Amazon Vendor API - Content and Access

1. Amazon Selling Partner API Capabilities for Vendors
2. How to Request Amazon Vendor API Access
   1. Step 1: Set up AWS User for API Access
   2. Step 2: Request API Access Through Vendor Central
   3. Step 3: Retrieve Your API Credentials
   4. Amazon Vendor API Sandbox
3. Available Amazon Vendor API Methods
4. Future Development of Amazon Vendor API

Amazon vendors can now integrate their systems using the modern Amazon Vendor API. Previously limited to outdated EDI interfaces, vendors can now leverage Amazon's REST-based Selling Partner API for seamless integration. This guide explains the API capabilities and step-by-step access process. For monitoring your vendor performance, explore our Amazon vendor tools.

Amazon Selling Partner API Capabilities for Vendors

Under the English designation Amazon Selling Partner API Amazon now also offers its suppliers (vendors) a RESTful interface. This covers the areas "retail" and "direct supply".

As of June 2020 the API was not yet on the same level as the EDI interface. Amazon's own overview shows which processes are currently supported in the Retail area:

Both interfaces can be used simultaneously. The new REST API is therefore to be regarded as a supplement to the EDI interface. In the long run, according to Amazon, the REST API would probably get more features than the EDI interface. Therefore, it can be assumed that the EDI interface will not be further developed in the long run.

How to Request Amazon Vendor API Access

Step 1: Set up AWS User for API Access

To access the interface you need an account in Amazon's Cloud - AWS. There you create your own user with programmatic access and assign this user the necessary rights for access to the "Selling Partner API" via a so-called "IAM Policy".

{
   "Version":"2012-10-17",
   "Statement":[
      {
         "Effect":"Allow",
         "Action":"execute-api:Invoke",
         "Resource":"arn:aws:execute-api:*:*:*"
      }
   ]
}

After completion you will receive an AWS Access Key with the corresponding Secret Key. Download this key and save it securely. Also note the so-called "ARN-ID", which identifies the user uniquely.

Step 2: Request API Access Through Vendor Central

To get access to the API, you must create a case of type API Integration in Vendor Central. Enter "Register my application" as the reference and the following information:

• Name of the application
• ARN of the AWS user who should get access
• Dimension "Retail" or "Direct Fulfillment"

Amazon will now check your registration and hopefully activate it.

Step 3: Retrieve Your API Credentials

As soon as the activation is done, log back into Vendor Central and go to the following page:

• https://vendorcentral.amazon.com/sellingpartner/developerconsole (US)
• https://vendorcentral.amazon.de/sellingpartner/developerconsole (DE)

There you will find an overview of the applications you have registered with the corresponding Login with Amazon (LWA) access data.

The authorization at the API works with the so-called OAuth2 procedure, i.e. you need a refresh token to request data from the API. You get this refresh token on the same page by clicking "Edit" next to the application and requesting the code there.

Amazon Vendor API Sandbox

Amazon also provides developers with a sandbox in which they can first test their application. Thus the sandbox is available for European vendors under e.g. 'https://sandbox.sellingpartnerapi-eu.amazon.com' in the AWS region 'ewest-1'.

Available Amazon Vendor API Methods

In version 1 the API provides the following methods:

Future Development of Amazon Vendor API

Amazon states that it will continue to expand the API. Thus Amazon writes:

In 2020, we will be offering APIs for Product Listing, Item Cost Updates, PO Changes & Cancelations. The API roadmap for 2020 will be published in April 2020.

Vendors can find further information under: https://vendorcentral.amazon.com/integration/getting-started/index.html