 14, 2022.

Your continued use of selling services after the date of effectiveness constitutes your acceptance of the changes.

Update to Amazon Renewed program terms

We are updating the Amazon Renewed program terms to introduce multiple cosmetic grades for Wireless (such as smartphones and smartwatches) and Personal Computer (such as laptops, tablets, and desktop PCs) product categories. Selling Partners can create offers on the same Renewed ASIN under three distinct cosmetic conditions: 1) Grade 1 - Excellent condition (former Amazon Renewed single grade), 2) Grade 2 - Good condition, and 3) Grade 3 - Acceptable condition.

Effective May 26, 2022, these changes will apply to all the sellers who use the services or features covered by the Amazon Renewed program terms on Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.it, Amazon.es, Amazon.nl and Amazon.se.

An English version with changes highlighted is available at the program policy link. Courtesy translations will be published on Seller Central on May 26, 2022. Your continued use of Selling Services after May 26, 2022, constitutes your acceptance of the changes.

If you have questions, reach out to Selling Partner Support.

Upcoming changes to program policies

We are making changes to our program policies that are applicable to all sellers who use the services or features covered by these policies.

Click the hyperlink added to each program policy below to view the upcoming changes that are highlighted in the English PDF document. Translations will be published on Seller Central on the effective date of policy roll out.

• Selling Policies and Seller Code of Conduct: We are updating the Seller Code of Conduct to include language explicitly prohibiting price fixing and search rank manipulation.

This change is applicable to Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.it, Amazon.es, Amazon.nl, Amazon.se, and Amazon.pl.

• Mediation Policy: We are specifying the fact that, in case of mediation, you have the option to designate one mediator among a list of two provided by the Center for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR).

This change is applicable to Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.it, Amazon.es, Amazon.nl, Amazon.se, and Amazon.pl.

• Amazon Renewed Program Terms: We are updating the Amazon Renewed Program Terms to reflect the following: i) the introduction of Negative Review Rate (as a percentage of total orders) and Product Quality Return Rate (as a percentage of total orders) as primary quality performance metrics and the deprecation of Negative Review Rate (as a percentage of all reviews) and Renewed Quality Score (RQS); ii) the introduction of mandatory minimum of one year of Auto Update support for Chrome devices; and iii) the requirement for mobile devices to maintain full functionality in the country they are sold, including wall plugs, charger voltage and frequency, cellular connectivity on all bands (including 4G, LTE, and 5G), and ability to set the product to the language of the country, if applicable.

This change is applicable to Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.it, Amazon.es, Amazon.nl, and Amazon.se.

This list is only a summary of the updates. For better understanding, we encourage you to review the updated program policies carefully.

If you have questions, contact Selling Partner Support.

Update on countries accepted for seller registration

Effective March 11, 2022, we are not accepting registrations from Russia or Belarus. For more information, see Countries accepted for seller registration.

Updates to Adult Products Policies

Effective January 17, 2022, all wand massagers and kegel/ben wa balls will be classified as adult products. These items will continue to be available for sale and discoverable to all customers searching for them within their current listing category. For more information, review the updates to the Adult products policies & guidelines that will go into effect on January 17, 2022.

Upcoming changes to program policies

We are making changes to our program policies that apply to all sellers who use the services or features covered by these policies.

The following changes will enter into effect on November 30, 2021:

• Monitor Your Account Health; Category, Product, and Content Restrictions; Order Defect Rate: We are clarifying these program policies to align with provisions of the Amazon Services Europe Business Solutions Agreement (BSA). As a result, we are deleting information about performance or removal actions that are covered in the BSA.

The following changes will enter into effect on December 15, 2021:

• FBA Inventory Required Removals policy: We are adding our existing FBA required removals page as a program policy, and updating it to introduce a shorter period of seven days (previously 30 days) to remove unfulfillable expiration-dated FBA inventory from our fulfillment centers after we notify you. We are shortening the notice period for expiration-dated products in order to prevent them from reaching the expiration date while still in storage in our fulfillment centers. This will allow more expiration-dated inventory to be suitable for donation if you choose not to remove it. We are also updating the policy to include certain other clarifications. Make sure to set your automated removal preferences for unfulfillable inventory in your FBA settings.

