How to Start a Profitable Amazon India Business with Minimal Investment and Export Products Globally from Home

Start your Amazon India business with minimal investment and learn how to export products globally from home. Detailed guide on licenses, logistics, and product selection.

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Jul 23, 2025 - 09:19
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How to Start a Profitable Amazon India Business with Minimal Investment and Export Products Globally from Home

In today’s digital economy, starting your own business doesn’t require massive capital, a physical shop, or even a full team. One of the most rewarding and low-risk ways to begin is by launching a business on Amazon India, which offers the infrastructure, logistics, and customer base for you to succeed—even from your living room.

In this detailed guide, we will explore every step needed to start your Amazon India business with minimal investment, the exact licenses and permissions required, how to identify the right products to sell, and how to export your goods worldwide using Amazon’s global selling platform.

Why Amazon India is an Ideal Business Platform for Beginners

Amazon India receives millions of visitors every month, providing a ready customer base. With minimal startup capital—sometimes as low as ₹5,000—you can test your products, build a brand, and scale your income significantly.

Amazon provides services such as Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA), Easy Ship, and Amazon Global Selling, which remove the hurdles of storage, packaging, shipping, and even customer service.

Step-by-Step: Starting an Amazon Business in India

Step 1: Choose a Business Model

There are four main Amazon business models to choose from:

  • Retail Arbitrage: Buy discounted products locally and resell them online.

  • Wholesale: Purchase in bulk from distributors and resell.

  • Private Label: Brand and sell your own products manufactured by third parties.

  • Dropshipping: You list the product, and your supplier ships it directly to the customer.

For minimal investment, retail arbitrage and dropshipping are recommended. As your profits grow, you can transition into private labeling for brand ownership.

Step 2: Register as an Amazon Seller

Go to https://sellercentral.amazon.in and sign up using your mobile number.

Required Documents:

  • PAN Card (personal or business)

  • GSTIN (mandatory for taxable goods)

  • Bank Account Details

  • Aadhaar Card or Business Address Proof

  • Email ID and Phone Number

TIP: If you’re selling only GST-exempt products (like books, unstitched fabrics, etc.), you can begin without a GST number.

Step 3: Obtain Necessary Licenses and Permissions

Even if you're operating from home, these licenses are often required:

a) GST Registration

Register at https://www.gst.gov.in.

  • Mandatory if you deal in taxable goods or cross ₹40 lakh annual turnover.

  • Needed to claim input tax credit.

b) Import Export Code (IEC)

Required if you plan to export.
Apply at https://www.dgft.gov.in.
Documents Required:

  • PAN Card

  • Business registration proof

  • Bank details

  • Aadhaar/Passport

c) FSSAI License

If you plan to sell food items, snacks, beverages, or herbal supplements.
Apply at https://www.fssai.gov.in

d) Trademark Registration

Optional but highly recommended for private label products.
It protects your brand and prevents others from copying your listings.

e) Legal Metrology Certificate

Needed if you're selling pre-packaged goods with weight/volume indicated.
Apply through your state’s Department of Legal Metrology.

Step 4: Product Research – How to Choose What to Sell

Choosing the right product is critical to success. Here’s how to do it smartly:

Criteria for a Good Product:

  • Lightweight (<1.5 kg) – Reduces FBA/storage costs.

  • Not Fragile – Avoid breakables to minimize returns.

  • High Demand, Low Competition – Use keyword tools to find gaps.

  • Price Range ₹300–₹1500 – Easy to sell and earns decent margin.

Tools to Use:

  • Google Trends: See if the product demand is seasonal or growing.

  • Jungle Scout / Helium 10: Track competitor performance and profitability.

  • Keepa: Analyze Amazon price trends and history.

Hot-Selling Niches:

  • Organic skincare (face packs, soaps)

  • Fitness gear (yoga mats, resistance bands)

  • Home decor (wooden crafts, wall hangings)

  • Stationery (journals, planners)

  • Traditional wear (cotton kurtis, stoles)

Step 5: Create Optimized Product Listings

Your product listing is your digital storefront. Include:

  • Title: Use relevant keywords (limit: 200 characters).

  • Images: Upload 5–7 high-resolution photos on a white background.

  • Bullet Points: Mention unique features, benefits, and uses.

  • Description: Add detailed product information, ingredients, and dimensions.

  • Search Terms: Include backend keywords customers may use.

Example Title:
Handmade Organic Multani Mitti Face Pack – 100g – For Oily & Acne-Prone Skin

Step 6: Choose Your Fulfillment Method

  1. Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)
    You send inventory to Amazon's warehouse. They store, pack, and ship your products.
    Advantages: Prime eligibility, better customer trust, higher sales potential.

  2. Easy Ship
    Amazon picks and delivers from your location.

  3. Self-Ship
    You manage delivery using your own logistics partners.
    Useful for low-volume sellers.

How to Export from India Using Amazon

Amazon makes it possible to sell to customers in over 200 countries. You don’t need to open an office abroad—just register for Amazon Global Selling.

Step-by-Step: Selling Internationally

  1. Register at Amazon Global Selling

  2. Choose Marketplaces:
    Decide where you want to sell: US, UK, Canada, UAE, Germany, Australia.

  3. Get Your IEC Code:
    Apply via DGFT Portal
    This is mandatory for international sales.

  4. Set Up International Bank Account:
    Use services like Payoneer or WorldFirst to receive foreign payments easily in INR.

  5. Product Compliance & Labelling:
    Understand each country’s product compliance laws—especially for food, electronics, or cosmetics.

  6. Shipping & Logistics:
    You can either:

  • Use Amazon FBA (Fulfillment Centers abroad)

  • Use a 3PL (Third-Party Logistics) company

  • Self-ship via international couriers (DHL, FedEx)

How to Find Importers or Buyers Abroad

If you want to export beyond Amazon (e.g., wholesale or bulk orders), finding importers is essential.

Ways to Connect with Global Buyers:

How Much Can You Earn?

Your earnings depend on product selection, pricing, and volume. Here’s a breakdown of basic profit calculation:

Cost Component Amount (Example)
Product Cost ₹100
Amazon Referral Fee ₹15
FBA Charges ₹30
Packaging/Labeling ₹10
Total Cost ₹155
Selling Price ₹299
Profit Per Unit ₹144

Sell just 10 units/day, and you can make over ₹40,000/month net profit.

Final Words: Launch Smart, Scale Sustainably

Launching a business on Amazon India is not only cost-effective but also scalable. With the right mix of research, licensing, product selection, and customer service, you can create a thriving business in just a few months—and even start selling globally.

Whether you’re starting with ₹5,000 or ₹50,000, focus on value, customer experience, and branding. Begin small, reinvest profits, and build a solid foundation that can grow into a long-term source of income.

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