How to Get Approved to Sell AirPods on Amazon?

Can You Sell AirPods on Amazon?

The first question you might ask is, “Can I sell AirPods on Amazon?” The quick answer is yes, but it requires approval. In fact, Apple’s investigation found that nearly 90% of supposed Apple products sold on Amazon were actually counterfeit. To protect buyers and maintain trust, Amazon requires sellers who want to list AirPods to get ungated in the Apple category first. Without this prior approval, your listing will almost certainly be blocked, and attempting to sell without authorization could even put your seller account at risk.

Requirements to Sell AirPods on Amazon

After learning the basics about selling AirPods or other Apple products on Amazon, it’s time to talk about the requirements. Here’s a checklist of what you need in place to get approved:

Amazon Professional Seller Account

Your account must be upgraded to the Professional Selling Plan. If you’re on an Individual Seller account, you won’t be eligible to sell restricted products like Apple items.

Valid Invoices

You need to submit invoices from Apple or from an official authorized wholesaler for your AirPods stock. Amazon will check these carefully. Invoices should:

• Be dated within the last 90 days.
• Show at least 10 units purchased.
• Clearly display the supplier’s name, address, and contact information.
• Include the quantity of AirPods per purchase.

Business Documentation

Amazon may also request additional documents like a business license or resale certificate. Having a registered business and an EIN  strengthens your credibility and improves your chances of approval.

Compliance with Amazon’s Policies

Make sure your products fully comply with Amazon’s authenticity and safety requirements. Apple products must be brand new, untampered, and sourced only from trusted suppliers.

High-Quality Packaging and Labeling

This is critical. AirPods must come in original Apple packaging, sealed with proper labels and barcodes intact. Secure, professional packaging not only protects the products from damage but also reassures customers that they’re receiving a genuine, brand-new item.

Step by Step Guide to Selling AirPods on Amazon

If you’re serious about selling Apple products on Amazon, you should take these crucial steps. Without them, you won’t be able to list AirPods or any other Apple items.

• Get Ungated in the Apple Category

To begin, log in to your Seller Central account and try to add a new product under the Apple brand. You’ll immediately see a prompt that says approval is required. Follow it to submit a request for approval.

As part of this process, you’ll need to upload the required documents, such as invoices and business information. Be sure your invoices are clear, scanned copies from Apple or an authorized distributor, and that they meet Amazon’s criteria. After submit you’ll have to wait for Amazon’s decision. The process may take from a few days to a several of weeks.

For detailed tips, check out our full guide on how to get ungated on Amazon.

• Source AirPods from Reliable Suppliers

During the time you wait to get approved by Amazon, it’s important to focus on sourcing your AirPods inventory from legitimate suppliers. The safest way is to buy directly from Apple or from authorized distributors. You can also source inventory from renowned electronics wholesalers that are recognized for carrying authentic Apple products. However, you must avoid the “grey market”, even if the prices seem lower and tempting. This can create serious problems later when Amazon reviews your invoices and supply chain documents.

• List Your AirPods on Amazon

After completing the first two steps, it’s time to list your AirPods on Amazon. Since AirPods are already popular products, Amazon usually has present ASINs for them. In many cases, you can simply add your offer under the existing listing without creating a brand-new one.

However, if you decide to create a new listing, here are a few tips:

• Use a clear product title that specifies the model. Include detailed product descriptions and highlight important features like battery life, Apple warranty, and noise cancellation.

• Upload professional photos that show the AirPods, original packaging with the Apple logo and accessories.
• Apple has multiple AirPods models like AirPods 2nd Gen, 3rd Gen, AirPods Pro, Pro 2, and AirPods Max. Make sure your listing matches the accurate version you’re selling.
•  Always list AirPods under the right category to customers easily find them. The best match is “Electronics,  Headphones”.

For more detailed tips, check out our Amazon Product Listing Optimization Guide.

