GTIN Exemption Issues for Brand Owner - Case ID 15654441491
Hello Amazon Seller Community,
I am reaching out to seek advice and share our ongoing challenges with Amazon's GTIN exemption process. Our business, is facing significant disruptions and inability to add new product listings due to unresolved issues related to our product listings. Despite being the brand owners, manufacturers, and sole sellers of our products, we are experiencing difficulties that have brought our operations to a standstill. Below is a summary of our situation, and we hope to gain insights from those who might have faced similar issues.
Background:
- Brand: Sprinkle Pop
- Case ID: 15654441491
- Issue Duration: Ongoing for the past two weeks
Core Issues:
1. GTIN Exemption Removal: Our GTIN exemption for our brand was inexplicably removed, which has caused widespread disruptions and inability to list any new products. We need this exemption reinstated urgently.
2. Incorrect UPC Codes: Several of our listings have been incorrectly associated with UPC codes. Despite providing comprehensive documentation, including our GS1 certificate, trademark registration certificate, and images showing the absence of UPC codes, these incorrect codes have not been cleaved.
3. Inability to Reapply for GTIN Exemption: We are unable to request a GTIN exemption afresh using the provided instructions. This issue persists even after we have submitted all required documentation and explanation multiple times.
Key Points:
- Historical Context: We have listed hundreds of ASINs under the GTIN exemption without any issues for years. This sudden change has left us unable to list our products, severely affecting our business.
- Documentation Provided: We attached our GS1 certificate, trademark registration certificate, real-time images of our products, and detailed lists of ASINs affected by these issues in the support case.
- Support Responses: Despite multiple attempts to resolve the issues through Amazon Seller Support, we keep receiving template responses that do not address the core problem.
- GTIN Codes: We no longer use GTIN codes for our products as we rely on GTIN exemptions to list our unique products on Amazon. Our products are mostly seasonal and in demand production based, and assigning GTIN codes has not been part of our standard operating procedure for years, which is why the exemption is crucial for our operations.
Questions for the Community:
1. Revoking GS1 Certificate: Would revoking our previous GS1 certificate help in obtaining our seemingly now defunct GTIN exemption?
2. Eligibility for GTIN Exemption: Despite being brand owners, why are we unable to apply for a GTIN exemption even after providing comprehensive documentation?
3. Root Cause: What could be the root cause of our inability to list products without a GTIN now, when we were previously able to do so under the GTIN exemption?
4. Existing Listings: How can listings in categories that were created under a GTIN exemption suddenly be claimed as ineligible for the same exemption for new listings?
We are seeking advice, similar experiences, or any effective strategies that can help us resolve this situation. Your insights and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your support.
Best regards
0 replies
Seller_0rXAME9V4LQSx
Amazon is undergoing a lot of massive changes. This sounds like it might be another thing that they are pushing. Many businesses are having to scramble to either keep up with what new policies are or having to retool their business model to meet it.
I hope you get some useful answers here. Good luck.
Glenn_Amazon
Hello there @Seller_1XXdPI163VMQY,
I'm sorry you are suddenly having difficulties with creating new listings. I'm going to try to address your questions to the best of my ability but please note that some details are internal to Amazon:
1. Revoking GS1 Certificate: Would revoking our previous GS1 certificate help in obtaining our seemingly now defunct GTIN exemption?
I'm not confident that revoking the GS1 Certificate will reinstate your previous GTIN exemption. As you may need to transition back to using GTINs as I cannot guarantee that your exemption can be restored I would recommend holding off on revoking the certificate.
2. Eligibility for GTIN Exemption: Despite being brand owners, why are we unable to apply for a GTIN exemption even after providing comprehensive documentation?
I believe one of the issues may be that in the Case you provided you reached out to Seller Support, rather than Brand Support. You may want to attempt to reach out to Brand Registry to request and appeal your previous GTIN exemption.
3. Root Cause: What could be the root cause of our inability to list products without a GTIN now, when we were previously able to do so under the GTIN exemption?
Amazon's current policy is that some Brands that are identified to have GS1 registered barcodes, exemptions are not permitted as Amazon is expecting GS1 barcodes for products instead. While you haven't had issues in the past, at this time the team has identified that this Brand should have GS1 barcodes to list products and as such have revoked the exemption.
4. Existing Listings: How can listings in categories that were created under a GTIN exemption suddenly be claimed as ineligible for the same exemption for new listings?
What likely occurred here was that in the past the product wasn't subject to the policy, but at this time Amazon has determined that there should be GS1 barcodes based on internal information with the GS1 database. It sometimes takes time for the systems to identify these kinds of restrictions.
Based on my review of your previous case you should be able to appeal to request an exception to this policy. I would recommend reaching out to Brand Registry and reopening your previous case to appeal further. If you hit any barriers please reach out to me here with your Case ID and I can see what I can do to escalate from my end.
Thank you for your understanding.
-Glenn
