Amazon Seller-Fulfilled Meltable Product Policy: What Sellers Need to Know

Selling meltable products through seller-fulfilled channels on Amazon requires a clear understanding of where responsibility lies when heat-sensitive inventory arrives damaged. Amazon allows sellers to fulfill chocolate, gummies, supplements, and other meltable items year-round under Seller-Fulfilled Prime and standard FBM, but the burden of ensuring product quality throughout storage and shipping falls entirely on the seller. Amazon sellers face unique challenges with meltable products, including compliance with temperature requirements and managing the risks of shipping during hot or cold weather.

This operational reality creates both opportunity and risk. While FBA historically restricts meltable inventory during warmer months, seller-fulfilled channels remain open, giving brands flexibility to maintain sales continuity. Amazon meltable inventory is subject to specific seasonal restrictions, with important dates and guidelines that sellers must follow to avoid penalties or losses. However, that flexibility comes with strict accountability. Customer complaints about melted products can trigger listing suppression, and Amazon reserves the right to remove offers that consistently fail to meet quality standards.

Amazon’s meltable inventory policy outlines the regulations for handling, storage, and shipping of temperature-sensitive products, especially during periods of increased risk. This policy is essential for sellers to understand in order to avoid stock disruptions and maintain compliance.

Amazon enforces a seasonal restriction on meltable products, prohibiting their storage and shipment from April 15 to October 15. This means that during this period, meltable inventory cannot be stored or shipped through Amazon’s fulfillment centers.

Introduction to Amazon Meltable Products

Selling meltable products on Amazon opens up exciting opportunities, but it also brings a unique set of challenges that every seller must address. Meltable inventory refers to products that are especially vulnerable to temperature fluctuations—think chocolates, gummies, and wax based items. These heat sensitive products can easily lose their quality or become unsellable if not properly stored and shipped, especially during warmer months or in regions with extreme heat.

Amazon’s meltable inventory policy is designed to ensure that meltable products maintain their integrity from the moment they leave your facility until they reach the customer’s doorstep. This means sellers must pay close attention to how they store inventory, select packaging materials, and manage the shipping process. Failing to account for the risks associated with temperature sensitive items can lead to customer complaints, negative reviews, and even listing suppression.

In this article, we’ll break down what you need to know about selling meltable products on Amazon, including how to navigate the platform’s policies, identify which products are considered meltable, and implement best practices for storage and shipping. Whether you’re looking to sell chocolates, wax based products, or other temperature sensitive inventory, understanding these guidelines is essential for keeping your business running smoothly and maintaining customer satisfaction.

What Amazon Considers a Meltable Product

Amazon defines meltable products as items that can be damaged or degraded when exposed to temperatures between 75°F and 155°F during storage or transit. This temperature range reflects the conditions products commonly encounter in warehouses, delivery vehicles, and on doorsteps during summer months.

The meltable category includes:

• Chocolate and chocolate-containing items
• Chocolate bars
• Power bars and protein bars
• Gummies and jelly-based products
• Wax-based products including candles and certain cosmetics
• Certain beauty products that are sensitive to heat
• Select supplements and vitamins with heat-sensitive formulations

It is important to note that while meltable products are temperature-sensitive, perishable products—such as those requiring refrigeration, freezing, or temperature-controlled storage—are generally prohibited from FBA year-round due to their short shelf life and storage needs.

This classification matters because it determines how Amazon evaluates product condition complaints. When a customer reports receiving a melted item, Amazon assesses whether the product inherently falls into the meltable category and whether the seller took appropriate measures to protect product integrity during fulfillment. To determine if a product qualifies as meltable under Amazon’s policies, sellers should assess the product’s composition, consult Amazon’s official meltable product lists, and verify heat sensitivity through manufacturer data.

Products classified as meltable must be removed from Amazon fulfillment centers before the seasonal cutoff date of April 15.