The following changes will enter into effect on January 10, 2022:

• Amazon Renewed Program Terms: We are updating the Amazon Renewed Program Terms to reflect the following: i) The introduction of mandatory minimum diagnostic tests for all wireless mobile phone devices sold in the Amazon Renewed EU stores, to ensure device functionality and data sanitization standards have been met, and ii) The requirement for Amazon Renewed sellers to be able to produce and maintain wireless mobile phone device test records, in order to support periodic inventory and order-level audits.

This list is a summary of the changes, so we encourage you to review the updated program policies carefully.

An English version with changes highlighted is available for each program policy at the corresponding link. Courtesy translations will be published on Seller Central on the effective date.

If you have questions, contact Selling Partner Support. Your continued use of Selling Services after the respective date of effectiveness constitutes your acceptance of the changes.

Update to Intellectual Property policy

Effective September 8, 2021, the Intellectual Property policy page will be updated to include Geographical Indications. A Geographical Indication right enables those who have the right to use the indication to prevent its use by a third party whose product does not conform to the applicable standards. We could remove offers that are not compliant with Art.103, paragraph 2 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a common organization of the markets in agricultural products.

Upcoming changes to program policies

Effective September 3, 2021, the following addition to our program policies goes into effect, and applies to all sellers who use the services or features covered by the policy.

• Amazon Renewed Program Terms: We are launching Amazon Renewed on amazon.se and adding the Amazon Renewed Program Terms as a new program policy, which governs participation in the program.

The Amazon Renewed Program Terms are available here.

If you have questions, reach out to Selling Partner Support. Your continued use of Selling Services after the date of effectiveness constitutes your acceptance of the changes.

Upcoming changes to program policies

We are making changes to our program policies that apply to all sellers who use the services or features covered by these policies.

The following changes will enter into effect on April 27, 2021:

• FBA lost and damaged inventory reimbursement policy: To simplify the reconciliation process, we are removing the requirement to wait until 30 days after the inventory is misplaced or damaged in an Amazon warehouse to file a claim. With Amazon’s new inventory adjustment report, warehouse lost or damaged inventory adjustments will be reported when they have been reconciled or are eligible for a reimbursement claim. For any warehouse lost or damaged inventory that has not been reimbursed or found, as shown in the inventory adjustment report, you can file a claim with Amazon immediately. If you disagree with Amazon‘s grading of items returned by customers as customer damaged or defective, you will have the ability to submit a claim. In order to file a claim, the disputed item must have been physically returned to you by means of a removal order. We are also updating the language regarding the reimbursement calculation methodology, in order to provide more clarity about how your reimbursements are calculated.

  A version in track changes of the FBA lost and damaged inventory reimbursement policy is available here in English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish.

• FBA Subscribe & Save policy: We are updating the FBA Subscribe & Save policy to reflect that the enrollment of new products in the program is no longer limited to brand owners registered in Amazon Brand Registry. Eligible, replenishable items will be automatically enrolled at a 0% base discount (that is, at no cost to sellers) and Amazon will fund a 5% customer discount for tiered deliveries when customers receive a fixed number of items in one delivery. Sellers who want to fund a customer discount can do so at 5% or 10%, and Amazon will fund an extra 5% under the applicable conditions. Sellers can opt out at any time.

  A version in track changes of the FBA Subscribe & Save policy is available here in English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish.

• Amazon Renewed Program Terms: We are updating the Amazon Renewed Program Terms to reflect the introduction of a fee that applies to Amazon Renewed products as of June 8, 2021. Additionally, we are updating our Amazon Renewed performance metrics to ensure the best customer experience.

