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Dropshipping on Amazon: How to Dropship Profitably - A Step-by-Step Guide

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by Travis F.posted on 19.03.2024

Amazon is one of the top choices of online platforms for people who sell products worldwide, due to its extensive customer base, strong logistics capabilities, and reputation. Dropshipping on Amazon provides a unique opportunity to access a large market with millions of potential customers. This business model enables you to take advantage of Amazon's infrastructure and resources while focusing on marketing your products. 

In this article, we will discuss how to dropship on Amazon, explore effective product search methods, and compare dropshipping with other business models.

What is Amazon Dropshipping?

Dropshipping is a sales strategy where products are sold without the need to store inventory in a warehouse. After an item is purchased by a customer, the order data is transferred to the supplier, and they send the product directly to the customer. This process allows sellers to outsource their product processing and shipping to a third-party company.

Amazon dropshipping specifically refers to selling items on Amazon without the necessity of purchasing or overseeing any physical goods. Dropshipping is a good option for beginners on Amazon, as it doesn’t require a large initial investment. However, it's essential to note that  Amazon dropshipping has become a subject of debate due to specific restrictions associated with this selling method.

You can implement dropshipping on Amazon as long as you follow the applicable guidelines. According to their policy, Amazon does allow dropshipping, but there are three important conditions you need to be aware of:

  1. Sellers can’t purchase a product from another online retailer and ship it directly to the customer.

  2. Sellers must ensure their own business information is visible on the packaging. Products can not have any third-party information on the packaging.

  3. Sellers are responsible for any customer issues that arise and product returns.

So, while Amazon’s terms and services state that dropshipping isn’t banned, these rules do prevent sellers from practicing traditional dropshipping, since you can’t ship products directly from the supplier to the customer. In order to dropship legally, you need to ask your supplier to create custom packaging and labels, so you become a merchant of record.

How to Start Dropshipping on Amazon

In a few words, dropshipping works like this: A seller selects the products they intend to sell, and lists them on Amazon. When a customer makes a purchase, the seller acquires the product from the supplier and arranges shipping directly to the buyer. 

To start dropshipping on Amazon, there are four steps you need to follow:

  1. Choose profitable products. First, you need to find products that are both in-demand and also have relatively low competition.

  2. Find reliable suppliers. The next step is searching for a supplier that can provide you with your desired profitable products. Choose a supplier who offers fast shipping, quick order fulfillment, return-process handling, and dropshipping support.

  3. Organize packaging and labeling. As no indicators of third-party companies are allowed on packages, you’ll have to arrange for custom product labeling with your supplier. For example, traditional dropshipping from AliExpress is not recommended on Amazon. Your packages need to contain your own information, such as the product name, SKU, barcode, and the name of your business.

  4. Add your product to Amazon. More often than not, your product is already being sold on Amazon, so you just need to join an existing listing. If it’s not currently listed, make sure you create a listing that includes high-quality photos of your product and engaging descriptions.

We’ll cover all of these steps in greater detail later in this article.

Step 1: How to Find Profitable Products to Dropship on Amazon

Finding the right products to sell on Amazon is arguably the most important part of being a successful seller. The products you choose to sell will either make or break your business, so you need to be sure to take your time and make an informed decision.

There are numerous tools and software available to help you identify the best items specifically for drop shipping. AMZScout offers a whole range of tools tailored to solve major dropshipping challenges, from finding profitable product ideas to calculating sales margins.

Quickly Evaluate a Product and Calculate Your Sales Margins

The Amazon Dropshipping, Arbitrage, and Wholesale Extension by AMZScout was designed specifically with dropshippers in mind. This tool allows you to see important information about a product right on the item’s listing page, such as its sales numbers, number of sellers, whether it’s in a gated category, price history, etc.

In addition to assessing these metrics, you can instantly see how much money you’ll make on every sale.

Here’s how it works:

1. Install the Amazon Dropshipping, Arbitrage, and Wholesale Extension on Google Chrome.

Install Amazon Dropshipping, Arbitrage and Wholesale
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2. Start your free trial.

3. Explore Amazon for product ideas. The extension gives you access to essential product data as you browse through Amazon. You can enter product names or keywords related to any niche you’re interested in, and you’ll see product metrics appear right on your search results page in a box under each product.

Amazon search field
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4. Analyze product data and choose the most interesting product ideas. To help you better understand whether a product is suitable for dropshipping, take note of the following information provided by the extension:

  • Evaluate profit margins and potential earnings. Prioritize products with over 50% margins.

  • Assess Amazon fees. Compare the Amazon fees associated with selling the product in order to develop an effective pricing strategy.

  • Specify the seller type. Choose products sold by FBM or FBA sellers to help you minimize the likelihood of competition with Amazon.

