How to Sell Apple Products on Amazon: Approval Rules Explained

Can Anyone Sell Apple Products on Amazon?

Not without approval, and for new Apple products that approval is hard to get. Apple is a restricted brand on Amazon. Since early 2019, under an agreement between Amazon and Apple, new iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, AirPods and Beats products on Amazon have been sold by Amazon itself and by Apple Authorized Resellers. Refurbished Apple devices are sold only by approved sellers in the Amazon Renewed program. Most online arbitrage and retail arbitrage sellers will see “approval required” when they try to list an Apple ASIN.

This guide explains why Apple is restricted, who can sell it, how to check your own account, and what to sell if you can’t get approved. For the general approval process, see our guide on how to get ungated on Amazon.

Why Amazon Restricts Apple Products for Sellers

Apple products are among the most popular electronics online, which also makes them one of the most counterfeited brands. In a 2016 lawsuit, Apple said that close to 90% of the Apple-branded chargers and cables it test-purchased on Amazon were fake. Buyers who pay Apple prices and receive used or fake products leave bad reviews, file claims and lose trust in the marketplace.

In November 2018, Apple and Amazon announced a deal. Amazon became an Apple authorized reseller, buying products directly from Apple and selling the latest devices itself. In return, third-party sellers who were not Apple Authorized Resellers had their new Apple and Beats listings removed after January 4, 2019. Renewed (refurbished) Apple devices were moved to approved Amazon Renewed sellers.

The arrangement is still in place, although it remains the subject of antitrust lawsuits in the US and the UK. Here’s what it means for sellers today:

• It mainly affects resellers, meaning online arbitrage, retail arbitrage and most wholesale sellers who don’t buy through Apple’s authorized channel.
• Apple and Beats are brand-gated, so you’ll need Amazon’s approval before you can list an Apple ASIN.
• Approval generally depends on being an Apple Authorized Reseller (or an approved Renewed seller), not just on having real invoices.
• Third-party accessories that work with Apple devices, such as cases, chargers and screen protectors from other brands, are a separate matter. They don’t need Apple brand approval, but they must not use Apple’s trademarks or logos in a way that suggests they’re Apple products.

Is Amazon an Authorized Apple Reseller?

Yes. Since the 2018 agreement, Amazon buys products directly from Apple and sells them as “Ships from and sold by Amazon”. That’s why new iPhones, iPads, Macs and AirPods are available on Amazon in the US and in many other marketplaces. For shoppers, products sold by Amazon itself or by an Apple Authorized Reseller are the safest choice. Our Amazon Renewed guide explains how refurbished devices are handled.

How to Get Approval to Sell Apple Products on Amazon

Amazon makes the final decision, and the requirements shown in your Seller Central account always take priority. A realistic path looks like this:

1. Check your account first. In Seller Central, go to Catalog > Add Products, search for the Apple ASIN and click “Show limitations”. If you see “Apply to sell” or “You need approval to list in this brand”, Apple is gated for you.
2. Become part of Apple’s authorized channel. For new products, this means becoming an Apple Authorized Reseller through Apple’s own reseller program, or buying through an Apple-authorized distributor that supports reselling on marketplaces. Apple chooses its resellers, and most small online sellers don’t qualify.
3. Prepare documents. Amazon may ask for authorization letters, invoices from your authorized supplier (Amazon’s general guidance asks for invoices issued within the last 180 days showing at least 10 units), business details that match your seller account, and sometimes serial numbers.
4. Apply in Seller Central and wait. Submit the request from the “Apply to sell” screen. Reviews can take days or weeks, and requests without authorized-channel documents are usually declined.
5. For refurbished devices, apply to Amazon Renewed separately. Renewed sellers have to meet strict refurbishment, warranty and performance standards, and Apple-brand Renewed has extra requirements.

Our guide on how to submit invoices for Amazon ungating explains what makes an invoice acceptable. OABeans leads-list members also get free access to our Amazon ungating course, the Ungating Sprint. It covers applications for brands and categories that are realistic to get. Amazon controls every approval, so no one can guarantee you’ll be approved, especially for Apple.

How to Sell Apple Products on Amazon: Your Options

Depending on your business model, there are four ways to approach Apple on Amazon:

1) Online or retail arbitrage: Buying Apple products at a discount from stores and reselling them on Amazon is generally not possible. Retail receipts don’t prove you’re an authorized reseller, so most arbitrage sellers should skip Apple ASINs and focus on brands they can list. You can learn more about Amazon restricted categories and brands.

2) Authorized wholesale: Businesses that are Apple Authorized Resellers, or that buy through Apple’s authorized distribution, can add offers to existing Apple listings. This is the main legitimate route for new products, but margins are thin because Amazon sells the same items directly.

3) Amazon Renewed: Approved refurbishers can sell used and refurbished iPhones, iPads and Macs under Renewed rules. If you work with used devices, our guide to selling used electronics on Amazon covers the requirements.

4) Apple-compatible accessories under your own brand: Private label means selling your own brand, not Apple’s. You can sell cases, stands, cables or chargers that work with Apple devices under your own brand, as long as you don’t use Apple trademarks improperly. If you sell Lightning or USB-C cables, Apple’s MFi certification is worth checking.

For a closer look at one of the most requested Apple products, read our guide on whether you can sell AirPods on Amazon.

Final Thoughts

Unless you’re part of Apple’s authorized channel, selling new Apple products on Amazon isn’t realistic, and trying to get around the restriction puts your account at risk. Amazon and Apple want every buyer to receive a genuine product, so they limit who can list it. Most arbitrage sellers do better spending their capital on ungated, profitable products. OABeans members get daily online arbitrage leads that are already checked for profit and sales rank. If you’d rather try a different model, you could also look into selling digital products on Amazon.

FAQ

Is it legal to resell Apple products on Amazon?

Reselling genuine products you bought is generally legal, but Amazon decides who can list on its marketplace. Apple is a restricted brand, so you need Amazon’s approval, which usually requires being an Apple Authorized Reseller or an approved Renewed seller.

Does Apple sell on Amazon?

Apple supplies Amazon directly, and Amazon sells Apple products as an authorized reseller. Most new Apple listings are “sold by Amazon”, alongside a limited number of authorized third-party resellers.

How can sellers check if they are allowed to list a specific Apple product?

Use Catalog > Add Products in Seller Central, search for the ASIN and click “Show limitations”. If Amazon shows “Apply to sell”, you’ll need approval before listing.

What documents might Amazon request for Apple devices?

Amazon may ask for authorization letters, invoices from Apple or an authorized distributor, serial numbers and proof of a legitimate supply chain. These checks keep counterfeit or tampered devices off the marketplace.

Are Apple products on Amazon counterfeit?

Since 2019, new Apple products on Amazon have been limited to Amazon and authorized resellers, which has greatly reduced the counterfeit risk on Apple-brand listings. Third-party accessories are a different story, so check the seller and the brand before you buy.

What profitability challenges should sellers expect with Apple products?

Apple pricing is tight, Amazon competes directly and fees on high-ticket items add up quickly. Even approved sellers often see thin margins, so check demand, Buy Box competition and ROI before every buy.