Amazon Seller News

Amazon has launched a free AI-powered Image Generator tool, enabling brands to create custom, brand-specific imagery quickly and easily. Key features of this new tool include:

1. Fast Image Creation: Generate tailored product images in just seconds.
2. Creative Asset Library: Save your generated images for immediate use in your campaigns and branding efforts.
3. Versatile Usage: Utilize the imagery across Sponsored Brands, Sponsored Display campaigns, Brand Stores, and Posts.
4. A/B Testing: Create multiple images to test shopper engagement and optimize performance.
5. Seasonal Relevance: Access over 40 themes designed to match year-round seasonal trends.

To start creating custom imagery, visit Image Generator in your seller account.

This tool is designed to enhance branding efforts, streamline marketing tasks, and improve engagement with shoppers across Amazon platforms.

Effective January 1, 2025, Amazon will implement changes to the Amazon Services Europe Business Solutions Agreement and related program policies. Below are the key updates:

1. Insurance (Clause 8) and Commercial Liability Insurance Policy:
   • Sellers are no longer required to list Amazon and its assignees as additional insured parties on their insurance policies.
   • The Commercial Liability Insurance Program Policy will be updated to reflect this change.
   • Sellers will now be responsible for notifying Amazon if their commercial liability insurance is canceled, modified, or not renewed—this responsibility will no longer fall on the insurance provider.
2. Tax Matters (Clause 9):
   • Amazon will continue to issue invoices electronically. Invoices will be provided in a format and delivery method of Amazon’s choosing, such as PDFs.
3. Amazon Ads:
   • Customers using Amazon Ads will need to accept electronic invoices in a format determined by Amazon, including PDFs, provided this complies with local laws.

Visit the Changes to program policies for additional details.

These updates are important for sellers and advertisers to review to ensure compliance with the new requirements starting in 2025.

Starting January 1, 2025, new Value Added Tax (VAT) regulations from the Swiss tax authority will affect e-commerce sales to customers in Switzerland. Below are the key details:

• VAT Collection and Remittance:
  • Swiss VAT will be applied to orders delivered to addresses in Switzerland, including the Principality of Liechtenstein and the German municipality of Büsingen.
  • Amazon will collect and remit the VAT directly to the Swiss tax authorities, regardless of the seller’s VAT registration status.
• Shipments Affected:
  • These rules apply to both shipments imported into Switzerland and domestic deliveries within the country.
• Shipping Procedures:
  • For FBA shipments, Amazon will handle the import VAT and duty clearance, requiring no additional action from sellers.
  • For seller-fulfilled shipments, sellers must provide Amazon’s import information to their carrier for customs declarations.

Visit Swiss VAT on ecommerce legislation for detailed guidance, including how to provide import information for seller-fulfilled shipments.

Please note, this announcement is informational and does not serve as legal or professional advice. Sellers are encouraged to review the new rules to ensure compliance.

Amazon has introduced improvements to the Complete your drafts dashboard, making it easier for sellers to manage and publish draft listings. The new features include:

1. Unified View: Manage all your draft listings from various sources, such as web URLs or blank forms, in a single, streamlined interface.
2. Unlimited Storage: Save an unlimited number of draft listings for future use without storage limitations.
3. Cross-Browser Compatibility: Access and save draft listings seamlessly across any web browser.

To use the updated dashboard, go to the Catalogue drop-down menu and select Complete your drafts. Alternatively, visit the List your products page and click View my drafts under Complete your listings.

Visit Complete your drafts for more details.

These enhancements aim to simplify the process of managing draft listings, offering flexibility and improved usability for Amazon sellers.

Amazon has upgraded the Voice of the Customer dashboard with two new metrics—Return Rate and Star Rating—to provide sellers with deeper insights into customer satisfaction. These updates aim to help sellers track performance, identify challenges, and take action to improve their listings effectively.

Key features include:

• Return Rate: This metric highlights the percentage of products returned within the last 12 months. Sellers can quickly identify which ASINs have the highest return rates, making it easier to address potential issues and improve product performance.
• Star Rating: The dashboard now displays your product ratings as seen on Amazon product pages. This consolidated view allows you to assess overall customer feedback and focus on areas for improvement.

access the Voice of the Customer dashboard to review and optimize your listings using these tools.

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Brand Registered sellers in the U.S. can now use generative AI tools in the A+ Content Manager to create engaging product content quickly and efficiently. A+ Content helps showcase your brand and products with customized visuals and text, potentially increasing sales by up to 20%.

These AI tools are available at no cost for select English-language modules and enable sellers to streamline content creation without needing a dedicated design team.

To get started, visit the A+ Content Manager in Seller Central and look for modules labeled "AI Ready." More information is available in the A+ Content Generative AI Guide.

Amazon has launched new customer service quality insights for seller-fulfilled orders, now available in the Feedback Manager section of Seller Central. These insights provide detailed information about your preventable contact rate, average response time, and buyer dissatisfaction levels.

Additionally, the tool includes a comparison of your performance with top-performing sellers, making it easier to identify areas for improvement in the customer experience. The rollout began on 10/30/2024 and will be accessible to all sellers in the coming weeks. For more information, visit the Customer Service Insights page in Feedback Manager.

On 12/27/2024, Amazon will discontinue the Global Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) Inventory report as part of its efforts to improve inventory management tools. Sellers can continue accessing the same data through the FBA Inventory report in Seller Central.

For real-time updates and detailed insights, the Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD) Inventory report is also available, providing information on stock levels and units in transit. Both reports ensure seamless inventory tracking without interruptions.

Visit the AWD inventory help page in Seller Central for additional details.

Amazon has launched drone delivery services in the West Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, as part of its Prime Air initiative. This builds on the announcement of record-breaking Prime delivery speeds earlier this year, with over five billion items delivered globally in one day or less.

Customers near the Same-Day Delivery sites in Tolleson, Arizona, can now enjoy drone deliveries for eligible items weighing five pounds or less. This service offers delivery in under an hour, covering more than 50,000 essential products, including household goods, beauty items, and office supplies.

Amazon's Same-Day Delivery sites combine fulfillment, sorting, and delivery operations into a single location to ensure faster service. The MK30 drone, already operational in College Station, Texas, will be utilized for this expansion, with plans for gradual growth in the future.

Starting January 1, 2025, Amazon will implement a new format for invoice numbers generated through VAT Calculation Services. The updated format will feature 14-character invoice numbers, designed to simplify accounting processes for Amazon Business customers while maintaining uniqueness and sequential order.

If you use VAT Calculation Services and Amazon generates invoices on your behalf, it’s important to review your systems and adjust any processes impacted by this change before it takes effect.

Visit Value Added Tax (VAT) Invoicing and Reporting for more details about the new format.

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