Amazon SP-API Developer Registration: Major Policy Updates in 2025 - Complete Analysis

As a developer who has been closely following the Amazon SP-API ecosystem, I recently discovered significant updates to the SP-API public developer registration process. These changes are crucial for anyone preparing to apply for SP-API development permissions. Today, I'll provide a comprehensive analysis of these changes to help you better prepare your application.

Key Changes Overview

Let's start with a comprehensive comparison table of the major changes:

In-Depth Analysis of Major Changes

Change 1: Review Process - From "Use First, Audit Later" to "Audit First, Use Later"

This is the most fundamental change in this update, directly affecting all developers applying for Restricted Roles.

Old Policy:

"...Amazon, Deloitte, or PWC might reach out to schedule a separate review (implementation phase) in 90+ days after the application has been running in production..."

New Policy:

"...prior to getting access to restricted roles, you must go through a data security assessment..."

Substantial Impact Analysis:

1. Timeline Changes:
   • Old Process: Application → Meeting → Get Access → Development/Launch → 90-day Review
   • New Process: Application → Meeting → Data Security Assessment → Get Access → Development/Launch
2. Developer Impact:
   • Positive: Reduced compliance risk, avoiding potential issues from "boarding first, paying later"
   • Negative: Significantly extended timeline for PII access, potentially affecting product launch plans
   • Recommendation: Start application process 3-6 months in advance

Change 2: Website Requirements - Clearer Expression, Same Standards

Both old and new policies require:

"Websites that are not accessible, are under construction, have a security warning, or are login only are not accepted."

While requirements haven't changed, the new version provides clearer guidance:

• Listed as a prerequisite
• More prominent reminder for developers

Best Practices:

• Ensure clear service description pages
• Avoid "Coming Soon" or "Under Construction" pages
• Don't require login to view content
• Consider preparing English version for better approval rates

Change 3: Registration Entry Points - New Solution Provider Portal Option

Old Policy:

"Sign in to Seller Central."

New Policy:

"Log in to one of the following tools:

• Solution Provider Portal: Log in, select Settings, and then choose Developer Profile.
• Seller Central: Log in to the Seller Central URL for your marketplace..."

Substantial Impact:

• Great news for ISVs: SPP is more suitable for B2B teams
• Potential differences: Review processes may vary between portals
• Selection guidance:
  • ISVs serving other sellers → Choose SPP
  • Sellers developing internal tools → Continue with Seller Central

Change 4: Role Selection - Emphasis on Upfront Planning

The new version specifically emphasizes referencing Role Mapping documentation:

"To determine which API operations and data (and therefore which roles) your application needs, review the roles overview and role mappings documentation."

Impact:

• Encourages developers to clarify permission needs before applying
• Avoids requesting unnecessary permissions (especially PII-related)
• Reduces subsequent communication costs

Common Restricted Roles:

1. Direct-to-Consumer Shipping - Requires buyer address information
2. Tax Invoicing - Requires tax-related information
3. Tax Remittance - Requires tax filing information

Change 5: Data Security Assessment - From Spot Checks to Mandatory

This represents one of the most substantial changes:

• Old Policy: 90 days later "might reach out" for review
• New Policy: "must go through" data security assessment

Assessment Focus:

1. Data flow architecture
2. PII protection controls
3. Compliance with Amazon's policies

Preparation Recommendations:

• Create detailed Data Flow Diagrams
• Prepare PII data handling SOPs
• Establish data security incident response mechanisms
• Prepare encryption and access control technical documentation

Strategic Response: Navigating the New Review Process

1. Timeline Planning Recommendations

Based on the new "audit first, use later" process, I recommend the following timeline:

2. Documentation Preparation Checklist

Basic Documents:

• Company introduction and service description
• Detailed application functionality description
• Use case documentation

Security Documents (Required):

• Data Flow Diagram
• PII data processing procedures
• Data storage and encryption schemes
• Access control and permission management policies
• Data breach response plan

Bonus Points:

• ISO 27001 certification
• SOC 2 audit reports
• Other security certifications

3. Preparing for the 14 Security Questions

While specific questions may vary, they typically cover:

1. Data Collection: What data? Why needed?
2. Data Storage: Where stored? How encrypted?
3. Data Access: Who can access? How controlled?
4. Data Transmission: How to ensure transmission security?
5. Data Retention: How long retained? How deleted?
6. Third-party Sharing: Shared with third parties? How secured?
7. Compliance: How to ensure GDPR compliance?
8. Incident Response: What happens in case of data breach?
9. Employee Training: How to ensure employee data security awareness?
10. Audit Logs: How to record and monitor data access?
11. Data Minimization: How to ensure collecting only necessary data?
12. Cross-border Transfer: How to handle international data transfers?
13. Backup Security: How to secure data backups?
14. Vendor Management: How to ensure third-party vendor compliance?

4. Strategies for Different Developer Types

ERP/SaaS Service Providers:

• Prioritize SPP portal application
• Prepare multi-tenant data isolation solutions
• Emphasize existing enterprise customer cases

Independent Developers/Small Teams:

• Consider applying for non-PII permissions first
• Seek experienced consultants for preparation assistance
• Leverage AWS security services to reduce costs

Brand Owners/Large Sellers:

• Evaluate if public developer status is necessary
• Consider if Private Developer is more suitable
• Focus on internal use security controls

Summary and Outlook

The core changes in this SP-API developer registration update can be summarized as:

1. Compliance Front-loaded: From "use first, audit later" to "audit first, use later"
2. Process Optimization: Added SPP entry point for different developer types
3. Standards Elevated: Data security assessment now mandatory, not random

For developers, while the bar has been raised, it's beneficial long-term:

• Reduced compliance risks
• Improved overall ecosystem quality
• Better competitive environment for compliant developers

Final Recommendations:

1. Start preparation early with ample time buffer
2. Take data security seriously, no shortcuts
3. Have solid business justification for PII permissions
4. Consider professional assistance to avoid pitfalls

As a team that has been deeply involved in the SP-API ecosystem for years, we've witnessed its evolution. If you encounter difficulties during the application process, especially when preparing PII-related security audit materials, connecting with experienced developers can save significant time and effort. We've successfully assisted numerous ERP vendors, service providers, and major sellers in completing various SP-API registrations, including PII permissions. We understand the key points and challenges involved. Through technical exchange and experience sharing, let's collectively advance the healthy development of the cross-border e-commerce technology ecosystem.

