Amazon Error: 18304 Error 18304: You need approval to list this brand

The "Error 18304: You need approval to list this brand" occurs when Amazon requires sellers to obtain brand approval before listing products under a specific brand.
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Error 18304: You need approval to list this brand

Error Description

The "Error 18304: You need approval to list this brand" error indicates that the brand you are trying to list products under is restricted on Amazon, meaning sellers must obtain explicit approval from Amazon to list items under this brand. Amazon imposes brand restrictions to protect brand integrity, prevent counterfeit products, and ensure that only authorized sellers can list products for certain brands. This approval process typically involves providing documentation such as invoices, authorization letters, and other proof of legitimacy.

Common Causes:

  1. Brand Restrictions: The brand is restricted or gated, requiring special approval to list products under it.
  2. Authorization Requirements: Only authorized sellers with proper documentation can list products under the brand.
  3. Compliance and Quality Control: Ensuring that products meet brand standards and regulatory requirements.
  4. Protection Against Counterfeits: Preventing the sale of counterfeit or unauthorized products under the brand.

Error Solution

To resolve the "Error 18304: You need approval to list this brand" on Amazon, follow these steps:

  1. Review Amazon’s Brand Approval Requirements:
    • Familiarize yourself with Amazon’s guidelines for obtaining brand approval. Understand the specific documentation and steps required to get approval for listing the brand.
  2. Gather Necessary Documentation:
    • Collect all required documentation to support your approval request. This may include:
      • Invoices from authorized distributors or manufacturers.
      • Authorization letters from the brand owner or manufacturer.
      • Proof of purchase or sourcing from legitimate suppliers.
      • Any other documents that demonstrate your legitimacy and authorization to sell the brand.
  3. Submit Approval Request:
    • Use Amazon Seller Central to submit an approval request for the brand. Navigate to the appropriate section for brand approvals.
    • Upload all necessary documentation and provide detailed information as required by Amazon.
    • Follow any specific instructions provided by Amazon for the approval process.
  4. Monitor the Approval Process:
    • After submitting the approval request, monitor the status through Amazon Seller Central. Be prepared to respond to any additional requests for information or clarification from Amazon.
    • Ensure timely communication and provide any additional documentation if requested.
  5. Ensure Compliance with Brand and Amazon Standards:
    • Verify that your products comply with all brand and Amazon standards, including packaging, labeling, and quality control measures.
    • Make any necessary adjustments to your products or documentation to meet the standards.
  6. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies:
    • Clear your browser’s cache and cookies to ensure you are viewing the most recent version of your listings.
    • Try using an incognito or private browsing mode to rule out browser-specific problems.
  7. Contact Amazon Support:
    • If you encounter any issues during the approval process or need further assistance, contact Amazon Seller Support. Provide detailed information about the error, the steps you have taken, and any relevant documentation.
    • Engage with Amazon seller forums and communities to seek advice from other sellers who have faced similar issues.

Pro Tip

Advanced Strategies for Managing Brand Approvals on Amazon:

  1. Implement Compliance Management Tools:
    • Use compliance management tools to automate and streamline the process of managing regulatory requirements and ensuring compliance with Amazon’s guidelines. These tools can help track and organize all necessary documentation for approval requests.
    • Integrate these tools with your inventory management system to ensure seamless data synchronization and avoid compliance-related issues.
  2. Standardize Approval Procedures:
    • Develop standardized procedures for preparing and submitting approval requests. Use predefined templates and workflows to ensure consistency and compliance across all approval requests.
    • Regularly update these procedures to reflect any changes in Amazon’s requirements or your own data management practices.
  3. Use Product Information Management (PIM) Systems:
    • Implement a PIM system to centralize and manage all product data, including compliance and approval information. PIM systems help ensure that data is accurate, complete, and consistently formatted across all platforms.
    • Integrate your PIM system with Amazon to synchronize data automatically and prevent errors.
  4. Conduct Regular Compliance Audits:
    • Perform regular audits of your product data to ensure that it is accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with Amazon’s guidelines. Use audit reports to track compliance and address any recurring issues.
    • Schedule periodic audits to identify and correct any issues with product approvals and documentation.
  5. Educate Your Team:
    • Train your team on best practices for managing brand approvals and ensuring compliance with Amazon’s guidelines. Ensure they understand the importance of accurate data entry and following standardized procedures.
    • Provide guidelines and checklists to help your team prepare and submit approval requests effectively.
  6. Monitor Regulatory Changes:
    • Regularly review updates from Amazon and industry standards regarding brand approval management. Stay informed about any changes that might affect your listings.
    • Participate in industry forums and communities to learn from other sellers and share best practices.
  7. Optimize Bulk Editing Tools:
    • Use Amazon’s bulk editing tools to update product information and manage approvals for multiple listings simultaneously. Ensure that bulk updates are accurately configured and comply with platform guidelines.
    • Validate bulk editing files before uploading to minimize the risk of errors.
  8. Use Automation for Approval Management:
    • Implement automation tools to manage data entry and verification processes related to brand approvals. Automation reduces the risk of manual errors and ensures that data is consistently accurate.
    • Tools like Zapier or Integromat can integrate with your e-commerce systems to automate approval management tasks.
  9. Utilize Competitor Analysis:
    • Analyze competitor listings to understand how they manage brand approvals within the platform’s limits. Use this insight to refine your own strategy.
    • Identify successful patterns and adapt them to your products.
  10. Stay Proactive:
    • Establish a proactive approach to managing brand approvals by regularly monitoring for any updates or changes in Amazon’s guidelines.
    • Ensure that your approval management system is flexible and can quickly adapt to new regulations.

By following these strategies and maintaining a proactive approach to managing brand approvals, sellers can minimize the risk of "Error 18304: You need approval to list this brand" on Amazon, ensuring accurate and compliant product listings. Proper management of brand approvals not only helps in preventing errors but also enhances overall visibility, searchability, and sales performance on the platform.

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