FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4 supplier?

A Tier 1 supplier is defined as a company that supplies products or services directly to Amazon.

A Tier 2 supplier supplies products or services to the Tier 1 supplier, who then supplies goods and services directly to Amazon.

A Tier 3 supplier supplies products or services to the Tier 2 supplier.

A Tier 4 supplier supplies products or services to the Tier 3 supplier.

What are Amazon’s requirements to be considered as a US Disadvantaged-Owned Business?

Located physically in the United States
51% owned, operated, and controlled by a disadvantaged person(s)
Certified by one of the following organizations:
- Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs) programs such as: 8(a) Business Development, Women-Owned Small Business, Veterans Contracting Assistance, and HUBZone
- US Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
- National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC)
- National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA)
- Disability:IN
- Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) (USA) or a regional affiliate
- National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) or a regional affiliate
- National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)
In addition, your certification must be valid per the criteria given by one of the above-mentioned certifying organizations.

I am already an Amazon supplier. How can I update my Amazon US Payee Central profile to show that I am a Disadvantaged-Owned Business?

If you have a current third-party certificate from one of the following agencies listed below and you are properly registered as an Amazon supplier, please upload your document to Amazon Payee Central. Amazon recognized certification agencies include:

Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs) programs such as: 8(a) Business Development, Women-Owned Small Business, Veterans Contracting Assistance, and HUBZone
US Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC)
National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA)
Disability:IN
Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) (USA) or a regional affiliate
National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) or a regional affiliate
National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)

To upload your documentation, please follow the steps below:

Select the Accounts tab on the black bar at the top of each page in Amazon Payee Central.
Enter a one-time password (OTP) for verification purposes. Complete this step by entering the OTP you receive in your email inbox and select Verify.
Scroll to the bottom of the page to the new section, Additional payee information (optional).
Select the country of origin and fill in the questionnaire (country based).
Enter the Certificate Information in the pop-up window. The Certificate file or document will be accepted as a PDF, Word, JPG, or PNG.
Select Submit.

In addition to my third-party certification, do I need to give any other information?

You only need to upload an image, document, or pdf file of your third-party certificate.

Amazon procurement does not accept accreditation or self-identification documentation to demonstrate that the company is a Disadvantaged-Owned Business (DOB).

Who can see my third-party certification information?

Amazon’s Privacy Notice describes how Amazon.com and its affiliates collect and process your personal information.

How do the Amazon Procurement teams identify Disadvantaged-Owned Businesses?

Amazon’s procurement teams utilize several approaches to identify certified suppliers that can compete for our opportunities.

We leverage third-party organizations that seek to advocate for and to connect with certified Disadvantaged-Owned Businesses (DOBs).

As corporate members of these organizations, we have access to databases that supplement our face-to-face interaction at various events.