Effective Date: October 15, 2026 Version: 1.0 Applies to: All Sellers who offer Products through the Platform.
Article 1: Introduction and Scope
1.1 This Policy states the product identifier duty for every listing: the genuine identifier a listing shall carry, the exemption process and its limits, the integrity rules for identifiers, and the consequences of a false identifier. This Policy implements the Selling Terms of Service for identifiers.
1.2 Products sold by the Company are "Sold by Pawz Shop." Products sold by a Seller are "Sold by {Seller name}." This Policy governs identifiers on Seller listings; the Company applies the same genuineness standard to first-party listings as a matter of Platform rule.
1.3 If a provision of this Policy conflicts with the Terms of Use, this Policy controls for the subject it governs. If a provision of this Policy conflicts with the terms of a program in which the Seller participates, the program terms control for that program. Policies and help pages explain this Policy; they do not amend it, and in any conflict this Policy prevails.
Article 2: Definitions
2.1 The definitions in the Selling Terms of Service apply to this Policy. The following additional terms apply to this Policy only.
2.2 Genuine Identifier: a GTIN issued by GS1 or the applicable national GS1 body to the brand owner of the Product, matching the Product's brand, size, and variant.
2.3 GTIN: a Global Trade Item Number, including a UPC (12-digit, North America) and an EAN (13-digit, international): the number printed as the barcode on the Product's retail packaging.
2.4 Seller SKU: the Seller's own stock-keeping unit for a Product: an inventory key unique within the Seller's catalog and traceable to the physical Product. A Seller SKU is not a product identifier and does not substitute for a GTIN where a GTIN is required.
Article 3: The Identifier Duty
3.1 Every listing shall carry a valid product identifier: a Genuine Identifier that resolves to the Product offered. The identifier is the means by which the Platform determines that the same Product offered by different Sellers is one Product belonging on one Detail Page, in accordance with the Product Detail Page Policy.
3.2 An identifier is invalid where the identifier: (a) is fabricated; (b) fails the applicable check-digit structure; (c) belongs to a different Product; (d) is recycled from a discontinued Product onto a different Product; or (e) belongs to a different size or variant of the Product. Each case in this Article is an Accuracy Failure under the Listing Accuracy Policy. Where an invalid identifier is used to present the Seller's Product as a brand's Product, the use is additionally a violation of the Intellectual Property Policy (Sellers) (Intellectual Property Policy (Sellers)) and, where the Product is counterfeit, is governed by the Counterfeit Policy for Sellers.
3.3 A Seller shall state a Seller SKU alongside the GTIN for every listing. A Seller SKU shall be unique within the Seller's catalog: no two listings shall share one Seller SKU: and shall remain stable, because a Seller SKU that changes on each import breaks Order history and review attribution.
3.4 Identifier changes. Where a manufacturer reissues a GTIN, including on reformulation or a packaging change, the Seller shall update the listing identifier on the day stock bearing the new identifier begins to ship. Stock bearing the old identifier and stock bearing the new identifier shall not be combined under one identifier.
Article 4: Exemptions
4.1 The Company may grant an exemption from the GTIN duty only for: (a) a private-label Product where the Seller is the brand owner and has not obtained GTINs, with brand ownership verified against the Brand Registry Policy (Brand Registry Policy (Sellers)); (b) a handmade or custom Product produced as a one-off or in small batches, with no retail packaging and no issued identifier; (c) a bundle the Seller creates, where the bundle carries the Seller's SKU and each component's identifier is recorded on the bundle's component record: the exemption covers the bundle as a bundle and does not exempt a component; and (d) a vintage or collectible item for which no identifier was ever issued.
4.2 A Seller requests an exemption per listing or per brand catalog, stating the ground in Article 4.1 and the records that support the ground, through support@aapawz.com or the exemption facility in Seller Center where the Company provides one. An exemption takes effect only when the Company grants it in writing.
4.3 An exemption is revocable. The Company shall revoke an exemption where: (a) the Seller obtains GTINs for the Product, in which case the exemption ends on the day the genuine identifiers exist and the Seller shall state the identifiers without a grace period; (b) the exemption was claimed falsely; or (c) the identifier requirement for the category changes.
