To combat the coronavirus pandemic, Amazon is suspending the shipment of all items from independent merchants to its warehouses that aren’t medical supplies or “high-demand” products until April 5, the Independent reports.
“High-demand” essentials include baby products, health and household necessities, beauty and personal care items, groceries, industrial and scientific items, and books and pet supplies, according to Reuters.
This doesn’t mean non-essential items will not be available for purchase on the website, but that those items will be more likely to run out of stock in the next few weeks. Sellers may also have to ship these products directly to consumers, according to Reuters.
Although third-party merchants can still use the site to sell, CNBC reports that sellers are concerned about how the change will affect them — especially as many of them have already been hit by China factory closures.
One Amazon seller, Lisa Abel, called the new restrictions “debilitating” to her business.
“As a small business owner, these moments are deal breakers,” Abel told CNBC. “This entire situation has me very, very worried. I don’t want to bring pallets into my garage.”
Nintendo Life reports the change has already delayed shipping for popular video games like “Animal Crossing: New Horizons,” which was set to be released Friday. Now, Amazon pre-order customers won’t be receiving their copies until Tuesday.
“We understand this is a change for our selling partners and appreciate their understanding as we temporarily prioritize these products for customers,” Amazon said in a statement. “We are temporarily prioritizing household staples, medical supplies and other high-demand products coming into our fulfillment centers so we can more quickly receive, restock and deliver these products to customers.”