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Browse Amazon.com Advantage > Rules & Instructions
Advantage Instructions and Rules
Updated February 29, 20081. Amazon.com Advantage Application
To enroll in Amazon.com Advantage, you must have an e-mail account and Web access, and you must have North American distribution rights to the Title you want to enroll.
Items and/or shipments that do not comply with the instructions and rules may be assessed handling fees and/or returned to you at your expense.
1.1. As part of the enrollment process, you must identify one or more Titles that you would like to include in the Program. You may identify additional Titles at any time during your membership in the Program. We will evaluate each Title and will notify you of its acceptance or rejection. We may reject any Title at our sole discretion, including on the basis that it does not meet any requirements contained in the Instructions and Rules.
1.2. Each Title added to your account must have a valid ISBN (in the case of book Titles), UPC (in the case of CD, DVD, software, video game or video titles) or EAN printed on the back of each Copy as well as a bar code that scans to this same ISBN/UPC/EAN. The scannable bar code’s ISBN/UPC/EAN on the title must match the ISBN/UPC/EAN entered on your Advantage application. If the item is shrink-wrapped or in a protective case, the bar code must be scannable without removing that material. Items without a scannable bar code may incur a handling fee and/or may be returned to you at your cost.
1.3. Orders received at our facilities that do not meet our required item and carton level packaging requirements may be assessed a handling fee and/or returned to your and your expense.
1.4. You are responsible to prepay and bear all costs incurred to ship orders to our fulfillment center (including, for example, costs of freight and transit insurance). Freight charges must be marked prepaid as we will not accept shipments sent Cash On Delivery (COD).
2. Item-Level Packaging and Labeling Requirements
2.1. Each shippable unit must have a product identification number (UPC, ISBN, EAN) that is barcoded as well as printed numerically on an easily visible and scannable part of the exterior of the item or its point of sale packaging.
2.2. Any separate items that together comprise one SKU (i.e. Sets) must be packaged as a single unit.
2.3. Items must be free of all unauthorized marketing materials including pamphlets, price tags, display materials or other non-Amazon stickers.
2.4. Vendors shipping items that may require unusual handling or care must notify the vendor services team prior to shipping
2.4.1. Books, Calendars, Card Sets: Each title must have an ISBN or EAN that is printed on the book and a scannable bar code printed on the back of the book. The bar code must scan to match the ISBN or EAN on the book, and the ISBN or EAN on the book must match the ISBN or EAN on the application. Learn more about ISBNs and EANs.
Allowable binding or product types listed with ISBNs or EANs include: Books, Maps, Audio CDs, Calendars, Pamphlets, Sheet Music, CD-ROMs, Diaries (or Journals), and Single Issue Magazines. Single sheets of paper are NOT eligible for enrollment in Advantage.
2.4.2. CDs:
2.4.2.1. The title and artist name must be printed on and readable from the spine (the thin side of the CD).
2.4.2.2. A scannable barcoded UPC must be on the outside of the package with the UPC bar code clearly visible through the wrapping. Learn more about UPCs.
2.4.2.3. The CD must be shrink-wrapped in a protective case, such as a plastic jewel case. CDs in paper or plastic sleeves are not accepted.
2.4.2.4. The bar code must scan to match the UPC on the CD, and the UPC on the CD must match the UPC on the application.
2.4.2.5. The product must be packaged sufficiently to protect the contents during shipment to the customer.
2.4.3. VHS videos, Software, Video Games or DVDs:
2.4.3.1. The title must be printed on and readable from the spine.
2.4.3.2. VHS, Software, Video Games and DVD items must be shrink-wrapped with a scannable barcoded UPC on the outside of the package with the UPC bar code clearly visible through the wrapping. Learn more about UPCs.
2.4.4. The bar code must scan to match the UPC on the VHS/DVD, and the UPC on the VHS/DVD must match the UPC on the application.
2.4.5. The product must be packaged sufficiently to protect the contents during shipment to the customer.
2.4.6. When you enroll a title, you set the suggested retail price or "List Price". Titles with a List Price below $2.99 or above $999.99 are excluded from the program and will be rejected if enrolled.
