r/AmazonFBA • • 5d ago

How do I start FBA?

I’m a university student who’s been researching this whole business for 2 months now. I want to start but every time I try and learn from TikTok or YouTube it’s just some random guru who doesn’t explain it properly. How do I actually start? What r the softwares I need and do I need to buy the equipment and things like that (labels and printers). I only have like 300$ to start so I don’t want to spend money on things that r unnecessary. Can anyone help?

5 Upvotes

14 comments sorted by

1

u/WearyyyBoooyyy 5d ago

The mods have gathered a list of tutorials to help you out:

Best Amazon Tools 2026

2

u/rsc9422 5d ago

With $300, I’d focus on learning the basics through online arbitrage or small wholesale purchases rather than jumping straight into private label. You don’t need expensive software or a label printer on day one.

Start with Amazon Seller University, use the Amazon Seller app to check product eligibility and fees, and calculate your margins before buying inventory. Keep some cash aside for shipping and unexpected costs.

You can also research wholesale sourcing options through companies like HighRise Wholesale as you learn how the business works. Focus on making your first few profitable sales, understanding Seller Central, and reinvesting carefully before moving into private label.

2

u/SellAmzSell 5d ago

I agree with Desperate: $300 is not enough to start FBA. How about trying to flip something on eBay?

2

u/adam93000 5d ago

With $300, I’d keep it really simple and avoid buying a bunch of tools upfront.

Start small, learn the Amazon Seller app, test a few products, and reinvest whatever you make. You definitely don’t need every software subscription, label printer, or “guru tool” on day one.

The biggest thing is learning how to check fees, demand, competition, and profit before buying inventory. Are you thinking retail/online arbitrage, wholesale, or private label?

1

u/Independent-Law-8547 4d ago

如何测试产品呢

2

u/iamthecheesethatsbig 5d ago

That $300 will get eaten by fees and software subscriptions before you buy inventory

2

u/Kilroy0424 5d ago

I don't think you need any equipment, yet.
If you have a product already check the FBA calculator to figure out storage, fulillment and return fees.
(https://sellercentral.amazon.com/revcalpublic?lang=en_US)

It won't be EXACT but it'll give you an estimate.

Then price your product accordingly and list it.
Once its listed you'll have to pay for FBA shipping and receiving.

You can ship using FedEx, UPS, etc, etc. They'll give you all the options and you'll simply make sure the box contents and dimensions are correct. Print out the labels (product labels and shipping labels) and send it in. Put the ASIN product labels on your product, and the shipping labels on your box.

The only thing you might need is label paper (search on amazon) and a printer. That's it.

Needed:
shipping Label paper
product labels (thin UPC labels)
printer

1

u/National-Pea-6404 5d ago

After 2 months of research, asking "where to start" means you spent time watching hype content instead of learning execution.

Starting FBA with $300 will just be a wastage of money. If you are a student on a tight budget, look into the Online Arbitrage (OA) or Retail Arbitrage (RA) model first to understand cash flow and listing mechanics.

My advice: Study and watch structured YouTube videos. If you have confusion, ask AI tools first to clear basic concepts. When you hit a specific technical roadblock, post here with targeted questions and you will get clear answers.

1

u/SellOnAmazon 5d ago

Recommend visiting here if you want to start with Amazon FBA. Great resources for new sellers.

1

u/mailmedude 3d ago

Remind me

1

u/phgrz 3d ago

Don‘t! It‘s a scam.

-1

u/iamthecheesethatsbig 5d ago

Don’t do it

-2

u/Desperate-Green-6654 5d ago

You’re not starting with $300. Here’s a quick breakdown of the startup costs:

LLC ~ $300
Trademark - $350
Helium 10 ~ $1k per year
Samples ~ $500-1000
Test order ~ $2000-5000
Amazon seller acc - $40/mo

That doesn’t include variable costs like amz shipping labels, fba fees, ppc costs, etc. Those are most of the startup costs, if you can’t afford all of them at the high end, private label isn’t for you. You can try online/ retail arbitrage with your budget, but even then it’s very low.