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Amazon removes the $10,000 threshold for third-party liability insurance in selected US categories and speeds up access to VAT reports
Last updated: 29/10/2026
The beginning of November 2026 brings significant changes for Amazon sellers. From 2 November, a selection of listings on the US marketplace will require commercial liability insurance regardless of sales volume. A day later, Amazon will begin making VAT reports available mid-month. The platform is also reminding sellers about the Compliance Fast-Track programme operating in the European Union, which helps reduce the manual submission of product compliance documents.
Each of these updates applies to a different area of operations, yet all are vital for sales management. Find out which changes affect your business, what risks they involve, and what steps you should take first.
Table of contents:
From 2 November 2026: Third-party liability insurance becomes mandatory
Compliance Fast-Track: Amazon highlights automated compliance document processing in the EU
From 3 November 2026: Amazon VAT reports will also be available mid-month
Summary
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Reading time: 4 minutes.
From 2 November 2026: Liability insurance mandatory even without exceeding USD 10,000 in sales
Previously, sellers on Amazon's US marketplace were required to obtain commercial liability insurance within 30 days of exceeding USD 10,000 in gross monthly sales proceeds. From 2 November 2026, this threshold will no longer apply to categories subject to elevated safety requirements.
This means that even a seller just launching on Amazon.com will need to hold an appropriate policy if their inventory includes products from designated groups. The new rules apply to both existing and newly added listings.
The change does not affect all categories. In all other cases, the existing threshold of USD 10,000 in monthly sales remains in force.
Which products will be subject to the new requirements?
Amazon outlines 11 main product groups subject to elevated safety requirements. These include children's products, cosmetics and consumable goods, lithium batteries, and devices powered by such batteries.
The list also features fire detection and suppression products, household appliances, home medical equipment, outdoor heating and power equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
The requirement also extends to selected sleep-related products, including mattresses and accessories designed for safe rest, transport products, and equipment related to water safety and aquatic environments.
However, this does not mean that every product within a broadly defined category is automatically subject to the new requirement. Amazon defines the detailed scope of requirements for specific groups and communicates them via Account Health.
The list is open-ended and may be expanded. Therefore, sellers should regularly review the requirements for individual ASINs rather than relying solely on general product classifications.
The full scope can be reviewed in the official documentation for categories subject to elevated safety requirements.
What conditions must a liability insurance policy meet on Amazon.com?
Simply holding a liability policy does not guarantee compliance with Amazon's criteria. The platform sets out specific standards regarding coverage limits, insurer reliability, and documentation.
The minimum policy limit is USD 1 million per occurrence and USD 1 million in the aggregate. The deductible must not exceed USD 10,000 and its amount must be stated on the Certificate of Insurance.
Amazon typically requires an occurrence-based policy, covering incidents that take place during the policy period. For certain categories where obtaining such cover is difficult, the platform permits a claims-made policy.
The coverage must extend to the seller's business activities and all products listed on Amazon.com, including product liability and potential bodily injury.
Additionally, Amazon requires that the policy:
names Amazon.com Services LLC and its affiliates and assignees as additional insureds
does not include a sunset clause limiting the ability to report claims after a specified period
is issued to an entity matching the seller account details, subject to specific exceptions provided by Amazon for certain business structures
is provided by an insurer with an S&P or AM Best rating of at least A-, or an accepted local equivalent
provides worldwide claims handling capabilities
is complete and signed by an authorised representative of the insurer
stipulates that the insurer will provide Amazon with at least 30 days' advance notice of cancellation, modification, or non-renewal
In practice, this calls for a thorough review of your existing policy terms. A standard corporate general liability policy may not cover all risks associated with selling products in the US market or may fail to meet Amazon’s formal requirements.
Detailed criteria can be found in the Commercial Liability Insurance Requirements.
What should sellers do before 2 November?
The most critical step is auditing your product catalogue on Amazon.com. If you sell in any of the categories subject to the new requirements, check your listing status in Account Health and ensure your policy covers the relevant products and satisfies the platform's conditions.
The Certificate of Insurance (COI) must be submitted for verification via the Business Insurance section in Seller Central. It is also advisable to ensure that the insured's details precisely match the information on your seller account.
