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Export to US and Go Global –
Product Sourcing Tips for Singapore Sellers in 2023
Wondering how to source for products and sell globally on Amazon?
Continue reading this FAQ page where we answer some your top questions asked.
1. Can I sell my products from Singapore to the US?
Yes, by registering with Amazon Global Selling, you can easily sell from Singapore to US customers via Amazon.com.
Learn more about how to sell globally on Amazon here.
Learn more about how to sell globally on Amazon here.
2. What can I sell from Singapore to the US?
There are a wide range of products you can sell on Amazon.com. However, depending on the product, you may be required to apply for approval to sell or be registered under a Professional selling account.
See here for the full list of product categories with and without restrictions, and check out our blog on product research ideas for Singapore sellers in 2023.
See here for the full list of product categories with and without restrictions, and check out our blog on product research ideas for Singapore sellers in 2023.
3. How do I start selling and sourcing for products?
It’s important to choose the right source for products. A few options include:
- Creating or building products, like those in Amazon Handmade
- Reselling existing products
- Working with a manufacturer to produce items
Before you start selling, it’s important to recognize that you are responsible for ensuring that the products you sell on Amazon comply with all applicable laws and regulations, are authorized for sale and resale and do not violate intellectual property rights such as copyrights, patents, trademarks and rights of publicity.
Learn more about how you can sell branded products here.
- Creating or building products, like those in Amazon Handmade
- Reselling existing products
- Working with a manufacturer to produce items
Before you start selling, it’s important to recognize that you are responsible for ensuring that the products you sell on Amazon comply with all applicable laws and regulations, are authorized for sale and resale and do not violate intellectual property rights such as copyrights, patents, trademarks and rights of publicity.
Learn more about how you can sell branded products here.
Before searching to find what you are looking for, you need to know what you want and don’t want.Michael MicheliniCEO of Global From Asia
4. Are there any guidelines when sourcing for products to sell?
Here are some tips when sourcing for products to export on Amazon:
Validate your suppliers
You are responsible for sourcing and selling authentic products. If you are sourcing branded products, it is always best to source directly from the brand or one of the wholesalers/ distributor networks.
If you are purchasing branded products through a distributor or wholesaler, you will need to validate their relationship to the brand.
If you are purchasing branded products through a distributor or wholesaler, you will need to validate their relationship to the brand.
Build a relationship with brands
Although you may be able to purchase products from a trustworthy supplier, for some products you might still be required to get explicit permission from the brand in order to sell their products on Amazon. Hence, it’s important to build a relationship with brands to ensure that you are meeting all the brand requirements and Amazon policies for selling these branded products.
Retain business invoices
Amazon may request that you provide documentation such as invoices showing the authenticity of your products or authorization to list them for sale. Invoices helps to substantiate that you have purchased products from a valid supplier.
Dropshipping Policy
Amazon allows sellers to dropship products as defined by our dropshipping policy. To properly conduct dropshipping, sellers must first validate that the dropshipper is a valid supplier for the item they intend to sell. Once it is determined that suppliers are valid, ensure that there is a signed and dated service level agreement formalizing the relationship between you and your dropshipping supplier.
To comply with Amazon’s dropshipping policy, you must be the seller of record of your products. Please note that dropshipping retail to retail is strictly prohibited on Amazon.
To comply with Amazon’s dropshipping policy, you must be the seller of record of your products. Please note that dropshipping retail to retail is strictly prohibited on Amazon.
Auctions
Auctions or action style environments are not considered valid sources of supply. Reselling products that are intended for destruction, disposal or otherwise designated as unsellable by the manufacturer, supplier, vendor or retailer is strictly prohibited on Amazon.
If you have your own trademark, you can sell products as a brand owner. Brand owners who have registered trademarks can take advantage of all the benefits, protections and programs offered with Amazon Brand Registry Program. Private label, handmade or customized products are also allowed on Amazon. You are responsible for ensuring that all products comply with applicable laws and regulations, authorized for sale/ resale and do not infringe on intellectual properties.
