Introducción
Selling dietary supplements on Amazon can be a profitable business opportunity. The platform is well recognized for its worldwide reach and established reputation. Through it, you can access various audiences looking to buy supplements.
As a supplement seller, the platform gives you the chance of your business’s amplification. Here, we’ll deeply explore how you can sell nutritional supplements on Amazon.
That includes getting approval on Amazon. We’ll also provide tips for a fruitful supplement business on the platform and respond to often-asked inquiries about selling supplements on Amazon.
Let’s get started.
Selling supplements on Amazon
As you see, dietary supplements continue to witness elevated popularity globally. It’s especially after the recent pandemic, with people giving more priority to health and well-being.
Accordingly, the worldwide nutritional supplement market size was estimated at USD 86.77 billion in 2023. It’s expected to grow from USD 93.46 billion (in 2024) to USD 182.52 billion (by 2032). It’s at the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.73% during 2024-2032.
Amazon is the principal online marketplace in the world. One of its renowned and competing categories is Health & Personal Care. It especially comprises dietary supplements. Several supplement fabrication companies, brands and independent sellers sell nutritional supplements on Amazon.
You may know that Amazon has an established trust and global reach. It provides an ideal opportunity to enter the high-demand supplement market. It’s also an easy way to approach customers.
Amazon dietary supplement policy: what supplement types are covered?
According to Amazon, consumers take dietary supplements to supplement their diets. These can comprise vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs, etc. They come in differing forms, e.g., capsules, tablets, liquids, powders, softgels etc.
Amazon’s guidelines state that dietary supplements should stringently follow ingredient and labeling requirements. For instance, consider the USA. Here, the FDA governs these products per the FFDCA (Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act). Both the FDA and Amazon aim to ensure the safety of the products. They should also be devoid of adverse ingredients.
Benefits of Selling Nutritional Supplements on Amazon
These are the key upsides of selling supplements on Amazon:
- Amazon provides a swift way to approach health-conscious shoppers worldwide.
- Customers trust Amazon for being reliable and of high quality. That can elevate the reputation of your dietary supplement brand.
- The platform’s ad tools allow sellers to aim for particular health and well-being audiences. That increases the visibility of the products.
- FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) sellers can fully use Amazon’s logistics network. That allows for swift and reliable delivery.
- The platform gives valued insights into customer behavior and sales. That helps you to improve your strategy.
Challenges of Selling Nutritional Supplements on Amazon
Despite the benefits, selling supplements on Amazon has its share of challenges. These are:
- The stringent and frequently updated policies of Amazon can result in unfavorable outcomes. That implies failure in compliance leads to instant listing removal.
- The platform’s supplement category is greatly saturated. That can pose difficulties for new sellers to rise without solid branding.
- Effectual branding is required to distinguish your product from several similar listings on Amazon.
- Advertising and selling products in the supplement category can be pricey. It’s true, especially when there’s enormous competition from already established brands.
- There are routine updates to Amazon’s health product policies. That necessitates sellers to check them, adapt and be compliant.
Grasping the Guidelines and Compliance for Selling Supplements on Amazon
As stated before, a major difficulty is complying with Amazon’s stringent, constantly evolving policies. You must know the guidelines, including fulfilling FDA requirements and Amazon’s labeling standards. It aids in making certain continual, uninterrupted sales.
Amazon’s Regulations and Requirements
The following are some imperative requirements for selling supplements on Amazon:
FDA Compliance and cGMP Standards
For selling dietary supplements, Amazon requires that products fulfill FDA regulations. It’s per the FFDCA (Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act). It also includes the fabrication of products in facilities fulfilling cGMPs (Current Good Manufacturing Practices) standards.
The motive is to ensure that supplement products are reliably safe and labeled precisely.
