We’ve all experienced it. Your distributors and suppliers present a fantastic buying opportunity — highly profitable and quick-selling.
The last step? Getting brand approval to sell the product.
Sounds simple, right? You submit the invoice only to have it denied.
Often, the cause of the denial is due to a minor error.
Below is a list of common reasons for brand approval rejections and tips to avoid them, ranked from most to least common:
Typographical Errors or Inconsistencies in Your Invoice
Small errors or discrepancies in your submitted invoices are the top reasons for rejections. Amazon employs algorithms for verification, so even a minor mistake can result in a swift decline.
Example: If your business address on your Amazon account is “1 Main Street, Portland, OR,” but your invoice lists “1 Maiin Street, Portland, OR,” it can be frustrating, yet such a small discrepancy can cause your application to be rejected.
Discrepancies in Company Names
Differences between the company names on your documents and your Amazon seller account can also lead to a denial. Amazon insists on exact consistency in business names.
Example: Your manufacturer authorization letter lists your company as "XYZ Electronics Inc." while your Amazon seller account shows "XYZ Electronic INC." A missing “s”, the capitalization of “INC”, and a misplaced comma can trigger a mismatch and result in a denial.
Incomplete Product Details on Your Invoice
Amazon demands detailed product information on your invoice to confirm that the product matches what you're seeking approval for. Missing details or unmatched product codes will lead to a denial.
Example: If you're purchasing Samsung Earbuds, and your invoice says “Samsung Green Earbuds” with an internal SKU, it’s insufficient for Amazon. You need to include matching information such as model numbers and/or UPCs.
Poor Quality or Unreadable Documents:
Documents that are low-quality or hard to read prevent Amazon from verifying the authenticity of your products and business details. Clear, high-quality documents are crucial.
Example: Uploading a blurry or low-quality invoice will hinder Amazon's ability to verify it.
Invalid or Unauthorized Suppliers:
Using invoices from unvalidated or unauthorized suppliers will not only prevent approval but may also alert Amazon to potential sourcing issues. Amazon requires sellers to use authorized suppliers.
Example: Invoices from “Joe Schmo’s Distribution Company,” which lacks legitimate brand connections and sells dubious inventory, are unacceptable.
Suspicious or Fraudulent Activity:
Editing invoices or using dubious services known for fake invoices can lead to serious consequences, including account suspension.
Example: Paying for an “ungating service” that employs fraudulent invoices can activate Amazon's fraud detection and result in your account being banned.
Non-Compliance with Category-Specific Standards:
Failing to meet specific standards set for certain categories or brands can cause your approval application to be rejected.
Example: As a new seller with an order defect rate of 4% wanting to sell Baby products, you won’t get approved.
Minimum Units Requirement
Your invoice needs to display at least 10 units. Anything less, like 9 units, results in a decline.
Conclusion
Often, the reasons for denials are trivial, such as a typo. Although Amazon's approval algorithm might seem excessively strict, it is what it is.
Thus, meticulously review your invoices and brand approval documents — you might just find the error.
