How to Sell on Amazon from South Africa: Costs, Selling Globally | 90 Days to Create & Launch Book | #CreateAndLaunch Challenge

Do you procrastinate when it comes to creating your product? Join my Create and Launch Challenge. Buy my 90 Days to Create & Launch book, sign up on this blog, and browse helpful articles on this page.

- — — -

The global online marketplace Amazon.com has officially launched in South Africa. This means that anyone in South Africa can sell physical products through Amazon to customers both within South Africa and internationally where their courier services reach. Essentially, you can sell globally from South Africa.

This marketplace allowing South Africans to sell globally is a first for the country. It’s a significant development.

They’ve listed South African products under the co.za category (www.amazon.co.za). Amazon has become the official competition to Takealot, which only sells and delivers within South Africa.

Why Sell on Amazon and Takealot?

As I advised and encouraged people to sell through Takealot in the article “Why You Should Sell on Takealot,” online marketplaces are the retail shops of the internet. Just as you would want your products to be sold at Pick N Pay and Shoprite, you would want them to be available on both Takealot and Amazon.

Andrew Tate famously described money as a “river” that is “always moving.” If you get closer to the river, you might get wet (make money in this case). Just like someone opens a shop in a busy part of town, Amazon and Takealot are the busy parts of town in the city called the internet in South Africa. You might just get wet and thus sell.

Also, consumers sometimes might trust the brands Amazon and Takealot more than your WordPress or Shopify store.

An important reason to sell on Amazon is that you can sell globally. People around the world can discover your products and order them reliably through Amazon.

How to Sell on Amazon.co.za

Like with Takealot, you will need an ID or business registration information if you are trading as a company. Additionally, you will need a bank card and proof of address. Apply here.

How Much Will It Cost?

Like Takealot, the professional plan costs R400 per month, which is for those who sell more than 40 items. The individual plan costs R10 per item sold, plus some additional fees.

The fulfillment fees range between R27 and R87, depending on weight. Storage fees are R36 per cubic meter per month. To avoid paying storage fees, Amazon has an alternative called “Amazon Easy Ship.” When a sale occurs, you package the item, and an Amazon-affiliated courier will collect it from you and ship it to the customer.

- — — -

The best way to learn their workings is to apply, and they will guide you through the process. What matters is the result: selling on both of the biggest marketplaces in South Africa, Amazon and Takealot.

These things can get tricky and tedious for some (technologically challenged or lazy). In that case, I suggest hiring an admin person on Fiverr.com who will help you create product listing sheets.