Selling on Amazon USA from the Philippines used to be nearly impossible due to strict restrictions, but times have changed.
With better trade relations, improved logistics, and a booming global ecommerce market, Filipino entrepreneurs now have the opportunity to tap into Amazon’s massive customer base.
In fact, Amazon controls nearly 38% of the U.S. ecommerce market, making it the largest online marketplace in the world. That means millions of potential buyers are just a few clicks away.
If you’ve been wondering whether you can sell on Amazon USA website from the Philippines, the answer is yes—and it’s more achievable than ever.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from setting up an account on Amazon sellers central USA to sourcing and shipping products, so you can start turning a profit in one of the most lucrative online marketplaces.
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Selling on Amazon USA from the Philippines is now more accessible due to improved trade relations, logistics, and a booming global ecommerce market.
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Amazon controls nearly 38% of the US ecommerce market, offering Filipino sellers access to millions of potential buyers and a strong customer base.
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Product sourcing options like online arbitrage, private labeling, and dropshipping allow sellers to profit without handling inventory directly.
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Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) simplifies logistics by handling storage, packaging, and shipping, making it easier for international sellers to scale.
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Global payment services like Payoneer and Wise help Filipino sellers receive Amazon payouts in USD and convert earnings efficiently into Philippine Pesos.
Is selling on Amazon USA worth it if you live in the Philippines?
Most Philippine-based entrepreneurs are hesitant to sell on Amazon for obvious reasons. The setup process seems daunting, from creating an Amazon Seller account to figuring out product sourcing and logistics.
On top of that, selling internationally feels riskier compared to the familiarity of local platforms like Lazada or Shopee.
But while it may seem complicated at first, the potential rewards—higher earnings, a larger customer base, and a more scalable business—make it a game-changer for those willing to take the leap.
To put things into perspective, smazon USA has over 180 million active Prime members, each spending between $612 and $2,400 annually on the platform. That’s a built-in audience ready to buy. Selling in USD also means your earnings have 50 times the purchasing power compared to Philippine Pesos.
Amazon offers multiple sourcing options, making it easy to find profitable products, and with Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), you don’t have to worry about storage, packaging, or shipping—Amazon handles it all. Plus, unlike selling locally, where taxes and logistics can eat into profits, non-US sellers don’t have to pay sales tax when selling on Amazon USA.
From everyday essentials to high-end products, Amazon’s marketplace is diverse, competitive, and built for scalability. If you’re looking to maximize your earnings and expand beyond the local market, Amazon is where the real money is.
How to Sell on Amazon USA from the Philippines – Step by Step
Amazon has its own rules, logistics, and opportunities. While setting up an account is similar to Lazada or Shopee, selling on the platform requires extra effort, particularly in sourcing, shipping, and receiving payments.
That extra effort is worth it, though. With Amazon generating over $500 billion in annual sales, the profit potential is massive. If you’re ready to tap into this global marketplace, here’s a straightforward guide to help you get started.
Step 1: Be a Legitimate Amazon Seller
To sell on Amazon US website, you need an Amazon Seller account—this is not the same as a regular Amazon shopping or business account.
To get started, visit sell.amazon.com and click Sign Up. If you already have an Amazon business account, log in with your details. The registration process includes a three-step verification, where Amazon will collect key information such as:
- A valid government-issued ID or passport
- A recent bank or credit card statement
- A chargeable credit or debit card
- Contact details
In some cases, Amazon may require a video verification with an Amazon associate to confirm your identity.
Once your account is verified, you’re officially an Amazon seller. If you’re serious about scaling your business, consider upgrading to an Amazon Professional Seller Plan ($39.99/month) to access tools like bulk inventory management, multiple user accounts, and the ability to sell in restricted categories like groceries and beauty products.
Step 2: Source Your Products from a Trusted Supplier
This is where the real money is made. Choosing the right products is critical to success, and finding a strong niche market can help you stand out while driving sales.
A niche is made up of consumers who share particular interests, like fitness enthusiasts, home bakers, book lovers, or sustainable living advocates. Identifying a niche makes product selection and marketing much easier—and far more profitable.
