Amazon flat-file & listing error decoder

The Parent SKU (child_parent_sku_relationship) exceeds the 40-byte maximum.

Why it happens The parent SKU name is too long.

Example The attribute child_parent_sku_relationship is invalid because it is exceeding the maximum limit of 40 bytes.

Amazon is reviewing the listing to decide whether more information is needed. This is not an error.

Why it happens A new or changed listing pending automated review.

Example We are reviewing this listing to determine if any additional information is required. Please allow up to 48 hours.

An attribute is tagged with the wrong language for the marketplace (e.g. en_GB values on a DE/FR/IT/ES page), so Amazon suppresses it or shows a machine translation.

Why it happens A language_tag mismatch — a flat file or cloned offer carried en_GB into a non-UK marketplace.

Example Attribute suppressed: value supplied with language_tag en_GB does not match the marketplace language.

You tried to set/change an ASIN's product type, but product type is controlled at the catalog level — a seller feed can't change it.

Why it happens Submitting a different product_type than the ASIN already has — e.g. to force it into a variation family of another type.

⚠ This usually needs a Seller Central appeal or a new ASIN — not just a file edit.

Example Update your product type to match the ASIN, then submit an appeal.

The product type requires a pesticide certification number (or an exemption).

Why it happens The pesticide certification attribute is blank for a product Amazon classes as needing it.

Example Provide any pesticide certification number which corresponds with the marking type.

A relevant/recommended attribute group is incomplete. Non-blocking, but it weakens discoverability and listing quality.

Why it happens Recommended fields left blank (e.g. primary_supplement_type).

Example Attributes marked as relevant_attributes are incomplete. Provide values for: primary_supplement_type.

EU food / drink / supplement listings require Food Business Operator details — name and full address including postcode.

Why it happens The FBO attribute group is blank on an EU marketplace food/supplement listing.

Example food_business_operator_information ... fbo_postal_code is required.

You tried to modify an identity attribute on an existing SKU. Amazon locks identity attributes once a SKU is live.

Why it happens Editing EAN/UPC/GTIN, product type, or another immutable identity field on a SKU that already exists.

Example You are trying to modify an identity attribute for this SKU. To continue, delete this SKU and recreate it with the correct identity attribute.

A child SKU is being attached to more than one parent, which isn't allowed.

Why it happens The child already sits under a different parent, or the file lists it under two parents.

Example We're unable to assign a child SKU to more than one parent SKU. Delete the child SKU, then assign it to a new parent SKU and resubmit.

For supplements and foods, you must pair each ingredient strength with its ingredient identifier. Non-blocking, but hurts listing quality.

Why it happens An ingredient strength was given without the matching ingredient identifier (or vice versa).

Example Provide the identifier for the ingredient for which the ingredient strength is being specified.

The data you sent differs from what's already on the ASIN. Your item_id maps to an existing ASIN, but one or more attributes contradict the catalog.

Why it happens You're matching to an existing ASIN but sent a different EAN / standard_product_id, title, or other catalog-controlled attribute.

Example The listing data provided is different from what is already in the Amazon catalog. The item_id maps to ASIN Bxxxxxxxxx, but some listing data conflicts with the catalog.

Amazon couldn't process the file because required fields are missing — very often product_type is blank.

Why it happens product_type#1.value empty, or another always-required column left blank across the record.

Example product_type#1.value is always required to process your update. Please provide a value and resubmit.

A field holds a value that isn't in Amazon's valid set for that column (e.g. Listing Action / record_action, or Fulfilment Channel).

Why it happens A typo, an old template, a manual copy-paste into a constrained cell, or a value that isn't on the dropdown.

Example The fulfillment-channel field contains an invalid value: AMAZON_EU. Choose only from the valid set of values in your template.

A price (or numeric) field contains a value Amazon can't read as a valid currency/number.

Why it happens A currency symbol, a thousands comma, the wrong decimal separator, trailing text, or the cell formatted as text.

Example The price field contains an invalid value: 15.99. The value "15.99" is not a valid CURRENCY.

A field is longer than the maximum characters allowed (commonly 500).

Why it happens An over-long attribute value — description, keywords or another free-text field.

Example The value exceeds the maximum number of characters allowed: 500.

A purchasable_offer (sale) value isn't lower than or equal to the standard price — your sale price is at or above your list price.

Why it happens Sale/discount price set equal to or above the list price, or the standard price left blank.

Example A 'purchasable_offer' value '20.' is not less than or equal to the 'offers' value '19.99'.

A required attribute was left blank on the record. On a variation family the PARENT must carry the core required attributes itself — it does not inherit them from its children.

Why it happens Empty required cells. The classic case is an empty variation-parent row, or leaving Amazon's grey example row in the file.

Example 'Product Description' is required but not supplied.

The Search Terms / keywords value is longer than the maximum allowed (500 characters).

Why it happens Too many or too long search terms.

Example The value for 'Search Terms' is greater than the maximum allowed (500 characters).

A constrained attribute has a value Amazon won't accept; you must pick an approved value from the list for your category.

Why it happens A free-typed or wrong value for a controlled attribute (e.g. Product Expiration Type, or a Certification / Compliance value).

Example We can't accept the 'Expiration On Package' you entered for Product Expiration Type. Select an approved value from the list for your product category.

A child record doesn't declare its parent — the parent-SKU relationship attribute is missing.

Why it happens A child row without child_parent_sku_relationship / Parent SKU set.

Example Attribute child_parent_sku_relationship is missing.

The generic keywords / search terms field exceeds Amazon's byte limit for that field (~250 bytes per marketplace).

Why it happens Search terms too long — or Amazon's example row (with placeholder keywords) left in the file.

Example Please reduce your generic keyword length to less than the allowed bytes.

A group of interdependent fields must be filled together; one is blank, so the whole group fails.

Why it happens Example: the expiration group — Is Product Expirable = Yes, but Product Expiration Type or Shelf Life left blank.

Example A value is missing from one or more required columns from this group: [is_expiration_dated_product = "Yes"], [product_expiration_type = "Expiration On Package"].

A measurement attribute (e.g. Package Dimensions height) doesn't have the minimum required values.

Why it happens A dimension left blank, or missing its number or unit.

Example The 'height' field for 'Package Dimensions' does not have enough values. The minimum required is 1 value.