How to Identify Meltable ASINs

Before listing heat-sensitive products, sellers should verify whether specific ASINs carry meltable classification. Amazon determines meltable ASIN classification based on product characteristics and temperature sensitivity. Amazon maintains a downloadable meltable ASIN list that identifies products flagged within this category. This list is accessible through Seller Central and provides a reference point for compliance planning.

Sellers should use their seller central account to check for meltable flags on their products and to access the Meltable ASIN List. Checking meltable status before listing helps sellers understand their obligations upfront. Products on this list carry heightened scrutiny during customer complaint reviews, and sellers should plan their storage and shipping strategies accordingly.

If a product is incorrectly classified as meltable, sellers can submit an exemption request through Seller Support. To request reclassification, sellers must include a letter on the manufacturer’s official letterhead, detailed product specifications (such as heat resistance and technical data), and other supporting documentation. Amazon evaluates exemption requests based on various factors, including product features that prevent melting. Sellers must gather detailed documentation to support their appeal for reclassification of meltable products.

For products not yet on the list, sellers should consider the item’s melting point and temperature resistance when determining appropriate handling procedures. The fact that an ASIN is not currently classified as meltable does not absolve the seller from responsibility if the product arrives damaged due to heat exposure.

Amazon’s Seller-Fulfilled Meltable Product Policy

The Amazon meltable product policy for seller-fulfilled orders places clear responsibility on sellers for ensuring products arrive in acceptable condition. Unlike FBA, where Amazon controls storage and shipping environments, seller-fulfilled channels make the seller accountable for the entire fulfillment process.

Amazon’s enforcement approach is complaint-based. The platform monitors customer feedback, return rates, and product condition reports. When complaints about melted or heat-damaged items reach a certain threshold, Amazon may take action ranging from suppressing the listing to removing the offer entirely. Non compliant products, such as meltable items shipped or stored outside of Amazon’s allowed temperature guidelines, can result in significant account issues and put sellers at a competitive disadvantage.

Repeated complaints of melted products can lead to offer suppression or even account suspension, directly impacting a seller’s account health rating.

Key policy elements sellers must understand:

• Sellers bear full responsibility for product condition at delivery
• Amazon does not provide temperature-controlled shipping or storage for seller-fulfilled orders
• Enforcement triggers are complaint-driven rather than proactive
• Amazon reserves the right to suppress or remove offers with consistent quality issues
• Reinstatement may require demonstrating improved fulfillment practices

This complaint-based model means sellers may not receive warning before action is taken. A sudden spike in returns or negative reviews during a heat wave can quickly escalate to listing-level consequences.

Understanding the 75°F to 155°F Temperature Range

The temperature range Amazon references for meltable products reflects real-world conditions products encounter between leaving a seller’s facility and reaching the customer. This range is not arbitrary. It accounts for:

Warehouse storage conditions: Many fulfillment facilities lack climate control, particularly in regions with extreme summer temperatures. Products stored in non-air-conditioned environments can easily reach 90°F or higher.

Transit environments: Delivery trucks and cargo areas frequently exceed 100°F during summer months. Products may sit in these conditions for extended periods during sorting and last-mile delivery.

Doorstep exposure: Final delivery often involves packages sitting on porches or in mailrooms where temperatures can spike well above ambient outdoor conditions.

Understanding this temperature spectrum is critical because it highlights why packaging alone may not be sufficient protection. Insulated packaging and cold packs can provide temporary barriers, but they have limits. Packaging should be designed to withstand temperature fluctuations to help protect meltable products during storage and transit. A package sitting in a 120°F delivery truck for several hours will eventually reach damaging temperatures regardless of initial packaging measures. Improper handling or inadequate packaging can lead to products arriving melted or deformed, resulting in customer dissatisfaction, increased returns, and negative reviews.

FBA Meltable Restrictions vs. Seller-Fulfilled Flexibility

Amazon historically restricts meltable FBA inventory during warmer periods, specifically prohibiting the storage and shipping of meltable products through its FBA program from April 15 to October 15 each year. During this restricted period, FBA shipments containing meltable products may be rejected or returned at the seller’s expense, and sellers must remove any meltable inventory from Amazon fulfillment centers before the cutoff date of April 15.

