Amazon Renewed Guide (2026): Renewed vs Premium & How to Sell

Quick answer: Amazon Renewed is Amazon’s store for pre-owned, refurbished and open-box products that have been inspected, cleaned, tested and repackaged to work and look like new. For shoppers, “Renewed” means the item is covered by the Amazon Renewed Guarantee (most U.S. Renewed items can be returned within 90 days, and Renewed Premium items within 365 days). For sellers, it is an application-only program with strict invoice, quality and pricing rules. This guide covers both sides and was reviewed against Amazon’s current Renewed requirements in October 2026.

What is Amazon Renewed?

Amazon Renewed is a program that lets approved third-party sellers (refurbishers, brand-authorized repairers, distributors and resellers, manufacturers and brand owners, and IT asset disposition providers) sell pre-owned, refurbished, and open-box products. Every item must be inspected, cleaned, repaired if needed, tested and repackaged to meet the original manufacturer’s specifications, and Renewed listings end their title with “(Renewed)”. The seller must back each product with the Amazon Renewed Guarantee and is responsible for the claims made under it, so buyers are protected if the item doesn’t work as expected.

It’s worth noting in this Amazon Renewed guide that you don’t necessarily have to list your used items as Renewed. It’s already allowed to sell used items on amazon as long as they meet the guidelines. The difference is that Amazon Renewed standards are stricter, so the item has to be inspected and certified to work like new. This way, buyers can place more confidence in their purchase. 

What Can I Sell on Amazon Renewed?

Renewed is built for products with electrical or mechanical components that can be repaired, replaced or upgraded and checked for quality. Amazon’s seller page lists phones, cameras, headphones, kitchen appliances, power tools, personal computers, tablets, televisions and video game consoles as typical Renewed products. Every unit must ship with all the accessories a customer would expect with a new item. Some brands (Apple, for example) need extra approval, and if you don’t qualify for Renewed you can still list pre-owned items under a Used condition when they meet Amazon’s standard condition guidelines.

So, how can we start selling with the Amazon Renewed program? Let’s find out! 

1) Create an Amazon Seller Account 

If you don’t already have a Seller Central account, create one. You’ll choose a selling plan and provide a business email address, a chargeable credit card, a government ID, tax information, a phone number, and a bank account. Most Renewed sellers use the Professional plan ($39.99 per month plus selling fees), because it unlocks business reports, bulk listing tools and Buy Box eligibility. Our Individual vs Professional seller plan comparison explains the difference.

If you manufacture products under your own brand, enroll in Amazon Brand Registry first: manufacturers and brand owners must provide trademark documentation or proof of Brand Registry enrollment with their Renewed application.

2) Meet the Criteria for Amazon Renewed 

You must meet certain criteria to get approved for selling Renewed items. The biggest hurdle is purchase history: itemized invoices totaling at least $50,000 in qualifying refurbished purchases from the previous 90 days (or 180 days for Home, Tools, Kitchen, and Lawn & Garden), and $2.5 million for Apple-branded items. You also need sample product images and a healthy account with a low Order Defect Rate (ODR). We cover the full list of requirements below.

3) Apply for Amazon Renewed and Start Selling! 

Once your account is set up and your documents are ready, complete the Amazon Renewed application inside Seller Central (the email-based application some older guides mention is no longer the route). Amazon says decisions typically take about 10 days; if you haven’t heard back by then, open a case with Selling Partner Support. After approval, create listings with the Certified Refurbished ASIN Creation tool or add offers to existing Renewed pages, price each item at least 5% below its new equivalent, and fulfill with FBA, FBM or Multi-Channel Fulfillment.

What Are the Requirements to Join Amazon Renewed?

The next thing we will discuss in this Amazon Renewed guide is the requirements for joining the Renewed program. Sellers must meet the criteria to list their Renewed products on Amazon: 

• A Seller Central account in good standing with healthy performance metrics, including a low Order Defect Rate
• Itemized invoices totaling at least $50,000 in qualifying refurbished purchases from the previous 90 days (180 days for Home, Tools, Kitchen, and Lawn & Garden; $2.5 million for Apple-branded items). Invoices must be authentic and unaltered, show your full business name and address, the supplier’s name and contact details, quantities, and brand/model information. Retail receipts, order confirmations, manifests, quotes and pro formas are not accepted.
• Proof of experience selling repaired or refurbished products
• Products that are inspected, repaired, cleaned, tested and repackaged (if applicable) to meet the original manufacturer’s specifications
• Real photos (no mockups) of a sample unit in Excellent cosmetic grade: all six sides of the product, the packaging, and the branded accessories, plus a photo with the screen turned on if the product has one
• Trademark documentation or proof of Amazon Brand Registry enrollment (manufacturers and brand owners only)
• Agreement to follow the Amazon Renewed policies, back every unit with the Amazon Renewed Guarantee, and price at least 5% below the new equivalent
• Extra approval for some brands

What are Amazon Renewed Products?

Most eligible products for the Amazon Renewed program are from the electronics category, but there are also home appliances, tools, and other items, including: 

• Air conditioners 
• Dehumidifiers 
• Embroidery machines 
• Graphing and scientific calculators 
• Outdoor blowers and vacuums 
• Pneumatic tools 
• Refrigerators 
• Sound and recording equipment 

Amazon Renewed Product Categories

If your item can be placed in any of the following categories, you can list it on Amazon Renewed: 

Open-box

Products removed from their original packaging but not used by the buyer. This category usually includes unused returns or products that were used as demos in unboxing videos. 