  A version in track changes of the Amazon Renewed Program Terms is available here in English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish.

The following change will enter into effect on June 30, 2021, for Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.fr and Amazon.es, while on July 26, 2021, for Amazon.it:

• Maintain enrollment in Seller Fulfilled Prime policy: We are updating the Maintain enrollment in Seller Fulfilled Prime policy to improve the Prime customer experience. The required cut-off time to maintain eligibility for Seller Fulfilled Prime will be later. Note that the required cut-off time may change depending on the Amazon store. Additionally, for orders on the Amazon.co.uk store, you will be required to use ship methods that support pickups on at least one weekend day (Saturday or Sunday) in order to maintain eligibility for Seller Fulfilled Prime.

  A version in track changes of the Maintain enrollment in Seller Fulfilled Prime policy is available here in English, French, Italian, and Spanish.

We remind you of the following change entering into effect on April 19, 2021, as previously announced:

• Valid Tracking Rate (VTR) policy: We are adding the Valid Tracking Rate (VTR) policy to increase visibility on shipment tracking for customers. For non-prime seller fulfilled orders you are required, during shipping confirmation, to provide the name of the delivery service provider and delivery service you used as well as the valid tracking ID if you used a tracked delivery method. Also, you are required to reach a 95% Valid Tracking Rate (VTR). Consult the applicable Amazon store policy for detailed information on the respective VTR calculation per store.

This is a summary of the changes, so we encourage you to review the updated and new program policies carefully.

If you have questions, reach out to Selling Partner Support. Your continued use of Selling Services after the respective date of effectiveness constitutes your acceptance of the changes.

Upcoming changes to program policies

Effective January 1, 2021, we are making some updates to our program policies.

We are updating the Amazon Business invoicing policy to reflect the addition of a free automated solution, for selling partners who do not have an obligation to register for VAT in the EU or the UK, to comply with the Amazon Business invoicing policy. The new solution will automatically generate a receipt by Amazon on behalf of selling partners for all of their orders, and will make the receipts directly available to customers via their Amazon account.

We are also updating the Amazon marketplace fair pricing policy to provide more examples about pricing practices that harm customer trust with reference to shipping fees.

Additionally, we are updating the program policies listed below, to reflect certain changes related to the new trading relationship between the UK and the EU, changes in laws in the UK following Brexit, and to consolidate and clarify certain provisions regarding tax. We have also clarified your obligations to provide us with certain business details that may affect tax calculations on Amazon fees and, where applicable, on your transactions.

The following program policies are being updated on the above basis:

• Amazon Intellectual Property Policy
• VAT Agreement
• Europe Tax and Regulatory Considerations
• FBA Export Program Policy, and Terms and Conditions
• Using Hyperwallet with Amazon Terms and Conditions
• Amazon Renewed Program Terms
• Amazon Vine Terms and Conditions
• Amazon Business Supplier Program Terms and Conditions
• Amazon Responsible Person Service Terms and Conditions

Finally, we are also updating the content listed below within the overall Product Guidelines program policy, to reflect regulatory changes for product compliance related to Brexit:

• Low Voltage Directive (LVD)
• Energy Labelling Regulation
• Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive
• Recycle Electrical or Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
• Medical Devices Regulation
• Cosmetic Products Regulation
• Personal Protective Equipment Regulation (PPE Regulation)
• Adult products policies & guidelines
• EU Regulation on the Provision of Food Information to Consumers
• Condition Guidelines
• Information on sale of Chemicals – REACH and CLP
• Information on the Sale of Biocidal Products – Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR)
• EC Directive on Waste Batteries and accumulators
• EC Directive on Packaging waste
• EU Timber Regulation (EUTR)
• Plant Protection Products Regulation
• General Product Safety Directive (GPSD)
• Toy Safety Directive

An English version with changes highlighted is available for each program policy at the corresponding link. Courtesy translations in German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, and Swedish will be published on Seller Central on January 1, 2021.