These restrictions exist because Amazon fulfillment centers and logistics networks are not designed to maintain temperature-controlled environments for standard inventory. Rather than accept liability for products that arrive melted, Amazon shifts the risk by restricting what sellers can send. Managing in stock meltable inventory is crucial—sellers should monitor inventory levels, sales projections, and make timely decisions about promotions, removal, or disposal before the meltable season begins. To remove meltable inventory before the cutoff, sellers can create a removal order in Seller Central, which allows them to dispose of or return inventory efficiently and avoid unnecessary storage fees or product loss.

Seller-fulfilled channels operate differently. During the restricted period, sellers can switch to Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM) to continue selling meltable products directly to customers. Amazon allows sellers to fulfill meltable products year-round through Merchant Fulfilled Network (MFN) and Seller-Fulfilled Prime (SFP). The platform does not impose seasonal restrictions because the risk transfers entirely to the seller.

This distinction creates opportunity for brands willing to invest in proper fulfillment infrastructure. While competitors may go dark on FBA during meltable season, seller-fulfilled sellers can maintain availability. However, that competitive advantage requires genuine operational capability to deliver products in acceptable condition.

Operational Considerations for Meltable Fulfillment

Successfully fulfilling meltable products requires addressing multiple operational variables. While specific solutions depend on product characteristics and geographic footprint, sellers should evaluate several key areas, especially when dealing with temperature sensitive products that require special handling.

Storage environment: Products should be stored in conditions that prevent degradation before shipping begins. For many meltable items, this means climate-controlled warehousing, particularly during summer months. Relying on standard warehouse space in regions with high temperatures introduces risk from the moment inventory arrives.

Shipping method selection: Transit time directly impacts heat exposure. Choosing fast, reliable carriers for shipping meltable products minimizes time in transit and reduces the risk of temperature damage. Expedited shipping reduces the window during which products encounter elevated temperatures. However, faster shipping increases costs, requiring sellers to balance margin against quality risk.

Regional heat variability: Fulfilling orders to Phoenix in July presents different challenges than shipping to Seattle. Sellers with national distribution should consider how regional temperature patterns affect delivery success rates and whether differentiated fulfillment strategies make sense.

Packaging limitations: Insulated packaging and cold packs provide meaningful protection, but they are not unlimited solutions. Sellers should consider using cold shipping solutions to safely deliver meltable products during warmer months. These materials delay heat transfer rather than prevent it entirely. Sellers should test packaging effectiveness under realistic conditions rather than assuming protection.

Proper labeling is crucial for meltable products to ensure safety, compliance, and proper handling during transit. Sellers should clearly label packages containing meltable products to inform carriers about the special care needed during transit.

By implementing these practices, sellers can help ensure customer satisfaction by maintaining product quality and reducing the risk of temperature-related issues.

Selling Meltable Products Across Multiple Channels

Brands selling meltable goods across Amazon, Shopify, and other platforms face compounded operational challenges. Each channel may have different customer expectations, return policies, and fulfillment requirements, but the underlying physics of heat-sensitive products remains constant. When selling meltable inventory across multiple channels, it is crucial to understand and comply with each platform’s meltable product policies and classifications.

Maintaining consistent storage and shipping standards across channels is essential to preserve the product’s shelf life and ensure quality throughout its journey. A customer who orders chocolate through Shopify expects the same product quality as a customer ordering through Amazon. Using separate fulfillment processes for different channels increases complexity and creates opportunities for inconsistency.

