Amazon Handmade: Using Inventory Templates to upload products & FAQ

You can use Inventory Template files to list Handmade items in bulk. Handmade has a unique listing process that differs from other Amazon categories, so there are some differences to keep in mind.

Listing Attributes

• Variations: Handmade does not support variation relationships where parent products are linked with child products. Columns containing variation data are not available for Handmade-specific inventory file templates.
• Global Trade Item Numbers (“GTIN”): Because all products listed in Handmade are new, unique listings, Global Trade Item Numbers such as UPC, EAN, JAN or ISBN are not required for Handmade products.

Amazon Template Instructions

• Example tab: The Example tab does not apply to Handmade ASINs. Disregard this tab for Handmade listings.

List Handmade ASINs using Inventory Templates

1. Navigate to Add Products via Upload
2. Step 1: SELECT THE TYPES OF PRODUCTS YOU WANT TO SELL - you have two options for selection.
   • Use the Search tool to identify the category, sub-category, and type of product you wish to list (Select “Handmade Products” as your first option in the Product Classifier to display Handmade-specific subcategories)
   • Use the Product Classifier and manually narrow down to the type of products that you will be listing until you have an option to click Select.
   Note: Makers can select multiple classifications in their inventory templates regardless of the Handmade category. There is no restriction on generating a template that contains sub-categories within Handmade (such as Handmade -> Home & Kitchen) and general Amazon categories outside of Handmade (such as Health & Personal Care). Make sure that you select a sub-category within Handmade Products if you are only listing Handmade products.
3. Step 2: SELECT THE TYPE OF TEMPLATE - we recommend that you generate a Custom template and use the Add all function, as it includes all Handmade attributes.
4. Click Generate Template and open the Excel file. Remember that the Variation attribute group is irrelevant for Handmade and will not have any effect in Handmade-specific templates.
5. Select the Template tab, where you will find the various attributes across the top row, and a field for you to fill in. For more information on filling out your template, see How do I fill Out a Template?.

   Once you have filled in the template and saved it to your computer locally, you are now ready to check your file and upload it.

6. Navigate back to Add Products via Upload and select the Check and Upload your Inventory File tab.
7. Step 1: CHECK YOUR FILE – Here you have the opportunity to validate your Inventory File template before creating your listings in the Amazon catalog. For more information on using this feature, see Use Check My File.
8. Step 2: UPLOAD FILE – After verifying that there are no issues with your file, you can now upload it.
   • File Type: Select Inventory Files for non-Media Categories
   • File Upload: Browse to where you saved your template on your computer
   • Email Alert: This is an optional field. However, entering your email address will then allow Amazon to alert you when your file upload is complete and a summary of any errors that may have occurred during processing, along with a link to your full report.
   Note: Once your items have been uploaded, you can always navigate to Complete Your Drafts (under Catalog) for listings that have minor errors which prevent listing publication. This will allow you to correct listing errors without re-listing the item in full.

Uploaded ASINs are available in Manage Your Inventory and the Handmade 1x1 listing tool. If the quantity for your ASINs is greater than or equal to “1”, they are immediately buyable once they display in Seller Central. If your intent is to offer customizations, you will set the quantity to “0”, which will enable you to set up the customizations first before it is available in the Handmade store.

Customizations

You cannot add Customizations via inventory templates. Makers uploading ASINs with an inventory file template can add Customizations to specific ASINs after uploading the template by navigating to the Handmade 1x1 listing tool.

ASINs with a Quantity that is greater than 0 are buyable once they are processed within Seller Central. If you are adding Customizable ASINs via inventory templates, set the Quantity to “0” for the relevant SKU and add Customizations afterwards using the Handmade 1x1 listing tool.

Performing a full Update on an existing SKU will completely replace it with the updated SKU. This includes deleting all Customization data associated with that SKU.

Handmade Apparel and Shoes Categories

Due to required customizations built into the listing process for these categories, the Handmade Apparel and Shoes categories are not currently available in inventory templates.

Edit Existing ASINs

You can edit your Handmade ASINs by using the Add Products via Upload tool. Follow the steps above to download a new Inventory File template, fill it out with the appropriate edits, and upload the new Inventory file to Seller Central.

Here, the update_delete attribute offers three options for Makers to update existing ASINs by SKU in inventory templates: Delete, PartialUpdate, or Update (full).

• Delete: Removes the selected SKUs.
• PartialUpdate: Changes only SKU attribute cells where data is entered.
• Update (full): Overwrites all existing SKU attributes. If an attribute cell is left blank, selecting Update (full) will delete those attributes. Performing an Update (full) will also delete Customizations from existing SKUs. Only users experienced with inventory template functionality should perform an Update (full).

On the Handmade Inventory template, enter the relevant SKU for the product you want to update. Select the appropriate option under the previously mentioned update_delete attribute and enter the value you want to adjust. Once you have entered all relevant information, upload the template and allow the system up to 15 minutes for changes to display to your listings.

Downloading current Inventory information

To facilitate access to the current product information, you have the option to generate a Report with your Inventory details, which you can then copy and paste to the Handmade Inventory template you will be using to edit the listings. To generate this report:

1. In Seller Central, hover over Inventory and choose “Inventory Reports” from the drop-down options.
2. Select the type of Inventory report that best meets your needs for the items you want to edit.
3. Click on the yellow “Request Report” button for a .txt file to generate. You can select all of the information and copy it and paste it on an Excel file.

Why should I use the Inventory File Upload?

You should use the Inventory File Upload when you want to create or edit Handmade listings in bulk instead of using the 1x1 Add a Product tool.

Is this available for all Handmade categories?

You can use the Inventory File Upload feature for all categories, except the Handmade Apparel and Shoes categories. These are currently unavailable.

What is the “customizable_template_name” attribute?

This attribute should only be used in the following situations:

• When performing an Update (full) on an existing SKU:
  • Select the GuildCustomization value from thecustomizable_template_name drop-down. This will preserve your existing customizations when performing an Update (full)
• If you perform an unintended Update (full): This attribute will re-enable any deleted Customizations.
  • Enter the affected SKUs or use the existing template.
  • Select PartialUpdate under theupdate_delete attribute.
  • Select the GuildCustomization value from the customizable_template_name drop-down.
  • Upload the inventory template file.

How do I tell from the template if I am listing in Handmade?

The attribute Product Type (feed_product_type) determines the category in which you are listing. Handmade Product Types are listed as guilds:

• guildaccessories
• guildbaby
• guildbeautygrooming
• guildhome
• guildjewelry
• guildpetsupplies
• guildtoysandgames

You can tell that the subcategory chosen is within Handmade if Valid Values under the Summary of your selected products in Add Products via Upload starts with ‘handmade’; for example – handmade-engagement-rings.

Are products buyable once uploaded?

Once you have completed all the steps required, your items will be ready for purchase immediately once processed within Seller Central. If you do not want your products to be available immediately, set your Quantity to 0.

What are Lite, Advanced, or Custom templates?

The Lite option contains “Required” attributes associated with the selected products. “Required” attributes are the minimum values necessary to create your product in the Amazon catalog (for example, item_sku).

The Advanced option contains all attributes groups associated with the selected products. This option includes “Required”, “Preferred”, and “Optional” attribute groups.

The Custom option allows you to choose attribute groups associated with the selected products that you can add to your template. This option includes the “Required” attribute fields.

Can I transfer information from my other websites?

Yes. If you have products listed on Etsy, for example, you can transfer some product details onto your Amazon Inventory File Template. For more information, see Transfer Product Details from Etsy.