Pre-owned

Products that were used and showed signs of usage. It includes returned products that have been lightly used. 

Refurbished

Products that were used and returned due to a fault in them. These items must be repaired before being sold.

Amazon Renewed vs Renewed Premium: Condition Grades & Guarantee

Many shoppers search for the difference between Renewed and Renewed Premium. On Amazon.com, Renewed items (most commonly phones, laptops and tablets) are shown with a cosmetic grade so buyers know what to expect:

• Renewed Premium: the top tier. Items look and work like new, devices with batteries must keep at least 90% of original capacity, and buyers get a 365-day return window.
• Renewed – Excellent: no visible cosmetic damage when held about 12 inches away; battery capacity above 80%.
• Renewed – Good: light, barely visible scratches on the body; screen free of scratches.
• Renewed – Acceptable: clearly visible signs of wear, but fully functional.

Most U.S. Renewed items (all grades except Premium) come with a 90-day return window under the Amazon Renewed Guarantee, and some select items instead offer a 30-day return window plus an extended limited warranty from a third-party provider. The exact terms are shown on each product page, so always check the offer details before you buy. The packaging may be a plain brown or white box rather than the original retail box, but every item must include the accessories a new unit would have.

Pros & Cons of Amazon Renewed Program 

Another important aspect that we must discuss in this Amazon Renewed guide is the pros and cons of this program. Weighing the potential benefits and challenges can help you decide whether it’s the right choice for you:  

Pros: 

• Less competition due to higher standards of entry and being an “exclusive” program 
• Allows you to reach a whole different demographic of consumers and convert them into loyal customers 
• Buyers trust the Amazon Renewed Guarantee (a 90-day return window on most U.S. items), which makes them more willing to buy pre-owned products. Keep in mind that you, the seller, back the guarantee and are responsible for the claims made under it, so quality control directly affects your margins
• Easy order fulfillment with the FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) program, which allows you to send your products to fulfillment centers and let Amazon employees handle picking, packing, and shipping them

Cons: 

• It may not be the right choice for your brand, especially if you sell luxury items 
• Renewed products appear in the search results alongside new products, which means you have to ensure that customers can differentiate between the two. 
• If the discount on Renewed products is too steep, arbitrage sellers may buy and resell them at a higher price on another marketplace, such as eBay.

What is the Difference Between Used, Refurbished & Pre-Owned Items?

During this Amazon Renewed guide, we came across the words “used”, “refurbished,” and “pre-owned,”; but what do they mean? “Refurbished” usually points to items that were returned, inspected, fixed, and repackaged for sale. These items were returned due to a fault but have since been repaired and repackaged. 

Items that are “pre-owned” are second-hand and do not come directly from the manufacturer. However, they might be new and unused, as the buyer might have never opened or used their packaging. Used items, on the other hand, are products that were used by the previous owner, in less-than-optimal condition, and may have damage. 

When it comes to deciding between selling through the Renewed program or listing items in a Used condition as a regular seller, Renewed is usually the stronger option if you can qualify. Renewed offers sit on dedicated Renewed product pages, carry the Renewed Guarantee that buyers recognize, and typically command higher prices than ordinary used offers. If you resell electronics, our guide to selling used electronics on Amazon covers the condition and approval rules outside the Renewed program.

Final Thoughts

Amazon Renewed is a strong channel for sellers with a steady supply of open-box, pre-owned or refurbished products and the paperwork to prove it. The entry bar ($50,000 in refurbished-purchase invoices, strict photo and quality checks, and pricing at least 5% below new) keeps competition lower than in most used categories, while the Renewed Guarantee gives buyers the confidence to pay more. If you’re not ready for Renewed yet, new-condition resale through online arbitrage is an easier way to build sales history; see what online arbitrage is and how it works.

Amazon Renewed FAQ

What does “Renewed” mean on Amazon?

It means a pre-owned, refurbished or open-box product that a qualified seller has inspected, cleaned, tested and repackaged to work and look like new, backed by the Amazon Renewed Guarantee.

Is Amazon Renewed the same as refurbished?

Renewed is Amazon’s name for its certified refurbished program. It includes refurbished items, but also open-box and pre-owned products, all held to the same Renewed quality policy.

What is the difference between Renewed and Renewed Premium?

Renewed Premium is the top condition tier: like-new appearance, at least 90% battery capacity on battery-powered devices, and a 365-day return window, compared with 90 days on most standard Renewed items.

Is Amazon Renewed reliable?

Generally yes, because sellers must pass Amazon’s application and ongoing quality checks (including test buys) and every item is covered by the Renewed Guarantee. Check the condition grade, seller rating and return terms on the offer before you buy.

How do I start selling on Amazon Renewed?

Open a Seller Central account, collect at least $50,000 in qualifying refurbished-purchase invoices from the last 90 days (180 days for some home and garden categories), prepare sample product photos, then submit the Renewed application in Seller Central. Decisions usually take about 10 days. For buyer-side returns on regular items, see our Amazon return policy guide.