Three months ago, Priya Sharma from Pune watched her organic skincare brand's sales plummet overnight. A counterfeiter had hijacked her best-selling listing, slashed prices by 40%, and flooded the market with cheap knockoffs. Customers complained about fake products, her ratings tanked, and she had zero control over her own product page. Within six weeks of getting Brand Registry approval, Priya had removed the counterfeit listings, reclaimed her brand story with A+ Content, and saw her conversion rate jump by 23%. Her only regret? Not enrolling sooner.
If you're selling on Amazon India without Brand Registry protection, you're leaving your business vulnerable to this exact nightmare. This isn't about optional features—it's your shield against counterfeiters, your key to premium marketing tools, and your ticket to controlling how customers see your brand. Let's walk through exactly how to set it up, what mistakes to avoid, and what happens once you're approved.
Why Amazon Brand Registry India Matters for Your Business
Brand Registry isn't just another Amazon program you can ignore. It's the difference between owning your brand presence and watching competitors manipulate your listings. When you enroll in Amazon Brand Registry India, you gain access to tools that non-registered sellers can only dream about.
First, you get brand protection that actually works. Amazon's automated systems scan millions of listings daily, flagging potential counterfeits before they even go live. You can report violations with a single click, and Amazon prioritizes your complaints because you're the verified rights owner. Rajesh Kumar from Bangalore enrolled his electronics accessories brand last year and Amazon's automated protections blocked 47 suspected counterfeit listings in the first month alone—before he even saw them.
Second, you unlock marketing tools that drive real revenue. A+ Content lets you replace boring bullet points with rich media—comparison charts, lifestyle images, detailed brand stories. Sponsored Brand Ads put your logo at the top of search results with custom headlines. Amazon Stores give you a mini-website within Amazon where customers can browse your entire catalog. Anita Desai from Mumbai added A+ Content to her home décor listings and saw her conversion rate increase by 18% within three weeks. If you want to learn more about maximizing this tool, check out our guide on how to use A+ Content to boost sales.
Third, you get data that helps you compete smarter. Brand Analytics shows you what keywords customers actually search for, which products win the most clicks, and who your real competitors are. This isn't guesswork—it's real customer behavior data. Our detailed article on Amazon Brand Analytics shows you exactly how to leverage this competitive intelligence.
Ready to protect your brand? Let's walk through exactly what you need to get started.
What You Need Before You Start Brand Registry Setup
Here's the reality check: you cannot enroll in Amazon Brand Registry without a registered trademark. There's no workaround, no shortcut, no “I'll do it later” option. Amazon requires proof that you legally own your brand name before they'll give you control over listings using that brand.
Beyond the trademark, you'll need an active Amazon Seller Central or Vendor Central account. Your brand name or logo must be permanently affixed to your products or packaging—temporary stickers won't cut it. You'll need clear images showing this branding, plus a list of product categories you sell in and countries where you manufacture and distribute.
The trademark requirement trips up most new sellers because the process takes time. In India, getting a trademark registered through the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks typically takes 6-18 months from application to final approval. If you're wondering whether you can launch without one first, our article on whether you need a trademark to sell on Amazon India breaks down your options.
Can I Enroll Without a Trademark?
Technically, yes—but only through Amazon IP Accelerator's pilot program, and only in limited cases. If you have a pending trademark application filed through one of Amazon's vetted legal partners, you might qualify for early Brand Registry access while your trademark is still processing. This option is currently available in India by invitation only.
The catch? You'll need to join the waitlist, and even if accepted, you're still required to complete the full trademark registration eventually. It's not a substitute for the trademark itself.
Understanding Trademark Types for Brand Registry
Amazon accepts two types of trademarks: word marks (protecting your brand name as text) and design marks (protecting your logo with graphics). For Indian sellers, registering both offers the strongest protection. If budget forces you to choose one, start with the word mark since it covers your brand name across any visual presentation.
Getting Your Trademark Registration Right
Your trademark is the legal foundation of everything Brand Registry offers. In India, trademark registration happens through the IP India portal managed by the CGPDTM under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The process requires attention to detail. You'll search existing trademarks to ensure your brand name is available, select the appropriate trademark class for your products, and file Form TM-A with supporting documents. Government fees run ₹4,500 for individuals and startups or ₹9,000 for companies per class. Professional legal help typically costs another ₹2,000-₹10,000.
