Selling on Amazon can feel like a whirlwind of confusion, uncertainty, and those “wait, seriously?” moments. From fine-tuning your first product listing to navigating the complexities of PPC advertising, or wondering why you lost the Buy Box even though you had the lowest price, things can get frustrating fast. And that’s before we even mention restock limits or chasing down customer reviews.
Here’s the truth: whether you’re just starting or have years of experience, every seller runs into the same head-scratching issues. That’s why we’ve put together this FAQ to tackle the most common, stress-inducing challenges sellers face every day. No fluff, no jargon, just clear, straightforward answers on everything from listings to brand protection. Let’s dive in.
Q1: Where Can I Get a UPC?
To sell on Amazon, you’ll need a UPC (Universal Product Code), and the most trusted source for obtaining one is GS1, the global authority on barcodes and product identification standards.
Here’s how to go about it:
1. Get Your UPC from GS1
Start by visiting the GS1 website specific to your region (like GS1 US or GS1 UK).
GS1 provides a unique Company Prefix, which links directly to your business as the brand or product owner.
UPCs purchased through GS1 are recognized and accepted by major retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, and other global e-commerce platforms.
2. Other UPC Options
Although GS1 is the most reliable source, you might come across cheaper alternatives:
- Resellers: These vendors purchase large UPC batches from GS1 and sell individual codes. While less expensive, the UPC won’t have your brand’s name attached to it. This can lead to potential listing problems on platforms like Amazon.
- Amazon’s GTIN Exemption: If you’re a private label seller or your product lacks a manufacturer-assigned UPC, you can request a GTIN exemption from Amazon, allowing you to list products without a UPC.
3. Pricing and Processing Time
GS1 uses a subscription-based pricing model. Fees depend on how many UPCs you need. For example, you might pay around $250 for 10 UPCs or about $750 for 1,000 UPCs, along with an annual renewal fee.
After submitting your application, you can typically expect to receive your UPCs within 24 to 48 hours.
Q2: Can You Change the SKU After Listing a Product?
Once a product is listed on Amazon, the SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) cannot be changed. It becomes permanently linked to that listing, and Amazon does not allow direct editing of SKUs after creation.
That said, there are some workarounds if you need to make a change:
1. Create a New Product Listing
The most straightforward method is to create a brand-new listing using your desired SKU, then close or delete the original one.
Keep in mind that reviews, sales history, and product ranking won’t carry over to the new listing, which could impact your product’s visibility and performance.
2. Use FNSKU for FBA Products
If your issue is related to Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), you can label your inventory with an FNSKU—Amazon’s own barcode used in fulfillment centers.
This doesn’t replace or modify the original SKU, but it helps ensure accurate tracking and handling of your products within Amazon’s system.
3. Connect SKUs with Inventory Software
Some sellers rely on third-party inventory management tools to bridge old and new SKUs. These platforms can help you sync inventory and streamline order fulfillment without altering your SKUs on Amazon.
While you can’t directly edit an existing SKU, these options provide flexibility to adapt and manage your catalog efficiently.
Q3: What Do I Need to Upload a Product Listing on Amazon?
To successfully create a product listing on Amazon, you’ll need to gather a few essential details and assets beforehand. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Product Title (name of your item)
- High-quality Product Images
- Detailed Product Description
- Bullet Points highlighting key features
- SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) for internal tracking
- Product Identifier like a UPC, EAN, or GTIN
- Selling Price
- Available Inventory Quantity
- Shipping Information, including whether you’ll ship it yourself or use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)
- Product Category
- Relevant Search Keywords
Having all of this ready will make the listing process much smoother. For added efficiency and compliance, you may want to consider partnering with an Amazon seller consulting agency to guide you through the setup.
Q4: Is It Allowed to Sell the Same Product Under Different ASINs?
No, Amazon does not permit selling the exact same product under multiple ASINs. Each distinct product is assigned a single ASIN in Amazon’s catalog. Attempting to list the same item more than once with different ASINs violates Amazon’s policies and may result in your listings being removed or your account facing suspension.
However, if your product comes in different variations, such as sizes, colors, or styles, you can group them under one parent ASIN using a variation (parent-child) listing format. This keeps everything organized and compliant while offering options to customers.
Q5: Is It Possible to Transfer an ASIN from One SKU to Another?
You can’t directly move an ASIN from one SKU to another in Amazon’s system. However, there’s a workaround you can follow:
- Create a new SKU for the same product and assign it to the existing ASIN.
- Then, close or delete the old SKU to avoid having duplicates in your inventory.
By linking the same ASIN to a new SKU, the product stays consistent in Amazon’s catalog, but you’ll now manage it under the updated SKU. Just note that the sales history, reviews, and performance data from the old SKU will not carry over to the new one.
Q6: What Happens If I Run Out of Stock While My PPC Ads Are Active?