If you have questions, reach out to Selling Partner Support. Your continued use of Selling Services after January 1, 2021, constitutes your acceptance of the changes.

Upcoming changes to programme policies

We are making some changes to the following programme policies:

• Selling Policies and Seller Code of Conduct: We are clarifying the limited circumstances under which sellers are allowed to set up multiple seller accounts.
• VAT Agreement: We are making a minor clarification to this policy to reflect the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union.
• EU VAT Services Online Agreement: We are updating our data processing terms and allowing for the participation of additional service providers in the VAT Services on Amazon programme.
• FBA Subscribe & Save (changes effective for amazon.co.uk and amazon.de only): We are introducing a new funding structure and automatic enrolment of eligible items. Eligible, replenishable items will be automatically enrolled at a 0% base discount (i.e., no cost to sellers) and Amazon will fund a 5% customer discount for tiered deliveries when customers receive five or more items in one delivery. Sellers who want to fund a customer discount can do so at 5% or 10%, and Amazon will fund an extra 5% under the applicable conditions. Sellers can opt out at any time.
• Amazon Renewed Global Quality Policy: We are updating quality requirements for Renewed products. Also, to improve customer experience, Renewed products (i) must be priced with a minimum 5% discount from the current featured offer on the new ASIN equivalent; and (ii) include the Amazon Renewed Programme Insert, which contains general information about the Amazon Renewed Programme. The changes to this policy will require participating sellers to source accessories for Apple iPhones from a list of pre-approved brands, to improve quality control.
• We are also adding the FBA Dangerous Goods programme terms and conditions as a new programme policy. This policy clarifies requirements regarding product eligibility, shipping requirements and storage limits applicable to the FBA Dangerous Goods programme in Europe. Refer to the help page for more information.

These changes will enter into effect in 15 days, i.e., June 15, 2020.

The above list doesn’t include all of the changes, so please review the updated programme policies carefully.

A redlined version of Selling Policies and Seller Code of Conduct is available here in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Dutch.

A redlined version of VAT Agreement is available here in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Dutch.

A redlined version of EU VAT Services Online Agreement is available here in English, German, French, Italian and Spanish.

A redlined version of FBA Subscribe & Save is available here in English and German. (changes effective for amazon.co.uk and amazon.de only)

A redlined version of Amazon Renewed Global Quality Policy is available here in English, German, French, Italian and Spanish.

If you have questions, reach out to Selling Partner Support. Your continued use of Selling Services after June 15, 2020, constitutes your acceptance of the updated programme policies.

Upcoming changes to the Amazon Business invoicing policy

We are making changes to the Amazon Business invoicing policy. From March 20, 2020, the Amazon Business invoicing policy will no longer allow you to use the Buyer-Seller Messaging Service to provide invoices and credit notes to Amazon Business customers.

Business customers have indicated that they prefer to be able to download invoices from their account rather than receiving them as email attachments. To ensure the best customer experience, you will be required to provide downloadable invoices and credit notes via the VAT Calculation Service or by uploading them on Seller Central - either manually via Manage Orders or automatically through a third-party solution.

Upcoming changes to programme policies

We are making some changes to the following programme policies:

• Monitor your account health
• Trademark usage guidelines

These changes will enter into effect in 15 days, i.e., March 17, 2020.

We ask you to review the updated programme policies carefully.

A redlined version of Monitor your account health is available here in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Dutch.

A redlined version of Trademark usage guidelines is available here in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Dutch.

If you have questions, reach out to Selling Partner Support. Your continued use of Selling Services after March 17, 2020, constitutes your acceptance of the updated programme policies.

Vine Agreement

We are adding the Amazon Vine Agreement to the Programme Policies page on December 4, 2019. You can access a copy here.

Amazon Vine can help you to generate insightful and trustworthy customer reviews for your products. The programme is open to selling partners with a registered brand.

Visit the help page for more information.