Thinking about selling your own brand on Amazon? You’re in the right place. Today, we’re going to tackle the process of getting brand approval on Amazon. I know it might sound tricky, but don’t worry – it’s simpler than you think!

Getting your brand approved is a big deal. It’s your ticket to standing out in the crowded Amazon marketplace. Plus, it opens up some cool features that can help boost your sales. So, are you ready to take your Amazon selling game to the next level? Let’s get in and make this brand approval thing easy!

Do You Need a Trademark Number for Getting Brand Approval on Amazon?

Well, here’s some good news for you – you won’t need a trademark at all! I can almost hear your sigh of relief from here. The only necessary thing is the brand name and proof that this brand belongs to you. That’s all you’ll need actually. Pretty straightforward, right?

It means you can start building your brand presence on the platform much more quickly and with less upfront investment. This is particularly beneficial for those of you who are just starting out or testing the waters with a new product line.

However, don’t confuse this with Amazon’s Brand Registry program, which is a separate thing and does require a registered trademark. Brand approval is just the first step to selling products under your own brand name on Amazon.

So, what exactly do you need to prove that the brand belongs to you? It could be as simple as product packaging or labels that clearly show your brand name.

Remember, while a trademark isn’t necessary for brand approval, it’s still a good idea to consider getting one in the long run. It provides stronger legal protection for your brand and can be useful if you decide to join the Brand Registry program later on. Having one will help you to get a Brand Register without any issues!

Steps for Applying for Brand Approval on Amazon

Alright, let’s roll up our sleeves and get into the details. Here’s how you can apply for brand approval on Amazon:

1. First, head over to your Seller Central dashboard.
2. Once you’re there, click on Add a Product. 
3. Under the Product Identity tab, provide the Item Name, type of your product, and the next option which is Recommended Browse  Nodes will be filled up by itself. After that, enter your brand name.
4. As you don’t have brand approval, you’ll see an error type message stating that you will need brand approval. There you will find the Apply to Sell, click on it.
5. On the next page, Amazon’s going to ask for your Brand’s website. Now, here’s a little secret – it isn’t mandatory. But if you’ve got one, definitely provide it. It’ll make your position stronger.
6. Next up, you’ll need to select the type of product. You can use the search feature or the tool classifier option. Choose whichever floats your boat!
7. Now we’re getting to the good stuff. You’ll need to submit documents that contain pictures of your brand. This is where you get to show off a bit!

Here’s the deal with these pictures:

• The branding on your product or packaging must match perfectly (though differences in capitalization are allowed).
• You need to take these pictures yourself. No stock photos allowed! Show your items hand-held or placed on a table.
• Don’t even think about digitally altering or photoshopping these images. That’s a one-way ticket to rejection town.
• Your branding should be stamped, stitched, printed, or stuck on the product and/or packaging. It shouldn’t be easy to remove.
• Make sure your branding isn’t infringing on another brand’s trademark. We don’t want any legal troubles!

8. When you’re saving these pictures, name them after your brand. It’s like giving them a little identity of their own!

Here’s a pro tip: submit pictures of only one product with the branding name. Keep it simple and focused.

9. You’ll need to submit two pictures and it’s not our rule, Amazon will ask you to do so!
10. Once you’ve got your pictures ready, checkmark the boxes to confirm you’ve followed all the guidelines. After that, click on Select Files and upload the pictures.
11. After that, provide your Email address so that Amazon can reach out if they have any questions for you! After that, click on Submit. On the next window, they will provide a estimated date to deliver the result!

And there you have it! You’ve just applied for brand approval on Amazon. It wasn’t so bad, was it?

Let’s break down some of these steps a bit more. When you’re entering your product information (step 3), be as detailed and accurate as possible. This isn’t just for Amazon’s benefit – it helps customers find your product more easily.

The website question (step 5) is interesting. While it’s not mandatory, having a website can add credibility to your brand. It shows Amazon that you’re serious about your business. If you don’t have a website yet, don’t stress – you can still get approved without one.

When it comes to selecting your product type (step 6), be specific. The more accurately you can classify your product, the better Amazon can categorize it, which helps with search results and product recommendations.

