Amazon UK remains the largest e-commerce marketplace in Britain. With more than 300 million customers globally and millions of UK Prime members, it’s still the go-to platform for shoppers — and a massive opportunity for sellers.
This guide will show you how to get started, calculate your fees, set up your storefront, and scale your business. We’ll also talk about dropshipping options and the best tools to integrate (including our own free Amazon Fee Calculator).
Why Amazon UK Is a Smart Choice for Sellers
- Huge Built-In Audience: Millions of UK buyers, plus access to EU customers with the right shipping settings.
- Trusted Platform: Amazon handles payments, customer trust, and Prime shipping.
- Multiple Fulfilment Options: FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) or FBM (you ship yourself).
- Global Expansion: Easy to expand to other Amazon marketplaces once you’re established.
Step 1: Meet the Requirements & Create Your Account
Before you can list products, you’ll need:
- A UK or EU bank account for payouts
- A credit/debit card for fees
- Proof of identity (passport, driving licence) and proof of address
- A VAT number if you exceed UK VAT thresholds
Then go to Amazon Seller Central UK and choose between an Individual plan (no monthly fee but £0.75 per item) or Professional plan (£25+VAT per month, unlimited listings).
Affiliate tip: If you already have a Shopify store, you can integrate it with Amazon to manage inventory automatically. Sign up for Shopify here.
Step 2: Decide FBA vs FBM (or Hybrid)
- FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon): Send inventory to Amazon’s warehouses. They store, pack, ship, and handle customer service.
- FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant): You store and ship yourself. Lower fees, more control over packaging.
- Hybrid Model: Many sellers mix FBA for fast movers and FBM for slow movers or bulky items.
Use our free Amazon Fee Calculator to see exactly how each option affects your profit and margin.
Step 3: List Your Products (Optimised for Search)
When adding products:
- Use keyword-rich titles and bullet points.
- Upload high-quality images (white background, multiple angles).
- Fill in all fields (dimensions, weight, compliance).
- Set competitive pricing.
Pro-tool: Use a research tool like Helium10 or Jungle Scout to see what’s selling, track competitors, and find high-demand, low-competition products.
Step 4: Understand the Fees (and Calculate Them)
Here are the core fees you’ll pay on Amazon UK in 2025:
- Referral Fees: 8–15% depending on category.
- FBA Fees: Pick/pack + storage charges per unit.
- Monthly Subscription Fee: £25+VAT if you’re on the Professional plan.
- Closing Fees: £0.50 for media items like books/DVDs.
Rather than guessing, use our Amazon Fee Calculator to plug in your price, cost, and shipping method. You’ll instantly see your net profit, ROI, and margin.
Step 5: Consider Dropshipping (and How It Fits Amazon Rules)
“Dropshipping” means you don’t hold inventory — you list products, and a supplier ships directly to the customer. Amazon does allow dropshipping but only under strict rules:
- You must be the seller of record (your name on the invoice, not the supplier’s).
- You’re responsible for returns and customer service.
- Suppliers must ship on time to maintain your metrics.
Good suppliers for Amazon-compliant dropshipping:
- Alibabafor bulk or private label
- AliExpress for testing products with no MOQ
- CJdropshippingfor faster UK/EU warehouses
For beginners, we recommend either FBA or buying small test batches first, then moving to dropshipping with a trusted supplier.
Step 6: Drive Traffic and Sales
- Amazon PPC (Sponsored Products): Bid on keywords to show up higher in search.
- External Traffic: TikTok, Instagram, YouTube reviews linking to your Amazon listing.
- Affiliate Program: Work with influencers to promote your product (Amazon Attribution can track it).
- Email & SMS: Build your own customer list for off-Amazon marketing.
Step 7: Monitor Your Numbers and Optimise
Check your Amazon Seller Central dashboard weekly:
- Profit & loss per SKU
- Conversion rates
- Inventory health (avoid storage surcharges)
- Customer reviews & feedback
Use the data to tweak pricing, ad spend, and which products to scale.
Recommended Tools & Resources
| Tool | Purpose | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Seller Central | Official platform | sell.amazon.co.uk |
| Amazon Fee Calculator | Calculate profit & fees | Use it here |
| Shopify | Sync products & orders | Sign up here |
| Helium10 | Product research & keyword tracking | Get Helium10 |
| Alibaba | Bulk/private label sourcing | Find suppliers |
| AliExpress | Low-MOQ product testing | Browse here |
| CJdropshipping | UK/EU dropshipping | Join here |
Key Takeaways
- Amazon UK offers massive reach, but fees can eat your profit — use a calculator before you price.
- Choose the fulfilment model that matches your time and budget.
- Dropshipping is possible but must follow Amazon’s policies; start with small test batches.
- External tools like Helium10, Shopify, and Alibaba can save time and increase profit.
With the right preparation and tools, Amazon UK can be a scalable business, whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or a growing brand.
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