AMZScout Dropshipping, Online Arbitrage and Wholesale extension quick view
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Once you've gathered this information, mark any products that pique your interest for closer examination.

5. Assess the top-most promising products. Visit the pages of any products that meet your criteria. The extension conveniently displays essential information about the product as a built-in window. Pay attention to factors such as whether the item is private-label, if it's gated, or if there are any other criteria that might make it challenging or even impossible to sell. Check to see if Prime delivery is available for a product, as this can make competing for Buy Box more challenging.

AMZScout dropshipping and online arbitrage extension
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6. Examine historical data. This step includes examining a product’s price history and Buy Box history. These historical records reveal price fluctuations that will help you determine the right price to set for your product. You’ll be able to better calculate your potential profits (depending on the product's cost from the supplier and other expenses). Also, consider whether you can afford to lower this price to help you win the Buy Box.

AMZScout Dropshipping and Online Arbitrage extension price history
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7. Evaluate profit potential using the built-in calculator. Calculate the potential profits each product offers by entering your cost per product into the calculator. These costs can vary based on your business model and may include the following:

  • Shipping costs, which can be provided by your supplier or shipping provider.

  • Advertising costs, calculated based on Amazon PPC (Pay-Per-Click) bids.

  • Other expenses, such as third-party tools or subscription costs for automated services.

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The app will compute your sales margins using the provided data. It will factor in the Profit Margin, Minimum Net, and ROI (Return on Investment). Analyze these figures to help you determine whether selling the item will be profitable for your business.

If you’re interested in trying out this handy dropshipping tool, it’s available for a free trial. Use it on a few products you’re thinking about selling to gain an understanding of their metrics and assess profitability.

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Use the AMZScout Product Database to Get Product Ideas

With so many products available, it can be hard to narrow down your list and find ones that meet all of your criteria. This is where the AMZScout Product Database is particularly useful. It provides you with an opportunity to find product ideas specifically for dropshipping, using various search filters to match your criteria.

1. Open the Product Database.

2. Use filters to refine your search. You can narrow down the category, seller type, rank, price, estimated sales, reviews, size, weight, and more. For example, you can set the estimated sales number to more than 300, set the price range between $40-60, and the number of sellers between 2-10.

Searching for wholesale products using the AMZScout Product Database
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3. Click the “Find Products” button.

4. Review the list of products that match your criteria.

5. Take note of products that interest you.  Browse through the list and choose products that seem most appealing to you based on your interests and experience. Evaluate the information next to each product, noting those with a high NET, few sellers, and high ratings.

How to see the AMZScout Product Database Results
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You can do further research on these products using the AMZScout PRO Extension to determine their profitability, growing demand and low competition, and assess the niche in greater detail.

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Brainstorm New Niche and Product Ideas with the Product Database

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Brainstorm New Product Ideas with the Product Database

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Researching Products and Niches with the AMZScout PRO Extension

Once you’ve compiled a list of products you’re interested in, it’s time to dig deeper to find out if they are actually profitable to sell, and if the niche is not too saturated. This is where you can use the AMZScout PRO Extension to do some more in-depth research.

Here’s a guide for using this tool:

1. Install the AMZScout PRO Extension in your Chrome browser.

How to install and open AMZScout PRO
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2. Start a free trial.

3. Search for the product ideas you've found using the two previous tools. Use the Amazon search box to type in the name of a product (for example: “ZenClean Pro”) or the niche name (for example: "house cleaning wipes").

4. Click the AMZScout PRO Extension icon in the corner of your browser. You'll see the data in a comprehensive chart.

5. Explore essential product data. 

  • Analyze the Product History to check how stable sales are and how the price has changed over time. 

    How to check AMZScout Amazon Product History
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  • Assess the Product Score which is a measure of the levels of demand and competition in a particular niche. The higher this score is, the better.

  • Analyze the number of sellers. A high number of sellers means competition is high and the niche is oversaturated.

6. Calculate your probable profit. Utilize the Profit Calculator to assess the cost-effectiveness of a selected product. You can input purchase costs, logistics expenses, taxes, and other relevant types of costs, and the calculator will compute an approximate profit estimate for you.

How to use the AMZScout Profit Calculator
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With the AMZScout PRO Extension, you can be always sure that you have chosen the most profitable products, and your efforts will lead to solid revenue.

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Find profitable products with the AMZScout PRO Extension

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Find profitable products with the AMZScout PRO Extension

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Step 2: Find Trustworthy Suppliers

Now, we'll explore strategies and tips to help you locate reliable suppliers who can meet your business needs and contribute to your long-term success on Amazon. It’s also important to comply with the Amazon dropshipping policy. Here are the main criteria dropshippers need to consider when choosing a supplier:

  • Check Reliability and Product Quality: Look for suppliers with a proven track record of delivering products on time and in good condition. Ensure that the products meet your quality standards by ordering and checking a sample in advance.