Once you’ve decided on a niche, the next step is sourcing your products. Sellers from the Philippines have several options. One approach is manufacturing and shipping your own products, which works well for those with unique handmade or locally sourced items.
However, exporting to the U.S. is expensive due to high shipping fees, customs duties, and taxes, making it impractical for most small businesses.
Another option is flipping products through online arbitrage, one of the fastest and most profitable methods. This involves buying undervalued items from marketplaces like eBay, Alibaba, or local surplus stores and reselling them at a higher price on Amazon USA.
Unlike traditional reselling, there’s no need to ship products to your home first. Amazon’s Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) allows you to send inventory directly from your supplier to an Amazon fulfillment center, where it is stored until an order comes in.
If you’re looking to scale your business, working with a third-party logistics provider is another solution. This involves outsourcing production and logistics by partnering with a manufacturer—usually based in China or India—along with an inspection company to ensure quality control and a freight forwarder to handle international shipping.
This method is ideal for private labeling, where you rebrand an existing product under your own name. Many Amazon sellers use Alibaba to find suppliers, negotiate bulk orders, and streamline their operations.
Dropshipping is another alternative. Unlike traditional e-commerce, dropshipping allows sellers to list products on Amazon without holding any inventory.
When a customer places an order, the supplier ships the product directly to the buyer. This eliminates upfront costs but requires careful supplier selection to ensure fast shipping times and consistent product quality.
Among all these options, flipping products through online arbitrage is the most practical for sellers in the Philippines. It eliminates the risks associated with manufacturing, reduces the need for large capital investments, and allows sellers to test the market with minimal financial commitment.
Step 3: List Your Products and Optimize Your Listings
Now that you have your products, it’s time to list them on Amazon. Log into your Amazon Seller Central account. Navigate to Catalog > Add Products. Enter the product’s UPC, EAN, ISBN, or ASIN (for existing listings).
If your product is not yet listed on Amazon, click “Create a New Product.” Fill out the product details—including title, description, key features, and images.
For bulk listing, Amazon US site offers an Excel template that allows you to upload multiple products at once.
To optimize your product listings, start with a strong title that includes your main keyword and key details like size, color, or material. Write a clear, engaging product description that highlights the main benefits and answers common customer questions.
Use high-quality images from multiple angles, and if possible, include a video. Fill out all backend search terms to improve discoverability. Price your product competitively and keep an eye on your competitors’ pricing strategies.
Encourage customer reviews by delivering great service and following up with buyers. Finally, test and adjust your A+ Content and bullet points based on what’s working to boost conversions.
Additionally, consider offering a promo code for Amazon USA products you’ve just launched to ensure sales. This can help move your listings to the Amazon top selling products USA customers are looking for.
Step 4: Ship Your Products through Amazon FBA
Amazon FBA is the easiest way to handle shipping. It allows you to store your inventory in Amazon warehouses. Amazon also packs and ships your products and handles returns and customer service.
Yes, FBA fees apply, but the convenience more than makes up for it, especially for international sellers. It’s well-documented that utilizing Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) can enhance sales performance due to several factors, including prompt delivery and a higher chance of winning the Buy Box.
How do you get paid? Your sales revenue is deposited into your Amazon Pay account and disbursed into your linked bank account. But here’s the catch: not all Philippine banks support Amazon payments.
To work around this, you can use global payment services like:
These services allow you to receive payments in USD and convert them to PHP at competitive exchange rates before transferring them to your local bank.
With Amazon’s continued growth, it’s only a matter of time before selling from the Philippines becomes even more seamless. But why wait? Entrepreneurs who enter the market early often have the advantage before competition skyrockets.
Mark Cuban, billionaire investor and Shark Tank judge, advises entrepreneurs that selling is not about convincing but about “opening a door and saying, ‘Do you love it as much as I do?'”
Amazon provides the perfect platform to build that trust, scale your business, and tap into a $500 billion industry. The only question left is: Are you ready to take the leap?
