Hazardous materials, also referred to as dangerous goods or hazmat, is a classification that cuts across the entire marketplace based on what a product contains. Any product in any category can be subject to a hazmat review. Some are more likely to get one than others, but they all go through pretty much the same compliance process.
FBM sellers are not subject to Amazon’s documentation program, but remain fully subject to DOT and carrier regulations for hazardous shipments and should verify requirements directly with their carriers before shipping. Meanwhile, Dangerous Goods are incredibly important to FBA sellers, since a potentially harmful material in your product can affect your whole fulfillment chain.
This guide covers how Amazon classifies dangerous goods, what documentation is required, how the review process works when they flag you, and what sellers need to know about the FBA Dangerous Goods Program(opens in new tab).
What is a Dangerous Good on Amazon?
Amazon defines dangerous goods as products that could pose a risk if not handled properly, specifically those containing flammable, pressurized, corrosive, or harmful substances that can affect health or property.
Dangerous goods are organized into nine UN hazard classes. The ones most commonly encountered by Amazon sellers are:
Note: These are the products types that fall into Dangerous Goods but can still be sold through FBA in limited quantities, which are the subject of this article. If you would like to learn more about the product types that can’s be sold through FBA under no circumstance, refer to Amazon’s official page(opens in new tab).
Common products that trigger hazmat review include laptops, smartphones, tablets, and chargers (lithium batteries), aerosol cans in any category, perfumes and colognes, essential oils, flea and tick controls, pool chemicals, and printer cartridges.
Documentation Requirements for Dangerous Goods
Amazon requires sellers of dangerous goods to provide either a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or an exemption sheet when listing a product.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
An SDS is required for chemical-based products that may be regulated as dangerous goods. The SDS must include GHS hazard identification information, must match the product name and manufacturer or brand name exactly as shown on the listing, and must include all 16 standard sections in the correct order. The SDS must have been created or updated within the past five years. It should be obtained from the manufacturer. Sellers should not alter or amend the document in any way.
If your manufacturer cannot provide an SDS in the correct GHS 16-section format, a third-party SDS authoring service can produce one from the product formulation. This is common with overseas contract manufacturers who are not familiar with OSHA GHS requirements.
The document should be organized by the following sequence of sections:
Exemption Sheet
If you cannot obtain an SDS for your product and it does not contain any harmful chemicals, you can upload an exemption sheet instead. The exemption sheet template is available in Seller Central via the Manage Dangerous Goods Classification tool. You can see how the sheet works here(opens in new tab).
Lithium Batteries 2026 Update
Effective January 1, 2026, all lithium battery listings must have complete and accurate battery information in the product attributes, including composition, watt-hours for lithium-ion batteries, weight, and contained-in or packed-with status.
Information must be consistent across marketplaces for sellers operating in multiple regions.
Lithium battery products also require a UN 38.3 test summary, submitted separately from the SDS.
The summary must match the exact battery model in the product. Amazon rejects summaries referencing a different model. No appeal is available if the document does not align with the product.
The requirement applies to all lithium battery ASINs across all marketplaces and is independent of the standard dangerous goods review process. More info here(opens in new tab).
Hazardous Materials Compliance on Amazon: How Does the Process Work?
Overall, the compliance process on Amazon is similar across categories. It all starts in the Performance Notifications section inside Seller Central, where you will see something like this:
Each notification includes a detailed breakdown of your listing’s current status.
Then you will see a chart providing an overview of the issue. It’s likely you won’t get many details about the exact documents you need in this notification.
But here is where you will first notice that your product requires a compliance document upload.
You will see exactly what you need to provide in the Policy Compliance section, accessible through Account Health.
In this very same tab, you will see your whole list of products that need compliance documents, listing tweaks, ingredient lists, etc. You submit the needed information by clicking on the right button:
The Dangerous Goods team reviews submitted SDS documents within 2 business days. After review, Amazon classifies the product as one of three outcomes:
- Non-dangerous
- Restricted dangerous: requires enrolment in the FBA Dangerous Goods Program
- Unfulfillable dangerous
Inventory that is not cleared may show as reserved in Seller Central. Reserved status does not always indicate a problem, but if it persists beyond 3 to 5 days, it typically signals an active compliance review or an issue with the listing itself.
Related article:
Tips & Best Practices for Compliance Requests
Here are some tips & best practices to have a successful handling of compliance requests:
1. Know Your Final Date
Amazon usually gives you a reasonable timeframe to respond.
