How to Sell Used Items on Amazon

Selling products on Amazon can be a great way to make some extra money, especially if you’re willing to get creative. If you want to get rid of some clutter and make some extra cash, you might wonder where to sell used items. You should consider selling used items on Amazon! You get cash for your used goods and you get to give somebody a great deal on something they need.

Before you start selling used items, it’s important to understand how to sell used items on Amazon. While used item sales are allowed, there are certain used items you’re not allowed to sell on Amazon. It’s also important to understand how Amazon classifies used items based on their condition. If you want to learn how to sell secondhand on Amazon, here’s everything you need to know.

• Can You Sell Used Items on Amazon?
• How Are Used Items Classified on Amazon?
• Listing Items on Amazon in 10 Steps

Can You Sell Used Items on Amazon?

The bottom line is that selling used items on Amazon is allowed. While this may be true, Amazon also has restrictions in place that keep you from selling certain items. If you’re not sure if your used items can be sold on Amazon, the lists below will be one of your best Amazon seller resources.

Which used items CAN you sell on Amazon?

To help make sure you’re not selling the wrong used items, Amazon provides a list of which items can be sold in used condition. Here’s a list of some of the used items that you’re allowed to sell on Amazon:

• Amazon Device Accessories
• Amazon Kindle
• Automotive & Powersports
• Books
• Camera & Photo
• Cell Phones & Accessories
• Consumer Electronics
• Home & Garden
• Industrial & Scientific
• Kindle Accessories and Amazon Fire TV Accessories
• Major Appliances
• Music
• Musical Instruments
• Office Products
• Outdoors
• Personal Computers
• Pet Supplies
• Software
• Sports
• Tools & Home Improvement
• Video, DVD & Blu-Ray
• Video Games

Which used items CAN’T you sell on Amazon?

In addition to providing a list of the items you can sell on Amazon, Amazon also provides a clear list of the categories which you’re not allowed to sell used. Here are some of the item categories that you CAN’T sell used on Amazon:

• Baby Products (excluding apparel)
• Beauty
• Clothing
• Collectible Coins
• Entertainment Collectibles
• Fine Art
• Grocery & Gourmet Food
• Health & Personal Care
• Independent Design
• Jewelry
• Shoes & Handbags
• Sports Collectibles
• Toys & Games
• Watches

The answer to “Can you sell used items on Amazon?” also depends on the condition of the item. There are several reasons Amazon may decide a used item can’t be sold on its marketplace, including products that need repairs, products with heavy mold growth, items that have expired or are close to expiring, counterfeits and replicas, and more. If you’re planning on selling a used item on Amazon, make sure it’s on the list of acceptable items and is in good enough condition to sell.

How Are Used Items Classified on Amazon?

When you’re selling a used item on Amazon, that item must be classified based on its condition. The better condition an item is in, the more likely it is to sell (and to sell for more!) Amazon uses strict guidelines to determine what condition a product is in, so follow these guidelines to make sure you’re listing used items properly. Here’s a quick breakdown of how Amazon determines what condition a used item is in.

Used – Like New/Open Box

“Like New/Open Box” items are the best of the best when it comes to used products on Amazon. In order for an item to be considered “Like New/Open Box,” it must work the way it was intended to and have its original packaging. This original packaging must also include any instructions you may have received with the product when you originally bought it. However, you don’t need to keep the original protective wrapping on the product or the box in order to sell it as “Like New/Open Box.”

Used – Very Good

Used items that have seen a little bit of wear but are still in great shape are considered “Used – Very Good” by Amazon. This could be an item that you’ve had for a while and used a handful of times but that’s still in relatively great shape. For example, you may have an old computer monitor that only has a few minor scratches on the plastic bezel. For “Used – Very Good” classification, you can have damaged original packaging or your item could be repackaged altogether. There can be missing accessories, but you’ll need to disclose any missing accessories in the listing.

Used – Good

When it comes to understanding how to sell used items on Amazon, you should know about the “Used – Good” category, as it’s one of the most popular. Many items end up falling into this category because they’re not quite in good enough shape to be “Used – Very Good,” but not bad enough to be “Used – Acceptable.” “Used – Good” items are in solid condition and work as intended, but have clear signs of use. A “Used – Good” product can be repackaged or shipped in damaged original packaging. You can also classify an item as “Used – Good” even if it has missing parts, accessories, and instructions.

Used – Acceptable

Items that aren’t quite in good enough shape to be considered “Used – Good” are considered “Used – Acceptable.” “Used – Acceptable” is the lowest classification of used items that Amazon allows you to sell, and for good reason. An item may be classified as “Used – Acceptable” if it’s still in working condition but has serious cosmetic damage. These items may have dents, dings, scratches, intentional markings from the original owner, and more.

“Used – Acceptable” items are typically repackaged but can also be shipped in their original packaging. These items may also be missing parts, accessories, or instructions.

Unacceptable

Amazon is very forgiving when it comes to allowing you to sell used goods, but there are some things you can’t sell on Amazon. While some of these items can’t be sold because of the category they’re in, sometimes selling used items on Amazon isn’t allowed because of the poor condition of the item. When this is the case, Amazon will classify an item as “Unacceptable.”

There are several reasons Amazon may classify used goods as “Unacceptable,” including:

• Items that obviously aren’t clean, including used goods with heavy staining, mold growth, corrosion, and similar issues
• Items that are damaged to the point that they’re no longer functional
• Items missing parts that are essential to the operation of that item
• Products that need to be fixed before they can be used
• Items that are a counterfeit or a replica of another name-brand product
• Items that were created for promotional purposes, such as demo discs and advanced copies of books
• Items that are expired, close to expiring (including “use by” and “sell by” dates) or don’t have an expiration date
• Items that the manufacturer deems unsellable

This is one of the biggest differences between selling on Amazon vs. eBay. Because Amazon has a reputation to uphold and a loyal customer base, they’re a lot stricter about what kind of used items you can list for sale.

How to Sell Used Items on Amazon

Now that you know the basics, you’re ready to sell my used items on Amazon! The good news is, listing an item on Amazon is a simple 10-step process, even if that item is used. Simply follow these steps to post a new product listing through your Amazon seller account:

Do you want to start your own Amazon business and start earning more money? The good news is, getting started with Amazon is easier than ever thanks to all the great resources you have at your disposal. Helium 10 is dedicated to providing you with all the tools and information you need to succeed as an Amazon seller, whether you’re selling used goods or opening a Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) store. We’ve even got a community forum where you can chat with other Amazon sellers and get helpful advice. If you want to get started as an Amazon seller today, check out Helium 10 to get the help you need to succeed.

Frequently Asked Questions