Failing to maintain the required cover or submitting unapproved documentation may lead to sales restrictions, including listing suspensions until compliance is achieved.
For this reason, comprehensive Amazon sales management should also include monitoring platform requirements, listing statuses, and the documentation necessary to maintain business continuity.
In the same announcement, Amazon is also introducing a distinct rule for sellers based in mainland China. From 2 November, new policies for this seller group must generally be obtained through the Amazon Insurance Accelerator (AIA) programme. Existing, compliant third-party policies submitted to Amazon prior to this date may remain valid until expiry. This is an additional requirement based on seller location rather than product category.
Important: The November update regarding the insurance threshold applies specifically to the Amazon.com US marketplace. It does not introduce a corresponding requirement for sellers operating exclusively on Amazon’s European marketplaces.
Compliance Fast-Track: Amazon highlights automated compliance document processing in the EU
Not every Amazon announcement introduces new obligations or features. The platform is also reminding sellers in the European Union about the availability of Compliance Fast-Track, a programme designed to simplify the submission of product compliance documentation.
This solution enables the automatic sharing of required documents with Amazon if the product has been certified by a participating organisation. In such cases, the platform retrieves the relevant data directly, eliminating the need for the seller to upload documents manually.
This is particularly beneficial for businesses managing extensive product catalogues. Manually providing certificates and other mandatory paperwork entails considerable administrative overhead, and missing or outdated documentation can result in listing suppressions.
What are the benefits of Compliance Fast-Track?
The programme reduces the volume of manual tasks involved in document administration. Automated data retrieval can streamline document updates and mitigate the risk of sales interruptions caused by missing or expired records.
However, this does not mean Compliance Fast-Track exempts sellers from their responsibility to ensure products comply with applicable laws. Automation covers the transmission of specific documentation, not the process of obtaining required certifications or meeting safety standards.
Participation in the programme does not remove other Amazon requirements either, including any obligation to undergo supplementary verification by authorized testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) bodies where mandated for a given product.
The programme does not automatically cover entire product ranges. Eligibility depends on product qualification and the certification body involved.
It is therefore worth checking the list of participating certification bodies in Seller Central and verifying whether your specific products qualify for the programme.
For brands selling across several EU countries, Compliance Fast-Track offers a way to reduce time-consuming administrative tasks. Nevertheless, continuous monitoring of product- and market-specific requirements remains essential.
From 3 November 2026: Amazon VAT reports will also be available mid-month
Another update affects data used for tax settlement purposes. From 3 November 2026, Amazon is introducing the option to generate the Amazon VAT Transactions Report (AVTR) mid-month, rather than waiting for the standard report published on the third day of the following month.
This change is especially relevant for businesses operating across multiple European marketplaces that need to analyse transactions regularly and reconcile data with their accounting systems.
Earlier data access and report regeneration
The new mechanism will allow sellers to request a report at any point during the month, with data available up to a cut-off date at least three days prior to the request date.
For example, when requesting a report on 10 November, a seller can access data through to 7 November.
Amazon will also permit the regeneration of reports for periods that have been previously downloaded. If additional details or transaction updates emerge after the initial export, generating the file again will provide the revised data.
As a result, the AVTR can be used not only for month-end reporting, but also for continuous reconciliation of sales and tax figures.
It is worth noting, however, that this new feature is being rolled out gradually in beta. Account-level availability should therefore be verified directly in Seller Central.
Two new columns in AVTR reports
Alongside the revised reporting frequency, Amazon is adding two new fields to the report structure.
TRANSACTION_UPDATED_DATE indicates the date the transaction was last processed by Amazon, recorded in UTC. This helps identify which records have been added or modified since the previous download, facilitating comparisons between report versions.
GOV_INVOICE_ID contains the electronic invoice identifier assigned by the relevant tax authority. At this stage, Amazon provides this information for transactions connected to Poland’s National e-Invoicing System (KSeF). Support for this column is planned to expand to other countries in the future.
For businesses reporting sales in Poland, this provides valuable metadata that supports reconciliation with KSeF. Nonetheless, the AVTR report itself does not replace statutory invoicing or VAT reporting obligations.
