Department name no longer used for listing apparel

[jevoniuk]

What is changing?

To simplify listing experience, Amazon will no longer require department name attribute in feeds for listing products in apparel category. To derive department name, Amazon will use two attributes which already exist as required attributes in Custom Inventory File Template for apparel, ProductClothing.xsd, and ClothingAccessories.xsd: age_range_description and target_gender.

Starting Nov 15, 2021, we will make the following changes:

Feed templates:

• Custom Inventory File Template for apparel: department_name attribute will be removed.
• ProductClothing.xsd: Department element will not be required.

Feed processing: Feeds for creating or updating apparel listings that include department name attribute will be processed, but the attribute will be ignored. Amazon will automatically derive department name from age_range_description and target_gender attributes, which are mandatory. This applies to both newly created and existing listings. For more information, see https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/help/external/YTSSLD5EBZWHXB8 in Seller Central Help.

Which marketplaces are affected?

This change applies to US, Spain, UK, France, Germany, Italy, India, and Japan marketplaces.

Which Product Types are affected?

This change applies to SWEATER, COAT, TUNIC, KURTA, SOCKS, UNDERPANTS, SWEATSHIRT, PAJAMAS, ROBE, TIGHTS, BLAZER, TRACK_SUIT, VEST, SALWAR_SUIT_SET, SUIT, SHIRT, PANTS, SHORTS, OVERALLS, BRA, UNDERGARMENT_SLIP, SWIMWEAR, CORSET, HAT, SKIRT, and DRESS Product Types.

Who is affected?

Developers with applications that create or update apparel listings using Custom Inventory File Template for apparel, ProductClothing.xsd, or ClothingAccessories.xsd are affected by this change.

What action is required?

If you have an application that is affected by this change, be sure to update your application workflow to remove department name attribute in any apparel listing feeds that you submit after we update Custom Inventory File Template for apparel, ProductClothing.xsd, and ClothingAccessories.xsd on Nov 15.

For more information

For more information, please see https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/help/external/YTSSLD5EBZWHXB8 in Seller Central Help.