Third-Party Testing and Verification
Sellers must carry out yearly third-party testing on their supplement products. The aim is to confirm:
- product quality
- ingredient accuracy
- purity
According to Amazon, such testing should be conducted by accredited agencies like Eurofins or NSF. The results must be submitted through the Manage Your Compliance dashboard. The aim is to confirm the following:
- Products are devoid of contaminants (like heavy metals)
- They comprise only the listed ingredients
- They are devoid of pharmaceutical ingredients not declared
Labeling and Health Claims
The online marketplace upholds stringent rules about product labeling. The label of supplements must comprise the following:
- Completed facts panel with ingredients
- Clearly identifiable statements, along with FDA disclaimers
- Applicable product warnings
Note that labels shouldn’t contain disease claims or illegitimate health advantages. As per Amazon’s policies, these are strictly forbidden. Dietary supplements that assert preventing or curing diseases face instant listing removal.
Screening for Certain Supplement Types
There necessitates further screening for dietary supplements in kinds like that related to:
- Bodybuilding
- Sexual enhancement
- Managing weight
It’s to ensure they are free of adulterants.
Amazon’s policies make such testing mandatory for particular contaminants. It’s as detailed in reputable standards like NSF guidelines. It’s to ensure consumer safety.
Consequences of Non-compliance
Another aspect to understand is non-compliance with Amazon’s nutritional supplement policy. It can result in instant removals and further actions relative to the seller’s account.
Amazon provides sellers with a corrective process if products fail to fulfill standards and policies. Thus, they can work out issues and then resubmit for approval. The aim is to uphold compliance.
Finding High-Demand Supplements to Sell on Amazon
You should have grasped Amazon’s compliance requirements by now. The next move is to find high-demand, profitable supplements to sell. Research tools focused on Amazon can make this procedure simpler. They aid in finding best-selling supplements on Amazon with great customer interest and feasible competition.
For this purpose, you can use tools like Helium 10 and Jungle Scout. They allow you to filter high-performance supplements in Amazon’s Health & Personal Care category. Thus, you can find high-demand, low-competition supplements with continuous positive reviews.
As a result, you can narrow down favorable products. Then, use a product tracker tool, e.g., within Helium 10 and Jungle Scout. It’s to keep an eye on their performance with time.
Here, you can track metrics like pricing strategies and periodical trends. It allows you to refine your pickings. Thus, you can focus on supplement products with the ideal potential for consistent success.
Finding Reliable Supplement Manufacturers for Your Amazon Business
Finding a reliable supplement manufacturer for your supplement business at Amazon is paramount. It’s due to maintaining the high quality and safety of the supplement you sell. Furthermore, it’s also because of the industry’s stringent regulatory requirements.
Look for the following when finding a manufacturer:
- Ensure the fabricator adheres to cGMP standards and other quality-control certifications.
- Look for fabricators with a great industry standard. They should have an established record in fabricating supplements.
- Ensure the manufacturer provides precise documentation like ingredient-sourcing data.
- Ensure that the manufacturers understand and follow Amazon and FDA standards for supplements.
Nutrición is among the prominent dietary supplement fabricators worldwide. We have more than 30 years of experience in contract supplement manufacturing and focus on custom and private-label manufacturing.
We fabricate supplements in wide-ranging forms like gominolas, cápsulas, tabletas, cápsulas blandas y powder. All our products undertake stringent quality control testing.
Furthermore, we have certifications like
- Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
- FDA certification
- FSSC22000 (Certificación del sistema de seguridad alimentaria)
- HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point)
All these certifications affirm our commitment to make quality supplements products.
How to Get Approval to Sell Nutritional Supplements on Amazon
You see that Amazon regards the supplement industry as a gated category. Products in such categories are sensitive or exclusive. These products need further documentation and validation. The aim is to prevent counterfeits. It’s to make sure customers are at peace of mind when ordering supplements from Amazon.
Thus, you must satisfy all requirements for seller policies and navigate the approval steps correctly. This ensures that your products meet Amazon’s stringent policies from day one.
Path to Obtain Approval to Sell Supplements on Amazon
Here are the pivotal steps to get approval to sell nutritional supplements on Amazon:
1. Gather Necessary Documents
First, you need to collect imperative documents, such as proof of Good Manufacturing Practices compliance. You must also have third-party testing certifications.
Amazon needs documentation that proves that products are fabricated in an FDA-complaint facility.
2. Complete Third-Party Testing
Amazon makes it mandatory that all supplements undergo testing from a validated third-party lab, e.g., NSF. As stated before, this testing validates that your products meet Amazon’s requirements for:
- Accuracy of ingredients
- Non-existence of contaminants
- Right labeling
The records of these tests will be submitted as part of the approval process.