Multi-channel sellers should consider whether their fulfillment infrastructure supports year-round meltable handling regardless of which channel generates the order. This may involve:

• Centralized inventory management in climate-controlled facilities
• Standardized packaging protocols across all channels
• Unified carrier selection based on temperature-sensitive requirements
• Consistent quality monitoring and complaint tracking

It is also important to regularly monitor inventory for unsellable inventory, such as damaged, expired, or restricted products, and remove it promptly to avoid unnecessary storage fees or compliance issues. Sellers must ensure that all inventory maintains a shelf life of over 90 days upon arrival at FBA; otherwise, products may be disposed of by Amazon. Monitoring and maintaining the product’s shelf life for all inventory is essential to prevent losses and maintain customer satisfaction.

The goal is operational coherence that protects product integrity regardless of where the customer happens to purchase.

Managing Customer Complaints and Enforcement Risk

When customer complaints occur, response speed and thoroughness matter. Sellers should monitor feedback closely during high-risk periods and have processes ready to address issues before they compound. To maintain customer satisfaction, proactive communication and careful fulfillment practices are essential, especially when shipping meltable products during warm seasons.

Proactive communication can help manage expectations. Some sellers inform customers about heat-sensitive shipping during checkout or include handling instructions in packaging. While this does not eliminate complaints, it can reduce surprise and frustration when issues occur.

Documenting fulfillment practices becomes important if Amazon requests evidence of improvement following enforcement action. Sellers who can demonstrate temperature-controlled storage, appropriate packaging, and expedited shipping options are better positioned to restore listings than those operating without structured processes. If a product is incorrectly classified as meltable, sellers can submit an exemption request through Seller Support in Amazon Seller Central, providing documentation to resolve classification issues. Additionally, using inventory management tools is essential for tracking meltable product compliance and avoiding excess removal fees before April 15. For more insights on optimizing order fulfillment strategies during peak events like Prime Day, explore available options.

Conclusion

In conclusion, selling meltable products on Amazon demands a thorough understanding of the platform’s meltable inventory policies and a proactive approach to inventory management. Protecting product integrity is not just about meeting Amazon’s requirements—it’s about ensuring that your customers receive high-quality, undamaged products every time. By staying vigilant about storage conditions, using appropriate packaging, and monitoring the shipping process, sellers can significantly reduce the risk of customer complaints and maintain a strong reputation.

Success in selling meltable products comes down to preparation and adaptability. Regularly review your inventory management practices, stay informed about any updates to Amazon’s meltable product policy, and be ready to adjust your strategies as needed. With careful planning and a commitment to quality, selling meltable products on Amazon can be both profitable and rewarding, helping you build a loyal customer base and grow your business with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are meltable products allowed year-round on Amazon?

Yes. Seller-fulfilled meltable products can be listed and sold year-round on Amazon. FBA has seasonal restrictions for meltable inventory, but Seller-Fulfilled Prime and standard merchant fulfillment do not impose the same limitations.

Can I sell meltable products with Seller-Fulfilled Prime?

Yes. Amazon permits meltable products through Seller-Fulfilled Prime without seasonal restrictions. However, sellers remain fully responsible for ensuring products arrive undamaged, and consistent quality issues can result in listing suppression.

What happens if customers complain about melted items?

Amazon tracks customer complaints, return rates, and product condition feedback. If complaints reach a concerning threshold, Amazon may suppress or remove the listing. Reinstatement typically requires demonstrating improved fulfillment practices.

Does Amazon provide temperature-controlled shipping?

No. Amazon does not offer temperature-controlled storage or shipping for seller-fulfilled orders. Sellers must arrange appropriate storage environments, packaging, and carrier services independently to protect product integrity.

How do I know if my product is classified as meltable?

Amazon provides a downloadable meltable ASIN list through Seller Central. Sellers should check this list before listing heat-sensitive products and plan fulfillment strategies based on classification status.

What temperature range does Amazon consider for meltable products?

Amazon references the 75°F to 155°F range when evaluating meltable product handling. This range reflects temperatures commonly encountered during storage and transit, particularly during warmer months.

• Category: Uncategorized
• Tag: Amazon, Order Fulfillment, Shipping and Logistics