What’s New in Version 2.8
WP-Lister for Amazon 2.8 represents a significant evolution in how you list products on Amazon. This release introduces support for Amazon’s new JSON-based Product Type system while maintaining backward compatibility with existing listings.
JSON Feeds and Product Types
Amazon has modernized their listing system with Product Types, replacing the older category-based feeds. Version 2.8 brings full support for this new system:
- Product Types Tab – A new settings page lets you manage Amazon Product Types, with the default “PRODUCT” type automatically installed for all your marketplaces
- JSON Feed Generation – Behind the scenes, WP-Lister now generates JSON-format feeds that work with Amazon’s Product Types API
- Profile Converter Tool – Easily migrate your existing listing profiles to the new Product Type format when you’re ready
- Automatic Migration – After converting a profile, you can migrate all associated listings to use the new system
The new system uses Amazon’s putListingsItem API for creating listings and provides better field validation through Amazon’s schema system. Your existing listings will continue to work—you can migrate to Product Types at your own pace.
Reliability Improvements
Order Fulfillment Race Condition Fixed
Some merchants experienced tracking numbers not syncing to Amazon, particularly when processing multiple orders quickly. The issue occurred when order fulfillment feeds were updated while being prepared for submission. We’ve implemented safeguards that mark feeds as “processing” immediately, preventing concurrent modifications. (Ticket #65684)
API Error Handling Enhanced
When Amazon’s API returned errors during order import, WP-Lister would continue processing rather than pausing to retry. This occasionally caused orders to remain unimported for extended periods. The plugin now treats API failures as throttling events and waits for the next scheduled run before retrying, ensuring reliable order synchronization. (Ticket #70380)
Report Downloads Modernized
A bookstore in Italy discovered their Merchant Listings Reports were coming back empty. The issue was with how report data was being downloaded from Amazon’s Reports API. We’ve switched to using GuzzleHTTP for all report downloads, which properly handles the various response formats Amazon sends. (Ticket #70421)
Edge Case Fixes
Replacement Orders Handled
A footwear retailer encountered errors when Amazon created replacement orders (orders with zero value). These special orders don’t include an OrderTotal property, which caused issues with currency conversion plugins. WP-Lister now checks for the OrderTotal property before attempting to set the order currency, preventing these errors. (Ticket #70483)
Installation Error Resolved
During beta testing, a merchant installing WP-Lister for the first time on a staging site encountered a fatal error. The problem occurred during the automatic installation of default Product Types when no Amazon account had been configured yet. We’ve added proper error handling for this scenario. (Tickets #70568, #70736)
Technical Improvements
- NextToken Management – Fixed issues with paginated API responses being incorrectly cached across different accounts
- Security Enhancements – Added missing capability checks in AJAX handlers
- Variable Product Support – Improved handling of parent-child relationships in JSON feeds
- Field Validation – Better error messages when required fields are missing or contain invalid values
- HTTPS Image URLs – New setting to control whether HTTPS is stripped from image URLs for compatibility
VAT Invoice Data Report
European merchants can now access billing VAT information through the VAT Invoice Data Report. This report type has been added to the available reports list, making it easier to retrieve tax information for your orders.
How to Update
This update is available through the WordPress plugin updater. As always, we recommend backing up your site before updating. Your existing listings, profiles, and settings will be preserved.
The new Product Type system is optional—your current listings will continue working with the existing feed system. When you’re ready to try Product Types, use the Profile Converter tool to migrate your profiles.
Looking Ahead
Amazon continues to enhance the Product Type system, and we’ll be adding more features to take advantage of the improved schema validation and field definitions. The groundwork laid in version 2.8 positions WP-Lister to adapt quickly as Amazon rolls out additional capabilities.
If you encounter any issues or have questions about the new features, our support team is ready to help.