"The item you requested could not be found" on Google Play

Overview

As of 2014.05.30, the specification changed so that you can no longer run billing tests on the pre-release draft version.

As a result, when you try to run a test purchase the way you used to, you now get the message
“The item you requested could not be found“.

Solution

Upload the APK to the draft or beta version
and publish it to testers only.

Added 2015/02/20
When uploading an APK, be careful about the Version.
This assumes an app where you upload the APK at Version 1 (1.0),
and once the billing test is complete you release it.

Be aware that if you think “I’d like to tweak it a bit,”
make the fix, and then try to upload the same version,
the upload will not go through.

Details

(1) Alpha test: Upload the APK file to the beta version.

*Added 2015/02: It seems billing tests can no longer be run unless you publish to the beta version.

↓

(2) Register testers

• Click the “Manage list of testers” link, register a group e-mail address, and invite the target devices.

(3) Confirm that no APK file has been uploaded to the production version

If you upload an APK file to the production version, the app will be published to the public!

(4) Publish the app

It is published as the alpha/beta version, and the app is released only to testers.

Purchase test completed successfully ♪