2.4.7. Each Title, whether book, CD, video, or DVD, must also satisfy Amazon.com's suitability standards. These standards currently relate to quality, value, subject matter, production standards, and compliance with intellectual property laws. In no event will we accept any Title that we decide in our discretion to be pornographic.
2.4.8. Please note that vinyl albums, 45s, cassettes, eight-track tapes, non-NTSC-formatted videos, and non-region 1 or 0 DVDs are not eligible for the Program.
2.5. Used or damaged products may not be sold via Amazon.com Advantage. If you have used products to sell, please visit Amazon Marketplace.
2.5.1. If your application is successfully received, we will send you a thank-you e-mail within 24 hours. If you don't receive this e-mail, we did not receive your application, and we ask that you try again.
3. Application Approval and Ordering of Titles
3.1. Your Advantage account is not considered fully active until you have successfully enrolled at least one item.
3.2. Once you have successfully enrolled at least one title, we will send you an initial order e-mail. This e-mail contains instructions on how to log in as a member and access the "Orders" tab of the Vendor account website to confirm your order.
3.3. Confirm your order, get shipping instructions, and send copies of your Title to the designated fulfillment center.
3.4. To confirm your order, log in as a member and click on the "Orders" tab. Click on the Order ID to confirm your order and get your shipping instructions. Confirm your Order and then print out the Shipping Label and Packing Slip. Send copies to the address on the Shipping Label. Include the Packing Slip in the box with the items you are shipping.
3.5. Orders received at our facilities that do not meet our required item and carton level packaging requirements may be assessed a handling fee and/or returned to your and your expense.
4. Carton Packaging Requirements
4.1. Each carton must contain items associated with no more than five (5) Order IDs.
4.2. Cartons must sufficiently protect contents, including the protection of point of sale packaging, during transit and receipt. (For example: RSC, B flute, ECT-32, 200BH)
4.3. Cartons may not exceed 50 lbs. unless one single shippable unit exceeds 50 lbs itself. Cartons containing a single item over 50 lbs must be clearly labeled "Heavy Weight" on the top and sides.
4.4. Unacceptable forms of dunnage include crinkle wrap, shredded paper and peanuts of any kind.
4.5. Acceptable forms of dunnage include foam, air pillows and full sheets of paper.
4.6. No "gaylords" (pallet sized cartons) or point of sale packaging may be used as cartons.
4.7. Carton Labeling:
4.7.1. Required: Each carton must arrive with a shipping label either printed on it or affixed to it, in a location and condition that is easily visible and scannable.
4.7.2. You must use the Printable Shipping Label available for printing after you confirm each order OR if you are unable to use the printable shipping label mark each carton clearly with the following information:
4.7.2.1. Order ID (list of all Order IDs with which contents are associated)
4.7.2.2. To: Amazon.com
4.7.2.3. Attn: (customer name if other than Amazon.com)
4.7.2.4. Address of the Fulfillment Center. Example:
Amazon.com.kydc, Inc.
INVENTORY
1850 Mercer Drive
Lexington, KY 40511
4.7.2.5. From: (Your Company's Name)
4.7.2.6. Carton# (#__________ of total #__________)
4.7.2.7. For cartons that contain only one item ID (UPC/EAN/ISBN) also include:
4.7.2.8. Product ID# (UPC/EAN/ISBN, or another)
4.7.2.9. Quantity (number of units contained)
4.8. If it is impossible to put all the Order IDs (up to 5 per carton is acceptable) on the carton label, the label should indicate "Multiple Order IDs" (with no Order IDs listed) and a carton level packing slip that has all Order ID information for the container must be included.
4.9. Cartons that contain mixed SKUs or partial cartons must be clearly labeled as such.
4.10. Separate items packaged together, that are intended to be sold together as a single set, must be clearly labeled with "Sold as Set" to prevent pieces of the set from being separated. The set must also have a single, unmistakable bar code that identifies the entire set. Bar codes on individual component pieces of the sets must not be visible.