If your product goes out of stock while your Amazon PPC ads are running, here’s what typically happens:
- Amazon will automatically pause your ads for that product once it’s no longer available for purchase. This helps prevent unnecessary ad spend on an item customers can’t buy.
- However, when your ads pause, your campaign performance may be impacted. Once your inventory is replenished, it can take time to rebuild your ad momentum and recover your previous rankings.
- Running out of stock can also negatively affect your organic search ranking and sales history, as Amazon tends to favor items that are consistently in stock.
To minimize these risks, monitor your inventory regularly, especially during ad campaigns. Consider working with professional Amazon PPC management services to keep your campaigns optimized and inventory levels in check.
Q7: How Much Inventory Should I Store in an Amazon Warehouse?
Determining the ideal inventory level for Amazon’s warehouse involves finding the right balance between meeting customer demand and avoiding excess storage fees. A common strategy is to maintain enough stock to cover 30 to 60 days of sales, using your past sales data as a guide.
It’s also important to factor in your restocking lead time and include a buffer to prevent stockouts. Running out of inventory can hurt your sales and rankings, so staying ahead is key.
Aim to keep your inventory lean but sufficient. Regularly reviewing your inventory levels and adapting to shifts in demand will help you maintain optimal stock without overcommitting.
Q8: Is It Allowed to Add a QR Code in A+ Content?
No, Amazon’s A+ Content guidelines strictly prohibit the use of QR codes. Including QR codes, external links, or any promotional content that directs shoppers away from the Amazon platform violates their policies.
To stay compliant, focus on using high-quality visuals, clear and informative text, and engaging layouts that improve the shopping experience, without attempting to redirect traffic off Amazon. This approach keeps your listing professional and within Amazon’s content standards.
Q9: What Are Some Ways to Lower FBA Storage Fees?
- To minimize FBA storage costs, avoid keeping too much inventory in Amazon’s warehouses. Base your restocking decisions on your product’s sales velocity and lead times to prevent overstock, which can lead to long-term storage fees.
- Use Amazon’s Inventory Health Report to track underperforming products and make smarter decisions about restocking or discontinuing items.
- Run promotions or offer discounts to help clear out slow-moving inventory and make room for faster-selling items, which helps reduce storage expenses.
- If certain products aren’t moving, consider using Amazon’s removal or liquidation programs to offload excess stock and cut costs.
- Another cost-saving strategy is to use a third-party storage solution. Store surplus inventory off-site and only send it to Amazon as needed, especially during high-fee seasons.
- Keep in mind that Amazon applies higher storage charges to items held for over 365 days, so monitor aging inventory and act early to avoid unnecessary fees.
Q10: What Should I Do If Amazon Loses My Inventory?
- First, check your inventory records in Seller Central by reviewing the Inventory Adjustments Report or the Reconciliation Report to see if Amazon has documented any lost stock.
- Give Amazon some time, up to 30 days, as they sometimes locate and return missing inventory without action needed on your part.
- If the inventory remains missing after this period, open a case with Amazon Seller Support. Provide all relevant details such as shipment ID, tracking numbers, and product information to help expedite the investigation.
- Once Amazon confirms the inventory is lost, they typically offer Amazon reimbursement. The payout is usually based on the product’s average sales price over the past 90 days or the cost to replace it.
- Finally, keep a close eye on your reimbursement claims to ensure they are handled accurately and in a timely manner.
Q11: Can I Send More Inventory When Amazon Shows “Inventory Restock Limits Reached”?
No, if Amazon displays the message “Inventory Restock Limits Reached,” it means you’ve hit the maximum quantity allowed for storage at their fulfillment centers for a certain product category or your entire account.
Here’s how to handle this situation:
- Focus on selling your current inventory to create space for new shipments.
- Boost your Inventory Performance Index (IPI) by clearing out excess stock, resolving stranded inventory, and keeping inventory levels balanced. Improving your IPI score can help raise your restock limits.
- Consider using third-party warehouses to store surplus stock and send smaller shipments to Amazon as space frees up.
- Regularly check your restock limits in Seller Central since Amazon adjusts them based on your sales rate and inventory management.
- Efficient inventory control is key to managing restock limits and preventing disruptions in your supply chain.
Q12: How Can I Avoid Inventory Becoming Stranded in Amazon Warehouses?
To keep your inventory from becoming stranded at Amazon fulfillment centers, solid inventory management is crucial. Stranded inventory refers to items stored by Amazon that aren’t available for purchase due to listing problems.
Here are some key steps to prevent this:
- Regularly check your Inventory Dashboard in Seller Central to spot stranded inventory early and address issues quickly. Amazon also sends alerts for stranded stock, so respond to those notifications without delay.
- Make sure your product listings are complete and comply fully with Amazon’s guidelines. Listings with missing details, suppressed status, or policy violations often cause inventory to become stranded. Keeping your listings accurate and up-to-date helps avoid this.
