How to start selling on Amazon India: accounts, documents, listings and fulfilment

Before you register: decide what you will sell

The easiest mistake is to open an account first and think about the product later. Start with the product. Who buys it, what do competing sellers charge, what will it cost after marketplace fees, shipping and returns, and do you have the right to sell it? A product with a thin margin and high return rates can be a poor first choice, even if demand is high.

Check whether the category needs approval or extra documents. Some categories are restricted, and branded products usually need proof that the brand is yours or that you are authorised to sell it. Amazon lists current requirements in Seller Central, so confirm there before ordering stock.

What you need to register

Requirements can change, so treat this list as a preparation guide and check Seller Central for the current version. Most sellers are asked for the following.

• A GST registration number, in most cases (some sellers of GST-exempt goods may register differently)
• PAN of the business or proprietor
• A bank account in the business or proprietor's name
• ID and address proof of the authorised person
• A mobile number and email address you will keep long term
• Pickup and return address details
• Brand and product documents where the category requires them

Choosing how products are fulfilled

Amazon offers several ways to deliver orders, and the choice affects cost, speed and workload. In a seller-fulfilled model you store, pack and ship the product yourself or through a courier. Some programmes let Amazon's delivery network collect from you while you handle packing. In Fulfilled by Amazon, you send stock to Amazon's warehouses and Amazon stores, packs and delivers it.

Each model has trade-offs. Handling shipping yourself keeps you flexible but demands quick dispatch. Using Amazon's fulfilment can improve delivery speed and customer trust but adds inbound shipping and storage costs. Compare the fee structures in Seller Central for your category, and begin with the option you can run reliably.

Listing basics that affect sales

A good listing helps customers decide and helps Amazon understand what you sell. Write a clear title using the words buyers search, add useful bullet points, fill in the product attributes and upload images that show the product from several angles. The main image usually has to follow Amazon's rules, such as a plain background, so check the image guidelines for your category.

Be accurate. Claims about materials, size, certifications or compatibility that turn out to be wrong cause returns, bad reviews and sometimes policy action. If a product has variants such as sizes or colours, set them up as variations so customers can choose within one page.

• Title: brand, product type, key feature, size or quantity
• Bullets: the benefits a buyer cares about, in plain words
• Images: several angles, scale, packaging and use
• Description and enhanced content when available to your account
• Correct category, barcode and attributes

Price with the full cost in mind

Work out your margin before you set a price. Include the product cost, packaging, referral and closing fees, fulfilment or shipping cost, expected returns, GST and any advertising. Amazon publishes fee schedules, and the exact numbers differ by category and size, so calculate with the figures for your product rather than a rule of thumb.

Sellers sometimes match the lowest competitor price without checking their costs and discover later that they lose money on each order. Price to a margin you can sustain, then compete on listing quality, delivery speed and reviews.

Your first month: what to focus on

In the first weeks, the priority is to ship on time, answer messages quickly and keep your account health in good order. Advertising can help new products get seen, but it should start small and be reviewed weekly. Adding many products at once makes it harder to catch mistakes, so launch a small range and improve it before expanding.

• Dispatch within the promised time and use valid tracking
• Respond to buyer messages promptly
• Watch returns and the reasons customers give
• Start advertising with a limited budget and review search terms weekly
• Keep invoices and purchase proof for every product

How MarkeTech helps new Amazon sellers

We help with account setup, document preparation, listing creation, advertising and account health. We cannot promise sales, because that depends on product, price and competition, but we can help you avoid the setup and listing mistakes that cost new sellers time. Read our ecommerce seller services page or call +91 9717950166.