Billions of dollars worth of health, beauty and personal care products are sold online in the United States every year. Vitamins and supplements have become one of the fastest-growing categories of products on Amazon. If you are wondering, “Can I sell supplements on Amazon?” this guide can help you get started.
Signing Up for an Amazon Seller Account
One of the first things you need to do is sign up for an Amazon seller account. There are two main options. Individual seller accounts don’t have a monthly fee, but you must pay $0.99 for each sale. This may not be ideal if you are selling a high volume of lower-priced products.
Your other option is a professional account. The pro account costs $39.99 per month, but there is no per sale transaction fee. With both types of accounts, you pay an 8% referral fee for products priced at $10 or less and 15% for products over $10.
Following Rules and Regulations
Because vitamins and supplements can impact the health of the consumer, Amazon has strict requirements that all sellers must meet to sell them. Meeting these requirements is essential for anyone wondering, “Can I sell supplements on Amazon?”
Product and Ingredients:
- Must comply with Amazon policies
- Must comply with federal, state and local laws
- Must not be subject to a recall or safety alert
- Cannot contain FDA-prohibited ingredients
- Must have a remaining shelf life of the consumption period plus 90 days
- Cannot be identified as misbranded or adulterated by the FDA
- Must not contain any controlled substance
Packaging Requirements for Supplements:
- Must be in new, unused condition
- Must be sealed in the original manufacturer’s packaging
- Must display the manufacturer or distributor codes
Labeling Requirements
- Have English language labels that include the name of the dietary supplement, a supplements facts panel, total quantity, name and address of the packer, manufacturer or distributor and ingredients list
- Must not claim that products cure, treat, prevent or mitigate any disease unless that claim is FDA approved
- Label and product page cannot state that the product is a “tester” or “not for retail sale”
- Must not use the FDA logo or claim FDA approval
Detail Page
- Product detail pages must include the name of the supplement and an ingredient list.
- Product detail pages must have an image of the product ingredient list from the label.
- Product listings cannot use disease names as keywords or claim that products mimic the effect of anabolic steroids.
Qualifying for the FBA Seller Program
Sellers of supplements who want to utilize the Fulfilled by Amazon program must meet specific requirements to qualify:
- Have a professional seller account
- Submit a qualified invoice from a supplement manufacturer or distributor
- Send photos of the product
- Submit either a Certificate of Analysis, 510(K) Premarket Notification, Good Manufacturing Practice Certificate or a screenshot of FDA registration
Finding a Private Label Supplement Manufacturer
Once you have familiarized yourself with Amazon’s rules, the next step to selling supplements on Amazon is to find a private label supplement manufacturer. First, make a list of products you are interested in selling and then pare it down to a realistic number of products.
Consider whether you want to sell both vitamins and supplements and whether you plan to sell a general collection of products or specialize in a specific niche, such as fitness-related products or herbal supplements.
Once you have your list of products, start researching companies that sell them. Look for trade shows you can attend. Research suppliers in the United States and overseas. Ask each supplier for a list of all the products it sells that includes both regular and wholesale pricing, minimum order quantities and shipping discounts.
Look for manufacturers that are compliant with Good Manufacturing Practice and Food and Drug Administration requirements. The company should also be registered with the National Sanitation Foundation. Choose suppliers that have experience shipping with Fulfillment by Amazon.
Some suppliers can ship your products directly to Amazon’s fulfillment centers which can save you the expense of paying for shipping twice.
Creating a Brand Concept
The next step is to create your brand. First, you need a brand vision that will guide your choice of logo, product labels, product name, packaging and bottles. Choose a product name that is short, easy to pronounce and relevant to your target market. Ask your manufacturers to send you samples to use for marketing and testing purposes. Once you have established your brand, make sure it is consistent for every product you sell.
Marketing Your Products
Building trust is very important when you are selling products that affect people’s health. You need to establish your credentials and level of expertise on your website, Amazon seller’s profile and social media accounts.
Research the needs of your target market and find creative ways to market the ways that your products can meet these needs. There are thousands of supplements on the market, so you need to find ways to make yours stand out.
Create or hire someone to create a high-quality logo. Use professional-looking images on all of your product listings and marketing materials. Utilize social media to drive traffic to your Amazon site.
Focus on educating your customers about the benefits of the products you sell. Make sure your labels and listings clearly explain all of the ingredients and answer common questions.
Working With Click Fluency
Answering the question, “Can I sell supplements on Amazon?” can be challenging due to the strict requirements and the high level of competition. However, once you establish yourself as an authority in the industry, there are many opportunities for profit.
The team at Click Fluency can help you optimize your Amazon account and boost your brand with our professional advertising services. Contact us to find out how to get started.
Sources
https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/help/external/G201829010?language=en_US
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/it-really-fda-approved