  • Shipping Speed: Fast shipping is crucial for customer satisfaction on Amazon. Choose suppliers who can provide quick order fulfillment, because you will be competing with FBA sellers.

  • Return Policy: When you're selecting a supplier for your dropshipping business, it's crucial to factor in how they handle returns. You need to pick a supplier who follows Amazon's rules for handling returns and can manage them on your behalf.

  • Dropshipping Support: Look for suppliers who specialize in dropshipping and offer features like blind shipping (without their branding). Also prioritize suppliers who offer integration with popular eCommerce platforms, as this will streamline your dropshipping business.

Now, we’ll discuss how and where to find secure suppliers for your Amazon dropshipping business.

1. Online Marketplaces, Dropshipping Platforms, and Wholesale Directories: Platforms like Alibaba will not work, as Amazon guidelines do not permit you to sell third-party products without the seller’s unique identity. Use directories like Worldwide Brands or Thomasnet to discover reputable suppliers.

2. Supplier Websites: Visit the websites of manufacturers and wholesalers directly. Many of them have dedicated sections for dropshippers, so check those out as well.

3. Trade Shows, Exhibitions, and Networking: Attend industry-specific trade shows and exhibitions to meet potential suppliers in person. This is especially useful if you're looking for unique or niche products.

4. Google Search and Social Media: Conduct specific searches on Google using keywords related to your niche and dropshipping supplier to discover potential suppliers. Explore social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to find products and suppliers that resonate with your niche. Join forums, online communities, or LinkedIn groups related to dropshipping to network with other sellers who can recommend reliable suppliers.

Remember that thorough research is essential when selecting a supplier for your Amazon dropshipping business. Assess them based on the criteria we’ve discussed above to ensure a successful partnership.

Step 3: Organize Packaging and Labeling

Dropshippers don't handle the physical packaging and labeling of products themselves. Instead, they rely on their suppliers or third-party fulfillment centers to handle these aspects. To comply with Amazon packaging and labeling policies, a dropshipper should do the following:

1. Packaging. When a dropshipper receives an order from a customer on Amazon, they forward that order to their supplier, including all the necessary details. The supplier is responsible for packaging the product. They will use their own packaging materials and methods. This is why it's crucial to work with reliable suppliers who can package products securely and professionally to ship products to Amazon customers securely.

2. Labeling. Suppliers usually include labels and barcodes on their products. But you also need to remember that product names, SKUs, barcodes, and your business name need to be printed on the package according to Amazon’s policy. Be sure to find a supplier that will do this for you instead of publishing their own information.

3.  Shipping and Tracking. Once the product is packaged and labeled, your supplier will ship it directly to your customer. Choose suppliers that allow tracking, so both of you can monitor the status of each delivery.

Step 4: Create a New Listing, or Add Products to an Existing One

First, check if your product is already being sold on Amazon. If not, you need to create a new listing. Then choose a relevant category, select Add a Product, and create a new product listing. To do this, you need to include a title, the brand, manufacturer, attributes, description, and images. Set your pricing and inventory, review the details, and click Submit. Next, your listing will undergo Amazon's review process before going live.

How to use an existing ASIN for your product
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To add products to an existing listing, log in to your Amazon Seller Central account, search for the product using its UPC, EAN, ISBN, or ASIN, match it with the existing listing, enter your quantity and price, and submit the listing.

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Dropshipping: Pros and Cons

If you haven’t decided whether dropshipping is worth it, we’ve put together a list of pros and cons. There are a number of benefits to dropshipping, but there are also some negative aspects you need to be aware of.

Pros:

  • Small Investments: Because you’re not buying or storing any inventory, it requires a smaller initial investment than other strategies.

  • Easy to Start: Anyone can start a dropshipping business. You just need to find the right product and a good supplier.

  • Less Work: You can easily run and manage a dropshipping business from home, since your supplier does most of the work for you. Your biggest task is simply tracking your sales.

Cons:

  • Lower Margins: Because you’re buying products in smaller quantities, you’ll pay more per product. This leads to lower profit margins.

  • Supply Problems: Because you don’t store your own inventory, you’re completely dependent on your supplier to keep your items in stock. This can sometimes lead to selling an item that’s actually out of stock.

  • High Chance of Strong Competition: If there are too many sellers on the listing, you’re likely to encounter intense competition. It’s going to be difficult for a new Amazon dropshipper to stand out and secure a significant share of sales.

Dropshipping vs. Other Methods

What’s the difference between dropshipping and other sales methods? Below, we’ve compared dropshipping to all of the most widely used sales approaches to help you determine which one is right for you.

