Creating listings on Amazon is a crucial step for selling books, but sometimes, sellers encounter issues where listings fail to be created. This can happen due to Amazon restrictions, API errors, or blocked ASINs. These changes are outside our control, and many sellers are encountering errors when attempting to create listings.
At EasyBookPrep, we attempt to create listings on your behalf up to three times via Amazon’s API. If we are unsuccessful, it is usually due to Amazon preventing the listing from being created, and only Amazon Seller Support can resolve the issue. Additional Attempts may be available with a higher subscription level or on a paid case-by-case basis (Coming Soon). Contact support for more details.
If you’re having trouble creating a listing, one or more of the following issues may be the cause:
Amazon Restrictions on Certain ASINs – Some ASINs require approval to sell, meaning the listing cannot be created unless the seller is ungated. Items can be gated by:
Category
Brand/Publisher
Individually (How Much does Amazon Trust your account???)
ISBN or ASIN Matching Issues – If the ISBN or ASIN is not correctly associated with the product, Amazon may block the listing, reMap the mSKU/ASIN, etc...
Amazon Policy Changes – Amazon frequently updates its policies, and Amazon may require them to meet or provide certain changing undocumented data points & pricing.
Each Seller’s Account is different and Amazon may temporarily/Permanently allow or block your account’s eligibility for any listing at any time.
API Errors – System errors/bugs within Amazon’s API interface may prevent listings from being processed, even if the ASIN is eligible for sale.
Amazon’s API Support is very limited and not accessible unless you're an authorized Developer.
Duplicate Listings – If Amazon detects an attempt to create a duplicate listing, it may reject the request.
Check for Gating or Listing Restrictions
If Amazon prevents you from listing an ASIN, it may be gated (restricted). You can check this by:
Searching for the ASIN in Seller Central Looking for a “Request Approval” button If available, apply for approval (Amazon may require invoices or proof of purchase)
Try Creating the Listing Manually in Seller Central
Before reaching out to Amazon, check if you can create the listing yourself: Log in to Amazon Seller Central Go to Inventory > Add a Product Search for the item/book by ISBN or ASIN Follow the prompts to list the item/book
If an error occurs during this process, take a screenshot or note the error message—this will be helpful when contacting Amazon.
Amazon has increased its scrutiny when processing new listings.
While these changes have not been formally documented, sellers are facing common challenges such as:
Listings failing to be created due to pricing conflicts.
Amazon requiring additional product details, such as battery information or item weight.
Errors appearing only after attempting to access a newly created listing, Preventing API creation of the listings by the Prep Center.
Our system interacts with Amazon via API (server-to-server communication), which means errors occur in the background, and no direct screenshot of the issue can be provided. We do provide the error message, but Amazon Seller Support does not assist with API-specific errors, if you mention the API they will send you to another support team that will not respond to you since your not an approved Developer. ( Actually the API team is not helping us much either... We are looking for alternative ways to get this resolved, but currently this can only be solved by you in the Seller Central Portal.)
How to Fix This Issue
Since automated listing creation may not work as expected, you will need to manually create the listing in Amazon Seller Central. Here’s how:
Attempt to create the listing manually in Amazon Seller Central.
Adjust the pricing as needed to comply with Amazon’s guidelines. Pricing issues are the most common cause of listing failures.
Save the listing and check for visible errors. If you receive an error, reach out to Amazon Support with details.
If no error appears, verify if the listing was actually created:
On the confirmation page, Click on the listing name.
If an error appears, refresh the page every 5 minutes for up to 30 minutes.
If the listing eventually loads, check for any draft errors.
Amazon may ask you to confirm details like battery requirements or weight.
May need to wait 24 hours to see if this worked…
If no draft appears and no error is shown, the listing was likely not created. Unfortunately, in this case, Amazon provides no further guidance, and there is nothing we can do to force the listing creation. Try contacting Amazon we would recommend recording the listing creation process and show that you could not create a listing and no error was given.
Contact Amazon Seller Support
If you’re unable to create the listing manually, the issue is likely on Amazon’s end. You will need to open a support case: Go to Help > Get Support > Selling on Amazon Select "Products and Inventory" > "Add a Product" Describe the issue and include any error messages you received Submit the case and wait for Amazon’s response
Amazon typically responds within 3-5 days, though sometimes, they may not reply at all. If you don’t receive a response, keep following in the case up in Seller Central.
Monitor Amazon’s System for Resolutions
Sometimes, API errors or technical glitches cause temporary listing failures. If this is the case, waiting 24–48 hours and retrying can resolve the issue.
If multiple sellers report similar problems, Amazon may issue a platform-wide fix, so it’s worth checking forums or seller groups for updates.
If Amazon does not resolve the listing problem and you cannot sell the ASIN, consider the following options:
Return the item/book to the supplier – If the ASIN is restricted and cannot be sold, you may be able to return it depending on the supplier’s return policy. Sell the item/book on another platform – If Amazon won’t allow the listing, platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or local book resale groups may be alternatives. Request disposal – If the item/book is unsellable on any marketplace and has no return option, you should just dispose of it and move on to the next item.
We understand how frustrating this process is, especially since Amazon has not officially documented these changes. Unfortunately, this means there is no immediate fix on our end. The best approach is to follow the manual creation steps and adjust pricing or product details as required.
If you do receive an error while manually creating the listing, take a screenshot and contact Amazon Support. If no error appears but the listing still does not exist, Amazon has not provided a solution for this scenario.
Q: Why can’t your system fix this issue automatically?
A: The issue originates from Amazon’s internal verification processes. Since their system is rejecting listings due to pricing or missing details, we have no way to override these errors. We look for Error messages, but Amazon is not providing helpful responses, either way we will include these in the Listing error event for your information.
Q: What if I follow the steps and my listing still doesn’t appear?
A: If your listing never appears and no draft is created, Amazon’s system likely rejected it without providing an error. Unfortunately, this means you may need to attempt listing it again later or trying to explain this to Amazon support, a screen recording of your manual attempt to create the listing in Seller Central (ONLY Seller Central) is always helpful.
Q: Why does Amazon require pricing adjustments for new listings?
A: Amazon has a pricing policy with thresholds in an attempt to prevent Amazon from having higher prices than other marketplaces. If your price is too high (or too low) compared to Amazon’s expectations, your listing may be blocked. This also appears to be Different between Amazon Accounts, contact Amazon Support if you do not like this policy.
Q: Can I avoid these issues in the future?
A: Not Really, you could try Staying updated on Amazon’s requirements and ensuring your listings meet their criteria before submission can help reduce errors, but this is hard to do as Amazon makes changes without any notification.
While these changes add extra hurdles to listing creation, following the manual steps outlined above will improve your chances of successfully adding new products. We will continue monitoring Amazon’s updates and provide further guidance as we learn more.
Listing issues on Amazon can be frustrating, but they are often due to Amazon’s own restrictions or errors rather than issues with your account. At EasyBookPrep, we do our best to create listings automatically, but if we are unable to do so, the next step is for sellers to contact Amazon directly.
If you experience persistent issues, be proactive in reaching out to Amazon Seller Support, reviewing your eligibility to sell specific ASINs, and exploring alternative resale options.
We appreciate your patience as we navigate these evolving challenges together!
If you have additional questions or need further paid Listing resolution assistance, please reach out to our support team at [email protected] or visit https://help.easybookprep.com.
