Managing multiple Amazon Seller Central accounts can be an essential strategy for some businesses, but it requires a thorough understanding of Amazon’s policies and compliance with their strict guidelines. This blog explores the key aspects of managing multiple Amazon Seller accounts, the policies around them, and how to avoid potential risks.
Can You Have Multiple Amazon Seller Accounts?
Amazon’s policies are clear: sellers are not allowed to operate more than one seller account unless they have a legitimate business need and have received approval from Amazon. While the rule might sound restrictive, Amazon does offer flexibility in certain cases.
For instance, you may want to separate different business entities or product lines. If you can justify your reasons and follow Amazon’s specific requirements, it’s possible to run multiple accounts under Amazon Seller Central.
Amazon’s Multiple Seller Accounts Policy
Amazon allows sellers to operate multiple accounts under certain conditions:
Separate Businesses: Each account must represent a different legitimate business. Each must have its own unique bank account and tax identification information.
Approval: Sellers must request and obtain approval from Amazon before opening a second account.
No Duplication of Products: Amazon requires that each account lists entirely different products. Listing the same products across multiple accounts is against the rules and can lead to account suspension.
Good Standing: The existing account must be in good standing with no history of violations or warnings from Amazon.
Failure to follow these guidelines can result in account suspension or bans from Amazon Seller Central.
How to Apply for Multiple Amazon Seller Accounts
If you have a legitimate reason to open multiple accounts, Amazon provides a formal process for applying:
Contact Amazon Seller Support: Open a support case through your Seller Central dashboard and explain your business reason for wanting a second account.
Provide Documentation: Amazon may request documents such as business licenses, tax information, or bank account details to verify that each account represents a separate business entity.
Wait for Approval: Amazon’s review process can take a few days to weeks. Once approved, you can create and manage multiple accounts.
Amazon’s Rules for Multiple Seller Accounts
When you manage multiple Amazon Seller accounts, compliance with Amazon’s rules is essential:
No Overlapping Inventory: Each account must have distinct product lines. Sellers cannot list the same products on different accounts.
Unique Payment Methods: Each account must have a separate payment method, bank account, and tax information.
Strict Policy Compliance: You must ensure that all accounts adhere to Amazon’s performance standards, such as maintaining high ratings, shipping products on time, and responding to customer inquiries quickly.
Managing Multiple Amazon Seller Accounts Safely
Managing multiple Amazon Seller Central accounts can be a daunting task, but there are strategies to streamline the process and mitigate risks.
Use Antidetect Browsers Like Multilogin
One of the major concerns for sellers managing multiple Amazon accounts is avoiding detection by Amazon. Antidetect browsers such as Multilogin can help create distinct browser environments for each account, ensuring that Amazon’s system sees each account as unique.
Multilogin allows you to create separate browser profiles with unique digital fingerprints, IP addresses, and cookies, ensuring that each account appears to be accessed from a different device or location. This reduces the risk of Amazon linking multiple accounts and flagging them for violating its policies.
Keep Records Organized
To avoid confusion and ensure compliance with Amazon’s policies, keeping meticulous records for each account is essential:
Separate Business Entities: Keep tax records, financial documents, and inventory lists separate for each business.
Dedicated Email Addresses: Create unique email addresses for each account to keep communications organized and avoid confusion.
Best Practices for Operating Multiple Amazon Seller Accounts
Managing multiple accounts effectively requires a combination of strategy and diligence. Below are some best practices to help you succeed while staying compliant with Amazon’s rules.
Stay Organized with Automation Tools
Amazon Seller Central offers limited built-in tools for managing multiple accounts. However, several third-party automation tools can streamline tasks like listing management, order fulfillment, and customer support across multiple accounts:
Inventory Management Software: Tools like Sellbrite or InventoryLab allow you to track inventory across different accounts while ensuring no overlap.
Order Management Systems: Multi-channel management tools like SellerCloud can centralize order processing and fulfillment, making it easier to keep track of sales across different accounts.
Regularly Monitor Account Health
Amazon places high importance on maintaining excellent account health. Ensure you:
Respond Quickly: Always respond to customer queries and complaints in a timely manner.
Monitor Reviews: Keep an eye on customer feedback and reviews. Address any issues quickly to avoid negative ratings that could affect your account.
Stay Up-to-Date: Keep up with Amazon’s latest policies and guidelines to avoid unintentional violations.
Why You Might Need Multiple Amazon Seller Accounts
There are several legitimate reasons why a seller might need more than one Amazon Seller account:
Diversification: Sellers with diverse product lines may want to separate these into different accounts to target unique customer segments or geographic regions.
Brand Protection: Some sellers may want to create separate accounts for different brands they own to protect their brand identity and prevent confusion between product lines.
Geographical Expansion: If you’re selling products in multiple countries or regions, having separate accounts can simplify logistics and localize your operations.
Can Amazon Ban You for Having Multiple Seller Accounts?
Yes, Amazon can ban or suspend accounts if it detects multiple accounts operating without proper approval. Amazon’s system is equipped with various detection tools that monitor account activity, browser fingerprints, and IP addresses to identify unauthorized multiple accounts.
To avoid potential penalties:
Follow the Approval Process: Ensure that you obtain the necessary approval from Amazon before opening a second or third account.
Use Separate Business Information: Keep all business, financial, and tax details separate for each account.
Monitor Account Activity: Be cautious about logging in to multiple accounts from the same device without using protective tools like antidetect browsers.
FAQs on Managing Multiple Amazon Seller Accounts
Can You Have Multiple Amazon Seller Accounts?
Yes, you can have multiple Amazon Seller accounts, but you must receive Amazon’s approval and ensure that each account represents a separate business entity.
How Do I Separate Multiple Amazon Seller Accounts?
You can separate Amazon Seller accounts by ensuring each account has its own business entity, unique payment methods, and distinct inventory.
Can Amazon Ban You for Having Multiple Accounts?
Amazon can ban you if it detects multiple accounts operated without approval or if accounts violate their terms and policies.
Can Two People Manage an Amazon Seller Account?
Yes, Amazon allows multiple users to manage a single seller account. You can add user permissions within Seller Central to delegate tasks.
How Do I Combine Two Amazon Seller Accounts?
Amazon does not offer a method to merge two seller accounts. If needed, you must manually transfer inventory and other data to consolidate operations under one account.
Can I Use the Same Bank Account for Multiple Amazon Seller Accounts?
No, Amazon requires unique bank accounts for each Seller Central account to maintain separate business entities.
How to Ensure Compliance with Amazon’s Multiple Seller Account Policies?
To comply with Amazon’s policies, always use distinct business information, maintain separate inventory, and obtain approval for multiple accounts before operating them.
Final Thoughts
Operating multiple Amazon Seller Central accounts can be beneficial for sellers with diverse business needs. However, adhering to Amazon’s strict guidelines is critical to ensuring that all accounts remain in good standing.
Using antidetect browsers like Multilogin can help safeguard against detection, while proper record-keeping and automation tools can make managing multiple accounts more efficient. Always ensure compliance with Amazon’s policies to avoid account suspensions or bans.
