Is Amazon’s textbook rental program open to FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) sellers?

You may notice that some FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) sellers (I’ve only seen one in fact) have listed their textbooks as being available as part of Amazon‘s textbook rental program. What is the story here? Can FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) sellers now rent their textbooks?

Short answer: Not now.

I actually have no information on this to offer other than what is posted on the Amazon Seller’s Help page. Here’s what it says:

“To ensure that customers are able to buy with confidence from all sellers on Amazon.com, sellers listing in the following categories must be approved by Amazon:

• Automotive Parts / Motorcycle & ATV
• Clothing, Accessories & Luggage
• Collectible Books
• Entertainment Collectibles
• Industrial & Scientific
• Jewelry
• Sexual Wellness
• Shoes
• Sports Collectibles
• Textbook Rentals*
• Toys & Games (holiday approval only)
• Watches
• Wine

*We are currently not accepting new seller applications to list products in the Textbook Rentals category.” (emphasis added)

As covered before, Amazon handles its own textbook rentals through an outside company called Noram International, based in Kentucky. Why there are other (at least one) third party sellers who can participate, yet not others, is unclear. If anyone has any insight, please send my way.

Peter