Whether you are selling on Amazon or buying from it, you might have received an email or message from Amazon that says, “Amazon Approval Needed.” This can be puzzling, leaving you wondering why you receive such messages.
At eMarspro, a trusted Amazon account management agency, our mission is to assist both sellers and buyers in navigating the Amazon marketplace successfully. We aim to resolve any issues or concerns during your Amazon journey. So, without further ado, let’s dive into this guide.
What Does Approval Need to Mean On Amazon For Buyers?
“Amazon Approval Needed” is a message or notification sent to buyers when they try to purchase certain products on Amazon. It’s part of Amazon’s efforts to enhance trust and reduce returns, refunds, and chargebacks.
Amazon wants to ensure buyers genuinely intend to purchase specific items, especially those with restrictions or regulations. This additional step helps prevent accidental or mistaken purchases, which can lead to higher shipping and return costs for Amazon.
Imagine you want to buy a product, but when you try to make the purchase, you receive a message saying “Amazon Approval Needed.” This means Amazon wants to confirm that you intend to buy that item. It’s like Amazon asking for your permission to proceed with the purchase.
Amazon aims to make the shopping experience safer and more reliable for both buyers and sellers. They want to avoid situations where someone buys something by mistake or without proper consideration.
Imagine;
- You’re shopping on Amazon and accidentally click on a high-value item. Instead of immediately charging your card, Amazon requests approval to ensure you genuinely want to buy it.
- If your child uses your Amazon account and tries to purchase something, the “Amazon Approval Needed” message ensures that you authorize the purchase as the account holder.
In other words, “Amazon Approval Needed” may seem like an extra step, but it helps prevent unintended purchases and contributes to a more trustworthy and secure shopping environment on Amazon.
Why Does My Amazon Order Say Approval Needed?
When you see “Approval Needed” on your Amazon order, it means Amazon is taking extra steps to ensure the purchase goes smoothly.
Here are some reasons why Amazon might request approval:
Preorder Items: Amazon will ask for approval if you want to buy something that still needs to be made available. They want to confirm your intention to buy before the item is released and you will be charged when it ships.
Business Accounts: For business customers making purchases on behalf of their company, the account owner might require manual approval for each order. This helps control spending and prevents personal use of the company’s card.
Order History: If you’ve previously returned or refunded items, Amazon may ask for approval on future orders. Your past behavior can influence this.
Address Changes: Changing your delivery address might trigger order approval, especially after consistently using the same one. It’s a safety measure to prevent unauthorized changes.
Credit Card Expiry: Amazon typically accepts credit cards with at least six months before they expire. If your card is about to expire sooner, they may request approval.
International Cards: Amazon often requires a card from the same country where you’re shopping. For instance, if you’re buying from Amazon UK, you’ll need a UK card.
Product Specifics: Certain products, like oversized or heavy items, hazardous materials, or renewed/exchanged items, might need approval to ensure safe and proper handling.
How Buyers Can Deal With Amazon Approval Needed?
Dealing with the “Approval Needed” requirement on Amazon can be a bit bothersome for shoppers. However, you can take steps to resolve this issue and make your shopping experience smoother. Here’s how you can stop Amazon from asking for approval:
Log into Your Account: Begin by logging into your Amazon account.
Search for Your Desired Product: Look for the item you want to purchase and select the specific product you intend to buy.
Access Product Details: In the top left corner of the screen, you’ll see three horizontal lines. Click on these lines to access a menu.
Select “Details”: From the menu, choose “Details” to delve into the specifics of the product.
Modify Approval Setting: Locate the setting that mentions “Approved by Customer.” Change this setting from “Approved” to “Not Approved.”
Save Changes: Finally, click “Save Changes” to confirm your selection.
What Does Approval Needed Mean For Amazon Sellers?
If you’re an Amazon seller, you’re likely familiar with the term “Amazon Approval Needed.” But what does it mean for sellers on Amazon Marketplace?
Amazon Approval Needed is a message that can appear when you, as a seller, attempt to list a product for sale. It signifies that your listing requires approval from Amazon Seller Central before it can go live on the platform. This additional layer of scrutiny is applied to certain categories of products or specific brands to maintain quality control and ensure compliance with Amazon’s policies.
