How to Become a Wholesale Reseller on Amazon & How to Become a Supplier for Amazon
If you’re starting as a wholesale reseller, understanding how to become a supplier for Amazon can help you build a stronger position in the Amazon supply chain. Whether you’re sourcing branded products for resale or planning to supply inventory to Amazon sellers, the process requires legitimate business information, reliable product sourcing, proper documentation, and a consistent wholesale supply chain. Knowing how to become a supplier for Amazon also helps you understand what established sellers look for when choosing wholesale partners.
Step 1: Register Your Amazon Seller Account
You’ll need a Professional Seller account ($39.99/month) if you’re planning to sell branded wholesale products at any real volume. The free Individual plan charges $0.99 per item sold, which adds up fast past roughly 40 sales a month — for wholesale volume, Professional is almost always the right call from day one.
Step 2: Get a Resale Certificate
Most US states require this to buy wholesale inventory without paying sales tax on products you’re planning to resell. It’s a straightforward state government filing, usually free or low-cost, and most legitimate wholesale suppliers will ask to see it before opening a B2B account with you — treat a supplier that doesn’t ask for one as slightly unusual.
Step 3: Pick a Category You Can Actually Evaluate
Don’t start in a category you know nothing about. If you’ve never bought a supplement or a piece of pet gear yourself, you’re not well positioned to judge whether a listing looks legitimate, whether a price is realistic, or whether a product photo matches what actually ships.
Step 4: Vet Your First Supplier Carefully
This is the step most beginners rush through because they’re excited to place an order. Slow down here — see the seven questions to ask before wiring money to any vendor for a full checklist before you commit any capital.
Step 5: Start Smaller Than You Want To
Your first order should be small enough that a mistake doesn’t sink your budget, but large enough to actually test real margins after Amazon’s fees eat into revenue. Most sellers who’ve been through this describe their first three months as expensive tuition — budget mentally and financially for some of that.
What This Actually Costs to Start
Realistically: about $40/month for the Professional plan, plus your first inventory order. With most FBA-ready wholesale suppliers, that typically means a few thousand dollars minimum to make the shipping and fee economics actually work in your favor. If that’s more than you’re ready to commit, spend time researching categories and suppliers before putting capital at risk — that research phase costs nothing but time.
How Long Until You See Real Sales
Assuming your product is properly listed and ungated where needed, most sellers see initial sales within the first few weeks, though building consistent, ranking momentum on a new listing typically takes two to three months of steady inventory and, often, some advertising spend.
When you’re ready to source, apply for a wholesale account and our team can walk you through what a realistic first order looks like in your target category.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money do I need to start an Amazon wholesale business?
Realistically a few thousand dollars for your first meaningful inventory order, plus about $40/month for a Professional Seller account — smaller test orders are possible but often don’t clear shipping economics.
Do I need a resale certificate to buy wholesale?
In most US states, yes — it allows you to purchase inventory without paying sales tax on items intended for resale, and most legitimate wholesale suppliers will ask for one.
How long does it take to start selling after becoming an Amazon reseller?
Initial sales often begin within the first few weeks of a properly listed product, but building steady ranking and sales momentum typically takes two to three months.
Is the Individual or Professional Amazon seller plan better for wholesale?
Professional, in almost all cases — the flat $39.99/month fee is more cost-effective than the Individual plan’s $0.99-per-item fee once you’re selling more than about 40 units a month.