What counts as dangerous goods on marketplaces
Dangerous goods, often called hazmat, are products that may pose a risk during storage or transport because they are flammable, pressurized, corrosive, toxic or contain batteries. On Amazon and other marketplaces, that commonly includes aerosols, many cosmetics and personal care products with alcohol, nail polish, fragrances, cleaning chemicals, some adhesives, and anything containing or packed with lithium batteries.
Many sellers are surprised to find ordinary-looking products in this category. If your product contains a battery, a liquid, a gas or a chemical, assume it may need review until the marketplace says otherwise.
The dangerous goods review comes first
Before hazmat inventory can be sent to FBA, the ASIN generally has to pass Amazon's dangerous goods classification. That usually requires a Safety Data Sheet for chemical products, or an exemption sheet or battery information for products that are not regulated as dangerous goods. Walmart WFS has its own hazmat review and item eligibility rules.
Prep cannot override a classification. If an ASIN is under review or has been blocked, shipping it to a fulfillment center will not help. Get the classification settled first, then plan prep. A prep center can receive and hold stock while documentation is resolved, but it should not ship it before the listing is cleared.
Lithium battery basics
Lithium batteries are regulated for transport as Class 9 miscellaneous dangerous goods, and how they are shipped depends on their type and configuration:
- Lithium ion (rechargeable) vs. lithium metal (generally non-rechargeable)
- Batteries shipped alone, packed with equipment, or contained in equipment
- Watt-hour rating for lithium ion cells and batteries, or lithium content for lithium metal
Those factors determine the UN number, the markings required on packages and the limits that apply. Battery manufacturers should provide test summaries showing the cells and batteries have passed UN 38.3 testing. Keep that documentation available, because marketplaces and carriers can ask for it.
Packing and marking requirements
Hazmat packages need to be packed and marked under DOT rules for ground transport, and under IATA rules if they will move by air. Depending on the product, that can include specific packaging, orientation arrows for liquids, lithium battery marks, limited quantity marks and quantity limits per package.
Prep for these items is less about speed and more about discipline: correct cartons, correct marks in the right location, no mixing of incompatible items and careful documentation. Hazmat-capable handling is available in select markets, and these SKUs are routed only through operations set up to handle them.
Storage and segregation
Dangerous goods often need to be stored separately from general inventory. Flammable products, aerosols and battery products may have storage limits, segregation requirements or fire code considerations in the facility. That is one reason hazmat prep is not available everywhere and why it should be flagged at the quote stage.
Marketplaces also apply their own storage rules and capacity limits for dangerous goods, which can be tighter than for standard inventory. Plan your FBA allocation with that in mind, and consider holding reserve stock at the prep center.
What to send your prep center
To quote and plan hazmat prep accurately, share:
- SKU list with which items contain batteries, liquids, aerosols or chemicals
- Safety Data Sheets and battery test summaries where applicable
- Current marketplace dangerous goods classification for each ASIN
- Battery type and configuration for lithium products
- Destination channels and whether any freight will move by air
Withholding or forgetting this information is the fastest way to have a shipment refused or a listing blocked. It is also a safety issue for the people handling the freight.
Planning freight for hazmat inventory
Dangerous goods also change how inventory moves between your supplier, the prep center and the marketplace. Ocean and air freight have their own declaration rules, and your freight forwarder needs accurate classification before booking. For domestic legs, parcel carriers and LTL carriers each have their own acceptance rules for hazmat, and some products that move easily by ground cannot go by air at all.
Build these constraints into your timeline. Hazmat shipments may need more lead time, specific carriers or separate shipment plans from your standard inventory. If a product line includes both regulated and non-regulated SKUs, plan them as separate inbound and outbound flows from the start rather than splitting them at the last minute.
Common hazmat prep mistakes
- Shipping before the ASIN has cleared dangerous goods review
- Mixing hazmat and non-hazmat units in the same carton or shipment plan
- Using outdated Safety Data Sheets that do not match the current formula
- Missing lithium battery marks or using the wrong UN number
- Assuming a product is exempt because a competitor ships it without issue
When in doubt, ask the marketplace for the classification in writing and keep your documentation organized by SKU. Regulations and marketplace policies change, so confirm current requirements before every new product launch.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send lithium battery products to Amazon FBA?
Often yes, once the ASIN has passed Amazon's dangerous goods review and the units are packed and marked correctly for transport. You will typically need battery information and UN 38.3 test documentation. Restrictions and storage limits may apply, so confirm the current classification in Seller Central before shipping.
What is an SDS and why does Amazon need it?
A Safety Data Sheet describes a product's chemical hazards, handling and transport information. Marketplaces use it to classify whether the product is dangerous goods and how it can be stored and shipped. It must match the current formula of the product you are selling.
Does Prep Center Co. handle hazmat?
Hazmat-capable handling is available in select markets. Flag any products with batteries, aerosols, flammable liquids or chemicals when you request a quote, and we will confirm which operations can receive, prep and ship them.