Amazon items requiring approval
Amazon has its own restrictions regarding what a seller can sell on its platform. The interesting thing is that these restricted products aren’t necessarily illegal. Amazon wants its customers to feel safe while purchasing something from them. That’s…
Amazon has its own restrictions regarding what a seller can sell on its platform. The interesting thing is that these restricted products aren’t necessarily illegal. Amazon wants its customers to feel safe while purchasing something from them. That’s why they want some kinds of goods to get prior authorization.
To add a new product to Amazon’s catalog in one of the categories with restrictions listed under the link in the next paragraph, you need to fill an application and submit the required information related to your product.
A list of products requiring approval along with the requirements one needs to sell these items on Amazon can be found here: https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/help/external/G200333160. But to save some time we are going to do a short review of those rather long requirements. Now let’s go to some examples.
Worth noting that this article is not going to cover such requirements as compliance with US law, or avoiding offensive listings, proper packaging, etc. because this should be done for successful selling under any product category.
Grocery & Gourmet Foods
First of all, Amazon wants you, as a seller, to be near perfect. This includes ODR < 1%, PFCR < 2.5%, LSR < 4%.
What comes to the products requirements, they are as following:
- All the products that need to remain frozen or otherwise temperature-controlled, should be kept within the temperature gap required for specific types of products (the temperatures list can be found under the link under the title). Also, these products should be packed into packages keeping temperature. You have to do validation and verification which basically means that you would have to order research from an independent lab. The research should show if the products can last long shipping periods kept in minimal allowed temperature without going spoiled.
- Food can’t be listed or sold as “Used”. Pretty obvious.
- Taking into consideration the fact that food has a tendency to go off, there should be expiration dates on every unit.
- Keep Fulfilment Center up to date with the expiration dates of the products.
- List it under the manufacturer’s UPC code.
- If you claim your products to be Organic, Gluten-free, etc. it all should be approved by state regulatory bodies.
Certain listing requirements apply when a seller plans to create multi-packs or variety packs. For further details go to the link under the title.
Jewelry
- The same account metrics as for selling foods apply here too. You should be a Pro seller.
- All the products must comply with Amazon’s Jewelry Quality Assurance Standards. This act covers the requirements for certain metals, designs, etc. The requirements can be found here: https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/help/G201269180?language=en_US&ref=ag_G201269180_cont_200332590
- On Amazon, you can’t sell jewelry that costs more than $300,000.
- Amazon does not allow selling used jewelry. Not even if it’s pre-used vintage or antique.
- You must pass the quality control examination. You should also identify if the products you sell are choking hazardous (can be done on Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) website: https://www.cpsc.gov/) and if they are, put that on the listings and units.
- All the listing requirements for jewelry can be found in Jewelry Style Guide: https://sellertutorials.s3.amazonaws.com/StyleGuides/JewelryStyleGuide.pdf
- Amazon also has a list of Major Jewelry Brands (https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01/rainier/Jewelry_Major_Brands.pdf). If you want to list from these major brands, you should use the manufacturer’s UPC codes.
- To start selling fine jewelry (what fine and fashion jewelry is can be found here: https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/help/201450260?language=en_US&ref=ag_201450260_cont_200332590) you would have to do these steps: Inventory – Add A Product – Search an existing Fine Jewelry item and then click Request approval – Complete the application and submit.
However, even if your products meet the requirements above it doesn’t mean Amazon will approve them. Amazon can run their own examination to check the quality and safety of an item.
Music & DVD, Video & Blu-Ray
Under this category, some items are restricted and some are requiring approval. But here approval procedure is not that hard to pass if you are doing business in good faith. Amazon constantly changes application information. So to find out if you can sell the products on Amazon you must do the following: Inventory – Add A Product – Search for the product you want to sell – Listing limitations apply. If the Request Approval button appears, click the button to begin the application process. If the Request Approval button does not appear, Amazon is not accepting applications to sell this product at this time.
The account metrics for selling under this category are: ODR < 1%, PFCR < 2.5%, LSR < 4%.
General application requirements include the following:
- Your primary source(s) of inventory
- An estimate of the number of units you plan to sell
- A minimum of 1 invoice from your largest inventory source that is representative of the types of products you plan to sell
The application will be evaluated on the basis of the information you provide. Here you just hope Amazon will find your invoices good enough to allow you to sell under this category.
Watches
Requirements for the metrics remain the same as for previous categories. For selling under this category, Pro account status and manufacturer’s UPC codes are a must.
- Just as in Jewelry, used watches are permitted from selling on Amazon.
- Quality control examination should be held to make sure the item is generic and safe.
