You wonder how to sell on Amazon as an individual? This is exactly what we explore in this guide!
Discover the prerequisites and key steps to start your adventure as a seller on the most famous marketplace in the world. From creating your account to promotion techniques, including choosing products and tax obligations, you will know everything about creating a private seller account on Amazon!
Can you sell on Amazon as an individual?
Selling on Amazon does not necessarily require being a formally established business. Future entrepreneurs can begin their commercial journey as individuals, to test their skills, as well as their e-commerce project.
The differences between a personal and professional account
Seller accounts on Amazon are divided into two categories: individual and professional.
Choosing an individual account eliminates monthly subscription fees. To this end, it is aimed at people who wish to sell products occasionally. In any case, private stores are limited to 40 items per month.
If you have a lot of products to sell on a regular basis, you will need to opt for a professional account. The latter allows unlimited sales and provides access to advanced analytical tools.
Tax obligations for online sales as an individual
Selling on Amazon as an individual must be done within the tax framework. Depending on the nature and frequency of your sales, certain guidelines apply:
Occasional sale of personal property
You organize a closet clearance, you sell your old DVDs, books, furniture, etc. or you recover items that you want to get rid of (following an inheritance, for example), then these sales are considered as management of your private assets.
There is no need to declare them for taxes or register in the commercial register.
However, there are two exceptions:
- Precious metals, jewelry, art objects, collectibles or antiques, whose price is above €5,000, are subject to the social debt repayment contribution (CRDS) at a rate of 0.5%.
- All other goods with a sale price greater than €5,000 (excluding household appliances or automobiles) are subject to social security contributions on property income at a rate of 15.5% on the capital gain realized.
Buying/reselling for profit
As an individual, you cannot buy products with the intention of reselling them afterwards. The same goes for your own creations (jewelry, paintings, customized furniture, flocked t-shirts, etc.). These activities are considered professional.
You must declare yourself either as a micro-entrepreneur or as a self-employed worker on the website formalites.entreprises.gouv.fr.
Concrete examples of selling as an individual
Here are some situations to better understand:
- You sell your old school books or already read novels → occasional sale (non-taxable)
- You sort through your wardrobe and resell your clothes → OK
- You inherit furniture and resell part of it → OK
- You buy products at a flea market to resell them at a higher price → No, commercial activity
- You make personalized jewelry or t-shirts → No, professional activity
As soon as there is intention to make a profit on a regular basisyou must create a status (micro-enterprise for example).
How to create an account to sell on Amazon as an individual?
How to sell on Amazon as an individual? By registering via the Amazon Seller Central platform.
You will be asked to provide information such as your contact details, banking details for transactions, as well as valid proof of identity.
The decision between opening a personal or business account is guided by your business goals and expected trading volume. Refer to our previous advice to choose the option that suits you.
Authorized products and the limits of sale as an individual
On Amazon, private sellers can offer a wide range of products, whether new or used. However, there are restrictions applicable to certain categories of goods, such as fine art, stamps, collectibles, jewelry, large household appliances, health products, etc.
Some items in these sections require prior approval from Amazon to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.
Regarding costs, selling as an individual on Amazon involves a fixed fee of €0.99 per item sold, as well as a commission on the sale price, which generally varies between 6% and 45%, depending on the product category. These fees include transaction management and access to Amazon's vast customer networks.
Subscribe to Amazon's delivery service as an individual
Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) offers individual sellers a logistics option that seems attractive. Using FBA, you store your products in Amazon's fulfillment centers, which then takes care of packaging, shipping, and customer service. Subcontracting which relieves sellers of numerous logistical responsibilities. However, like any service, FBA has a cost!
Associated fees include monthly storage costs and per-item handling fees, which may vary depending on product volume and dimensions. Although Fulfillment by Amazon can increase the visibility and credibility of your offerings, including eligibility for Prime shipping, these benefits must be weighed against operational costs.
As a private seller, it will surely be more profitable to send your products yourself, in order to control shipping costs.
How to promote your Amazon store as an individual?
How to sell on Amazon successfully as an individual? Here are different methods to promote your store and quickly sell out your inventory:
Optimize your Amazon product listings
On Amazon, visibility does not depend solely on external promotion. It is essential to optimize your product sheets to appear in search results:
- A clear title with keywords (ex: “Used Harry Potter book in good condition”)
- Of the quality photos (neutral background, good light)
- A detailed and honest description
- The good choice of category
A well-optimized listing can generate sales without advertising.
“Family” social networks
Facebook and Instagram are ideal platforms to showcase your products to your loved ones. A particularly effective strategy if you sell cultural products or clothing, because your friends certainly share your tastes.
Furthermore, your family and close circle will be inclined to share your items with their networks, thus increasing the visibility of your store tenfold, without spending a cent!
Word of mouth
Word of mouth remains a powerful tool to sell on Amazon as an individual. Talk about your products around you, with your colleagues, your friends, your teammates… If your articles interest them, they will take a look at your e-commerce. If applicable, they can recommend your offers to their friends and family.
Furthermore, after the first sales, encourage your customers to share their positive experiences on Amazon. Visitors to the marketplace often check reviews to ensure the quality of the products and the reliability of the seller.
Online forums and niche groups
Look for forums or Facebook groups bringing together potential customers. For example, if you sell games for old consoles, find sites where enthusiasts of vintage consoles and games exchange good deals.
These discussion spaces are perfect for presenting your products, increasing your visibility with a qualified target and selling your items more quickly.
Selling on Amazon as an individual: what to remember
Selling on Amazon without being a professional is entirely possible, provided you respect certain rules. It is an excellent solution for:
- empty your cupboards
- test a business idea
- gradually launch into e-commerce
However, as soon as your activity becomes regular or lucrative, it is essential to create a suitable status.
Finally, to maximize your chances of success, remember to take care of your product sheets, your pricing and your visibility.
Do you want to go further and boost your sales on Amazon? Call on a marketing or e-commerce expert on Codeur.com to support you effectively.