Vikram Patel from Ahmedabad filed his trademark application for “EcoGlow” without doing a proper search first. Six months later, he received an objection notice because a similar mark already existed in his category. His registration took 14 months instead of the typical 8-10 months. A thorough initial search would have saved him six months of waiting.
How to Register a Trademark in India
Here's the step-by-step process:
- Search existing trademarks on the IP India Public Search portal for exact matches and phonetic similarities
- Select your trademark class (India uses 45 classes—Class 9 for electronics, Class 25 for clothing, Class 3 for cosmetics, etc.)
- File Form TM-A online through the IP India portal with your business details, brand name/logo, chosen class, and payment
- Wait for examination (the trademark office reviews for conflicts; you have 30 days to respond to any objections)
- Publication period (if approved, it's published in the Trademark Journal for four months allowing public opposition)
- Registration (if no opposition, you receive your certificate and can use the ® symbol)
Timeline-wise, expect 6-18 months from application to final registration if everything goes smoothly. During this period, you can use the ™ symbol to indicate your trademark is pending. Once registration completes, you switch to ®.
Amazon Brand Registry Setup: The Complete Process
Now that you have (or are getting) your trademark, let's walk through enrolling in Brand Registry.
Step 1: Create Your Brand Registry Account
Visit brandregistry.amazon.in and sign in using the exact same credentials you use for Seller Central or Vendor Central. This is crucial—using the same login links your accounts and ensures you can access Brand Registry tools directly from your seller dashboard.
Step 2: Enter Your Brand and Trademark Details
Click “Enroll a new brand” and enter your brand name exactly as it appears on your trademark certificate. This means exact spacing, punctuation, and symbols. “BuyWithPrime” is not the same as “Buy With Prime”—even though they differ by just spaces, Amazon will reject the application for discrepancy.
Select your trademark type (word mark or design mark), enter your trademark registration or serial number, choose India as your country of registration, and provide the registration date. Double-check every character before moving forward.
Step 3: Upload Product and Logo Images
Amazon requires clear images showing your brand name permanently affixed to your products or packaging. “Permanently affixed” means printed, embossed, molded, or otherwise made part of the product—not a sticker you could peel off.
Take well-lit photos showing your product with visible branding, your packaging with visible branding, and your logo by itself. Images must be in focus and show the branding clearly enough that Amazon's reviewers can verify it matches your trademark.
Step 4: Provide Manufacturing and Distribution Info
List the countries where you manufacture and distribute your products. This information helps Amazon's anti-counterfeiting algorithms identify suspicious listings. Be accurate—if you use multiple manufacturers across different countries, list them all.
Step 5: Verification and Approval
After submitting, Amazon contacts the email address listed in your trademark registration with a verification code. Enter the code in Brand Registry, and Amazon reviews your application. Typical approval takes 1-2 weeks if everything is in order.
Following these steps carefully can save you weeks of back-and-forth. Need help with trademark registration first? Consider working with a vetted legal partner through Amazon IP Accelerator.
Common Mistakes That Delay Your Application
Even small errors trigger rejections that add weeks to your timeline. Here are the mistakes that trip up most Indian sellers.
Brand Name Discrepancies
Your brand name in the enrollment form must match your trademark registration character-for-character. Amazon's system looks for exact matches, so “Eco Glow,” “EcoGlow,” and “Eco-Glow” are three different brand names. Check your trademark certificate and copy the brand name precisely.
Poor Quality or Incorrect Images
Blurry photos, poor lighting, or images showing only removable branding all result in rejection. Take photos in good natural light, get close enough that your brand name fills a significant portion of the frame, and show branding from straight on.
Meera Reddy from Hyderabad had her first application rejected because her product photos showed her brand name on a paper insert inside the box rather than on permanent packaging. After reprinting her packaging with the brand name directly on the box, her second application was approved.
Wrong Trademark Type or Status
Trying to enroll with a pending trademark (outside of IP Accelerator) results in rejection. Amazon requires active, registered trademarks unless you're in the IP Accelerator pilot program.
GTIN and Barcode Confusion
Here's a critical point: Brand Registry and GTIN exemption are completely separate processes. Enrolling in Brand Registry does not automatically grant you GTIN exemption.
