Can you sell used items on Amazon? Yes, if the category allows it and the condition is honest
Can you sell used items on Amazon? Yes. Amazon lets sellers list pre-owned products in eligible categories, graded with its condition guidelines, from Used, Like New to Used, Acceptable. This guide covers the conditions, what Amazon calls unacceptable, which categories have their own rules, and how to list used items.
Key takeaways
- You can sell used items on Amazon in eligible categories, fulfilled by you or through FBA, with no extra fee beyond standard selling fees.
- Amazon's used conditions are Used, Like New or Open Box; Used, Very Good; Used, Good; and Used, Acceptable, plus Collectible.
- Some products can only be sold New, and Amazon says New condition is required to be the Featured Offer.
- Items that are dirty, broken, missing essential parts, needing repair, counterfeit, samples, expired or marked for disposal are unacceptable.
- Books, music, video, electronics, video games, computers and others have their own category condition rules.
Can you sell used items on Amazon? The short answer
Yes. Amazon lets sellers sell used items in eligible categories, and Amazon's own customer help says buying used and collectible items from an Amazon seller is as easy as buying from Amazon.com. You match your item to its existing product page and choose a used condition that describes it accurately.
Three limits apply. Not every category allows used items, and some products can only be listed as New. The item has to meet Amazon's condition guidelines, which also define what cannot be sold at all. And some categories need approval before you can list, used or new.
Amazon's seller forums add that selling in a used condition involves no additional fees beyond the standard referral fees, and that used items can be fulfilled by you or through FBA.
- Allowed
- YesIn eligible categories
- Conditions
- Four used gradesPlus Collectible and Renewed
- Fees
- No extra feeStandard referral fees
- Fulfillment
- You or FBASame as new products
Amazon's condition guidelines for used items
| Condition | What Amazon's guidelines say |
|---|---|
| Used, Like New or Open Box | Perfect working condition; protective wrapping may be missing, but the original packaging is intact with minor damage possible; instructions included |
| Used, Very Good | Limited use, good working condition; small scratches or blemishes possible; packaging may be damaged or replaced; missing accessories clearly listed |
| Used, Good | Wear from consistent use but works properly; may have owner markings or minor cosmetic damage; may lack parts such as screws or the manual |
| Used, Acceptable | Fairly worn but works; scratches, dents, worn corners; may lack parts such as a mouse or USB cable |
| Collectible | Must add value, such as an autograph or an out of print edition; describe what makes it collectible |
These general guidelines apply unless a category has its own. Amazon's seller blog also lists Renewed, for products inspected and tested by an Amazon qualified supplier, and Rental. Renewed has its own approval process, covered in our guide to the Amazon Renewed program.
Used items Amazon does not allow
Amazon's condition guidelines list items that are unacceptable to list in any condition. This is where most used listings go wrong: a working item with a missing essential part, or one that needs a small repair, is not Used, Acceptable; it is not sellable at all.
Unacceptable for listing
- Not clean: mold, heavy staining or corrosion
- Damaged in a way that makes it difficult to use
- Missing essential parts or materials
- Needs repair or service
- Not made by the original manufacturer: copies, counterfeits, replicas
- Promotional copies, samples, advance reading copies
- Expired, near expiry, or with the date tampered with
- Marked for destruction or designated unsellable
- Prohibited for sale on Amazon
| Amazon's example | Why it cannot be listed |
|---|---|
| A guitar with no back or strings | Damaged so it is difficult to use |
| A game console with no controllers | Missing essential parts |
| A vacuum that works but makes a horrible noise | Needs repair or service |
| Supplements with the expiry date blacked out | Expiration date tampered with |
| A slashed designer handbag | Marked to prevent resale |
The examples come from Amazon's seller blog on condition guidelines. Amazon also says only full retail versions of software may be sold. Our guide to wholesale products to sell on Amazon covers the separate rule that auctions and liquidation are not valid sources of supply.
Categories with their own used condition rules
| Category | What to know |
|---|---|
| Books | Own conditions; New excludes marked or remaindered books; access codes may not work on used books |
| Music | Own conditions for cassettes, CDs and vinyl, including collectible rules |
| Video, DVD and Blu-ray | Missing inclusions must be noted; sets cannot be missing discs; protective case required |
| Electronics, Camera and PC | Approval may be needed for some products |
| Software and computer games | Approval may be needed; only full retail versions |
| Cell phones and personal computers | Specific steps, such as restoring the hard drive and software |
| Video games | Select games need approval; extra condition rules |
| Watches | Pre-approval needed before condition rules apply |
| Consumable, ingestible and topical products | Beauty, grocery, health and supplements have their own rules |
| Ink and toner | Used or renewed cartridges are not suitable for sale |
Used Amazon devices follow their own scale too: Amazon's customer help says they come without a manufacturer's warranty but with a 30 day money-back guarantee from Amazon. Check the category guideline before buying stock to resell, not after.
How to list a used item on Amazon
- Check that the category allows used items, and whether you need approval.
- Inspect the item thoroughly, and check it has not been recalled.
- In Seller Central, open Catalog, then Add Products, and search for the product.
- Select the condition that matches from the drop-down, or on the Offer tab for a new listing.
- Write condition notes: what is worn, where, how big, and what is missing.
- Price against other offers in the same condition, and ship with care.
To sell the same product in more than one condition, Amazon says to go to Inventory, then Manage All Inventory, find the product, and use Add another condition at the end of the row. Our guide to product listing on Amazon covers the rest of the listing.
