Amazon Updates Their Age-Restricted Bladed Products List

Heads up, UK sellers! More bladed products may no longer be sold through FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant) starting May 19th. ⚠️

Amazon recently announced that bladed items needing age verification listed within the updated Offensive Weapons Act 2019, such as chef’s knives and kitchen knives, and sold through the merchant-fulfilled channel will be banned from their listings effective May 19.

Part 3 section 41 of the Act defines a bladed product as an item that is or contains a blade, and that can cause grave physical harm to a person, including cutting a person’s skin. The Act also prohibits the sale and delivery of knives to persons under 18, which means an ID and a signature on delivery may be requested if the recipient appears to be a minor.

A concern has been raised regarding the issue of Amazon erroneously flagging fake bladed products like plastic toy swords as restrictive blade products. There is a fear that additional listings of plastic bladed items may also be suspended based on this policy update.

Banning age-restricted knives from being sold through FBM may be Amazon’s way of being extra cautious (and forcing you to switch to FBA), knowing that they can’t fully rely on a seller’s ability to execute age checks on delivery. However, FBA itself isn’t exactly following proper delivery protocol. 🤔

Another issue that was raised is Amazon already seems to be violating their age verification on delivery policy by leaving bladed products ordered via FBA at a buyer’s door. With this new shift in their requirements, we can only hope the eComm giant will be more careful in carrying out their own policy moving forward. 🤞

In closing, if you are currently selling bladed products through FBM, make sure you check out the listing guidelines for bladed products to view the complete list of age-restricted bladed items.