GTINs (Global Trade Item Numbers) are the UPCs, EANs, or other barcodes that identify products in Amazon's catalog. If your products don't have manufacturer-issued GTINs, you must apply for GTIN exemption separately through Seller Central—that's a different application with its own 2-week review process.
What Happens After You're Approved
Brand Registry approval unlocks a suite of tools that transform how you control and promote your brand on Amazon India.
Unlocking Brand Protection Tools
The Report a Violation tool lets you search Amazon's catalog by keyword, image, or ASIN to find potential counterfeits or unauthorized use of your trademark. When you find violations, you can report them directly through Brand Registry with one click. Understanding how to protect your Amazon listing from hijackers becomes much easier once you have these tools at your disposal.
Sunil Kapoor from Delhi enrolled his fitness equipment brand last September. Within a week, he found three sellers using his brand name without authorization. He reported all three, and Amazon removed them within 36 hours. Two months later, Amazon's automated systems blocked two more attempts before Sunil even saw them.
Brand Building Features You Can Use Now
A+ Content Manager lets you replace standard product descriptions with rich content including comparison charts, high-quality lifestyle images, and detailed brand stories. Products with A+ Content typically see 5-15% higher conversion rates.
Amazon Stores gives you a dedicated storefront where you can create multiple pages showcasing your product catalog. Learn more about using Amazon Storefronts to build brand awareness and drive conversions. Sponsored Brand Ads are banner ads at the top of search results featuring your logo, a custom headline, and up to three products.
Understanding Brand Analytics
Brand Analytics provides five key reports showing which keywords customers searched for, which products won the most clicks, competitor demographics, and conversion rates. This data helps you optimize listings and advertising for terms that actually drive sales.
FAQ
What are the requirements for Amazon Brand Registry in India?
You need an active registered trademark from India's CGPDTM, an Amazon Seller Central or Vendor Central account, your brand name permanently affixed to products or packaging, clear images showing this branding, and a list of product categories and manufacturing/distribution countries.
Can I enroll in Amazon Brand Registry without a trademark?
Only through Amazon IP Accelerator's invitation-only pilot program in India, and only temporarily. You must complete full registration eventually to maintain Brand Registry access.
How long does it take to get Amazon Brand Registry approval in India?
Once you submit a complete application, Amazon typically approves it within 1-2 weeks. However, getting the required trademark registered first takes 6-18 months through India's IP office.
What are the common mistakes when applying for Amazon Brand Registry?
The most frequent mistakes are brand name discrepancies (not matching trademark exactly), poor quality product images, using temporary branding instead of permanent affixing, providing pending trademarks outside IP Accelerator, and confusing Brand Registry with GTIN exemption.
Do I need GTIN exemption for Brand Registry in India?
No, they're completely separate processes. Brand Registry controls listing edits and provides brand protection tools. GTIN exemption is for products without manufacturer-issued barcodes. Apply for each separately if needed.
Can I manage multiple brands under one Brand Registry account?
Yes, after enrolling your first brand, you can enroll additional brands by clicking “Enroll a new brand” from your Brand Registry homepage. Each brand needs its own registered trademark.
What if someone else has already registered my trademark on Amazon?
Contact Brand Registry Support and select “Update brand ownership.” You'll need to prove you're the rightful owner. Amazon investigates and transfers ownership to the legitimate trademark holder if verified.
Is Amazon Brand Registry free, or are there hidden costs?
Brand Registry enrollment is completely free. However, you need a registered trademark to qualify, which costs ₹4,500-₹9,000 in government fees plus ₹2,000-₹10,000 for professional legal assistance. Some Brand Registry tools like A+ Content are free, while Sponsored Brand Ads require advertising spend.
Conclusion
From trademark application through Brand Registry approval, protecting your brand on Amazon India requires patience and attention to detail. But this investment pays dividends every day through counterfeit protection, enhanced marketing tools, and competitive insights that help you grow strategically.
Your trademark establishes legal ownership. Brand Registry transforms that ownership into practical control over how customers discover and experience your brand on India's largest ecommerce platform. Every day without this protection is a day you're vulnerable.
Don't wait until counterfeiters find you. Start your trademark registration today, and take control of your brand's future on Amazon. Your customers—and your bottom line—will thank you.
