Getting approved to sell on Amazon as an Amazon seller can seem like a daunting process, but it doesn’t have to be. With some preparation and by following Amazon’s requirements, you can get approved to open your own Amazon seller account. Here are some quick answers to common questions about getting approved for an Amazon seller account:
How long does it take to get approved for an Amazon seller account?
The time it takes to get approved can vary, but often it takes 1-2 weeks after submitting all required information to Amazon. Sellers located outside the US may take longer.
What are the requirements to be approved as an Amazon seller?
To be approved you’ll need: valid credit card, tax information, government-issued ID, business information including a business name and address, a working phone number, and a bank account. Products also need to comply with Amazon’s policies.
Does it cost anything to create an Amazon seller account?
No, registering for a basic individual seller account is free. You only pay Amazon fees on products sold. There are two membership plans if you want added benefits.
Can I sell used items on Amazon?
Yes, you can register as an individual seller and sell used products across many categories on Amazon. Used items must be in good condition and contain all original parts.
How much inventory do I need to apply as an Amazon seller?
You do not need existing inventory to open an Amazon seller account. You can add product listings even before you have products on hand.
What steps do I need to take to create an Amazon seller account?
The main steps are:
1. Register on Amazon Services website with your email, password, business info.
2. Provide valid credit card, tax, and bank account information.
3. Submit any required business documents.
4. Review Amazon’s policies and agreements.
5. List products and manage orders in Seller Central.
Preparing to Apply for an Amazon Seller Account
Before starting the registration process to become an approved Amazon seller, it’s important to make sure you understand Amazon’s requirements and have everything ready to go. Here are some key tips for preparing:
Pick a Business Model
First decide if you will sell as an individual, professional seller, or business/enterprise seller. Each has different requirements:
– Individual – Sold fewer than 40 items and less than $1,000 in sales last year. Easy to register but pays higher selling fees.
– Professional – Over 40 items or $1,000 in sales annually. Lower selling fees but more requirements like business ID.
– Business/Enterprise – Large businesses or those wanting added benefits. Highest requirements and fees like $39.99/month for Pro plan.
Gather Required Documents
To apply you will need to have:
– Contact information – Business name, address, email, phone number.
– Tax information like EIN or SSN.
– Government-issued ID like driver’s license or passport.
– Business registration documents if registering as Professional or Business seller.
– Credit card and bank account information.
Having these documents ready will make the application process faster.
Review Amazon’s Policies
Familiarize yourself thoroughly with Amazon’s selling policies, prohibited products list, and selling fee structure. Violating Amazon’s policies can lead to account suspension. Ensure your products comply with Amazon’s terms.
Understand How Amazon Payments Work
Review how you get paid by Amazon. Payouts are made every 14 days into your bank account for sales. Amazon collects fees and sales tax. Understand how fees work for items sold.
Consider Using Amazon FBA
With Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), products are stored in Amazon’s warehouses and shipped by Amazon. This makes selling easier but has fees for pick, pack, shipping and storage. Determine if using FBA makes sense for your products.
Design Your Storefront Branding
Think about the brand image you want to project with your product listings, logo, store name, and profile. This will create a cohesive look and identity for your store.
Registering for an Amazon Seller Central Account
Once you’re prepared, it’s time to register for your Seller Central account. Here are step-by-step instructions on applying:
Step 1 – Go to Amazon Services and click Register Now. This takes you to the Amazon Marketplace registration page.
Step 2 – Choose an account type: Individual, Professional, or Business/Enterprise seller account.
Step 3 – Enter your email address, create a password, and fill in your name and physical address associated with your selling activities.
Step 4 – Provide a valid credit card and bank account information. This will allow you to pay any Amazon fees and receive payouts.
Step 5 – Fill in additional required information like:
– Tax information such as an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
– Government-issued ID verification
– Business name and ownership details
– Product categories you plan to sell in
Step 6 – Accept Amazon’s user agreements like Selling on Amazon and Fulfillment by Amazon Service Terms.
