The process of using product identifiers to create multiple-variation listings differs from that for single-variation listings.

First, the AddFixedPriceItem API must be used since AddItem does not support multiple variations.

Additionally, it is important to understand that the way in which EAN, ISBN, and UPC codes and brand/MPN pairs are specified for multiple-variation listings also differs from that for single-variation listing.

When using product identifiers with multiple-variation listings, be aware of the following:

  • All variations within a single listing must use the same product identifier type.

    An error will occur if one product variation uses an EAN identifier while the remaining variations within the listing use a UPC identifier.

  • When using brand/MPN pairs to identify each product variation, the MPN (Manufacturer Part Number) value can vary, but the Brand value cannot.

    If a seller specifies a Brand value within a Item.Variations.variation.VariationSpecifics container, but the Brand value conflicts with that value specified at the item level in the Item.ItemSpecifics container, the listing will fail.

  • Both the brand and MPN values are each limited to a maximum of 65 characters. Exceeding this maximum will cause the listing to fail.

Use EAN, ISBN, or UPC values

For multiple-variation listings, the product identifier (i.e., UPC, ISBN, or EAN,) must be specified only at the variation level in the Item.Variations.Variation.VariationProductListingDetails container using the approriate field as follows:

If a product identifier is provided in the Item.ProductListingDetails container for a multiple-variation listing, the add/revise/relist call will fail.

A typical VariationProductListingDetails container is illustrated here:

...
  <Variation>
  <SKU>S********4</SKU>
  <StartPrice currencyID="USD">41.95</StartPrice>
  <Quantity>1</Quantity>
    <VariationSpecifics>
      <NameValueList>
        <Name>Color</Name>
        <Value>Blue</Value>
      </NameValueList>
    </VariationSpecifics>
  <VariationProductListingDetails>
    <UPC>885909727476</UPC>
  </VariationProductListingDetails>
  </Variation>

Unlike single-variation listings, using product identifiers to create a multiple-variation listing does not have the added benefit of item title, item description, product images, and item specifics being automatically picked up in the listing. So, the seller must manually provide the information for these fields along with the product identifiers.

Use brand/MPN pairs

The Item.ProductListingDetails.BrandMPN container cannot be used for multiple-variation listings. When using brand and MPN (Manufacturer Part Number) values to identify each product variation:

A typical Item.ItemSpecifics container is illustrated here:

...
<ItemSpecifics>
  <NameValueList>
    <Name>Brand</Name>
    <Value>Gatorback</Value>
  </NameValueList>
...
</ItemSpecifics>

A typical Item.Variations.VariationSpecifics container is illustrated here:

...
<VariationSpecifics>
  <NameValueList>
    <Name>MPN</Name>
    <Value>4060882</Value>
  </NameValueList>
...
</VariationSpecifics>