If you have your own trademark, you can sell products as a brand owner. Brand owners who have registered trademarks can take advantage of all the benefits, protections and programs offered with Amazon Brand Registry Program. Private label, handmade or customized products are also allowed on Amazon. You are responsible for ensuring that all products comply with applicable laws and regulations, authorized for sale/ resale and do not infringe on intellectual properties.
Wondering how to sell on Amazon? Let us help you kickstart your journey with a handy resources page!
5. What are the options for sourcing ecommerce products?
One area about learning how to sell on Amazon includes weighing the different options for sourcing ecommerce products. Listed below are the different options:
Resell existing products
Reselling is a popular choice for Amazon selling partners, as it can be cost efficient and relatively easy to get started. Online directories and listings can help you find suppliers for products. You will need to contact the vendor, order products, and ship them to your business or storage location. Then, ship them out to customers once the products sell.
Finding and building relationships with suppliers can not only lead to more affordable procurement, it can also secure a steady supply chain for your business in the future.
Finding and building relationships with suppliers can not only lead to more affordable procurement, it can also secure a steady supply chain for your business in the future.
Create or build products
Building products gives you control over quality and design. However, this method may be hard to scale up. Some sellers prefer to create small batches of handmade products. This helps keep operations manageable. Given the perceived higher quality of handmade products, this option also allows sellers to price products at a premium.
If this is the route for you, explore artisanal or custom ecommerce selling options like Amazon Handmade.
If this is the route for you, explore artisanal or custom ecommerce selling options like Amazon Handmade.
Use dropshipping or print-on-demand (POD)
Dropshipping is a business model that might be appealing if you don’t want to keep any inventory in stock. Instead, when a customer places an order, you purchase the item from a third-party supplier who then ships it directly to the customer. This can allow you to offer a wide variety of products without investing in large amounts of inventory.
Similar to dropshipping, print-on-demand is where you print products only after a customer places an order. If you offer custom designs or unique products that would be difficult or expensive to produce in bulk, POD might be a good model for your business.
Similar to dropshipping, print-on-demand is where you print products only after a customer places an order. If you offer custom designs or unique products that would be difficult or expensive to produce in bulk, POD might be a good model for your business.
Work with a manufacturer
Working directly with a manufacturer to build products can give you higher potential for growth, but it’s also the hardest path for a new seller to take. It will take time and funding to find the right manufacturer, work with them to build prototypes to your specifications, and eventually make your first order. Once you’ve built a new product, you will have the potential to create a distinctive brand that will help you stand out from the competition.
6. How do I find a manufacturer for my product idea?
There are several ways you could look for manufacturers. For instance, make use of a simple Google search or check out sourcing networks that verify a network of third-party service providers who can help you automate, manage and grow your business, including your manufacturing needs. Whenever possible, make sure that the manufacturers you work with are export-experienced.
Check out our video on “Sourcing from China and India: Quality production and different modes of sourcing.”
Check out our video on “Sourcing from China and India: Quality production and different modes of sourcing.”
7. Should I work with a wholesaler for my business?
If you want the flexibility to curate products for your business as opposed to working directly with a manufacturer, consider working with a wholesaler. Wholesalers already have manufactured products for you to choose from, so you don’t have to handle product development or procure raw materials.
8. How do I find a wholesaler or supplier for my business?
Here are some tips for finding a wholesaler or supplier for your products:
Decide what you want to sell
Consider whether you want to focus on a niche product, or carry a wide selection of different items. If you’re in need of product ideas, get a sense of what’s out there by browsing the catalogs of different wholesalers.
Tip: With wholesale, the goal is to purchase enough to benefit from the wholesale discount, but avoid ending up with more product than you can distribute. Check to see if the wholesaler requires a minimum order quantity. Request samples, weigh the cost with the quality of the products — and remember, the numbers are probably negotiable.
Tip: With wholesale, the goal is to purchase enough to benefit from the wholesale discount, but avoid ending up with more product than you can distribute. Check to see if the wholesaler requires a minimum order quantity. Request samples, weigh the cost with the quality of the products — and remember, the numbers are probably negotiable.
