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Amazon – What You Need to Know About the New Selling Partner API (SP-API)

February 1, 202511 min read
Amazon – What You Need to Know About the New Selling Partner API (SP-API)

Amazon – What You Need to Know About the New Selling Partner API (SP-API)

The Amazon Selling Partner API (SP-API) is the next generation API framework for e-commerce sellers, developers, and automation platforms. Replacing the legacy Amazon Marketplace Web Service (MWS), SP-API offers modern RESTful access to orders, inventory, reports, financial events, and more.

In this guide, we’ll walk through what SP-API is, why it matters, its core components, compliance considerations, and how it can transform your Amazon operations.

Introduction

Amazon’s Selling Partner API (SP-API) is designed to replace the older MWS (Marketplace Web Service) APIs with a more modern, secure, and scalable interface. It enables sellers and partners to programmatically access critical data for orders, fulfillment, inventory, pricing, and reports.

In this article, we explore what you need to know about SP-API — from architecture and endpoints to compliance and business impact.

Why SP-API Matters

SP-API supports a wider range of endpoints, improved security models, and better integration capabilities for modern e-commerce platforms.

Key Benefits of SP-API

  • Modern REST Architecture
    SP-API uses RESTful design with OAuth 2.0 authentication, making integrations more secure and scalable.

  • Event-Driven Workflows
    Receive real-time notifications for orders, inventory, and listings changes.

  • Rich Reporting
    Access structured reports for settlements, finances, and performance metrics.

  • Enhanced Security
    Token-based authentication and secure credential rotation reduce exposure and improve compliance.

Core SP-API Components

SP-API comprises multiple endpoints and services that support critical operational workflows for sellers and integrators.

Main SP-API Modules

  • Orders API
    Retrieve, acknowledge, and manage orders programmatically.

  • Inventory API
    Synchronize stock levels across channels and prevent overselling.

  • Reports API
    Generate and retrieve settlement, performance, and custom reports.

  • Finance API
    Access financial event data including payments, fees, and adjustments.

Migrating from MWS to SP-API

SP-API replaces Amazon MWS and introduces new authentication, data formats, throttling, and error handling. Migration planning is critical for businesses moving from legacy systems.

Compliance and Security

Amazon enforces strict data protection policies. SP-API mandates token-based access, encryption of sensitive fields, and compliant handling of personally identifiable information (PII).

Ensure adherence to Amazon’s data protection policy and region-specific regulations such as GDPR.

Business Impact and ROI

Integrating SP-API can dramatically reduce manual work, improve sync accuracy, speed up catalog and inventory management, and provide real-time insights that drive better decision-making across operations.

Conclusion

The Amazon Selling Partner API (SP-API) represents a significant advancement for sellers and partners. With modern architecture, better security, and richer data access, SP-API is the foundation for scalable, automated e-commerce platforms.

Whether migrating from MWS or building new integrations, understanding SP-API is essential for modern Amazon operations.

Thanks for reading!

Amazon – What You Need to Know About the New Selling Partner API (SP-API) | Ctas Info Services LLP