3. Accurately Label Your Products
Make certain that your products specify the following:
- Clear facts panel
- Necessary FDA disclaimers
- Ingredient list
Keep away from claims related to diseases or health benefits not validated by the FDA. Amazon stringently forbids them on supplement listings.
4. Submit an Application Through Seller Central
Sign into your Amazon seller account on Amazon’s Seller Central. Then, head over to the Manage Your Compliance dashboard. Here, you can initiate the process. It’s done by submitting the necessary documentation, determining third-party testing outcomes, and labeling. Amazon will review them.
5. Follow up with Amazon’s compliance team
You should follow up with Amazon’s compliance team and monitor your account carefully. If additional documents are requested, provide them on time to avoid delays.
Eventually, Amazon will confirm that all requirements have been met. Thus, you’ll be approved to list and sell your dietary supplements.
6. Prepare for continuing compliance
Lastly, prepare for continuing compliance to elude disruption to your supplement listings. For this, Amazon necessitates annual re-validation of supplement products. Thus, you should get new tests done appropriately and submit updated documentation yearly.
What to do if your supplement listing on Amazon is rejected
Like with many sellers, Amazon may reject your supplement listing. It’s possible to tackle the issues and then reapply. Here are the vital steps to deal with this:
1. Understand the reason for rejection
Firstly, you must carefully understand and examine the reason for rejection. Amazon will typically specify it. It could be owing to policy violations, faults in labeling or lack of documentation.
By carefully reviewing these details, you can effectively deal with each problem.
2. Address compliance and documentation issues
Next, all pivotal documents must be updated to meet Amazon’s standards. These can comprise:
- GMP certifications
- Third-Party testing results
- Precise labeling
Make certain your documentation is complete, valid and as per FDA guidelines.
3. Adjust labels and claims if necessary
Further, verify that your supplement product’s label follows Amazon policies. It’s especially inclusive of:
- Displaying FDA disclaimers
- Leaving out unvalidated disease or health claims
- Listing Ingredients
Your rejection might have been due to a labeling violation. In that case, ensure your label displays exact information. It’s to fulfill Amazon’s and the FDA’s rules and standards.
4. Take responsibility in your appeal
You should acknowledge your mistakes and take responsibility in your appeal. Be transparent about the issue. Elucidate why it occurred and describe the problem-solving steps in your appeal.
Hence, Amazon typically responds better and appreciates sellers who clearly understand its policies.
5. Submit your amendment request and monitor account health
Lastly, resubmit your amendment request application through the Manage Your Compliance dashboard. Then, monitor your account health to avoid any future issues.
15 tips for selling dietary supplements on Amazon
As you know, selling supplements on Amazon is highly competitive. Hence, there are differing approaches you can follow for a fruitful supplement business on Amazon. Some prominent of these are:
1. Strategic timing of launches
You can successfully launch your supplement at a strategic time, like around the New Year. Such a time spurs many customers to make wellness resolutions and explore supplements. Thus, January is an ideal month for elevated customer demand and visibility.
2. Use competitive pricing
Price can be a key distinct factor when starting a new supplement brand. Launch with competitive pricing. It’s to begin initial sales, enhance your BSR (Best Seller Rank) and build a strong organic ranking.
That will be advantageous for your brand in the long run.
3. Sign up for Subscribe and Save
You can also enroll in Amazon’s Subscribe and Save program. This program facilitates repeat customers by offering a 5-10% discount on repeat orders.
Hence, supplement products with 10% discounts have around double the conversions. This aids in building long-term customer loyalty.
4. Use targeted promotions
You can employ targeted promotions or discounts on the platform. It allows cart abandoners or occasional one-time buyers to be converted into constant customers. These promotions let them complete purchases and lead to raise loyalty to your brand.
5. Consider Vine reviews
Consider Amazon Vine, which is a pioneering review program for sellers. It allows sellers on the platform to build trust and reputation quickly. It will enable the gathering of unbiased reviews for those enrolled for pre-release or newly-introduced products. It’s further advantageous for dietary supplements showing rapid results.
