Overview

Amazon requires all sellers to comply with a broad range of trade control laws covering imports, exports, sanctions, and anti-boycott regulations. This Seller Central reference page outlines the legal obligations sellers must understand when conducting cross-border commerce on the platform, including the consequences of non-compliance.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• Sellers bear full responsibility — Amazon places the burden of trade compliance squarely on sellers, including determining which laws apply, obtaining required authorizations, and facing any penalties for violations.
• Multiple US laws govern trade controls — Key regulations include the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and economic sanctions programs administered by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
• Sanctioned countries are prohibited — Items imported from or originating in certain sanctioned countries and regions may not be sold on Amazon, including Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the Crimea, Donetsk (DNR), and Luhansk (LNR) regions of Ukraine.
• Restricted parties screening is required — Sellers must not conduct transactions with individuals, entities, or government regimes that appear on US government restricted parties lists or are subject to sanctions.
• Anti-boycott compliance is mandatory — Sellers must not involve Amazon or its subsidiaries in activities supporting international boycotts opposed by the United States, such as the Arab League boycott of Israel.
• Non-compliance carries severe consequences — Violations can result in significant civil and criminal monetary penalties, imprisonment, seizure of goods, and a bar from conducting business with US companies.

Sanctions and Restricted Parties

US sanctions laws, along with those of other jurisdictions, prohibit or restrict unauthorized transactions with parties identified as engaging in terrorism, narcotics trafficking, weapons proliferation, and other threats to national security. US government agencies publish restricted parties lists that sellers must screen against before completing transactions. Countries also maintain trade sanctions and embargo programs against specific countries and regions, meaning certain transactions involving those jurisdictions are either completely prohibited or heavily restricted. Amazon's general policy prevents the sale of items imported from or originating in sanctioned countries and regions. Seller accounts may not be opened or affiliated with a country or region that Amazon does not support.