- Watch for changes in FBA fees or category requirements. If Amazon updates these rules, your listings may become stranded if they no longer meet new criteria.
- Enable automatic relisting for inactive items in your FBA settings. This feature can resolve some issues on its own and reduce downtime for your products.
- Being proactive with monitoring and maintaining your listings greatly reduces the risk of stranded inventory in Amazon’s warehouses.
Q13: How can multiple sellers sell the same product on one listing, and what exactly is the Buy Box?
On Amazon, numerous sellers can offer the same product under a single listing because they are selling the identical item identified by the same ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number). Rather than creating separate listings, sellers list their product under the existing ASIN. This is typical for items like books, electronics, and widely available consumer goods, where many sellers stock the same brand and model.
How it works:
- When a seller wants to sell a product already listed on Amazon, they add their offer, which includes price, shipping options, and product condition, to the current product page instead of making a new listing.
- All seller offers are shown in the “Other Sellers” section of the listing, but only some sellers get the prime position to drive the majority of sales.
What is the Buy Box?
The Buy Box is the main “Add to Cart” button on a product page. When a customer clicks this button, they purchase from the seller who has “won” the Buy Box. Although multiple sellers can list the same product, only one seller at a time holds this valuable Buy Box spot.
Q14: Why am I losing the Buy Box even though I offer the lowest price?
Having the lowest price doesn’t always guarantee winning the Buy Box because Amazon takes multiple factors into account beyond just price. Here are some common reasons why you might lose the Buy Box despite having the best price:
- Fulfillment method: Amazon tends to favor sellers using FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) or those who offer Prime shipping because it trusts its fulfillment network for fast delivery and reliable customer service. If you’re fulfilling orders yourself (FBM) and competing with FBA sellers, you may lose the Buy Box even if your price is lower.
- Seller performance: Amazon evaluates your seller metrics, including order defect rate (such as returns or complaints), late shipment rate, and overall customer feedback. Poor performance in these areas compared to other sellers can cost you the Buy Box.
- Inventory availability: Amazon prefers sellers with consistent and adequate inventory to avoid stock shortages. Low or fluctuating stock levels can reduce your chances of winning the Buy Box.
- Account health: Issues like delayed shipments or negative customer feedback can hurt your account’s standing and make it harder to secure the Buy Box, regardless of your price advantage.
Q15: How can I handle counterfeit sellers on my listing?
- Sign up for Amazon Brand Registry to gain better control and protection over your products.
- Keep a close watch on your listings to identify any unauthorized sellers.
- Use Amazon’s Report a Violation tool to report counterfeit sellers promptly.
- Support your claims with proof such as photos and customer complaints.
- Participate in Amazon’s Transparency Program to apply unique product codes for verification.
- If necessary, seek legal advice to pursue further action against counterfeiters.
Q16: What steps can I take to protect my brand from hijackers?
- Join Amazon Brand Registry to access advanced tools for managing your brand.
- Enroll in Amazon’s Transparency Program to ensure product authenticity.
- Regularly check your listings for any suspicious or unauthorized activity.
- Enhance your listings with distinctive descriptions and images to discourage hijackers.
- Maintain excellent seller performance metrics to boost your chances of winning the Buy Box.
- Report unauthorized sellers using Amazon’s Report a Violation feature.
- Consider registering a trademark to strengthen your legal protections.
Q17: Can I request customer reviews using a product insert card?
Yes, you can ask customers for reviews through a product insert card, but it must comply with Amazon’s rules. Your request should be neutral and cannot include incentives or encourage only positive feedback. A simple phrase like “We appreciate your honest feedback!” is appropriate.
Q18: Can I have a negative review removed from Amazon?
No, negative reviews cannot be removed unless they violate Amazon’s policies, such as containing inappropriate content or spam. In those cases, you can report the review to Amazon for evaluation. Otherwise, reviews remain unless the reviewer decides to edit or delete them.
Q19: How many reviews should I aim to collect?
Strive to get at least 15 to 20 reviews to establish initial trust, but ideally, you want to reach 50 or more for greater credibility. Generally, products with a higher number of reviews tend to rank better and convert more sales. Prioritize earning genuine, consistent reviews over time.
Q20: How can I encourage customers to leave reviews on Amazon?
To gather reviews on Amazon, try these effective approaches:
- Use Amazon’s built-in review request: Utilize the “Request a Review” feature in Seller Central to reach out to buyers.
- Include product inserts: Add a polite, neutral message in your packaging asking customers to share their honest feedback.
- Send follow-up messages: Politely thank customers after purchase and invite them to leave a review.
- Offer promotions or discounts: Increased sales often result in more reviews.
- Join Amazon Vine (available for Brand Registry sellers): This program connects you with trusted reviewers to obtain early feedback.
