Amazon Updates Product Bundling Policy for Consumables – Effective Oct 14, 2024

Amazon's Updated Product Bundling Policy for Consumables: Effective October 14, 2024

Effective Date: October 14, 2024

Amazon has recently announced a significant update to its Product Bundling Policy for consumables sold in the grocery, pet products, baby products, and health and beauty categories. These changes are designed to ensure that customers have access to high-quality bundle selections within the U.S. marketplace. Sellers in these categories must comply with this new policy to avoid potential listing suppressions.

What’s Changing in the Product Bundling Policy?

As of October 14, 2024, Amazon will only allow bundles that are created and offered by the original manufacturer. The manufacturer must be the brand owner for all items in the bundle. Sellers will no longer be able to mix products from different manufacturers within the same bundle or list bundles under the “Generic” brand or their own brand.

Examples of Compliant and Non-Compliant Bundles

For instance, you can list a Frito-Lay Mixed Chips Pack that is pre-packaged by the manufacturer, Frito-Lay. However, you are no longer allowed to create your own bundle by combining two bags of Doritos and one bag of Cheetos, even though both products are made by Frito-Lay. Additionally, you cannot bundle Frito-Lay products with unrelated items, such as paper towels or kitchen utensils.

How to Ensure Compliance

To comply with the updated policy, ensure that your bundles only include products from a single manufacturer. You will need to avoid mixing items from different manufacturers and refrain from using the “Generic” brand for any bundles. Moreover, any existing non-compliant bundles in your catalog will not be affected immediately. Enforcement of the updated policy will begin in late Q4 2024, with sellers receiving a 30-day notice via email and through the Account Health dashboard before any non-compliant bundles are suppressed.

Key Points to Remember

• Only list bundles created and offered by the original manufacturer who owns the brand rights to all items in the bundle.
• You can no longer mix products from different companies in a single bundle.
• Bundles cannot be listed under the “Generic” brand or your own private label brand.
• Existing non-compliant bundles will have a 30-day warning period before enforcement starts in late Q4 2024.

Refer to Amazon’s Product Bundling Policy

It’s crucial for all sellers to stay updated with Amazon's Product Bundling Policy. Below are some key sections to review:

• General bundle policy: Ensure that the primary product in your bundle is not from the Video Games or BMVD (Books, Music, Video, or DVD) category.
• Bundle pricing and fair pricing policy: Follow Amazon’s marketplace fair pricing rules to maintain customer trust.
• Bundle warranties and returns: Remember, if you sell a bundle, you must accept returns for the entire bundle and not individual items.
• Bundle titles and product details: Bundle titles must include the word “Bundle” and the number of items, following Amazon's guidelines.

Conclusion

This update to Amazon’s Product Bundling Policy emphasizes the importance of consistency, quality, and compliance. By following these new guidelines, you can avoid disruptions to your listings and ensure a seamless shopping experience for customers.

For additional support on maintaining compliance with Amazon’s updated policies or other Amazon-related issues, contact AMZ Sellers Attorney® for expert legal advice.