Now, let’s talk about those all-important photos (steps 7-11). These are crucial because they’re your proof that you own this brand. Make sure your photos are clear and well-lit. The branding should be easily visible. If your product is small, consider using the macro setting on your camera to get a clear, close-up shot of the branding.

Remember, authenticity is key here. Amazon wants to see real products in real environments. That’s why they specify hand-held or table-placed items. They’re looking for genuine, unaltered images that prove you have physical products with your branding.

Finally, when you’re naming your image files (step 10), use your exact brand name. If your brand is “Super Awesome Products”, your image files should be named something like super-awesome-products-1.jpg and super-awesome-products-2.jpg.

By following these steps carefully, you’re giving yourself the best chance of getting your brand approved quickly and smoothly. And once you’re approved, you’ll be ready to start selling your branded products on one of the world’s largest e-commerce platforms. How exciting is that?

Can You Get Brand Approval as a Distributor? 

Yes, even if you don’t own a brand yourself, you can still get approval to sell products from other brands on Amazon as a distributor or retailer. Here’s a step-by-step guide with an example:

Let’s say you want to sell phone chargers made by UGreen, a popular electronics brand.

1. Go to your Amazon Seller Central account.
2. Look for the Add a Product option. It’s usually in the menu at the top of the page.
3. In the search box, type in the unique code for the UGreen charger you want to sell, or simply search with the brand name. 
4. When you find the charger, you’ll see an Apply to Sell button. Click on this button.
5. A new window will pop up. Look for a button that says Request Approval and click on it.
6. Now, Amazon will ask you to provide some important documents. You’ll need to submit one of these two things: 

• A receipt showing you bought the UGreen chargers from the manufacturer or an authorized wholesaler. 
• A letter from UGreen saying they allow you to sell their products.

7. If you’re submitting a receipt, make sure it includes:
   • Dated within the last 365 days
   • Includes your name and address, matching the information in your selling account
   • Includes the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor  
   • Shows the combined purchase of at least 10 units
   • Omit pricing information (optional)
8. Once you have your document ready, checkmark the check box, and look for a button that says Select files. Click this and choose the document from your computer to upload it.
9. Next, Amazon will ask for your email address. Type it in carefully – this is where they’ll send important information about your application.
10. Finally, click the Submit button to send your application to Amazon.
11. Now, you wait. Amazon will review your application and documents. If everything looks good, they’ll send an email to the address you provided saying you’re approved to sell UGreen chargers.

Also, keep in mind that some brands are harder to get approval for than others. Popular electronics brands like UGreen might be more challenging, while lesser-known brands might be easier.

Is There Any Way to Get Brand Approval Without Any Documents?

Yes, it is possible to get brand approval on Amazon without submitting documents from the manufacturer, but this only applies to certain products. First, you’ll need to find products that are eligible for this simpler approval process. This can take some time and research. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Once you’ve found a suitable product, go to your Amazon Seller Central account and look for the Add Product button.
2. In the search box, type in or paste the product’s unique Amazon code (called an ASIN). For example, if you’re trying to sell a moisturizer from “The Derma Co”, you’d use that product’s specific code.
3. Click Submit after entering the ASIN.
4. The product should now appear in your list of items. Look for a button that says Apply to Sell and click it.
5. Click on Request Approval.
6. Amazon will show you a short video explaining how this process works. Watch it carefully.
7. In the same page,  you’ll see some questions on your screen. Answer these truthfully and to the best of your knowledge. These questions help Amazon understand your connection to the brand and your plans for selling.

8. Provide your email address where Amazon can contact you about the approval.
9. Click “Submit” to send your answers to Amazon.
10. If everything looks good, Amazon will send an email to the address you provided, letting you know you’re approved to sell products from that brand.
11. Once approved, you can start listing items from that brand in your Amazon store.

Remember, this easier approval process isn’t available for all products or brands. It’s more common for newer or less established brands. For well-known brands or high-value items, Amazon usually requires more documentation to protect against counterfeit goods.

Also, even though you don’t need to submit documents, Amazon still expects you to be a legitimate seller. Make sure you’re following all of Amazon’s rules and guidelines when listing and selling products.

Conclusion

By following these steps and providing the necessary documentation, you can increase your chances of obtaining brand approval on Amazon. Remember to pay close attention to the requirements and guidelines to avoid delays or rejection. Good luck with your application!