Amazon Creators API
The Amazon Creators API is Amazon's new way for affiliates, publishers, and app developers to access Amazon product data. It replaces the older Product Advertising API (PA-API v5), which Amazon is retiring on May 15, 2026.
FreshStore has fully integrated the Creators API, so your Amazon stores already use it behind the scenes. This guide covers everything you need to know about the new API.
You do not need your own Amazon Creators API credentials as FreshStore connects for you. However, you can add your own to improve performance and unlock more countries (see below).
What Is the Amazon Creators API?
The Amazon Creators API is a REST-based API that gives you access to Amazon's product catalogue. You can use it to search for products, look up individual items by ASIN, get pricing, images, reviews, and availability data.
Amazon built it as a modern replacement for PA-API v5. It does the same job but with a cleaner design, better authentication, and improved rate limits.
What Changed from PA-API v5?
If you previously used PA-API v5 (or heard about it), here are the key differences:
| Feature | PA-API v5 (old) | Creators API (new) |
| Authentication | AWS-style signature (complex) | OAuth 2.0 (simpler) |
| Credentials | AWS Access Key + Secret Key | OAuth Client ID + Client Secret |
| Rate limits | 1 request/second, hard cap | 1 request/second base, scales with sales |
| Endpoint format | Signature-based POST requests | Standard REST with Bearer tokens |
| Data format | PascalCase JSON | camelCase JSON |
| Product data | Full catalogue access | Same catalogue, same data |
The product data itself (titles, prices, images, reviews, availability) is the same across both APIs. The difference is how you connect to it.
Supported Amazon Marketplaces
The Creators API supports all the same Amazon marketplaces as PA-API v5. Each marketplace is independent and requires its own credentials.
North America (credential version 3.1)
- United States (amazon.com)
- Canada (amazon.ca)
- Mexico (amazon.com.mx)
- Brazil (amazon.com.br)
Europe (credential version 3.2)
- United Kingdom (amazon.co.uk)
- Germany (amazon.de)
- France (amazon.fr)
- Italy (amazon.it)
- Spain (amazon.es)
- Netherlands (amazon.nl)
- Belgium (amazon.com.be)
- Poland (amazon.pl)
- Sweden (amazon.se)
- Turkey (amazon.com.tr)
- United Arab Emirates (amazon.ae)
- Saudi Arabia (amazon.sa)
- Egypt (amazon.eg)
- India (amazon.in)
Far East (credential version 3.3)
- Japan (amazon.co.jp)
- Australia (amazon.com.au)
- Singapore (amazon.sg)
Eligibility Requirements
To get your own Creators API credentials for a marketplace, you need:
- An approved Amazon Associates account for that marketplace.
- 10 or more qualifying sales in the trailing 30 days on that marketplace.
Once you meet these requirements, you can create an application and generate credentials instantly from the Tools > Creators API section in Amazon Associates Central.
Each marketplace is independent. Having 10 sales on amazon.com does not qualify you for amazon.co.uk. You need to meet the requirement separately for each country where you want your own credentials.
Rate Limits
The Creators API starts you at 1 request per second per credential. As your affiliate sales grow, Amazon automatically increases your rate limit. This is the same scaling model that PA-API v5 used.
If you hit the rate limit, the API returns a 429 (Too Many Requests) response. FreshStore handles this automatically by retrying or falling back gracefully.
How FreshStore Uses the Creators API
FreshStore has fully integrated the Amazon Creators API. Your stores already use it for fetching product data, prices, images, and availability. You do not need to configure anything for this to work.
FreshStore uses both the Creators API and PA-API v5 side by side during the transition period. After May 15, 2026, only the Creators API will be used.
Adding Your Own Credentials (Optional)
Your stores work perfectly without your own credentials. However, if you have an active Associates account with 10+ sales, adding your own credentials gives your stores some benefits:
- Unlock more countries. FreshStore covers the major marketplaces by default (US, UK). Adding your own credentials for Germany, France, Italy, and other countries gives your stores better data on those marketplaces.
- Less throttling. Your own credentials give your stores dedicated API access, meaning faster product updates during busy periods.
The setup takes about 10 minutes per marketplace:
🔗 How to Add Your Own Amazon Creators API Credentials
PA-API v5 Retirement Timeline
| Date | What Happens |
| January 31, 2026 | Offers API v1 retired |
| April 30, 2026 | Official PA-API v5 deprecation |
| May 15, 2026 | PA-API v5 endpoints shut down permanently |
FreshStore has already migrated to the Creators API, so this timeline does not affect your stores. Everything is handled automatically.
Questions
Do I need my own Creators API credentials?
No. Your stores work without them. See our guide: Do I Need My Own Amazon Creators API Credentials?
What happens to my old PA-API keys?
They will stop working after May 15, 2026. You do not need to do anything about this. FreshStore has already switched to the Creators API.
Will my product data look different?
No. The Creators API returns the same product information as PA-API v5: titles, prices, images, reviews, availability, and more. Your stores look and work the same way.
Is the Amazon Creators API free?
Yes. There is no cost to use the Creators API. You just need an active Amazon Associates account with qualifying sales to get credentials.
Can I use the Creators API for non-FreshStore projects?
Yes. The Creators API is a general Amazon API available to any approved Amazon Associates member. Amazon provides full documentation for developers who want to build their own integrations.