• Fulfillment Options

One of the key decisions that affects your success is selecting the right fulfillment method for your AirPods. On Amazon, you have two main options”

In the FBA model, you send your inventory to Amazon’s warehouses, and they handle storage, packaging, shipping, customer service, and even returns. For a popular product like AirPods, FBA can be a great option because it gives you access to Prime shipping and builds buyer trust. 

In the FBM model, you manage the inventory and shipping yourself. While this gives you more control over stock and avoids FBA fees, you won’t get the same visibility as Prime-eligible listings. FBM can work if you already have a strong logistics setup or want to maximize your margins.

For a deeper separation of the two models, check out our guide on Amazon FBA vs. Amazon FBM.

5.Pricing and Promotion

Apple products are highly competitive on Amazon, so having a smart pricing and promotion strategy is essential. Here’s what to consider:

• Monitor competitor prices using repricing tools and make sure your listing remains attractive. Be cautious about pricing higher than Apple or Amazon itself, as buyers often prefer purchasing directly from them unless you offer something unique.
• To stand out, consider bundling accessories or offering faster shipping options. Small extras can make a big difference in customer decisions.
• Use Amazon PPC campaigns to boost your visibility in search results. You can also leverage Amazon coupons or limited-time discounts to drive more clicks and conversions.

Challenges in Selling AirPods on Amazon

There’s no doubt that selling high demand products like AirPods can be profitable, but it also comes with several challenges. One of the biggest is competing with major sellers such as Amazon, Apple’s official store and other established retailers. Most people normally prefer buying from these sources, which makes it harder for smaller sellers to win the Buy Box. 

Apple products are very competitive, which means profit margins are narrow. It can be tough to maintain a low profit margin between Amazon fees, shipping costs and advertising expenses.

The next one is about the risk of Counterfeit Claims from competitors or buyers. These claims can lead to listing removal or even account suspension. To protect your business, keep invoices, authorization documents and proof of authenticity ready to submit. 

And finally, getting ungated in the Apple category isn’t simple. Amazon requires exact invoices, business documents and high quality packaging standards. Meeting these strict requirements can feel overwhelming at first, but they’re necessary to sell successfully.

Despite these challenges, many sellers have managed to profit from selling AirPods on Amazon. If you follow the process carefully, source just from trusted suppliers and use innovative advertising strategies, you can build a stable business in this competitive field.

Alternative Opportunities for Apple & Digital Products

If you think you can’t get approval to sell AirPods, don’t worry, there are many other opportunities. For example you can focus on Apple compatible accessories that don’t require brand approval, such as cases, chargers, or protective gear. These items are in high demand and mostly come with fewer restrictions. For more details, you can check out our full guide on how to sell Apple products on Amazon.

The next great option is exploring digital products. You could sell eBooks, online courses or software applications based on your skills and expertise. If you like to learn more about these options, check our detailed guide on how to sell digital products on Amazon.

Conclusion

Apple products like AirPods are among the most popular items sellers want to list on Amazon. Selling them is possible, but it requires strict compliance with Amazon’s rules, patience, and the right game plan. For U.S., Canadian, or international sellers, it’s important to carefully analyze costs and requirements before starting. Ask yourself key questions like Can I manage the approval process? Can I access inventory at a reasonable price?

FAQ

• Do I need Amazon’s approval to sell AirPods or other Apple products?

Absolutely yes. AirPods and all Apple products require approval to sell on Amazon. Without approval, you won’t be able to list them.

• Can I sell used or refurbished AirPods on Amazon?

Technically yes, but you must go through the Amazon Renewed program. This requires meeting strict standards such as using high-quality refurbishment processes and providing invoices for genuine Apple parts.

• Is selling AirPods on Amazon profitable?

Yes, it can be very profitable because AirPods are in high demand. However, profitability depends on several factors like your sourcing, packaging quality, pricing strategy and how well you present your products.

• Can I sell AirPods through Amazon FBA?

Yes. In fact, we recommend starting with Amazon FBA for electronics like AirPods. It provides benefits such as Prime shipping, easier returns and greater customer trust.

• What happens if I try to sell AirPods without approval?

If you attempt to sell without approval, your listing will be blocked, and your Amazon account could be suspended .