Amazon Updates BSA: New Rules on Store Transfers and Payouts

Amazon has updated its Business Solutions Agreement (BSA), introducing stricter restrictions on unauthorized seller account transfers and the assignment of sales proceeds to third parties.

 

According to an official announcement in Amazon Seller Central, the revised Section 18 of the Amazon Services Business Solutions Agreement took effect across Amazon’s global marketplaces on August 24, 2026.

 

For Amazon sellers, the Amazon BSA update is particularly important because it directly affects account ownership changes, store transfers, financing arrangements, and the rights associated with future Amazon sales proceeds.

 

 

What Changed in Section 18 of Amazon’s BSA?

Under the revised agreement, sellers may not assign or transfer all or part of their rights or obligations under the BSA without Amazon’s prior written consent.

The updated language also prohibits sellers from pledging or otherwise using those contractual rights as collateral without authorization from Amazon.

 

One of the most significant additions concerns Amazon sales proceeds. Sellers are not permitted to assign their rights to receive sales proceeds to a third party.

Amazon said the restriction is intended to help reduce payment-related problems, including duplicate payments, delayed disbursements, and failed payments.

 

How Is the New BSA Different From the Previous Version?

The previous version of Section 18 already stated that sellers could not assign the agreement without Amazon’s written consent and that unauthorized assignments would be considered invalid.

The updated version goes further.

 

It now explicitly expands the restriction to cover the transfer, assignment, or pledge of rights and obligations associated with the agreement. This gives Amazon broader contractual grounds to address arrangements involving unauthorized Amazon seller account transfers and third-party claims over seller payouts.

 

By continuing to use Amazon’s selling services after the revised agreement takes effect, sellers are considered to have accepted the updated terms.

 

Private Store Transfers Face Greater Compliance Risks

The new language could have a significant impact on practices that have existed for years within the Amazon seller community.

 

Some sellers have previously acquired existing Amazon stores through private transactions as a way to expand their portfolio of seller accounts. Others have entered into financing agreements in which future Amazon sales proceeds were pledged or assigned to third-party lenders.

 

Under the revised BSA, these arrangements may now represent a contractual violation if Amazon has not provided the required written approval.

 

That distinction matters. These activities are no longer simply a question of complying with individual marketplace policies—they may also violate the contractual agreement governing the seller's relationship with Amazon.

 

If Amazon determines that a seller has entered into an unauthorized arrangement, potential consequences could include account restrictions, payment holds, or other enforcement actions.

 

Can Sellers Still Change a Store’s Legal Entity?

The Amazon BSA update does not necessarily mean that every change in business ownership or seller account structure is prohibited.

Legitimate corporate acquisitions, reorganizations, or changes to the legal entity associated with an Amazon store may still be possible. However, sellers should follow Amazon’s official approval process rather than completing the transfer privately.

 

In most cases, sellers should open a Case through Seller Central, submit the requested corporate and ownership documentation, and wait for Amazon to review the proposed change.

Depending on the circumstances and the documentation required, the review process may generally take around two to four weeks.

 

Sellers planning a merger, acquisition, restructuring, or ownership change should therefore allow enough time for Amazon’s review before making changes to their account.

 

What Amazon Sellers Should Do Now

Amazon sellers should review their existing account and financing arrangements as soon as possible.

 

Particular attention should be paid to any historical Amazon seller account transfer, third-party financing agreement secured against marketplace payouts, or planned change to the legal entity that operates an Amazon account.

 

If an existing arrangement may conflict with the revised BSA, sellers should evaluate whether changes are necessary and, where appropriate, seek Amazon’s written approval through the official Seller Central process.

 

Businesses should also review contracts with lenders, investors, account purchasers, and other third parties to determine whether any provisions involve assigning rights to future Amazon sales proceeds.

 

Final Thoughts

The latest Amazon BSA update signals tighter controls over seller account ownership, contractual rights, and payment arrangements across Amazon’s global marketplaces.

 

For sellers, the key takeaway is straightforward: private Amazon seller account transfers and arrangements that assign or pledge Amazon sales proceeds should no longer be handled informally. Any ownership change or financing structure involving an Amazon account should be reviewed carefully against the updated agreement and, when required, submitted to Amazon for approval.

 

For Amazon sellers managing international inventory and cross-border fulfillment, staying compliant with platform policies is only one part of maintaining a stable operation. Forest Shipping continues to help sellers streamline freight forwarding, customs clearance, and Amazon FBA shipping from China to major global marketplaces.