How to set up an Amazon account, or more precisely, how to correctly set up an Amazon account. This isn’t a guide on how to create an account, but rather tips on how to avoid a common and extremely serious mistake.
I was prompted to write this article by individuals who recently contacted me. Each of them was on the verge of losing their Amazon account, or had already lost it. The reason was always the same: opening or attempting to open multiple Amazon seller accounts.
Why did this happen? One person, while opening an Amazon account, reached a point where they didn’t know what to do next. They needed to submit identity verification documents or, for example, set up two-step verification, and the account opening and configuration process stalled there. Then, confused by the situation, this person forgot about everything and a week or two later tried to open a second Amazon account.
Sometimes, the process was started on amazon.de, but the person opening the account reached a point where they couldn’t understand the messages in German. Before realizing that the language could be changed to English, they decided to open a new account, this time on amazon.co.uk.
It was even worse when opening an account on amazon.com, where, in my opinion, it’s easier to accidentally open two accounts. The moment of uploading an identity or address verification document is particularly risky:
If you reach this point and don’t have the required documents or their translations, prepare the documents and get them translated. Then, return to the account registration process, even after a few days, and complete it. Once you have the documents and translation, under no circumstances should you start the account opening process again; instead, complete the previously initiated process. Unless you cancel it beforehand.
In situations like opening two accounts, Amazon almost immediately blocks both accounts. These types of blocks are very difficult to appeal, and usually, the seller has to give up selling on Amazon (at least without undertaking very complicated actions). This is one of the worst forms of violating Amazon’s terms and conditions and simultaneously the easiest way to end your Amazon journey right at the beginning.
Here you can read about unblocking an Amazon account.
An initiated seller account registration process should always be completed. If you wish to make any changes, such as using a different email address, you can do so after the account registration process is finalized.
Remember: you can only have one seller account on Amazon. While it is possible to open more than one account with Amazon’s consent, this is only allowed in specific situations and only after receiving explicit approval from Amazon.
Before you open an Amazon account:
– make sure you haven’t done this before or abandoned the process midway; if you have doubts, you can, for example, filter your email inbox for messages from Amazon
– make sure that none of your company’s employees have already started the account opening process and that only documents or document translations need to be submitted
– make sure that no one in your household has an Amazon seller account
– never open another Amazon account if your previous Amazon account has been blocked.
Update:
Amazon has changed its policy regarding having more than one account. Currently, it is possible to set up more than one account for a single company/identity, provided that the product assortment offered on these accounts differs. Furthermore, accounts must be maintained in good standing. If one of them is blocked, Amazon may block the other. Despite this change in approach, we still recommend contacting Amazon beforehand before opening an additional account.