Always ensure your review solicitation methods adhere to Amazon’s policies, no incentives or manipulative tactics are allowed.
Q21: Which key metrics should I monitor to prevent Amazon account suspension?
To avoid suspension of your Amazon account, it’s important to consistently track these critical performance metrics:
- Order Defect Rate (ODR): Keep this under 1%. It accounts for negative feedback, A-to-Z Guarantee claims, and chargebacks.
- Late Shipment Rate: Maintain below 4% to ensure timely deliveries.
- Pre-fulfillment Cancel Rate: Keep this below 2.5% by minimizing order cancellations related to stock or fulfillment problems.
- Valid Tracking Rate: Ensure at least 95% of your shipments have accurate tracking information.
- Customer Feedback: Monitor and promptly address any negative reviews or complaints.
- Policy Compliance: Adhere strictly to Amazon’s rules regarding product listings, reviews, and intellectual property rights.
Consistently monitoring these metrics helps safeguard your account health and reduces the risk of suspension.
Q22: What are the consequences of having too many returns on a product?
If your product experiences a high return rate, Amazon may respond in several ways:
- Listing suppression: Amazon could hide or remove your product listing if the returns suggest quality problems.
- Impact on account health: A high return rate can increase your Order Defect Rate (ODR), putting your account at risk of suspension if it surpasses Amazon’s limits.
- More negative reviews: Frequent returns often lead to negative feedback, which can hurt your product’s ranking and sales.
- Amazon review: The platform might investigate your product for potential issues, asking you to provide additional details or improve product quality.
To avoid these outcomes, keep an eye on customer feedback, promptly resolve complaints, and make sure your product descriptions are clear and accurate.
Q23: What steps should I take if Amazon removes my listing due to a safety or restricted item claim?
If Amazon removes your listing because of a safety concern or a restricted product issue, here’s what you should do:
- Review Amazon’s notification: Carefully read the removal notice to understand the exact reason and policy violation.
- Clarify the claim: Identify whether the issue relates to product safety, restricted categories, or regulatory requirements.
- Collect documentation: Gather all necessary proof, such as safety certifications, lab test results, or authenticity verification, to show compliance.
- File an appeal: Use Seller Central to submit an appeal with the required documents and a detailed action plan explaining how you’ll address the issue.
- Fix the problem: If the claim is valid, promptly make the needed corrections, like updating your product info or removing restricted components.
- Reach out to Seller Support: Contact Amazon Seller Support for additional help or instructions on how to restore your listing if necessary.
Q24: What should I do if my Amazon account gets suspended?
If your Amazon account is suspended, take the following steps:
- Identify the reason: Review the suspension notification from Amazon to understand the specific cause, such as policy violations or poor performance metrics.
- Evaluate the problem: Determine the root cause, whether it’s related to order defects, customer complaints, product compliance, or other policy breaches.
- Develop a Plan of Action (POA): Prepare a clear and detailed plan explaining the issue, the steps you’ve taken to resolve it, and the measures you will implement to prevent it from happening again. Make sure your explanation is professional and concise.
- Submit your appeal: Upload your Plan of Action and any supporting evidence through Seller Central.
- Be patient and follow up: Allow Amazon time to review your appeal. If necessary, send polite follow-up messages without rushing the process.
- Consider expert assistance: If you struggle with reinstatement, seek help from professionals who specialize in Amazon account recovery.
Q25: What is the ideal ACOS (Advertising Cost of Sales)?
The ideal ACOS varies based on your business objectives, but typically, sellers aim for a range of 15-30%.
- Lower ACOS (below 15%): Indicates you’re spending less on advertising relative to sales, resulting in higher profits, but it might limit your reach to new customers.
- Higher ACOS (above 30%): Can be acceptable if your goal is to increase sales volume and brand visibility, even if it means lower profit margins.
Q26: What is considered a good conversion rate on Amazon?
A strong conversion rate on Amazon generally falls between 10-15% or more. This means that 10-15% of visitors to your product page end up buying. Higher conversion rates suggest your listing is effective at turning browsers into buyers.
Q27: Why do some seller accounts have an LLC attached to them?
Some sellers use an LLC (Limited Liability Company) for their accounts to protect their personal assets from business liabilities. An LLC also provides tax advantages and adds a professional image to the business.
Final thoughts
That’s the overview. Whether you’re competing for the Buy Box, building up reviews, or figuring out how many ASINs you can manage, it all comes down to making smart choices and following Amazon’s guidelines. The secret to thriving on Amazon? Stay knowledgeable, be strategic, and keep improving your approach.
If it ever feels overwhelming (because, let’s be honest, it can), don’t worry—we’re here to support you. From optimizing listings and creating A+ content to navigating Amazon’s constantly evolving policies, our Amazon Seller Central experts are ready to help you succeed.