Keywords: Amazon SP-API, Selling Partner API, PII permissions application, data security assessment, restricted roles review, Solution Provider Portal, audit first use later, developer registration process, cross-border e-commerce technology, ERP integration, API permission management, Amazon developer policies

Appendix: Original Policy Documentation Excerpts for Reference

A. Old Policy Key Excerpts

Public Developer Requirements:

"All public developers are required to share a website URL that is publicly available and provides details about the services their application offers to Amazon Sellers. Websites that are not accessible, are under construction, have a security warning, or are login only are not accepted."

"All developers who want to build a publicly available application with restricted SP-API roles must go through an architecture review with the SP-API Solutions Architecture team. This review requires a detailed explanation of the application's data flows and data protection controls for Personally Identifiable Information (PII). This process can involve a demo through screen sharing."

Stage 3 Review Process:

"Stage 3: Security architecture review (scheduled live meeting/demo) In the final stage of evaluation, a live meeting is scheduled with the developer and a solution architect to review specific security topics based on the responses submitted. Upon completion of the meeting, if there are no open questions or security gaps, your Restricted access request will be approved. If more clarification or evidence is required, the developer must provide additional details before being considered for Restricted access."

Post-Production Review:

"Additionally, Amazon, Deloitte, or PWC might reach out to schedule a separate review (implementation phase) in 90+ days after the application has been running in production to confirm that data obtained from SP-API is handled in accordance with our policies."

Account Requirements:

"Only Professional Selling Accounts can register to develop or integrate with Selling Partner API. Individual accounts are not eligible. You can upgrade your account to a professional plan at any time. You must be a primary account user to complete registration."

B. New Policy Key Excerpts

Prerequisites Section:

"Prerequisites Before you begin registration, complete the following tasks:

• Review registration guidelines: Familiarize yourself with the registration recommendations.
• Have your website URL: When you register as a public developer, you must share a website URL that is publicly available and provides details about the services that your application offers to Amazon sellers. Websites that are not accessible, are under construction, have a security warning, or are log-in only are not accepted.
• Choose your roles: Developer profile registration requires you to select an initial set of roles, which determine which API operations and data that your application can access. To determine which API operations and data (and therefore which roles) your application needs, review the roles overview and role mappings documentation."

Restricted Roles Additional Requirements:

"If you plan to request restricted roles (roles that provide access to personally identifiable information (PII)), you must also:

• Prepare for an architecture review: You will need to go through an architecture review with the SP-API Solutions Architecture team. The review includes a detailed explanation of data flows and protection controls for PII. This process can involve a demo through screen sharing.
• Prepare detailed use case information: Be prepared to answer questions related to PII with as much detail as possible to support your use case."

Review Process Overview:

"Understand the review process Amazon evaluates developer applications through a comprehensive review process. There are two distinct review paths: a standard review for most applications, and a more rigorous review for applications that request access to restricted roles."

Standard Review Process:

"Standard review process The standard review involves the following steps:

1. Amazon evaluates your developer profile and focuses on:
   • Application functionality.
   • Compliance with the Acceptable Use Policy.
   • Compliance with the Data Protection Policy.
   • Data security measures.
2. If Amazon needs additional information:
   • You receive questions through your case.
   • You must respond within five days.
   • Cases without responses within five days are closed.
   • Closed cases result in unchanged SP-API access."

Restricted Roles Three-Stage Review:

"Stage 1: Business criteria review Amazon reviews your developer application on a variety of technical and business criteria. These criteria include your business use case, launch readiness, geographic coverage, and the services listed on your public website. If you don't meet the criteria, Amazon rejects your application. If you meet the criteria, you move on to the next stage, which involves rigorous security reviews with Amazon."

"Stage 2: Information/security architecture questions This step focuses on your free-form responses about the information/security controls in place. After you are in compliance with Amazon's security policies, you are requested to provide detailed responses on fourteen additional security questions that Amazon sends through an attachment."

"Stage 3: Data security assessment In the final stage of evaluation, prior to getting access to restricted roles, you must go through a data security assessment. This assessment examines your application's data flow architecture and PII protection controls to determine your compliance with Amazon's policies."

Registration Entry Points:

"Log in to one of the following tools:

• Solution Provider Portal: Log in, select Settings, and then choose Developer Profile.
• Seller Central: Log in to the Seller Central URL for your marketplace, and then navigate to Apps and Services."

Developer Type Options:

"If you develop applications solely for internal use by your organization, you can register as a private developer. For details, refer to Register as a Private SP-API Developer."

C. Related Resources and Documentation

• SP-API Developer Documentation
• Solution Provider Portal
• Seller Central Developer Console
• Roles in the Selling Partner API
• Direct-to-Consumer Shipping Restricted Role
• Tax Invoicing Restricted Role
• Tax Remittance Restricted Role
• Data Protection Policy
• Acceptable Use Policy
• Amazon Services API Developer Agreement