5. Replenishment
When inventory of your Title gets low, Amazon.com will send you an e-mail requesting more Copies. Please check that the ISBN or UPC on the items you are shipping matches the ISBN or UPC listed in the order, and that the scannable bar code still matches the ISBN or UPC on your Title. If a new edition is available for your Title, the new edition cannot be substituted for the previous edition. If for any reason you cannot fill this or future orders for an ISBN or UPC (i.e. out of stock, temporarily or permanently out of print, etc.), you must suspend the title in your Advantage account. To change an item Status, click the "Update Item Status" link in the Items tab. Failure to notify us of a change in status may result in suspension of your Amazon.com Advantage Title(s) and/or your account.
6. Proof of Delivery
Amazon.com will not issue compensation for packages or items lost in transit to our fulfillment center. Compensation for lost packages or items can only be issued if Proof of Delivery is available to indicate the item was in fact accepted by our fulfillment center. Proof of Delivery to our fulfillment center must include all of the following information: (1) shipper's tracking ID number, (2) date and time of delivery, (3) location of delivery, (4) weight of the package upon shipment, (5) name of Amazon.com receiver. Compensation for partially received shipments requires proof of the item's weight at the time of arrival at our fulfillment center. We strongly recommend choosing a shipping method that is traceable and/or insuring your parcel with your shipper.
7. Payment
7.1. Under Advantage, Amazon.com pays the vendor for copies shipped to use for sale only after we have sold the item to an Amazon.com customer.
7.2. The standard purchase discount is 55% - you keep 45% of the List Price. The standard 55% purchase discount means that Amazon.com is entitled to a 55% discount on the List Price for each unit that sells. You, the vendor, receive 45% of the List Price. You set the List Price, also known as Suggested Retail Price, of your products, and all payments made to you are calculated based on the List Price. If Amazon.com decides to further reduce the sales price to the customer below the List Price, the customer discount comes out of Amazon.com's percentage.
7.2.1. Non-standard terms under Advantage Professional and non-profit organizations (501c3) will receive confirmation of terms in writing via email.
7.3. Payment is issued at the end of each month for copies sold in the previous month. All payments are made in U.S. dollars. For example, if a Copy sells any time during the month of January, Amazon.com will issue payment by the last day of February.
7.4. Payment is made via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to the U.S. bank account you provide upon account set up. If you are unable to accept Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payments, we will pay you by check. We charge a processing fee of $15.00 per check and will issue checks only if the amount payable is at least $100; if you need to be paid by check we will accrue and withhold payments until the total amount due is at least $100. Since EFT is not yet available for non-U.S. bank accounts, we do not apply the $15.00 check processing fee for international vendors that do not have a U.S. bank account. We will still hold payment until payment exceeds $100.
7.5. Do not send us invoices for Copies shipped to us since payment is made automatically and is based on customer sales. Sending invoices for Advantage orders may result in delayed payment.
8. International Shipments
8.1. You are responsible for costs and other obligations associated with shipments that Amazon.com receives from, or ships to you at, an international address, including but not limited to all customs duties, taxes and other charges, as well as the identification of yourself as importer and exporter of record, as appropriate. Amazon must not be listed on any documentation as importer, exporter, or consignee.
8.2. The delivery term when shipping items internationally must be D.D.P (Delivery Duty Paid) - Destination, which will be the Amazon fulfillment center to which you are required to send your Products.
9. Member Help
9.1. Additional help and information for members can be found on the Advantage vendor website.
9.1.1. Log into your account and click on "HELP" in the upper right hand corner to access the Advantage Help & Information Center. Read the New Vendor FAQ to learn about adding new titles, how to confirm an Order, uploading cover art, etc.
9.2. You may contact the Advantage Vendor Services Team at any time with questions regarding your account.
9.2.1. The best way to contact the Vendor Services team is to log into your Advantage account, click on "Contact Us" at the bottom of any page and follow the instructions. We strive to answer all inquiries within 24 hours.
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