Amazon User Permissions: Step-by-Step Setup

Managing user permissions in Amazon Seller Central is essential for security, workflow efficiency, and accountability. Here’s a quick guide to get started:

Why It Matters: Controls access to sensitive data, reduces risks, and ensures compliance.
User Types: Primary account holders (full access), secondary users (limited access), and authorized partners (specific access).
Setup Steps:
1. Log in to Amazon Seller Central with a Professional selling plan.
2. Navigate to Settings > User Permissions.
3. Add new users by sending invitations and assigning roles.
Permission Levels: Choose from None, View, View & Edit, or Admin for specific account sections.
Maintenance: Review permissions every 6 months, update roles as needed, and remove inactive users.

Pro Tip: Always assign the least amount of access necessary for each role to maintain security.

This article provides a detailed walkthrough for managing permissions effectively, ensuring your Amazon account stays secure and organized.

A Step by Step Guide to Adding User Permissions

To manage user permissions in Amazon Seller Central, you’ll need to follow a few simple steps to access the right section.

Go to sell.amazon.com.
Click the "Log in" button in the top-right corner.
Enter your username and password.
Ensure you have a Professional selling plan, as it’s required for managing user permissions.

"Only professional sellers can grant user permissions on Amazon", according to Amazon’s official documentation .

Once logged in, you’ll need to navigate to the User Permissions section.

Locating Permission Settings

You can find the User Permissions section by clicking the gear icon (Settings) in the top-right corner of Seller Central. Here’s how to get there:

Navigation Method	Steps to Follow
Primary Method	1. Click the gear icon (Settings) in the top-right corner. 2. Select "User Permissions" from the dropdown .
Alternative Method	1. Open the "Settings" menu in the top-right corner. 2. Choose "User Permissions" from the dropdown options .

Important Notes:

Only primary account holders or administrators can access this section .
Secondary users must be granted explicit permission by the primary account administrator to view or manage these settings .

From the User Permissions page, you can handle tasks like managing existing users, sending out new invitations, and reviewing permission history . This page acts as your central hub for all permission-related tasks in your Amazon selling account.

Adding New Users

Once you’re in the User Permissions section of your Amazon Seller Central account, you can start adding team members. This involves sending invitations and ensuring new users complete their setup correctly.

Sending User Invites

Here’s how to invite new users to your Seller Central account:

Go to the "Add a new user" section under User Permissions.
Enter the new user’s full name and accurate email address.
Click "Send Invitation".

Key points to keep in mind:

Double-check that the email address isn’t already linked to another Seller Central admin account .
Let the new user know they’ll receive an email with the invitation link .

After sending the invitation, the new user will need to complete their account setup.

New User Setup Guide

Once the invitation is received, new users should follow these steps to access the account:

Setup Stage	Required Actions	Important Notes
Pre-Setup	Log out of all other Amazon accounts	Avoids potential account conflicts .
Invitation	Check email for the invite link	The link is valid for a limited time.
Account Creation	Create a new Amazon account or sign in	Must use the email address provided in the invite .
Confirmation	Accept the invitation on the confirmation page	This step activates their account access .

Common Invitation Problems

Here are some common issues you might encounter during the invitation process and how to address them:

Email Address Conflicts
If the email is already in use, ask for another email address not linked to a Seller Central account .
Brand Registry Access Issues
Problems adding users to Brand Registry? Check these:
- Ensure there are no account suspensions in other marketplaces.
- Confirm that no registrations have been revoked.
- Verify your account is in good standing .
Inactive User Management
Amazon automatically removes secondary users who haven’t logged in for over 12 months . Regularly review user activity and follow up with inactive users to avoid automatic removal .

Pro Tip: Stay in touch with new users after sending invitations. This helps ensure they complete the setup process and get the right level of access to your account .

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Setting User Roles

Permission Level Types

Amazon Seller Central provides three main permission levels to manage user access:

Permission Level	Access Scope	Best For
Administrative	Full account control	Account owners, senior managers
Section-Specific	Access to specific areas	Team leads, specialists
Limited Access	Restricted feature access	Support staff, contractors

Each permission level can be set to None, View, View & Edit, or Admin for more precise control . Once you’ve chosen the level, configure permissions for specific sections of the account.

Feature-Specific Access

When setting up user access, assign permissions for individual account areas based on their tasks:

Essential Features
These include areas like inventory management, order processing, and customer service.
Sensitive Areas
Limit access to critical sections such as Seller Configuration, Tax Settings, User Permissions, and Bank Account Information .
Marketplace Access
For users handling multiple regions, consider using Global User Permissions, which offer control across all marketplaces .

