How does product sourcing work for an Amazon brand?

What is product sourcing for Amazon sellers?

Product sourcing is how a product gets from a factory to your inventory. For Amazon brands there are two models that work, and two that Amazon rules out.

Where do Amazon brands find manufacturers?

B2B marketplaces and trade shows. Each platform below is described the way it describes itself; check any supplier independently before you pay.

Amazon's own guide also recommends trade shows, referrals and professional networks for finding suppliers.

What is a good Alibaba alternative for countries other than China?

It depends on where you want the product made. For India, TradeIndia lists Indian manufacturers and exporters. For North American production, Thomasnet is built for finding US and Canadian manufacturers. Global Sources lists suppliers in several countries and runs trade shows in Hong Kong where you can meet them in person.

Compare landed cost, not unit price: the factory price plus freight, duties, prep and Amazon's fees. A cheaper unit from a farther factory can cost more once it is in an Amazon warehouse. Our freight forwarder guide covers the shipping leg.

How do you vet a supplier and check samples?

Amazon's wholesale guide lists the checks. We add the two that matter most for private label: a written spec and a pre-shipment inspection.

1. Verify the business. Look up office and warehouse locations, business bureau ratings, the supplier's liability policy, references from past customers, and complaints about quality or service.
2. Confirm the right to sell. For branded goods, review the supplier's business license and brand authorization letter.
3. Get the numbers in writing. Minimum order quantity, cost per unit and any other fees. Amazon notes the more you order, the lower the unit cost, and that the numbers are usually negotiable.
4. Write the spec. Materials, dimensions, tolerances, packaging and labeling. Amazon says private label sellers usually give manufacturers detailed specs, including formulation, packaging and quality standards.
5. Order samples, then a small first order. Amazon suggests a small order to test quality and shipping speed. The invoice from it may be the document you need for category approval.
6. Inspect before the bulk order ships. Check a sample of finished units against the spec before final payment, while problems can still be fixed at the factory.

What compliance documents does Amazon ask for?

Some products and categories need approval before you can list them. Amazon's checklist for an application:

• Purchase invoices dated within 180 days, showing supplier information, an itemized product list, your name and address matching your selling account, the manufacturer or distributor's name and address, and a combined purchase of at least 10 units.
• Clear product photos showing all sides.
• Brand authorization letters, where applicable.
• Safety certifications, when required.
• Commercial liability insurance for categories with enhanced safety requirements: at least $1 million per occurrence and aggregate, on an occurrence basis, naming "Amazon.com Services LLC and its affiliates and assignees" as additional insured.

Reviews take 2 to 7 business days. If the answer is "Your account does not qualify," Amazon says that decision cannot be appealed. The Manage Your Compliance dashboard in Seller Central shows which documents your products need.

Packaging is part of sourcing too. If the factory ships product packaging that meets Amazon's standards, you can lower FBA costs: see Frustration-Free Packaging and Ships in Product Packaging.

Which product sourcing tools and software help?

Split the job in two. To decide what to source, use Amazon's own demand data: Product Opportunity Explorer and Brand Analytics (see how to find products to sell). To find who can make it, use the B2B platforms above and trade shows. A landed-cost spreadsheet ties the two together.

For brands at $100K a month and up, sourcing problems show up as stockouts, approval delays and return spikes. Inventory planning and account health sit inside our Full Account Management plan at $1,600 a month.