How to Sell on Amazon Without Inventory (2025)

TL;DR

• Dropshipping lets suppliers ship directly; no inventory is needed

• Print-on-demand sells custom designs; Amazon prints & ships

• KDP sells eBooks; optimize keywords for passive income

• Arbitrage flips discounts via Amazon FBA for profit

• Wholesale buys in bulk; FBA handles storage & shipping

• Amazon Handmade sells crafts with full creative control

• Affiliate marketing earns commissions by promoting products

Want to start selling on Amazon but don’t want to deal with warehouses, packing boxes, or stocking products? Good news—you don’t have to! In 2025, selling on Amazon without inventory is easier than ever, thanks to innovative business models like dropshipping, print-on-demand, and Amazon’s fulfillment programs.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced entrepreneur looking for a hands-off income stream, this guide will walk you through the best ways to sell on Amazon without ever touching a single product. Ready to learn how? Let’s dive in!

Quick guide

• #1: Dropshipping through third-party suppliers

• #2: Print-on-demand with Amazon Merch

• #3: Selling digital products on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

• #4: Retail and online arbitrage with Amazon FBA

• #5: Using Amazon FBA with wholesalers

• #6: Leveraging Amazon handmade for custom products

• #7: Affiliate marketing with the Amazon Associates program

#1: Dropshipping through third-party suppliers

Dropshipping is one of the easiest ways to sell on Amazon without holding inventory. With this method, you list products on Amazon, but instead of stocking them yourself, you purchase them from a third-party supplier only after a customer places an order. The supplier then ships the product directly to the buyer, eliminating the need for storage, packing, and shipping on your end.

To succeed with dropshipping on Amazon, follow these key steps:

• Find reliable suppliers – Use platforms like AliExpress, SaleHoo, or CJ Dropshipping to source products.

• Ensure supplier compliance – Amazon has strict dropshipping policies. Make sure your supplier does not include their branding or invoices in shipments.

• Optimize product listings – Use SEO-friendly titles, high-quality images, and persuasive descriptions.

• Monitor pricing and competition – Stay competitive by adjusting prices and ensuring profitability.

• Handle customer service professionally – Since you don’t control fulfillment, quick responses to inquiries and issues are crucial.

Dropshipping allows you to sell a variety of products with minimal upfront investment. However, it requires careful supplier selection and ongoing management to maintain high customer satisfaction and avoid account issues with Amazon.

#2: Print-on-demand with Amazon Merch

Amazon Merch on Demand is a great way to sell custom-designed products without holding inventory. With this model, you upload your artwork, and set a price, and Amazon handles the printing, shipping, and customer service. This is perfect for creatives, designers, and entrepreneurs looking for a passive income stream.

To maximize success, follow these steps:

• Apply for Amazon Merch – You need approval to join the program, so submit your application early.

• Create high-quality designs – Use tools like Canva or Adobe Illustrator to make eye-catching artwork.

• Research profitable niches – Look for trending topics, popular slogans, or evergreen designs.

• Optimize your listings – Use SEO-friendly titles and descriptions to improve visibility.

• Utilize Amazon consulting services – Professional consultants can help with design strategy, keyword optimization, and scaling your Merch business.

Print-on-demand eliminates inventory risks and allows you to focus on creativity and marketing. By leveraging Amazon consulting services, you can refine your approach, increase sales, and stay ahead of trends in the competitive marketplace.

#3: Selling digital products on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) allows you to sell digital products like eBooks and low-content books without inventory. This is a profitable option for writers, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to create passive income through digital content. With KDP, you upload your book once, and Amazon handles the sales, delivery, and royalties.

Key steps to succeed with KDP:

• Choose a profitable niche – Research trending topics, self-help guides, workbooks, or children’s books.

• Write or outsource content – Create high-quality content yourself or hire a writer via platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.

• Format professionally – Use tools like Kindle Create or Vellum for clean formatting.

• Design an eye-catching cover – A professional cover significantly impacts sales. Use Canva or hire a designer.

• Optimize with keywords – Use Amazon SEO strategies to improve discoverability.

• Promote your book – Leverage social media, email marketing, and Amazon ads to boost visibility.

Selling digital products through KDP requires no upfront investment, making it a low-risk way to generate income. With the right strategy and Amazon ranking optimization, you can build a successful book business and enjoy long-term passive earnings.