6. Optimize your main image
You must create and optimize your main image that displays vital information. It could be the supplement’s advantages and potency (like 1000mg) in bold fonts and noticeable numbers.
Details that are easily read and large-sized increase CTR (Click-Through Rate). It lets your supplement product stand out from others.
- Display a supplement form
You must display the supplement form (like powder, gummy or pill) in your images. It aids in setting clear-cut expectations and builds credibility.
In this way, customers will be aware of what they are purchasing. It aids in improving CTR by attracting knowledgeable customers.
8. Emphasize a compelling USP
Emphasize a unique selling point (USP) to boost the supplement’s psychological appeal. For instance, numbers like “10x Strength” appeal to buyers looking for valuable options.
You can raise engagement by emphasizing aspects like potency and making your listing distinct.
9. Offer unique product features
Another useful tip for selling supplements on Amazon is to offer unique product features. They could range from raised potency to unique flavors.
Such features make your product valuable and attract health-focused shoppers.
10. Display ingredients clearly
Display a thorough ingredient list on both your images and supplement labels. That raises trust, aiding buyers in getting informed and engaging more with your listing.
11. Place keywords on tags
Place the main keywords in clear, large text on the label or tag. It captures the attention of shoppers searching for specific dietary supplements.
12. Use AI tools
You can further use Al tools (e.g., Perplexity). The motive is to verify that your product category has the potential to raise growth. You can also confirm that the category is minimally saturated. It aids in identifying low-competition product categories with elevated interest.
13. Use Amazon PPC
Amazon PPC is short for Amazon Pay-per-Click. It’s an advertising model that lets sellers boost their product sales online.
Here, you can bid on relevant keywords. The goal is to attract more clicks, raise conversions and enhance your Best Seller-Rank. It aids in organic sales growth in the long run.
14. Optimize pricing
Yet another tip for selling nutritional supplements on Amazon is to optimize pricing. You should set a price that’s within the average in the market for identical products. It aids in maintaining competitiveness and matching the expectations of customers.
Further, research the prices of competitors to avoid over- or under-pricing.
15. Remove A+ Content
Lastly, you must also remove A+ content from your supplement listing. It’s owing to stringent compliance checks. Simplify the listing’s content to reduce the chances of listing suspension owing to policy suspensions.
FAQs about selling supplements on Amazon
Do supplements require third-party testing?
Amazon’s updated policy necessitates verifying dietary supplements through a TIC (third-party testing, inspection and certification) organization. That move aims to lift the quality and safety assurance of supplements. Thus, it’s pivotal for sellers to make certain their listings persist on the platform.
Can I sell nutritional supplements on Amazon?
You can sell nutritional supplements on Amazon. It necessitates fulfilling dietary supplement policies and applicable FDA regulations. Before approval, the supplements must have the correct ingredient information and accurate labeling and documentation.
What product types are counted as dietary supplements?
Dietary supplements are products that are purposeful in supplementing the diet. These can include:
- Vitaminas
- Minerales
- Hierbas
- Enzymes
- Aminoácidos
Amazon requires such products to be accurately labeled and represented. This is vital to fulfilling the marketplace’s standards and maintaining compliance.
What are Amazon’s restrictions on advertising and marketing of supplements?
Amazon has precise guidelines about the advertising and marketing of supplements. Here are some vital aspects of this aspect:
- Ads for supplements shouldn’t make unverified health benefits like weight loss. Furthermore, they shouldn’t claim to cure or prevent diseases.
- Advertisers must make certain that claims made for supplements are true and not misleading. They must be validated by reliable evidence. That includes health advantages and efficacy claims.
- The ads’ content must lead to a high-quality customer experience. That includes clear, readable, and high-resolution images and videos.
How much money do you require to start selling on Amazon?
The expenses of selling supplements on Amazon rely on the selected selling plan. You have two options:
- The Individual plan: it’s priced at USD 0.99 per item sold
- The Professional plan: it’s priced at USD 39.99 a month with unlimited item sales
Furthermore, Amazon charges a referral fee for each sale, regardless of the plan. That fee varies and depends on the product category and final sale price.