Step 7 – Verify your email address by clicking the confirmation link sent by Amazon.
Step 8 – Submit your application. Amazon will review your details and determine if you meet seller requirements.
Step 9 – Once approved, start selling! Add product listings, manage inventory and orders in Seller Central.
Tips for Getting Approved as an Amazon Seller
Here are some helpful tips for making sure your seller account gets accepted by Amazon:
Provide Complete, Accurate Information – Any missing or incorrect details slows down the process. Triple check everything is filled in and matches your documentation.
Choose a Simple Account Type to Start – As an individual or professional seller approval is faster and requirements are less stringent. You can always upgrade later.
Have all Your Documentation Ready – Whether it’s a business license, EIN, or bank statements, have everything prepared in advance to attach to the application.
Review All Policies Thoroughly – Make sure you understand Amazon’s rules throughly so your account isn’t rejected or later suspended. Highlight any unclear areas.
Pick Categories Relevant to Your Products – Only select product categories your current or planned inventory fits into. Avoid too many unrelated categories.
Respond Quickly if Follow Up is Needed – If Amazon requests more info from you, provide additional documentation ASAP so as not to hold up approval.
Double Check for Errors Before Submitting – Proofread your entire application and fix any typos or incorrect information before sending to Amazon for review.
Have Branding and Listings Prepared in Advance – Develop your product listings, photos, descriptions and branding so your account is ready to make sales once approved.
Seller Account Approval Statuses
After applying, your Seller Central application will go into one of several statuses as it is reviewed by Amazon:
Draft – Your account registration is started but not submitted for review. You can continue to edit details in a draft state.
Submitted – Application is completed and submitted to Amazon for review. Cannot be edited unless changes requested.
In Review – Your application is actively being reviewed by Amazon’s teams, but is not guaranteed approval.
On Hold – Additional information has been requested from you, preventing approval until received.
Declined – Unfortunately your account registration has been declined and not approved based on Amazon’s review.
Approved – Congratulations, your Amazon seller account has been approved and you can begin selling.
Closed – Your application has been withdrawn by you or cancelled by Amazon during the process.
The majority of sellers are approved within 1-2 weeks as long as no issues are encountered and you provide all information accurately. Check your status regularly within Seller Central.
Best Practices After Getting Approved
Once your account is approved, follow these best practices to start off successfully selling on Amazon:
Complete Your Account Setup – Add profile info, payment methods, determine shipping rates, enter banking details to get setup fully.
List Your First Products – Create high quality listings with detailed titles, bullet points, product descriptions and images.
Ship Orders Quickly – Ship all Amazon orders within your stated processing times to build positive metrics.
Learn About FBA – Consider using Fulfillment by Amazon to let Amazon handle inventory storage and shipping.
Promote Your Listings – Use Amazon advertising and coupons to promote your products and increase sales.
Ask Questions if Unsure – The Seller Central support team can clarify anything you don’t understand. Don’t hesitate to reach out.
Monitor Your Seller Performance – Use metrics in Seller Central to track your progress on orders, shipping, feedback, etc.
Beware of Policy Violations – Keep compliance high and avoid prohibited products or conduct that leads to account suspension.
With some dedication and effort, selling successfully on Amazon is achievable. Following best practices and seeking help when needed will help new Amazon sellers prosper.
Conclusion
Becoming an approved Amazon seller provides an excellent opportunity to reach millions of customers on the world’s largest ecommerce marketplace. While it takes some upfront preparation and effort to complete the seller application process, the benefits of selling on Amazon make it worthwhile. Those approved as Amazon sellers then need to be diligent in following best practices, such as providing outstanding customer service and complying strictly with Amazon’s policies. With attention to detail, patience, and some hard work, many sellers find that selling on Amazon enables their business to grow and thrive for years to come.