#4: Retail and online arbitrage with Amazon FBA

Retail and online arbitrage involve buying discounted products from retail stores or online marketplaces and reselling them on Amazon for a profit. By leveraging Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon), sellers can store their inventory in Amazon’s warehouses, where Amazon handles packing, shipping, and customer service.

Steps to succeed with arbitrage:

• Source discounted products – Look for clearance deals at stores like Walmart, and Target, or online platforms like eBay.

• Use scanning apps – Tools like Amazon Seller App or Scoutify help analyze profitability and competition.

• Check Amazon restrictions – Ensure the products are ungated and eligible for resale.

• List and ship to FBA – Create product listings and send inventory to Amazon fulfillment centers.

• Monitor pricing and adjust – Use repricing tools to stay competitive and maximize profits.

This method allows you to start selling with minimal investment, but it requires consistent product sourcing and price monitoring. With Amazon FBA handling logistics, you can scale your business efficiently without worrying about storage or shipping.

#5: Using Amazon FBA with wholesalers

Selling on Amazon through wholesale means purchasing products in bulk from authorized suppliers and reselling them for a profit. This method provides more stability than dropshipping or arbitrage since you're sourcing directly from manufacturers or distributors. By leveraging Amazon FBA, you can store your products in Amazon’s warehouses, where Amazon handles shipping and customer service.

Key steps to succeed with wholesale on Amazon:

• Find reliable wholesalers – Use directories like SaleHoo, Alibaba, or direct brand partnerships.

• Ensure brand approval – Some products require authorization to resell on Amazon.

• Conduct an Amazon account audit – Regularly review your seller account for compliance, performance metrics, and profitability.

• Send inventory to FBA – Proper labeling and packaging ensure smooth fulfillment.

• Monitor pricing and competition – Use automated repricing tools to stay competitive.

Wholesale selling requires upfront investment but offers more scalability and predictable profits. Conducting an Amazon account audit helps maintain account health, avoid penalties, and optimize performance for long-term success.

#6: Leveraging Amazon handmade for custom products

Amazon Handmade is a great platform for artisans and crafters who want to sell unique, handcrafted products without maintaining large inventories. Unlike traditional Amazon selling, Handmade focuses on custom and made-to-order items, giving sellers more control over pricing and production.

Key steps to succeed with Amazon Handmade:

• Apply for Amazon Handmade – Approval is required, so provide details about your handmade process.

• Create high-quality, unique products – Focus on craftsmanship and niche appeal.

• Optimize product listings – Use clear images, detailed descriptions, and relevant keywords.

• Offer customization options – Personalized products tend to sell well and attract repeat customers.

• Manage production time efficiently – Since items are handmade, timely fulfillment is crucial.

Selling on Amazon Handmade allows artisans to reach a global audience while maintaining full creative control. By optimizing listings and streamlining production, you can turn your craft into a profitable business.

#7: Affiliate marketing with the Amazon Associates program

Amazon Associates is an easy way to make money without managing inventory. This affiliate marketing program allows you to earn commissions by promoting Amazon products through your website, blog, social media, or YouTube channel. Every time someone clicks your unique affiliate link and makes a purchase, you earn a percentage of the sale.

Key steps to succeed with Amazon Associates:

• Sign up for the program – Join for free on the Amazon Associates website.

• Choose a profitable niche – Focus on topics with high-demand products, like tech, home gadgets, or fitness.

• Create valuable content – Write product reviews, comparison articles, or gift guides.

• Drive traffic to your links – Use SEO, social media, and email marketing to attract visitors.

• Follow Amazon’s guidelines – Ensure compliance to avoid account suspension.

Affiliate marketing with Amazon is a passive income opportunity that requires little investment. With the right content strategy and consistent traffic, you can build a steady revenue stream over time.

Wrapping it up

Selling on Amazon without inventory is possible and highly profitable with the right approach. Whether you choose dropshipping, print-on-demand, digital products, arbitrage, wholesale, handmade crafts, or affiliate marketing, each method offers unique advantages. Success depends on research, optimization, and updating Amazon’s policies.

For those looking to scale faster, the best Amazon consultants can provide expert guidance on product selection, listing optimization, and account management. Their insights can help you avoid pitfalls, maximize profits, and streamline operations. You can build a thriving Amazon business without ever handling inventory by leveraging the right strategies and professional support.