4.4 An exempt listing shall carry a Seller SKU that is unique and traceable to the physical Product. Exemption from the GTIN duty is not exemption from traceability. An exempt listing is searchable and sellable, and an exempt listing does not join a GTIN-matched Detail Page and is not eligible for catalog matching until a Genuine Identifier is supplied.
4.5 A false exemption claim: including a claim of private-label brand ownership the Seller does not hold: is identifier fraud under Article 5.3, not a paperwork error.
Article 5: Identifier Integrity and Brand Gating
5.1 One identifier, one Product. A Seller shall not reuse a GTIN across distinct Products or across variants. Variant identifiers are governed additionally by the Catalog and Variant Policy.
5.2 Catalog matching. Where the Company's catalog matches a GTIN to an existing Detail Page, the Seller's Offer joins that page under the Product Detail Page Policy, and the Seller shall not create a parallel page. Altering a GTIN by a digit to avoid a catalog match is identifier fraud.
5.3 Identifier fraud. Identifier fraud includes a fabricated GTIN, a digit-altered GTIN used to avoid catalog matching, a recycled identifier carried across Products: including to retain the review history of a discontinued Product: and an identifier used to impersonate a brand. Identifier fraud is a serious violation enforced under Article 8, with suspension available on first finding, and is additionally governed, where brand impersonation or a counterfeit Product is involved, by the Counterfeit Policy for Sellers.
5.4 Brand gating. Stating a gated brand's GTIN does not authorize the Seller to sell that brand. Brand gating, including the authorisation a Seller must hold for a gated brand, is governed by the Brand Gating Policy (Sellers) (Brand Gating Policy (Sellers)). The gating determination runs against the Seller, not against the identifier. The brand-gating rule for marketplace Sellers does not apply to the Company's first-party dropship inventory, and a Seller shall not cite that first-party treatment for the Seller's own listings.
Article 6: Liability
6.1 Exclusion of certain damages. To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither party is liable to the other for indirect, incidental, special, punitive, or consequential damages, or for lost profits, lost revenue, or loss of goodwill, arising out of or relating to this Policy, even if the party has been advised of the possibility of those damages.
6.2 Cap. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company's total liability arising out of or relating to this Policy shall not exceed the greater of (a) the amounts the Seller paid to the Company under this Policy in the twelve months before the event giving rise to the claim, or (b) one hundred dollars ($100).
6.3 Carve-outs. This Article does not limit (a) a party's indemnification obligations under this Policy; (b) liability for fraud or willful misconduct; (c) amounts the Seller owes for Orders, fees, chargebacks, or refunds under the Company's documents; or (d) liability that cannot be limited under applicable law.
6.4 Essential purpose. The parties agree that this Article allocates risk between them, that it is an essential part of the basis of their bargain, and that it applies even if a limited remedy fails of its essential purpose.
Article 7: Indemnification
7.1 Duty. The Seller shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Company and its members, managers, employees, and agents from and against every claim, demand, action, loss, liability, judgment, settlement, cost, and expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to: (a) the Seller's breach of this Policy; (b) the Seller's Products, Services, listings, or content, including product liability claims, intellectual property infringement claims, and product recall costs; (c) the Seller's violation of any law or of the rights of any person; and (d) taxes for which the Seller is responsible under the Company's documents.
7.2 Procedure. The Company shall give prompt written notice of a claim under this Article. The Seller shall control the defense with counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company. The Company may participate in the defense at its own expense. The Seller shall not settle a claim in a manner that imposes any obligation or restriction on the Company, or that does not release the Company fully, without the Company's prior written consent.
7.3 Survival. This Article survives the termination of this Policy.
Article 8: Enforcement and Appeals
8.1 Investigation. The Company may investigate any suspected violation of this Policy. The Seller shall cooperate with an investigation and shall produce the records this Policy requires the Seller to keep, including the records that support an exemption claim.
8.2 Notice. If the Company determines that the Seller has violated this Policy, the Company shall give written notice stating the provision violated and the facts relied on, except where notice would compromise an investigation of fraud, a safety risk, or a legal obligation.
8.3 Opportunity to cure. Where a violation is capable of cure, the Seller has ten (10) business days from notice to cure it and to confirm the cure in writing. No cure period applies to fraud, counterfeiting, a risk to the safety of a person or an animal, unlawful conduct, or a violation that by its nature cannot be cured. A listing with an invalid identifier may be suppressed until a Genuine Identifier or a granted exemption is in place.
