What does it cost to start Amazon wholesale?
By The Wholesale Method team. Reviewed September 28, 2026.
1. Business setup
- Forming a business entity and any state filing fees (varies by state).
- A business bank account.
- A resale certificate or sales tax registration, which many suppliers ask for before opening an account.
- Optional: an accountant to set up your books correctly.
2. Amazon's selling plan
Amazon offers two plans. The Individual plan charges per item sold, and the Professional plan charges a monthly subscription. As of September 28, 2026, Amazon lists the Individual plan at $0.99 per item sold and the Professional plan at $39.99 per month. (Amazon pricing) Most wholesale sellers use the Professional plan because of the tools it includes. Check Amazon's page for current prices.
3. Amazon's per-sale fees
- Referral fee: a percentage of each sale, set by category. Amazon says most categories fall between 8% and 15%, with a minimum fee per item. (Amazon pricing)
- Fulfillment fees: if you use Fulfillment by Amazon, a fee per unit based on size and weight, plus monthly storage fees. Amazon's revenue calculator estimates these for a specific product. (Amazon pricing)
- Optional costs: advertising and other services cost extra.
These fees come out of every sale, so they belong in your per-unit math, not your startup budget alone.
4. Your first inventory
This is usually the biggest number, and it is set by:
- Minimum order quantities. Many suppliers require a minimum order, either in units or dollars. Amazon recommends confirming this up front. (Amazon wholesale guidance)
- How many products you start with. Fewer products means less money at risk while you learn.
- Shipping to Amazon and prep costs, such as labels and packaging.
Amazon's advice is to buy enough to benefit from the wholesale discount without buying more than you can sell. (Amazon wholesale guidance)
5. Tools and services
- Product research software (often a monthly subscription).
- A repricing tool if you share listings with other sellers.
- Bookkeeping software.
- Optional: a prep center to receive and prepare stock.
6. Cash reserve
Keep money aside for things that go wrong and for reorders. Amazon pays out on a schedule, and money spent on stock is tied up until it sells. Running out of cash for a reorder on a product that is working is one of the most frustrating early mistakes.
Budget checklist
| Budget line | One-time or ongoing | Your number |
|---|---|---|
| Business setup and filings | One-time | |
| Amazon selling plan | Ongoing monthly | |
| First inventory order(s) | One-time, then reorders | |
| Shipping and prep to Amazon | Per shipment | |
| Research and repricing software | Ongoing monthly | |
| Bookkeeping | Ongoing monthly | |
| Cash reserve | Held back | |
| Education or coaching (optional) | Varies |
Business setup and filings
- One-time or ongoing
- One-time
- Your number
Amazon selling plan
- One-time or ongoing
- Ongoing monthly
- Your number
First inventory order(s)
- One-time or ongoing
- One-time, then reorders
- Your number
Shipping and prep to Amazon
- One-time or ongoing
- Per shipment
- Your number
Research and repricing software
- One-time or ongoing
- Ongoing monthly
- Your number
Bookkeeping
- One-time or ongoing
- Ongoing monthly
- Your number
Cash reserve
- One-time or ongoing
- Held back
- Your number
Education or coaching (optional)
- One-time or ongoing
- Varies
- Your number
Copy this table and fill in your own numbers before committing to anything.
Education and coaching are a separate line
If you pay for education or coaching, keep that cost separate from inventory money. A program fee does not buy stock, and your inventory budget should not shrink to pay for a program. You can start learning with free material, including our free training and Amazon Seller University.
Next step
Run the numbers for one example product using the table in What is Amazon wholesale?, then book a call if you want to talk through a realistic starting budget for your situation.