Prep Type Category errors

[travisrr]

I'm encountering consistent "prep_type" errors when attempting to list both clothing and figurine products via the SP-API.

Here are some of the sample ASINs I'm working with:

Clothing: B0BKTLG9PR, B0BKTK6ZRT, B0BKTK5CQP
Figurines: B082YMF6NC, B0BMXZY22W
Grocery: B00KQ1A63E

I've consulted the SP-API documentation, but I'm still unclear on the specific prep_type values that are valid for these product categories. I've tried common prep types like "polybagging," "bagging," and "boxing," ensuring correct casing and format, but I continue to receive errors.

My Questions:

Category-Specific Prep Types: Could someone provide a definitive list of acceptable prep_type values for clothing and figurines? A comprehensive mapping of product categories to allowed prep types would be incredibly helpful.

Multiple Prep Types: Is it possible that these items require multiple prep types? If so, how should I format the prep_instructions array in the request body?

ASIN-Specific Guidance: Are there any known prep type requirements or nuances for the specific ASINs I listed?

Error Details:

ERROR: Prep category and types cannot be updated for msku _______________ with existing prep category of FC-PROVIDED.

Request:

Ideally, it would be fantastic if Amazon could provide a comprehensive product category/prep-type mapping chart within the SP-API documentation. This would significantly reduce confusion and streamline the listing process.

Any guidance or insights would be greatly appreciated

@puppsupr

[MetaMan2023]

The prep type category system via API is a mess -- if you choose certain categories it REQUIRES you to select certain prep types -- and if you don't then it yells at you (why not just automatically select them if they are required?)

Also if FC-PROVIDED is selected it means you do nothing, you just have to follow the guidance that is currently set as it has been force set by the FC center.

I made a tool that pulls up the current data and allows you to checkbox the different options and select the prep category -- then it saves it back and displays the error, if any, that occurs.

I think I have a thread in the Q&A section of GitHub I posted a month or so back.

[travisrr]

@MetaMan2023 can you link me to that tool? that might be helpful actually

[travisrr]

@puppsupr do you know why we would get an API return such as:

BarcodeInstruction: RequiresFNSKULabel
PrepGuidance: ConsultHelpDocuments

Not having prep guidance mapping to the ASIN is throwing errors back at us

[MetaMan2023]

@MetaMan2023 can you link me to that tool? that might be helpful actually

Sorry I built my own tool in-house, it is not a public tool.

I am not familiar with the instructions you listed "Consult help documents" it may be a unique product issue