Carefully aligning these settings ensures that each user’s role matches their responsibilities.

Role Assignment Tips

"User permissions will help you manage your e-commerce venture with the help of other people, such as your colleagues and third-party service providers."

Steven Pope emphasizes the importance of structured permissions for secure and efficient operations.

Assign only the permissions necessary for each user’s tasks to reduce risks and improve productivity .
Regularly review and update permissions to keep them relevant .
Set up a secondary admin account with full permissions as a backup, since Amazon allows only one primary admin email .

Pro Tip: After changing permissions, ask users to log out and back in to activate the updates .

Permission Maintenance

Access Review Process

Regularly auditing user permissions helps ensure they align with job roles and keep your account secure. Here’s how to review permissions:

Go to Settings in Seller Central and access User Permissions.
Check all users’ access levels periodically.
Note any discrepancies between permissions and job responsibilities.

Amazon performs quarterly cleanups, automatically removing secondary users who haven’t logged in for over 12 months . Make sure to update permissions promptly whenever roles change.

Updating User Access

When someone’s role changes, adjust their access right away. To do this:

Open User Permissions.
Click Manage Permissions next to the user’s name.
Update their access level (None, View, View & Edit, Admin).
Have the user log out and back in to apply the changes .

Action Required	Frequency
Permission Review	Every 6 months
Role-Based Updates	Immediately
Security Audit	Quarterly

Removing Users

If a team member leaves, revoke their access immediately to protect your account. Follow these steps:

Transfer any necessary data.
Find their profile in User Permissions, click Remove User, and confirm the action.
Record the date and reason for the removal for compliance purposes.

Pro Tip: Keep a detailed log of all permission updates. Include dates, reasons for changes, and the administrator responsible. This record is incredibly useful for audits and tracking access history.

Additional Management Tools

Beyond managing user permissions, there are tools available to help improve your Seller Central operations.

FlatFilePro Features

FlatFilePro simplifies catalog management and team collaboration within Seller Central. Here’s what it offers:

Granular Access Control: Assign permissions for specific listing elements like descriptions, images, and pricing.
Approval Workflows: Set up a review process for listing changes, allowing management to approve or reject edits before they go live.
Multi-Factor Authentication: Add an extra layer of security to protect sensitive listing data.

Here’s a breakdown of its key features:

Feature	What It Does	Why It Matters
Bulk Editing	Edit multiple listings at once	Speeds up editing by up to 17x compared to standard methods
Error Prevention	Built-in validation and checks	Reduces errors and Amazon cases by 8x
Automated Backups	Secure, offsite storage with restore options	Ensures quick recovery of data when needed

Using FlatFilePro with Seller Central

FlatFilePro integrates seamlessly with Seller Central, making it easier to manage user permissions and product listings.

Unified User and Listing Management:
- Add team members without sharing Amazon credentials.
- Manage multiple marketplace accounts through one dashboard.
- Sync directly with Amazon’s API for real-time updates.
Best Practices for Integration:
1. Set up user roles in Seller Central first.
2. Configure matching permissions in FlatFilePro.
3. Create approval workflows for listing updates.
4. Conduct regular audits of user permissions in both systems.

For businesses with extensive catalogs, FlatFilePro’s $99/month plan offers a cost-effective way to enhance security and streamline listing management. With its tools, you can make your operations up to 17x faster than traditional methods .

Summary

This section highlights the key steps and practices for managing Amazon Seller Central user permissions effectively.

Setup Steps Overview

Step	Action	Key Consideration
Initial Setup	Log in as the primary account holder using your Professional selling plan	Requires a professional seller account
User Invitation	Go to Settings > User Permissions	Ensure contact information is accurate
Role Assignment	Set access levels for each user	Apply the principle of least privilege
Security Setup	Enable two-factor authentication with an authenticator app	Prefer authenticator apps over SMS
Secondary Admin	Create a backup account	Helps avoid account lockouts

Maintenance Tips

Amazon removes inactive secondary users after 12 months . To keep your account secure and running smoothly, follow these practices:

Regular Permission Audits
Review user permissions every six months to ensure roles match current responsibilities.
Prioritize Security
Use unique credentials and two-factor authentication for all users. Avoid granting banking access to unnecessary roles and keep detailed records of all permission changes.
Keep Roles Updated
Check IAM policies, remove unused roles, and adjust access as team responsibilities evolve. Always document changes to permissions.

These steps not only enhance security but also ensure your operations stay efficient and well-organized.