8.4 Measures. If a violation is established and is not cured within the period allowed, the Company may, proportionate to the violation: (a) issue a written warning; (b) remove or suppress a listing or content; (c) cancel an Order; (d) suspend the Account or a program participation, in whole or in part; (e) terminate this Policy and the Account; and (f) exercise any other right or remedy available under the Company's documents or at law.
8.5 Disbursement hold. The Company may hold disbursements to the Seller while an investigation under this Article is pending, and shall release amounts not required to satisfy the Seller's obligations when the investigation closes.
8.6 Appeal. The Seller may appeal a measure under this Article by written notice to legal@aapawz.com within thirty (30) days of the measure, stating the grounds and attaching the records relied on. The appeal is decided by a person who did not make the original decision. The Company's decision on appeal is final. A measure remains in effect during an appeal unless the Company directs otherwise in writing.
8.7 No waiver by delay. The Company's delay in acting on a violation is not a waiver of the violation or of any later violation of the same kind.
Article 9: Term and Termination
9.1 Term. This Policy takes effect when the Seller is accepted to offer Products through the Platform and continues until terminated under this Article.
9.2 Termination by the Company. The Company may terminate this Policy and the Account on thirty (30) days' written notice for any reason, and immediately on written notice if the Seller materially breaches this Policy, engages in fraud, or becomes ineligible to participate.
9.3 Termination by the Seller. The Seller may terminate this Policy on thirty (30) days' written notice to support@aapawz.com, provided the Seller has no Order or investigation outstanding.
9.4 Effect of termination. On termination: (a) the rights granted under this Policy end; (b) obligations that arose before termination: including payment, refund, chargeback, record-keeping, and indemnification obligations: survive until satisfied; and (c) the Company shall disburse amounts owed, less amounts the Company may set off under the Company's documents, within thirty (30) days, except amounts held in connection with an open investigation or dispute.
9.5 Survival. The Definitions, Liability, Indemnification, Enforcement and Appeals (for measures taken before termination), Dispute Resolution, and General Provisions Articles survive termination.
Article 10: Dispute Resolution
10.1 Any dispute arising out of or relating to this Policy, or to the relationship it governs, is governed by the Dispute Resolution Policy, which is incorporated into this Policy by reference.
Article 11: General Provisions
11.1 Amendments. The Company may amend this Policy by posting the amended Policy in the Document Center and giving notice to the Seller at the email address in the Account. An amendment that materially increases the Seller's fees or obligations takes effect thirty (30) days after notice; other amendments take effect on posting. Continued use of the Platform after the effective date of an amendment is acceptance of it. A Seller that does not accept an amendment may terminate under Article 9 before the amendment takes effect.
11.2 Notices. Legal notices under this Policy shall be sent to legal@aapawz.com. Operational notices and all other communications shall be sent to support@aapawz.com. A notice to the Company is effective when the Company acknowledges receipt or, for email, one business day after sending, whichever is earlier. Notices to the Seller are effective when sent to the email address in the Account or posted to the Account's notice facility in the portal, whichever occurs first. The Seller shall keep the email address in the Account current.
11.3 Governing law. This Policy is governed by the laws of the State of Tennessee, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules. Subject to the Dispute Resolution Policy, any proceeding arising out of this Policy shall be brought in the state or federal courts located in Shelby County, Tennessee, and the parties consent to personal jurisdiction there.
11.4 Severability. If any provision of this Policy is held unenforceable, the provision shall be enforced to the fullest extent permitted, and the remaining provisions continue in full effect.
11.5 Entire agreement. This Policy, together with the documents it incorporates by reference, is the entire agreement between the Company and the Seller for the subject it governs and supersedes every prior or contemporaneous statement, communication, or agreement on that subject, whether written or oral.
11.6 Assignment. The Seller shall not assign this Policy or any right or obligation under it without the Company's prior written consent, and an assignment without consent is void. The Company may assign this Policy to an affiliate or in connection with a sale of all or part of its business, on notice to the Seller.
11.7 Waiver. A waiver of any provision of this Policy is effective only in writing and only for the instance stated. No waiver is a waiver of any other provision or instance.
11.8 Interpretation. Headings are for convenience only. "Including" means "including without limitation." This Policy shall not be construed against a party as its drafter. The English-language text controls over any translation.
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