- Sellers must tell if a watch has a manufacturer’s warranty on it.
- Listing style requirements for watches can be found here: https://s3.amazonaws.com/merchant-facing/StyleGuides/WatchesStyleGuide.pdf
To apply for approval press «Request approval» button on either of these pages:
- https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/help/external/G200333160 or
- https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/help/help.html?itemID=200316090&language=en_US&ref=ag_200316090_cont_200333160
Laser products
Amazon divides this category into several subcategories because there are laser product types permitted from selling on Amazon, however, some are allowed.
Laser-pointers, 303s, and handheld laser pet toys are prohibited from selling on the platform.
Laser presentation remotes and also:
- non-handheld laser pet toys,
- laser light shows and stage lighting,
- garden laser projectors, and
- infrared illumination lasers for surveillance and security equipment,
can be sold on Amazon only with prior approval. There is a peculiarity for children’s toys with lasers. If the toy is hazard class I, it can’t be sold on Amazon, otherwise – you’re welcome to file the approval application.
In order to sell laser products on Amazon, you must apply by sending the following information:
- Company name.
- Seller ID.
- Email address.
- Phone number.
- A list of laser products ASINs you are applying to sell.
- Documentation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accession number for each of the ASINs you are applying to sell.
- A document from a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) shows evidence that your product was tested according to the standards. Those standards are 21 CFR 1040.10, or IEC 60825-1.
The application for approval should be sent to electronics-safety@amazon.com.
Amazon Renewed Products
On Amazon Renewed, you can sell high-quality refurbished, pre-owned, and open-box products. All products on Amazon Renewed must be tested and certified to work and look like new. To apply for Amazon Renewed, you must meet the following criteria:
- Products must be inspected, cleaned, repaired (if applicable), and tested by a manufacturer or a specialized third-party refurbisher to function and look like new.
- The invoices must show a minimum total value of $50,000 in qualifying refurbished purchases in the previous 90 days from the date of the application.
- Items with a selling price of $15.00 or less do not count towards the refurbished units. You may black-out either the unit or dollar amount on the invoices, but not both.
- Special requirements for Apple sellers. For approval to list on Apple-branded items, we require invoices dated from trailing 90 days that total $2.5 million in Apple refurbished products.
- You need to submit a minimum of 8 images of a sample unit for product and packaging review (box in which the product will be shipped, inside packaging and padding, a product from top and bottom, a product from all four sides).
- If you have an item with a screen, we request images of the screen turned on.
- You will honor the Amazon Renewed Guarantee for all of your Renewed products.
- If you are an existing seller on Amazon, or once you start selling on Amazon, you have an Order-Defect-Rate (ODR) of 0.8% or less in the trailing 90 days. And not to lose an opportunity to sell this type of product, the metrics should stay this way. Also, for Amazon Renewed Sellers there is a special metric – RQS (Renewed Quality Score).
- You should meet Amazon Renewed Global Quality Policies.
To apply for an approval please use the link: https://services.amazon.com/renewed.html.
Entertainment Collectibles
An Entertainment Collectible is any vintage or otherwise collectible item related to film, music, theater, animation, or comics; including celebrity signed photos, original movie posters, production-used props and wardrobe, graded comic books, etc.
To be able to sell under this category a seller must have a Professional account status and, Amazon emphasizes that, customers should have an opportunity to complete an entire purchase process on Amazon. Also, Amazon requires full info about the collectibles such as genre, personality, or franchise the item relates to, as well as its originality, condition, etc. to be completely true.
You should also not make Amazon doubt the authenticity of the products you are planning to sell. You should order authenticity examinations from Amazon partner labs only. They are:
- PSA/DNA
- James Spence Authentication (JSA)
- Certified Guaranty Company (CGC)
- Celebrity Authentics
A Certificate of Authenticity (COA), Letter of Authenticity (LOA), or hologram provided by the seller of record, only when the seller can make available any of the following:
- An individually numbered COA, LOA, or hologram that can be verified in an online public database
- A letter of provenance, authenticity, or receipt from a reputable auction house
- A copy of a contractual agreement between the seller and the personality following a private or public autograph appearance
- Proof of a direct working relationship with the personality, studio, or an authorized representative
- Proof of acquisition of a set- or performance-used item from the personality’s estate, studio, or an authorized representative
- The seller can provide “exact” photo proof of the item being signed by the personality. Photo proof considered to be “exact” must show the item in the process of being signed, with the signature or inscription matching exactly the position and style shown in the listing image
Items must be accurately categorized as “Original” or “Reproduction” when applicable. Reprints, reproductions, copies, recreations, and “preprints” must contain the word “Reproduction” in the product title.
