Starting Amazon FBA Wholesale in 2025

When starting a business, many entrepreneurs turn to Amazon,which is the leading platform in e-commerce. One of the most popular business models here is Amazon wholesale, and according to the latest statistics, over 65% of sellers use Amazon FBA to streamline their operations. However, success requires a clear understanding of what Amazon FBA wholesale is and how it works.

In this guide, we’ll break down each aspect of Amazon wholesale FBA and explain how to start selling and making money on Amazon.

What is Amazon Wholesale?

Amazon wholesale is a business model in which sellers purchase products in bulk from a brand or distributor, resell them on Amazon, and make a profit from the price difference. By buying in bulk, sellers can benefit from lower costs and in some cases, may even secure exclusive distribution rights, limiting competition.

For example, a seller might source clothing from a well-known brand and gain a competitive advantage, since not every seller can offer those products. Branded items already have demand and a loyal customer base, which makes them easier to sell.

Once a customer places an order, the product is sent to an Amazon fulfillment center. Amazon then handles storage, packing, and shipping to the customer, which allows sellers to focus on sourcing and scaling their business.

Keep in mind that this model requires a greater investment, as bulk orders mean higher upfront costs compared to purchasing single items or dropshipping. That’s why it’s crucial to make strategic decisions. Below, we’ll share a guide on how to start your own Amazon FBA wholesale business the right way.

How to Start a Business with Amazon Wholesale

While some aspects of starting an FBA wholesale business will vary depending on your niche, budget, and personal preferences, the key principles still remain the same. Below is a general guide to help you get started.

Note: If you don’t have an Amazon Seller Central account yet, you’ll need to create one. The first step is choosing a selling plan. The Professional plan offers more advanced features and costs $39.99/month. You’ll also provide your business and payment details, and complete a verification video call.

Step 1: Choose Profitable Products

Choosing the right products to sell is a critical decision that can make or break your business. Selecting items that will generate a profit requires careful consideration of several key factors that can directly impact your store’s ability to generate steady income and growth. By evaluating the following criteria, you can identify the best products to add to your inventory and increase your chances of success:

High demand: A successful product must have consistent demand in the market. Look for items that generate consistent sales (typically, at least 200 units/month).
Profitability: A viable product should not only cover the cost of the item but also leave enough room to account for your advertising expenses and reinvestment into your business for sustained growth.
Competition: A saturated market can make it harder for your products to stand out, especially if Amazon or any other major sellers dominate the category. To maximize your chances of success, focus on niches with lower competition.
Selling restrictions: Be mindful of products that require special permission to sell, such as certain branded items or products from restricted categories. Failing to obtain necessary permission can delay your ability to sell the product.

Note: Choose lightweight and non-fragile products. These products tend to incur lower storage and shipping FBA costs, and are less likely to be damaged during transit, making them a more cost-effective and reliable option for fulfillment.

Given how time-consuming it can be to evaluate these factors, consider using analytical tools to help you streamline the process. Tools like Jungle Scout, AMZScout, and Helium 10 offer valuable data that can help you assess product trends, competition, and profitability, in addition to other metrics. They also provide free trials or money-back guarantees, so you can explore them risk-free.

By using these tools, you can make well-informed decisions that take the guesswork out of the equation and set your business up for long-term success.

Step 2: Source Products to Sell

Once you select a product, the next critical step is sourcing it from a reputable wholesaler or directly from the brand. Here are several reliable ways to do this:

Brand manufacturers: Purchasing items directly from manufacturers ensures product authenticity and may open doors to exclusive distribution agreements that can give you a competitive edge.
Authorized distributors: These are licensed third parties that have permission from the brand to sell their products in bulk. Sourcing from an authorized distributor guarantees that you’re dealing with legitimate products.
Wholesale marketplaces: Platforms like Alibaba provide access to a wide range of suppliers, allowing you to compare various options and find the best source for your store.

Note: When contacting a distributor, provide your business details, Amazon store overview, other brands you sell, and links to your social media or website to prove that you are a serious partner.

Before committing to any supplier, make sure to check their requirements for starting a business:

Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)
Payment terms
Brand guidelines (if applicable)
And more...

Consider contacting 10-15 suppliers to compare offers and find the best deal. Don’t hesitate to mention offers from other suppliers to help you negotiate discounts. Additionally, always verify the supplier’s reliability by reading reviews and testimonials from other sellers to ensure that you’re partnering with a trustworthy source.

Before placing a bulk order, consider placing a smaller test order. This will allow you to evaluate the supplier’s reliability, product quality, and shipping times, giving you confidence in building a long-term, successful partnership.

Step 3: List Your Products on Amazon

When selling wholesale branded products, you don’t always have to create a new listing on Amazon. Since many branded items are already listed, you can simply add your offer to an existing one, saving you time and effort. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get your products listed on Amazon fast:

1. Log in to Seller Central. First, navigate to the Inventory section in your account and select Add a Product.
2. Search for your product. Use the search bar to enter the ASIN, product name, or barcode. This will help you find the exact match for your product.
3. Choose the correct listing. Once you’ve located the right product, click Sell This Product to proceed.
4. Enter your offer details. Fill in the price, available stock, and other relevant details.
Note: The FBA fulfillment method will be pre-selected, but double-check to ensure that it's correct for your setup.
5. Publish your offer. After reviewing your details, hit Save, and your offer will be added to the existing listing.

Your product will typically appear on Amazon within 15–30 minutes. However, before your listings start generating sales, you’ll need to send your inventory to Amazon’s FBA centers. We’ll go over that process next to make sure your products are ready to be shipped and fulfilled.

Step 4: Deliver Your Products to FBA Centers

In order to use Amazon FBA, it is necessary to ship your products to one of Amazon’s fulfillment centers. For wholesale sellers, it’s usually more convenient for suppliers to ship products directly to Amazon’s FBA centers. If your supplier doesn’t offer direct shipping to Amazon, there are two options to get your products to FBA centers:

Use UPS: Amazon partners with UPS, which offers reliable and cost-efficient shipping services to Amazon FBA centers.
Work with a third-party logistics provider (3PL): If UPS doesn’t fit your needs, you can also partner with a 3PL service. Choose a logistics provider with a solid reputation for reliability and efficiency.

Once Amazon receives and processes your products, they’ll be available for sale and ready to ship to customers each time an order is placed. Amazon takes care of the entire fulfillment process, from picking and packing to shipping and handling returns.

By keeping a close eye on your sales performance, you can identify areas for improvement and optimize your strategy to boost your profitability.

Conclusion

Selling on Amazon FBA and sourcing products in bulk requires a significant investment, but the potential for substantial profits can make this venture worthwhile. Success depends largely on choosing the right products, as this increases your chances of maximizing the benefits of Amazon FBA and your business model. To help you make informed decisions, and identify and evaluate promising items, consider using analytical tools. This approach helps you optimize your investment and build a strong foundation for your business.

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