Learn more about electronic invoicing requirements for sellers in our article on KSeF on Amazon.
What should you adjust in your reporting workflows?
Earlier data access opens the door to more frequent transaction audits and faster discrepancy resolution. If your business relies on automated AVTR imports into an accounting system, check whether the new columns require adjustments to your data ingestion routines.
Handling re-downloaded reports effectively will also be crucial. Your systems should be capable of recognising updated transactions so that each new file version is not processed as a completely separate dataset.
Well-designed e-commerce process automation can streamline Amazon report downloads, simplify transaction change tracking, and feed up-to-date figures directly into accounting systems.
It should also be remembered that earlier report availability does not constitute a final close of the period's data. Amazon notes that most transactions settle within approximately 30 days of the reporting period ending, meaning subsequent adjustments remain possible.
While the updated reporting mechanism facilitates continuous monitoring, it does not remove the need to verify data completeness prior to final tax submissions.
Summary
The two November updates and the reminder regarding Compliance Fast-Track address different facets of operations, each requiring a tailored approach.
The immediate priority lies with the new liability insurance rules on Amazon.com. The 2 November 2026 deadline is fast approaching, and reviewing policy coverage, securing the appropriate certificate, and submitting documentation all require advance preparation.
Regarding Compliance Fast-Track, check whether your products qualify for automated document management. This existing operational feature is particularly useful for extensive catalogues, though it cannot replace proactive compliance oversight.
Meanwhile, the AVTR updates offer a valuable opportunity to refine data flows between Seller Central and your finance team. Earlier data access allows for faster discrepancy identification—provided your systems can seamlessly process modified records.
If you sell across multiple marketplaces, start by auditing listings subject to the new insurance requirements. Next, assess opportunities for compliance document automation and ensure your accounting workflows are ready for the changes to VAT reporting.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Is liability insurance mandatory for all sellers on Amazon US?
No. From 2 November 2026, Amazon is removing the USD 10,000 monthly sales threshold only for selected product groups subject to elevated safety requirements. For other categories, the existing threshold continues to apply. Sellers should therefore check the specific requirements assigned to their listings in Seller Central.
Which products require liability insurance on Amazon.com regardless of revenue?
The new requirements cover selected items across 11 groups, including children’s products, cosmetics, lithium batteries, household appliances, medical equipment, personal protective equipment, and safety-related products. The precise scope depends on the product and the criteria specified by Amazon.
What is the minimum liability insurance cover required by Amazon in the US?
In line with the outlined requirements, the policy must provide at least USD 1 million per occurrence and USD 1 million in the aggregate. Amazon also stipulates specific conditions regarding insurer ratings, scope of cover, deductibles, and required documentation.
Where do I submit my liability insurance certificate on Amazon?
The Certificate of Insurance (COI) must be uploaded via the Business Insurance section in Seller Central. Before submitting, verify that the insured entity details match your account information and confirm that the policy meets all of Amazon's requirements.
What is Amazon Compliance Fast-Track?
Compliance Fast-Track is a programme that enables participating certification bodies to submit specific product compliance documentation directly to Amazon. It reduces manual document uploads, but does not relieve sellers of their duty to ensure products meet all legal and platform standards.
What is changing in the Amazon VAT Transactions Report from November 2026?
From 3 November 2026, Amazon will begin rolling out the ability to generate AVTR reports mid-month. Data can be retrieved for periods ending up to three days prior to the request date. As the feature is launching in beta, it may not be immediately available on every account.
What do the new TRANSACTION_UPDATED_DATE and GOV_INVOICE_ID columns in AVTR mean?
TRANSACTION_UPDATED_DATE reflects the date the transaction was last processed by Amazon, making it easier to track amended records. GOV_INVOICE_ID contains the e-invoice reference number issued by the applicable tax authority, initially implemented for transactions linked to the Polish KSeF system.
Does downloading VAT reports more frequently replace statutory tax filings?
No. The AVTR report provides transaction data for reconciliation and analysis, but does not itself satisfy statutory tax filing or invoicing obligations. Because records may be updated after an initial download, data should always be checked for completeness and accuracy prior to tax settlement.
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