However, there are products that are not allowed to be sold on Amazon, such as:
- Products that promote or glorify hatred, violence, racial, sexual, or religious intolerance or promote organizations with such views.
- Crime scene photographs.
- Morgue or autopsy photographs.
- Products retrieved from a disaster or tragedy site.
- Knives disguised to look like harmless items.
- Concealed swords.
The next thing important to know about this category is referral fees. They are as following:
- 20% for the portion of the total sale price up to $100
- 10% for the portion of total sale price greater than $100, up to $1000
- 6% for the portion of total sale price greater than $1000
For example, if you sell a $450 item with $50 shipping, the referral fee on the $500 total sale price is calculated as $20 (20% of $100) + $40 (10% of remaining $400) = $60 total referral fee.
If you fit the requirements and ready to start selling entertainment collectibles, submit a request to collectibles-application@amazon.com. In your message, detail your history selling in the category and provide any supporting documentation. Be ready to wait for a rather long period of time, because there are a lot of applications for selling under this category.
Automotive & Powersports products
Amazon’s Automotive & Powersports store includes the following product types:
- Automotive Parts & Accessories
- Automotive Tools & Equipment
- Powersports Parts & Accessories
- Powersports Protective Gear
- Tires & Wheels
To sell under this category your account should be on the Pro plan, too. UPC codes for any major brands you list are demanded. Also, your listings must have the main image, otherwise, it won’t be shown in Amazon search results. Amazon made exemptions in this regard for large brands like BMW, Ford, Ferrari, etc. A full list can be found here:
https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/help/201834400?language=en_US&ref=ag_201834400_cont_200327400
If you are going to sell refurbished items, then it’s obligatory to have and show the manufacturer’s or remanufacturer’s warranty. You should also ensure your products comply with safety requirements (can be found here:
https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/help/G200292910?language=en_US&ref=ag_G200292910_cont_200327400
To apply for selling under this category, use this link:
https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/gating/catRequestForm.html/?cat=Automotive&requestType=gated
Services
If you plan to sell services on Amazon, you have to get permission first. The process looks like following:
Application: Providers must pass the initial application process including business verification.
Background Checks: Providers must pass a business background check. You and Your Personnel who will be performing any of Your Services at a customer’s residence, business, or other location designated by the customer must successfully pass an individual background check conducted by a third party acting on Amazon’s behalf. Amazon may also, at any time and for any reason, (a) require or conduct additional background checks on you, Your Personnel, or your business; (b) request information regarding your own background check policies and procedures; (c) request additional information pertaining to you or Your Personnel; or (d) access and use the information contained in the background checks.
Licenses and Authorizations: You must have appropriate business licenses and authorizations to perform the services you offer on Amazon.
Insurance: Providers are required to carry certain insurance coverage limits. Insurance must cover:
- commercial general liability insurance with a limit of $1,000,000 U.S. dollars.
- workers’ compensation insurance.
- auto liability insurance with limits of at least $300,000 U.S. dollars per loss if the performance of any of Your Services involves the operation of an automobile or other motor vehicle.
Applications can be sent here: http://go.amazonsellerservices.com/applytosellserviceswebsiteorganic
Fine Art
Amazon does not accept new applications for this category, but should it be opened once again, the following requirements will apply.
To sell in Fine Art you must obtain a Pro plan to your account, have ODR < 0.75% and fulfill at least two of these requirements:
- In this business for a minimum of three years.
- Significant online presence through a proprietary or third-party site (examples: 1st Dibs, Artsy, and Artnet).
- Application of a curatorial element to your gallery selection through yearly exhibition schedules, published essays, or exhibition catalogs.
Seller evaluations are also based on, but not limited to, the following:
- Participation in an international, vetted art fair (examples: Frieze, Affordable Art Fair, Pulse, and Scope).
- Membership in a recognized art organization (examples: Art Dealers Association of America, New Art Dealers Alliance, and Private Art Dealers Association).
- The caliber of the gallery’s review process for selecting artists and work.
- Diversity of artists.
Amazon does not accept the following sellers:
- Artists representing their own work, or galleries or collaborations of artists that sell their works directly (without curation) to the public.
- Galleries or businesses that provide mass-produced artwork.
- Prints in limited editions over 400.
- Individuals selling estate contents or personal inventory.
The referral fees for this category are even more complicated than for collectibles. They are:
- 20% for the portion of Sales Proceeds up to $100;
- 15% for any portion of Sales Proceeds greater than $100 up to $1,000;
- 10% for any portion of Sales Proceeds greater than $1,000 up to $5,000; and
- 5% for any portion of Sales Proceeds greater than $5,000.
