Are you an aspiring toy seller looking to reach a wider audience and expand your business on Amazon?
Selling toys on Amazon can be a lucrative and rewarding venture but before you can start raking in sales, you need to get approval from Amazon.
It’s not always easy to get approved to sell toys on Amazon, as the company has strict guidelines to ensure that all products sold on their platform meet their safety standards.
However, if you’re willing to put in the work the rewards can be significant, as selling toys on Amazon can be a highly profitable way to grow your business and reach new customers.
Getting approved to sell toys on Amazon requires a combination of attention to detail, adherence to safety standards, and a willingness to put in the effort to create compelling product listings.
Nevertheless, a market with a ton of potential is yours to explore if you’re ready to put in the work.
In this article, I will walk you through the process of how to sell toys on Amazon and provide some tips to increase your chances of success.
Why Are Toys Restricted on Amazon?
As one of the largest online marketplaces in the world, Amazon is committed to ensuring the safety and satisfaction of its customers.
This commitment is especially important when it comes to toys, as these products are often marketed to children and can pose serious safety risks if they are not properly tested and regulated.
During the holiday season, the demand for toys and games on Amazon increases significantly, and this can put a strain on the company’s ability to vet and verify all of the products being sold on its platform.
To ensure that only safe and compliant toys are being sold, Amazon restricts certain products under restricted category or temporarily suspends sales of certain items during the holiday season.
Additionally, the holiday season can also be a prime time for counterfeiters and fraudulent sellers to exploit the high demand for toys and games.
By restricting certain items under amazon restricted categories and effecting the holiday selling requirements, Amazon can prevent these types of sellers from taking advantage of unsuspecting customers.
So, while it may be frustrating to see certain toys and games restricted on Amazon during the holiday season, it’s important to remember that these restrictions are in place to protect the safety and well-being of children.
By following these regulations, Amazon can ensure that only the best and safest toys are available to customers, giving parents peace of mind and children a happy and healthy holiday season.
How To Get Approval To Sell Toys On Amazon
Requests for Amazon Toy category approval generally take some time. However, the idea of approvals shouldn’t deter you because a good business will be accepted.
Amazon doesn’t want to subject its seller to strict requirements. Instead, they only wish to guarantee that the top amazon sellers will satisfy clients.
Below are some selling requirements for selling toys on Amazon:
- Your first order fulfilled as an Amazon seller must have occurred before September of that year. There is no requirement that it must belong to the “Toys and games” category.
- There must have been at least 25 seller-fulfilled orders processed from August through October of that specific year.
- Your order Defect rate must be less than 1℅. This is the ratio of orders that are flawed or defective over 60 days as opposed to all orders.
- Your Pre-Fulfillment Cancel rate Shouldn’t Be Higher Than 1.75%
- Your late shipment rate must be lower than 4℅. Your late shipping rate will rise if the shipments of your orders are confirmed after the scheduled delivery date. Their should be quality and timely delivery to prevent the metrics for your account from getting worse, always send out your orders before or on the scheduled ship-by date.
To find out if you’ll make it, review your Amazon performance report and consumer analytics.
To track these KPIs, head to Seller Central’s Performance > Account Health tab
You will be able to view the following three indicators:
- Rate of Order Defects
- Rate of Delayed Shipments
- Pre-fulfillment Cancel Rate
Check if You Have Permissions to Sell Toys
If you want to sell toys on Amazon, the first thing you should do is see if you don’t already have permission to do so.
Visit Seller Central on Amazon to find out if you may sell toys. After signing in, navigate to the “Inventory” tab.
Choose “Add a Product” and then “Selling Application Status” to add a product to your cart. Here you can view the product types in which you have been granted vendor status.
In the fourth quarter, limits on toy sales only apply to FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant) orders. The rules don’t apply if your company uses FBA (Fulfilled By Amazon).
Here are some pointers to assist you in obtaining authorization to sell toys on Amazon.
- Set up a Professional Seller Account
To sell toys on Amazon, you need to have a Professional Seller Account. This will give you access to a suite of powerful tools and features that can help you optimize your listings, manage your inventory, and streamline your sales process.
- Apply for Approval to Sell Toys
Once you have a Professional Seller Account, you can apply for approval to sell toys. To do this, go to the Amazon Services website and your Seller Central account, click on “Apply to Sell” and select “Toys & Games” as the product category.
You will be questioned by Amazon on several cases related to your company and previous experience selling toys. To maximize your chances of being accepted, be sincere and give as much information as you can.
- Meet Amazon’s Requirement
Toy vendors on Amazon must adhere to a tight set of guidelines. These specifications are made to make sure that the toys sold on Amazon are secure and of the highest caliber.
- Adhere to Amazon’s Policies
Finally, it’s important to remember that selling on Amazon is a privilege, not a right. To maintain your approval to sell toys, you must adhere to Amazon’s policies at all times.
This includes following their rules for product listings, pricing, shipping, and customer service. If you violate Amazon’s policies, you risk losing your selling privileges, so be sure to read and understand their policies before you start selling.
You can request toy safety documentation.
- You Could Switch from FBA to FBM
You can easily switch from a wholesale or private label offer to an FBM offer if you still have stock in your warehouse.
Since the FBM offer will replace the FBA offer in the Buy Box, this strategy is ideal if you are the only seller on the listing. Go on until you have placed 25 orders with FBM.
Some trial and error may be required before you can become proficient at merchant fulfillment if you have only ever sold toys on Amazon through FBA. First and foremost, you need to arrange your shipping template in a way that prevents you from losing money on purchases.
Many novice vendors make the common mistake of charging customers $4.99 shipping when the actual cost to send the item was closer to $14.
Final Thoughts on How to Sell Toys on Amazon
Not getting approval to sell toys on Amazon is a setback, but it’s not the end of the world. It requires some effort and diligence, but it’s worth trying again for the opportunity to reach millions of potential customers.
By understanding why your product was not approved and taking the necessary steps to fix any issues, you can still achieve success with your product. By following these tips and meeting Amazon’s requirements, you can increase your chances of approval and start building a successful business on one of the world’s largest online marketplaces.
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Frequently Asked Questions on How to Sell Toys on Amazon
Here are some frequently asked questions on how to sell toys on Amazon:
Is Selling Toys Profitable on Amazon?
Toys sell quickly during holidays and celebrations, making them a profitable but competitive Amazon category. Success depends on offering rare, in-demand toys at fair prices while managing referral, storage, and shipping fees that impact profit. Effective advertising on Amazon and social media is essential to attract buyers and stand out from competing sellers year-round.
How Long Will It Take Me To Get Approved?
Approval can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on your seller status, documentation, and the toy category. Some toys require certifications or safety documents, especially those with magnets or chemicals. During holidays, reviews may take longer due to higher application volumes and stricter compliance checks.
Do I Need to Have a Lot of Sales Before I Can Get Approved to Sell Toys?
While having a track record of successful sales may be helpful, you don’t need to have made a lot of sales to get approved to sell toys on Amazon. However, you can start selling other categories of products so that you can build a great sales history.
Can I Sell Toy Products Without Permission on Amazon?
No, you cannot sell toy products on Amazon without permission. Toys are a restricted category requiring safety certifications and compliance with Amazon’s policies. Selling without approval can lead to account suspension, penalties, or legal action. Always obtain necessary permissions and certifications before listing toy products to protect consumers and your business.
What To Do If You Can’t Get Approval
If your toy product isn’t approved, first review Amazon’s feedback to identify the issue—it could be packaging, labeling, or safety documentation. Fix the problem and reapply. If approval still fails, build sales history in other categories first, then reapply once you’ve strengthened your seller reputation.