How to Sell on Amazon India in 2026: Step-by-Step (GST, Fees & Requirements)

Amazon India is the largest online marketplace in the country, and getting started as a seller is more straightforward than most people think. The confusion is usually about three things: what documents you need, whether GST is mandatory, and how the fees work. This guide answers all three and walks you through launching your first product.

What you need before you register

To create an Amazon India seller account you need:

• An active mobile number and email
• A bank account in the business or proprietor’s name
• GST details (with an important exception — see below)
• PAN (personal PAN for a proprietorship, business PAN for a company/LLP)
• Basic product and category information

Is GST mandatory to sell on Amazon India?

Mostly yes, with one exception. If you sell taxable goods, GST registration is required to list them on Amazon India. However, if you sell only in GST-exempt categories (for example certain books, or specific unbranded items in exempt categories), you may be able to register without GST. For the vast majority of sellers — anyone selling branded products, electronics, beauty, home, apparel and so on — GST is required. If you do not have it yet, register for GST first; it is inexpensive and quick.

The registration steps

1. Go to the Amazon India Seller Central signup and create your account with your email and mobile.
2. Enter your business name, address, and PAN.
3. Add your GST number (or confirm exemption).
4. Add your bank account for payouts.
5. Choose your display name (the store name buyers see).
6. List your first product — either matching an existing listing or creating a new one.
7. Set your shipping method (FBA or self-ship / Easy Ship).

Approval is usually quick once documents are consistent. The most common delay is a mismatch between your GST name, PAN name, and bank name — keep them identical.

How Amazon India fees work

Amazon does not charge a monthly subscription for the standard individual seller plan in India; you pay per sale. The main components are:

• Referral fee: a percentage of the item price, varying by category (commonly in the ~2% to ~20% range depending on category and price band). This is Amazon’s commission.
• Closing fee: a fixed fee per item, varying by price band and fulfilment method.
• Shipping/weight-handling fee: charged if Amazon fulfils or ships the order (FBA or Easy Ship); zero if you self-ship your own way.
• Other fees: optional services like advertising, storage (for FBA), and removals.

The exact percentages change by category and over time, so always check the current fee schedule for your specific category in Seller Central’s fee calculator before you price a product.

FBA vs self-ship: which to choose

FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon): you send inventory to Amazon’s warehouses; they store, pack, ship, and handle returns and customer service. Pros: Prime eligibility, faster delivery, higher conversion, less operational headache. Cons: storage fees and you must forecast inventory.

Easy Ship / Self-ship: you store your own stock; Amazon (Easy Ship) or you (self-ship) handle delivery. Pros: lower fees, full control. Cons: no automatic Prime badge, more work, often lower conversion.

A common path: start with Easy Ship to validate demand cheaply, then move your winners to FBA once they sell consistently, because the Prime badge and delivery speed lift conversion.

Pricing your product so you actually profit

Before you list, do the maths. Your selling price must cover:

Product cost + Amazon referral fee + closing fee + shipping/weight fee + GST + your target profit + a buffer for advertising

Many new sellers price to match competitors, forget the fees and ad costs, and discover they are selling at a loss. Use the fee calculator and build in room for a launch advertising budget from day one.

Launching your first product the right way

Getting listed is not the same as getting sales. A new listing has no reviews, no rank, and no history, so Amazon has no reason to show it. Your launch job is to create the initial sales velocity that earns organic rank:

1. Nail the listing: clear main image, benefit-led title, five strong bullets, A+ content if you are Brand Registered, and a competitive launch price.
2. Get initial reviews through legitimate means (Amazon’s Vine programme if eligible, and genuinely good products that earn organic reviews).
3. Advertise from day one. A new listing needs paid traffic to generate the sales velocity that lifts organic rank. Expect a high ACOS during launch — that is the cost of buying rank, and it is intentional.
4. Watch the data and iterate on price, images, and keywords in the first 4–8 weeks.

Common mistakes new Amazon India sellers make

• Pricing without accounting for all fees and ad spend
• Listing a product and expecting organic sales with no advertising
• Inconsistent GST/PAN/bank names delaying approval
• Ignoring reviews and A+ content, then wondering why clicks do not convert
• Treating a high launch ACOS as a failure instead of a planned investment

Frequently asked questions

Can I sell on Amazon India without GST? Only if you sell exclusively in GST-exempt categories. For branded and most taxable goods, GST registration is mandatory.

How much does it cost to start selling on Amazon India? There is no monthly subscription on the standard plan — you pay per sale (referral + closing + shipping fees). Your real startup cost is inventory plus a launch advertising budget.

Is selling on Amazon India profitable? It can be, if your unit economics work after all fees and advertising. It is not profitable for products with thin margins that cannot absorb fees plus ad spend. Always model the full cost before launching.

How long does seller approval take? Usually quick when your documents are consistent. Mismatched names across GST, PAN, and bank details are the most common cause of delay.

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Once you are live, advertising is what separates sellers who grow from those who stall. Get a free Amazon audit or read how we approach Amazon advertising in India.