- What changed
- Amazon's dangerous goods classification for storage and shipping
- When
- New listing questions in several categories from October 26, 2026
- Who it affects
- Sellers of batteries, aerosols, chemicals, liquids and related products
- What to do
- Keep a current SDS or exemption sheet for every flagged ASIN
Key takeaways
- Hazmat classification decides how a product is stored and shipped, not whether it can be sold.
- A matching 16-section SDS or a correct exemption sheet clears most reviews.
- From October 26, 2026, edits in some categories require new dangerous goods answers.
- 1Find flagged ASINs
Classification dashboard
- 2Get the SDS
Exact formulation, 16 sections
- 3Fix attributes
Battery and chemical data
- 4Upload
SDS or exemption sheet
- 5Dispute if wrong
Evidence plus explanation
What counts as hazmat on Amazon?
Hazmat, short for hazardous materials, covers products that may pose a risk in storage or transport because they are flammable, pressurized, corrosive, toxic or otherwise regulated. Amazon calls them dangerous goods. Transport rules group them into nine hazard classes: explosives, gases, flammable liquids, flammable solids, oxidizers and organic peroxides, toxic and infectious substances, radioactive materials, corrosives, and miscellaneous dangerous goods, which includes lithium batteries.
Plenty of ordinary products fall into these groups: perfume, nail polish, sprays, cleaning products, power banks, devices with batteries and some cosmetics. Being classified as a dangerous good does not mean you cannot sell. It decides how Amazon stores and ships the product.
What triggers a dangerous goods review?
Amazon reviews products that might be dangerous goods when they are listed or converted to FBA, and it re-checks catalog data over time, so an ASIN can be flagged long after launch.
- Keywords in the title, bullets or description, such as spray, flammable or lithium
- Battery attributes that are missing or inconsistent
- Categories known to contain dangerous goods
- Edits to listing data that change the product's profile
- Customer reviews or questions that mention batteries or chemicals
Suppressed listings, stranded inventory, policy notifications, cases that never close. One ticket, one owner, resolved to the end, or a retainer that stops the next one early.
The documents Amazon asks for
Most reviews need one of two documents. A safety data sheet, or SDS, is the manufacturer's technical document for a chemical product, and Amazon expects the standard 16-section format, including transport information, that matches the product, brand and formulation you sell. An exemption sheet is used for products such as batteries and battery-powered items, or products without regulated chemicals, to show why they should not be treated as hazmat.
Battery products also need precise attributes: battery type and chemistry, the number of batteries, whether they are packed with, contained in or sold separately from the device, battery weight and, for lithium-ion cells, watt-hours. Inconsistent battery data is one of the most common causes of a stuck review. Each child ASIN in a variation needs its own correct data.
Which document to use
| Safety data sheet | Exemption sheet | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical products | Chemicals, aerosols, liquids | Batteries, non-hazardous items |
| Who provides it | Manufacturer | Seller or manufacturer |
| Must match listing | ||
| Per child ASIN |
The October 26, 2026 dangerous goods listing questions
From October 26, 2026, Amazon asks new dangerous goods questions when sellers create or edit listings in certain categories. Coverage of the notice lists refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners, shock absorbers and suspension lift supports, markers and writing instruments, and pool and spa treatment products. The questions establish details such as refrigerant properties, ink properties or chemical composition.
Existing listings are not blocked, but the questions appear the next time you edit them, so even a price or image update can require answers. Gather SDS and technical specifications for these ASINs before your next edit.
How to clear an Amazon hazmat review, step by step
A clean submission is the fastest route through review.
- Open the dangerous goods classification dashboard in Seller Central
- Find the ASINs that are under review or need information
- Request a current SDS from the manufacturer for the exact formulation
- Check that product name and brand on the SDS match the listing
- Complete battery and hazmat attributes accurately
- Upload the SDS or exemption sheet for each ASIN
- Remove inaccurate wording from the listing that triggered the flag
Battery data Amazon expects
- Battery type and chemistry
- Number of batteries
- Packed with, contained in or separate
- Battery weight
- Watt-hours for lithium-ion
- Lithium content for lithium metal
Selling hazmat products through FBA
Products classified as dangerous goods can often still use FBA through Amazon's dangerous goods program, but storage is more limited and fees for these products are typically higher. Some products are allowed only in limited quantities, and some are prohibited from FBA entirely. Inventory planning needs extra care because dangerous goods storage space is separate from standard space. Our Amazon FBA restock limits guide explains how limits are set, and the Amazon packaging requirements guide covers the prep every unit still needs.
Disputing a wrong classification
If you believe a product was classified incorrectly, use the dispute option on the classification dashboard and upload supporting documents, usually a corrected SDS or an exemption sheet. Explain clearly why the product does not meet the dangerous goods criteria. A wrong classification costs money in storage limits and fees, so it is worth contesting with evidence. Persistent problems can affect your listing status, so keep an eye on Amazon account health. If a flagged product sits unsold for months, our Amazon excess inventory guide covers your options.
Preventing hazmat problems before launch
Ask suppliers for an SDS and battery data before you place a first order, write listings that describe the product accurately without unnecessary risky wording, and check the category's dangerous goods rules in advance. Our Amazon restricted categories guide covers categories that need approval.
PPC Spider's catalog and account health team handles classification cases, documents and listing fixes as part of monthly management. If several of your ASINs are stuck, the free Amazon audit is a good starting point.
Sources
- EcomCrew: Amazon adds hazmat questions to listing edits October 26 (ecomcrew.com/amazon-adds-hazmat-questions-to-listing-edits-october-26/)
- Sellers Ask Sellers: New compliance questions for dangerous goods listings apply October 26 (sellersasksellers.com/t/new-compliance-questions-for-dangerous-goods-listings-apply-october-26/7582)
- Amazon: Fulfillment by Amazon (sell.amazon.com/fulfillment-by-amazon)
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