Writing condition notes that prevent returns
Amazon's seller blog gives practical advice for condition notes: be detailed, offer a measurement for a scratch, say where a ding is, and paint a complete picture so customers know what they are buying. Honesty matters because the customer will see the item's real condition when it arrives, and a mismatch leads to negative feedback and returns.
| Weak note | Better note |
|---|---|
| Some scratches | Two light scratches on the lid, each about 1 inch; screen unmarked |
| Box damaged | Original box with a torn corner; item inside undamaged |
| Missing accessories | No power cable or manual; remote included and working |
| Good condition | Used, Good: visible wear on the corners, fully tested and working |
Accurate grading protects more than one sale. Order defect rate counts negative feedback and A-to-z claims, so repeated "not as described" problems on used items can reach account health; our guide to Amazon FBM covers the targets for orders you ship yourself.
Used items and the Featured Offer
Amazon's seller blog notes that New condition is a requirement for becoming the Featured Offer. A used offer sits on the same product page, but customers find it through the other offers on the page rather than the Buy Now button, and they compare it by condition and price.
That shapes pricing. A used offer competes with other used offers in the same or nearby conditions, and with the new price above it. The better the condition and the clearer the notes, the closer to the new price a used item can reasonably sit.
Where sellers source used items
Amazon's reselling guide describes several sources for resellers: thrift stores and estate sales, which it calls goldmines for vintage clothing, books and collectibles; private sellers; and online sources. Whatever the source, the item must meet Amazon's condition guidelines and must be authentic.
Your own items
Things you no longer use, in eligible categories and acceptable condition.
Thrift stores and estate sales
Books, vintage clothing and collectibles, per Amazon's reselling guide.
Private sellers
A steady stream for specialized items such as antiques.
Returns and open box
Items that meet Used, Like New or Open Box.
For reselling as a business, our guides to online arbitrage and how to make money on Amazon cover the models, and Amazon's rules on which sources are not valid.
Selling used items through FBA
Used items can go through FBA, which puts them in front of Prime customers and hands shipping and returns to Amazon. Amazon's prep guide says used condition products need an Amazon barcode label rather than the manufacturer's barcode, so each used unit is tracked as yours.
Grade before you ship. Once a used unit is in FBA, the condition you chose is what the customer is promised, and a unit returned as not as described comes back through FBA's returns process. Our guide to how Amazon FBA works covers prep and labels.
| Used through FBA | Used shipped yourself | |
|---|---|---|
| Prime badge | Yes | Only with Seller Fulfilled Prime |
| Labels | Amazon barcode on each used unit | Your own shipping labels |
| Returns | Handled by Amazon | Handled by you |
| Best for | Steady sellers such as books and media | One-off or oversized items |
Common mistakes when selling used items
Grading too generously
Customers compare what arrives with the condition you chose.
Missing essential parts
An item missing essential parts is unacceptable, not Acceptable.
Selling items that need repair
Anything needing repair or service cannot be listed.
Ignoring category rules
Books, media, electronics and others have their own conditions.
No recall check
Amazon's guide says to check recalls before listing.
Vague notes
Measure scratches and say where they are.
If you resell at volume and want your grading and listings checked, our catalog management service reviews conditions and notes across your inventory.
Selling used items on Amazon: FAQ
Can you sell used items on Amazon?
Yes, in eligible categories. You match the item to its product page and choose a used condition from Amazon's condition guidelines.
What are Amazon's used conditions?
Used, Like New or Open Box; Used, Very Good; Used, Good; and Used, Acceptable. Collectible and Renewed are separate conditions with their own rules.
Does it cost more to sell used items on Amazon?
No. Amazon's seller forums say selling in a used condition involves no additional fees; standard referral fees apply.
Which used items can't be sold on Amazon?
Items that are dirty, hard to use, missing essential parts, needing repair, counterfeit, samples, expired, marked for disposal, or prohibited.
Can used items win the Featured Offer?
Amazon's seller blog says New condition is a requirement for becoming the Featured Offer, so used offers appear among other offers.
Can I sell used books on Amazon?
Yes. Books have their own condition guidelines, and used books may not include working access codes.
Can I sell used electronics on Amazon?
Often yes, but some electronics, camera, PC and video game products need approval, and phones and computers have extra steps.
Can I sell used items through FBA?
Yes. Used units need an Amazon barcode label, and Amazon handles shipping and returns.
How do I sell the same item in more than one condition?
In Manage All Inventory, find the product and choose Add another condition at the end of the row.
What happens if I list the wrong condition?
Mismatched conditions lead to returns and negative feedback, which count toward order defect rate for orders you ship.
What is the difference between used and Renewed?
Renewed products are inspected and tested by an approved supplier and carry the Amazon Renewed Guarantee; selling them needs Renewed approval.
Sources
- Condition guidelines, Seller Central helpLast verified September 24, 2026.
- What are Amazon condition guidelines?, Sell on Amazon blogLast verified September 24, 2026.
- Marketplace Items Condition Guidelines, Amazon Customer ServiceLast verified September 24, 2026.
- Sustainable Solutions: selling products in a used condition, Amazon Seller ForumsLast verified September 24, 2026.
- FBA prep, packaging, and labeling: a beginners guide, Sell on Amazon blogLast verified September 24, 2026.
- How to build a successful online reselling business, Sell on Amazon blogLast verified September 24, 2026.
Get a free check of your used item listings
Send a few used listings. You get a written read of whether each condition matches Amazon's guidelines, what the notes should say, and any category rules you are missing.
See the catalog management service