Dropshipping vs. Retail Arbitrage

  • Retail arbitrage involves buying products at physical stores and reselling them on Amazon for a profit.

  • Dropshipping requires a smaller investment, making it more beginner-friendly.

  • Retail arbitrage is more labor-intensive and cannot be automated like dropshipping.

  • Dropshipping is likely to be more profitable and scalable due to automation.

Dropshipping vs. Wholesale

  • Both involve sourcing products at below-retail prices for resale on Amazon.

  • Dropshipping is a single-product purchase, while wholesale requires buying in bulk.

  • Bulk purchasing for wholesale offers better margins, but requires more capital.

  • Wholesale can be combined with FBA, and this process is as automated as dropshipping.

Dropshipping vs. Private Label

  • Private-label products are sourced directly from manufacturers with customized branding.

  • Private label is more expensive, but also offers better margins, similar to wholesale.

  • With Private label, your product will be unique, and you'll face no competition in the listing if you use Brand Registry.

  • Although it can be expensive at first, private label can be the most profitable strategy in the long term.

Each business model has its advantages, and your choice should align with your interests and resources. Whether you choose dropshipping, wholesale, or private label, your success will depend on your strategy and opportunities.

Amazon FBA vs. Dropshipping

Although these models are similar in that they handle all aspects of fulfillment for you, they differ in several ways. Typically, sellers who choose dropshipping pay attention only to the difference in investment, and may miss out on a number of advantages of FBA. 

Here’s a comparison of FBA and Dropshipping on Amazon:

  • Inventory Management: FBA involves storing your inventory in Amazon's fulfillment centers where Amazon handles storage, packing, and shipping. Dropshipping doesn't require you to store inventory - you fulfill orders directly from suppliers.

  • Inventory Investment: FBA requires a substantial upfront investment in inventory. Dropshipping is more capital-efficient, since you only purchase products when a customer places an order.

  • Shipping and Customer Support: FBA provides Amazon's shipping and customer service support, ensuring fast and reliable delivery. With dropshipping, you are responsible for shipping and customer inquiries, which can vary in quality and speed.

  • Control over Inventory: With FBA, you have more control over product quality, storage, and shipping speed. With drop shipping, you rely on suppliers, which can lead to potential quality and delivery issues.

When it comes to eCommerce, deciding between Amazon FBA and dropshipping hinges on factors like budget, your business model, and your availability to control the selling process. FBA oversees Amazon's logistics but needs inventory investment. Dropshipping is flexible and cost-efficient but has its challenges. Your choice should match your business goals and resources.

FAQ

Is Dropshipping legal on Amazon?

In short, dropshipping on Amazon is legal as long as you follow Amazon's policies and guidelines. 

You'll need to find suppliers who will comply with Amazon’s rules: arrange unique packaging and labeling for you, and manage shipping to your end customer. As long as you follow Amazon's regulations and work with compliant suppliers, you can implement dropshipping on the platform with confidence.

How do you do dropshipping from Amazon?

If you're considering dropshipping, you might want to find products on Amazon and sell them on other platforms. It’s important to mention that there are rules on any dropshipping platform in addition to Amazon, and if you send products with Amazon's label or from someone else's brand, this may be considered a violation of the rules. 

In order to implement dropshipping from Amazon, you can set up integration with platforms (like Shopify) to help you streamline your dropshipping operations. However, remember that your profit margins may be lower here, since most Amazon products are already sold at retail prices and are quite high.

How much does it cost to start dropshipping on Amazon?

It is unlikely that you’ll be able to start without money, but you can work towards minimizing your initial funds.

  • The first product investment: While dropshipping requires less of an investment compared to other business models, you'll still need money to initiate your first order. Set aside at least $200 for this purpose in case any delays occur, and it takes a while to receive payment from your customer.

  • Account plans: You can choose the Individual plan, which allows you to subscribe for free. A Professional Account costs $39.99/month.

  • Amazon charges: Amazon fees are typically 6% to 15% of the item's sale price, depending on the product category. 

  • Advertising costs: The average Pay-Per-Click can range from $0.25 to $3 or more, depending on your product's category and competition.

Is Amazon dropshipping profitable?

Amazon dropshipping can be a profitable venture, but it's important to understand that your margins may be relatively low when compared to other business models. As an intermediary on the dropshipping course, your earnings typically come from a small percentage of the revenue, as you'll need to pay your suppliers for the products.

You can successfully make money through dropshipping on Amazon if you are able to find profitable niches, optimize your listings, and efficiently manage your costs.

Conclusion

Dropshipping on Amazon can be a profitable strategy if it’s done right. However, Amazon’s rules might prevent you from running a traditional dropshipping business, so keep that in mind before you get started. If you plan to drop ship on Amazon, make sure to use dropshipping product research tools to ensure that you find the right products to sell. 

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