Let’s have a look at why Amazon implements this approval process and what it entails for sellers.
Product Categories
Amazon divides products into various categories; some are considered “gated” or restricted. This means that not all sellers can list products in these categories freely. To gain access, sellers often need to apply for approval and meet specific criteria Amazon sets.
Brand Restrictions
Certain well-known brands take extra measures to protect their products from unauthorized sellers. They may request that Amazon restrict who can list their products. Sellers interested in offering these brands must seek approval from both Amazon and the brand owner.
Quality Control
Amazon Approval Needed also serves as a quality control mechanism. It allows Amazon to verify the authenticity and condition of products, ensuring a positive shopping experience for customers.
Policy Compliance
Sellers are required to follow Amazon’s policies, such as ensuring that products are new and unused. Approval may be necessary to confirm compliance with these policies.
Enhanced Customer Trust
When customers see that certain products or brands require approval, it can instill confidence in their purchases, knowing that Amazon has vetted these listings.
So, don’t be discouraged if you are facing Amazon Approval Needed as a seller. It’s Amazon’s way of maintaining high standards and providing a secure and safe platform for both sellers and buyers. By following the approval process diligently and meeting the necessary criteria, you can successfully list and sell products in these restricted categories or brands, expanding your business on Amazon.
How To Get Amazon Approval For Product Listing
If you’re facing the “Approval Needed” hurdle while trying to list your products on Amazon as a seller, don’t worry, there are steps you can take to solve this:
Complete Required Information: Ensure all necessary details about your product are correctly filled out. This includes essential information like manufacturer UPC codes and SKU numbers. You’ll typically find these on the product’s packaging or original documentation. It’s crucial to have all the information accurate and complete before submission.
Review Your Listing Details: Double-check the information you’ve entered in Seller Central against what you intend to list. Any disparities should be corrected promptly to avoid complications later on.
Monitor Inventory Levels: Before submitting your product to Amazon, carefully assess your inventory levels. It might raise concerns if they’re low or depleted when Amazon reviews your listing. Make sure your inventory aligns with the quantity you’re trying to list.
Contact Amazon Support: If you’ve followed the above steps and still face approval issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to Amazon’s support. They can provide guidance specific to your situation.
For Better Understanding
If you’re trying to list a new line of cosmetics on Amazon, the system asks for approval. Before submitting, ensure you’ve provided all the necessary product information, including ingredients and safety certifications.
Despite your best efforts, your new product listing is still pending approval—Contact Amazon’s seller support to seek clarification and resolve the issue.
How Long Does It Take for Amazon Approval?
The time it takes to get approval on Amazon can vary depending on your goal. Let’s break down some common scenarios and their approximate approval durations:
Amazon Seller Account Approval
Typically, getting approved as a seller on Amazon takes about 24 to 48 hours. However, if Amazon needs more information from you, it might take a bit longer.
Product Listing Approval
The approval time for product listings can range from a few hours to several days. It depends on factors like the product type and the complexity of the listing.
Amazon Associates Program Approval
If you’re applying for the Amazon Associates program, you should wait up to 5 business days. Amazon manually reviews each application to ensure it complies with its program rules.
Amazon Handmade Seller Account Approval
For those looking to become Amazon Handmade sellers, the approval process can take up to 7 business days. Amazon carefully reviews each application to make sure the products are genuinely handmade and meet their quality standards.
Remember that these are approximate timeframes, and actual approval times can vary. It’s essential to be patient during the approval process and ensure you’ve provided all necessary information to expedite the approval whenever possible.
Wrap-Up
We’ve discussed the various reasons why Amazon may require order approval for sellers and buyers. Knowing these reasons can help you identify and address the need for approval when you encounter it, whether you’re buying or selling on Amazon.
If you still have questions or concerns regarding Amazon’s approval process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Amazon experts at +1-682-472-4939 or schedule a free consultation call. We’re here to assist you and provide the necessary guidance.
Author
-
Luke Collin is a seasoned e-commerce strategist and visionary content leader with over 10 years of experience in the digital marketplace. As the Senior Content Editor in eMarspro, Luke has been instrumental in shaping the online retail landscape, leveraging his expertise to drive success across significant platforms such as Amazon, Walmart, and other leading services.