Dangerous Goods (Hazmat) on Amazon FBA UK: How the Review Works
Perfume, nail polish, aerosols, power banks and some cleaning products all look harmless on a shelf. To a warehouse and a delivery network, they are dangerous goods. Amazon reviews them before they can be stored in FBA, and stock bought without checking can end up blocked. Here is how the review works.
Dangerous goods (often called hazmat) are products that could cause harm in storage or transport because they are flammable, pressurised, corrosive, or contain batteries, among other reasons. Amazon classifies these ASINs and may ask for a safety data sheet or exemption sheet. Check the hazmat status of every ASIN before you buy, get documents from the supplier, and expect some products to be FBM only.
Products that are often dangerous goods
| Type | Everyday examples |
|---|---|
| Flammable liquids | Perfume and aftershave, nail polish and remover, some hair products |
| Aerosols and gases | Deodorant sprays, dry shampoo, spray paint, air fresheners |
| Batteries | Lithium batteries, power banks, electronics with built-in batteries |
| Corrosives and oxidisers | Some drain cleaners, bleach-based products, pool chemicals |
| Other regulated items | Some adhesives, lighters, magnetised items and car care products |
This is a guide, not a definition. Amazon decides each ASIN's classification, and the same product type can be treated differently depending on its formula and packaging. The underlying transport rules are set out in GOV.UK's Moving dangerous goods guidance (read 28 October 2026).
How the review works
- Amazon flags the ASIN from the listing data, from a previous review, or when you create a listing or shipment.
- Amazon may ask for documents, usually a safety data sheet (SDS) for chemicals, or an exemption sheet showing why a product is not dangerous goods. For batteries, it may also need battery details in the listing.
- You upload the document in the dangerous goods area of Seller Central. It must be for the exact product, from the manufacturer, and complete.
- Amazon classifies the ASIN. You cannot send the units to FBA while the review is pending.
A safety data sheet is a safety document. Use the version the manufacturer or supplier provides. Changing one, or using one written for a different product, puts customers, warehouse staff and your account at risk.
What the outcomes mean
- Not dangerous goods: ships to FBA as normal.
- Dangerous goods, allowed in FBA: can be stored, usually in special storage. Fees can differ from standard products; check the current UK rate card. Capacity for these products can be tighter.
- Not allowed in FBA: you may still be able to sell it yourself (FBM) if you follow the shipping rules for that product.
If you think an ASIN has been classified wrongly, you can ask for a review with better documents. Do not relist the same product on a new ASIN to get round it; that breaks listing policy. See IP claims and listing policy on Amazon UK.
How resellers should check before buying
- Check the ASIN in Seller Central (Catalogue › Add products) alongside the eligibility check. See restricted categories and ungating.
- Use your sourcing tool's hazmat flag as a first filter. SellerAmp and others show it; see our SellerAmp review. Seller Central is the final word.
- Ask wholesale suppliers for SDS documents before your first order. A good distributor will have them. Our UK wholesale suppliers guide covers what to ask.
- Be careful with online arbitrage in beauty and household products. Retailers will not usually send an SDS, so an unclassified ASIN may stay blocked.
- Factor the fee difference and slower sell-through into your numbers before you buy.
The buying checklist in the £29 Amazon FBA Playbook includes the hazmat check. New sellers can start with the free UK FBA Starter Framework.
Sources
GOV.UK, Moving dangerous goods (read 28 October 2026). Amazon Seller Central UK help pages on dangerous goods identification, safety data sheets and exemption sheets (login required). Classifications and fees change; Seller Central shows the current position for each ASIN.