During this period, your listing will be “flagged.” Amazon may suppress or temporarily deactivate the listing until satisfactory documentation is reviewed and approved.
If the deadline passes and you haven’t delivered a satisfactory document, your listing will be removed.
2. Act Quickly
Even if you have time, delays will definitely create problems. You have to act quickly in case something happens along the way.
An incurred SDS and rejected submissions will extend the process, so acting early gives you time to correct these issues.
Maybe it goes wrong the first time. It can happen. But if you send the required documents early, you will have time to try again if something isn’t right and have your document ready by the expected date.
3. Know Your Documentation
Your test reports and certificates must all match exactly with product listings.
- Critical insight: Changes in suppliers may require testing or updated documentation.
Differences between documentation and the live listing are among the most common reasons for rejection.
4. Plan Beforehand
It is advisable for sellers launching new products to research the compliance limitations for that product type beforehand.
- Critical insight: Compliance should be handled before the product goes live!
Being aware of compliance requirements allows you to work with manufacturers to anticipate issues before production is finalized.
The FBA Dangerous Goods Program
Sellers whose products are classified as “restricted dangerous” must enroll in the FBA Dangerous Goods Program to continue selling via FBA.
If a product already in a fulfillment center is reclassified as restricted, Amazon will automatically add the seller to the waitlist and notify them when a spot becomes available. No separate application is needed in that scenario.
Approval timelines are usually very long. Amazon does not publish a specific timeframe. Sellers report that wait times range from a few weeks to several months, with some cases extending even beyond that. There’s a lot of demand.
While waiting for program approval, inventory already held in fulfillment centers remains there but cannot be sold. It will not be released for sale until program enrollment is confirmed.
Once enrolled, products are stored in specialized hazmat fulfillment centers with reduced storage limits, managed independently from standard FBA storage limits.
FBA fulfillment fees for dangerous goods are typically higher than for standard items to cover the cost of specialized handling.
As of April 30, 2026, Amazon expanded its Partnered Carrier program to cover all FBA-eligible dangerous goods. Approved hazmat sellers can now ship all authorized dangerous goods through the same inbound workflow used for standard FBA shipments.
Amazon’s FBA Dangerous Goods Program current fees(opens in new tab):
Conclusion
Hazardous materials compliance is a standard part of selling many products through FBA, even if your products do not seem dangerous at first glance. Review compliance requirements before launching new products so your inventory can move through Amazon’s review process quickly and easily.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hazmat Compliance on Amazon (FAQs)
Does every FBA product need a hazardous materials review?
No. Amazon reviews products that may contain chemicals, batteries, aerosols, or other materials that could be regulated as dangerous goods. Many listings are never flagged.
What is the difference between an SDS and an exemption sheet?
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provides hazard information for products that contain regulated chemicals. An exemption sheet is used for products that do not require an SDS because they do not contain hazardous substances.
Can I create my own Safety Data Sheet?
No. The SDS should come from the manufacturer or be prepared by a qualified third-party SDS authoring service. Amazon expects the document to follow the standard 16-section GHS format and match the product details shown on the listing.
How long does Amazon take to classify a dangerous goods submission?
Amazon’s Dangerous Goods team typically reviews SDS documents within two business days. If additional information is required, the review may take longer.
What happens if my product is classified as restricted dangerous goods?
The product can only be sold through FBA after you are enrolled in Amazon’s FBA Dangerous Goods Program. Until enrollment is approved, inventory stored in Amazon fulfillment centers cannot be sold.
Can I continue selling hazardous products through FBM?
Yes. FBM sellers are still responsible for following all applicable transportation rules, including DOT and carrier requirements for hazardous shipments.
Do lithium battery products have extra requirements?
Yes. As of 2026, Amazon requires complete battery information for all lithium battery listings. This information must match your listing and supporting documentation.
Keep Your FBA Inventory Moving
A hazmat review can lead to costly storage issues if the required documents are missing or inaccurate. Getting your compliance process right before Amazon asks for it can save time and prevent unnecessary interruptions.
Fill out the form below to schedule a free strategy call with our Amazon team. We’ll review your products, identify potential compliance issues with hazardous materials, and show you practical steps to keep your inventory moving through FBA. You’ll receive clear recommendations you can apply to your business right away.
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