Try reverse sourcing
With reverse sourcing, you start with a single product that you know is already selling well, and find wholesalers that carry it.
To learn more about how to research for hot products on Amazon.com, check out our FAQs on product research tips for Singapore sellers here.
To learn more about how to research for hot products on Amazon.com, check out our FAQs on product research tips for Singapore sellers here.
Keep logistics top of mind
Before you reach out to a wholesaler, make sure you have adequate inventory systems in place, with enough space to organize and store inventory even during peak sales periods.
Ask suppliers about their timelines with manufacturers for sending and receiving products, and how quickly you can expect to receive orders. Track when you’ll receive shipments and think about how you’ll get orders to customers. Additionally, ask the wholesaler about their return process.
Ask suppliers about their timelines with manufacturers for sending and receiving products, and how quickly you can expect to receive orders. Track when you’ll receive shipments and think about how you’ll get orders to customers. Additionally, ask the wholesaler about their return process.
Ask about costs and fees
Assess the costs and fees for wholesalers you’d like to work with. For instance, ask about the minimum order quantities (MOQs), cost per unit and any other costs, such as membership fees. Typically, the more you order, the lower your cost per unit. Remember, the goal is to spend enough to receive the full benefit of a wholesale discount, but not overspend.
Do your research
Some helpful steps you can take while refining your wholesale options are: Ask for referrals, check for complaints, and have your business license and tax identification number ready, as wholesalers cannot legally speak to you without verifying this info.
Interested to learn more?
Watch our on-demand videos from the Amazon Seller Summit 2022. Relevant topics to look out for include Sourcing from China and India!
9. If I want to work with a manufacturer, how do I start selling branded products in Amazon stores?
Amazon offers an exclusive set of brand benefit tools to sellers who are brand owners. These tools can help your brand improve conversion, drive discoverability, and protect intellectual property.
For instance, secure your brand by enrolling in Brand Registry. Right now, eligible new sellers can take advantage of over US$50K in potential benefits, including:
- Get 5% back on your first US$1,000,000 in branded sales
- Enroll one product in Vine for free for up to 30 trusted reviews (US$200 value)
Follow the Amazon guide for brands to learn more about selling your own unique products on Amazon.
For instance, secure your brand by enrolling in Brand Registry. Right now, eligible new sellers can take advantage of over US$50K in potential benefits, including:
- Get 5% back on your first US$1,000,000 in branded sales
- Enroll one product in Vine for free for up to 30 trusted reviews (US$200 value)
Follow the Amazon guide for brands to learn more about selling your own unique products on Amazon.
10. Before contacting a supplier, what kinds of documents should I prepare?
One document you could prepare is a specification document. Being clear and organized about what you want is important when communicating with your supplier.
Catch our latest livestream about Sourcing from China here.
Catch our latest livestream about Sourcing from China here.
11. What is the role of a sourcing agent and should I consider using them?
A sourcing agent helps to complete the product sourcing stage for businesses. They are primarily responsible for locating suppliers and manufacturers that can meet your expectations.
For instance, their job scope includes helping you find a range of suppliers, comparing the prices across the board and nominating the top few suppliers that meets your criteria. One of the biggest advantages of engaging a sourcing agent is that it helps you save time.
There are two types of sourcing agents. One that charges a one-time fee while the other charges per order. It is an additional expense and would be more worth it for sellers at the advanced stage or for busier, working professionals.
To learn more product sourcing tips, watch the livestream from our event on Sourcing from China and India here.
For instance, their job scope includes helping you find a range of suppliers, comparing the prices across the board and nominating the top few suppliers that meets your criteria. One of the biggest advantages of engaging a sourcing agent is that it helps you save time.
There are two types of sourcing agents. One that charges a one-time fee while the other charges per order. It is an additional expense and would be more worth it for sellers at the advanced stage or for busier, working professionals.
To learn more product sourcing tips, watch the livestream from our event on Sourcing from China and India here.
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