Finance Division

Amazon Business

Amazon Business is the Business version of Amazon with Prime delivery and access to a commercial marketplace. The University has a single account which can be used for purchases if you have a University of Sussex purchasing card.

Why use Amazon Business?

It is an easy way to buy certain types of items and offers the following benefits:

  • Business Prime – Free next day delivery on Prime items
  • Business-only savings and quantity discounts
  • Improved business purchasing experience
  • Dedicated customer support to streamline the return process on orders
  • Smile – Amazon will donate on eligible purchases. Please use the smile website to place orders https://smile.amazon.co.uk and select The University of Sussex Student Union to support our own charities and directly benefit our students.
How do I use Amazon Business?

You need a University of Sussex purchasing card to buy using Amazon Business. If you have a business need to make this type of purchase, you can request a purchasing card by completing the Purchasing Card Application Form [PDF 206.56KB] and Purchasing Card Application Checklist [DOCX 21.89KB] and returning them to the Finance Service Desk at FinanceServiceDesk@sussex.ac.uk@sussex.ac.uk. These forms will need Head of School/Director of Professional Service sign-off.

If you already have a card then the process is simple:

Set up account

  • You received an email invitation in July to create your Amazon account. Please contact the Finance Service Desk if you need a new invitation.
  • Complete the steps in the invitation email to create your account.

Order (once authorisation has been given to purchase)

  • Create an order using https://smile.amazon.co.uk. Please select The University of Sussex Student Union to support our own charities and directly benefit our students.
  • You will be directed to enter payment details, you must enter your University of Sussex Purchasing card details.
  • You will be prompted to enter a delivery address which can be saved to your account.

Order fulfilment

  • The order may be routed for approval to ensure compliance with the Procurement and Purchasing Policy [PDF 835.61KB]. This will not impact on Prime delivery.
  • Amazon will fulfil the order and charge your purchasing card with the order value.

Finance system purchasing card tasks

  • Your purchasing card statement will include Amazon purchases. You need to code these in the finance system in the normal way for the costs to be charged to the right sub-projects. 
Terms of use

There are some important terms you will need to comply with:

  • Spend: In line with the economic climate, spend must adhere to the guidelines issued post lock down.
  • Business only: The Account is for University of Sussex business purchases only. If the account is used for personal spend, or with your personal card it will be visible.
  • Purchasing Limits: Your purchasing card spend limit applies.
  • Pre Authorisation: Authorisation to spend on a budget code must be obtained from the budget holder before making a purchase.

Please note:

  • Business Marketplace: You will see less suppliers than the consumer site because it a business marketplace and there are more stringent controls. For example, sellers must be able to provide a downloadable VAT invoice. Please let us know via the Finance Service Desk if you can’t find products or suppliers so we can work with Amazon to improve the service.
  • Account Set up: If you are prompted to sign in by setting up a password then the account is a new Amazon Business account registered to your University of Sussex email. Please remember to switch accounts (between the Business account and any personal account you may have when you sign in – your PC may default to last used).
  • Existing Personal Amazon accounts: If you have a personal consumer Amazon account registered to your personal email account it is not impacted in any way. If you have a personal Amazon account registered to your Sussex email you will be prompted to migrate the account or change your email on the existing account.
  • Sussex Charities: When you order through https://smile.amazon.co.uk Amazon donate 0.5% on eligible purchases. Please select the Sussex charities, The University of Sussex Student Union and the Mandela Scholarship Fund.
  • Compliance: The Procurement team will be performing spend analytics and compliance monitoring activities. These will feed into your Finance Business partners in support of budget holder activities.