Can I sell used products on Amazon? Many beginners ask this question before entering the world of online selling. Amazon allows third-party sellers to list pre-owned items in several categories, which creates a real opportunity to earn money with minimal investment.
Sellers must follow clear condition guidelines, set honest descriptions, and price items competitively to attract buyers. Strong product listings and reliable customer service help build trust and increase sales over time.
Amazon also provides access to a massive customer base, which gives new sellers a powerful advantage from day one. Some categories restrict used items, so proper research remains essential before listing products.
Smart sourcing strategies and consistent effort turn used products into steady income. Clear understanding of Amazon’s rules helps beginners avoid mistakes and grow faster in a competitive marketplace.
Can I Sell Used Products on Amazon?
Yes, you can sell used products on Amazon. Many people do it every day. Used books, phones, video games, and even clothes sell well. But Amazon has strict rules. You cannot just sell any old item from your closet.
You need to follow their system. This guide explains exactly how to sell used products on Amazon. You will learn the rules, the costs, and the best way to start.
What Does Amazon Allow You to Sell Used?
Amazon divides used products into two main groups. The first group is everything except collectibles. The second group is collectibles. Let us break that down.
Regular Used Products
You can sell these items in used condition:
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Books (any condition from “Like New” to “Acceptable”)
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Video games and consoles
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Movies on DVD and Blu-ray
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Music CDs and vinyl records
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Phones and tablets
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Laptops and computer parts
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Power tools
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Kitchen appliances
Each product must work. No broken items. No missing parts unless you clearly say so. Amazon will check customer complaints. Too many complaints get your account closed.
Collectible Used Products
Collectibles are different. These include old toys, trading cards, coins, and comic books. Amazon allows collectibles in “Good,” “Very Good,” and “Like New” conditions. You cannot sell broken collectibles. But scratches and wear from age are okay. You just need to describe them honestly.
What You Cannot Sell Used on Amazon
Amazon bans many used items for safety or legal reasons. Here is a clear list.
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Used cosmetics or makeup
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Used skincare products
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Used hair tools like straighteners
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Used underwear or swimwear
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Used car seats or baby cribs
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Used medical devices
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Opened food or drinks
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Used batteries
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Used mattresses
Selling these items gets your account suspended fast. Do not try it.
Two Ways to Sell Used Products on Amazon
Amazon gives you two selling plans. Pick the one that fits your needs.
Individual Seller Plan
This plan costs $0.99 per item sold. You pay nothing upfront. Perfect for selling a few used items from home. You cannot use advanced tools. You cannot sell in bulk. But for most beginners, this plan works great. You list each item one by one. Amazon takes care of payment and shipping labels.
Professional Seller Plan
This plan costs $39.99 per month. You can sell unlimited items. You get access to bulk listing tools and sales reports. Only choose this plan if you sell more than 40 items per month. For casual used sellers, the Individual plan makes more sense.
Step-by-Step: How to Start Selling Used Products
Follow these steps exactly. Do not skip any.
Step 1: Create an Amazon Seller Account
Go to Amazon’s Seller Central website. Click “Sign up.” Choose the Individual plan. Enter your name, address, and phone number. Amazon asks for your tax information. You need your Social Security number or business tax ID. Provide a bank account number. Amazon sends your earnings there every two weeks.
Step 2: Find Your Product on Amazon
Search for the product you want to sell. Click on the product page. Look for the “Sell on Amazon” button. It sits near the “Buy Now” button. Click it. Amazon shows you if selling that product is allowed.
Step 3: Describe the Condition
Amazon asks you to choose a condition. Pick from these options:
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Like New: No scratches. No marks. Looks untouched. The box might be open, but everything inside is perfect.
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Very Good: Small scratches or wear. Nothing broken. The item works perfectly.
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Good: Clear signs of use. Maybe a dent or a scuff. Still works 100%.
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Acceptable: Heavy wear. Maybe missing the manual or a cheap accessory. The main item still works.
Be honest. Customers return items when the condition does not match. Returns cost you money.
Step 4: Set Your Price
Amazon shows you the lowest current price for that product. Price yours slightly lower. Check what other used sellers charge. Match their price or go $1 lower. Do not price too high. Used buyers want deals.
Step 5: Choose Fulfillment Method
You have two choices.
Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM): You keep the product at home. When someone buys, you pack and ship it. You control everything. But you also handle returns and customer questions.
Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA): You send your product to an Amazon warehouse. Amazon stores it, ships it, and handles returns. This costs more money. But your product gets Prime shipping. Prime items sell faster. For used products, FBM works fine for most beginners.
Step 6: List and Wait
Click “Save and Finish.” Your product goes live on Amazon. Now you wait for a buyer. It might take days or weeks. Be patient.
How Much Does Amazon Charge to Sell Used Products?
Amazon takes a cut of every sale. Here are the fees.
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Referral fee: 6% to 45% depending on the product category. Most used products fall in the 15% range. A $20 book costs you $3 in referral fees.
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Closing fee: $1.80 for media items like books, movies, and games. Other categories have no closing fee.
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FBA fees: Extra if you use Amazon’s warehouses. Small items cost around $3 to $5 per sale.
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Individual plan fee: $0.99 per sale if you are on the Individual plan.
Example: Sell a used book for $15. Amazon takes $2.25 (15% referral) plus $1.80 closing plus $0.99 plan fee. Total fees = $5.04. You keep $9.96.
Tips to Sell Used Products Faster
Selling used items takes some skill. Use these tips to move your products quickly.
Take real photos. Amazon lets you add photos even for used products. Show the actual scratches or wear. Buyers trust real photos more than stock images.
Write an honest description. Say exactly what is wrong. Example: “The box has a torn corner. The game disc has light scratches but plays perfectly.” Honesty prevents returns.
Price 10% lower than the lowest seller. Used buyers sort by price. Being the cheapest gets you the sale.
Ship within two days. Amazon tracks your shipping speed. Slow shippers get lower search placement. Pack the item well. Use bubble wrap for electronics.
Reply to customer messages fast. Answer within 24 hours. Amazon checks your response time. Good response time builds trust.
Risks of Selling Used Products on Amazon
Selling used items is not all good news. Know these risks before you start.
High return rates. Used items get returned more than new ones. A customer might say the condition was worse than described. Amazon almost always sides with the buyer. You lose money on return shipping.
Account suspension. Amazon suspends sellers who get too many complaints. One or two returns is fine. Ten returns in a month gets you in trouble.
Competition from big sellers. Large businesses sell used products too. They have hundreds of items. They can afford lower prices. Competing with them is hard.
Storage limits. Amazon limits how many used items you can list. New sellers can list only 25 to 50 items. You must prove you are reliable before Amazon raises that limit.
Used Products That Sell Best on Amazon
Some used items sell much better than others. Focus on these categories.
Textbooks: College students buy used textbooks constantly. Sell them between July and September, then between December and January. That is when students buy books.
Video games: Old games hold value. A used game from 2018 still sells for $15 to $20. Sell games from popular consoles like PlayStation and Nintendo.
DVDs and Blu-rays: People still buy physical movies. Used DVDs cost $3 to $5. Buyers grab them as add-on items with bigger purchases.
Older iPhones: Used iPhones sell fast. An iPhone 8 still brings $60 to $80. Just test the battery and screen first.
Board games: Complete used board games sell well. Families want cheap entertainment. Just count all the pieces before listing.
Alternatives to Selling Used on Amazon
Amazon is not your only option. Consider these other places too.
eBay: No restrictions on used items. Lower fees than Amazon. But fewer buyers search for everyday products on eBay.
Facebook Marketplace: No fees at all. Meet the buyer in person. Cash only. Great for large items like furniture.
Craigslist: Also no fees. Also in-person sales. Less safe than Facebook because buyers are anonymous.
Local used game stores: They buy used video games and movies for cash. You get less money but no work. Walk in, sell, walk out.
Garage sales: Sell many used items in one morning. Set low prices. People take everything away. No shipping, no returns.
Common Mistakes New Sellers Make
Avoid these errors. They cost time and money.
Listing the wrong condition. People overrate their items. Your scratched phone is not “Like New.” It is “Good” at best. Be honest.
Forgetting to factor in fees. You see a used book selling for $10. You list yours for $9. After fees, you make $4. Is that worth your time?
Using bad photos. Blurry photos hide damage. Buyers avoid listings with bad photos. Take clear pictures in bright light.
Shipping late. Pack the item the same day it sells. Ship the next morning. Late shipments get you negative feedback.
Ignoring customer messages. A buyer asks a question. You do not reply. They buy from someone else. Reply to every message within hours.
FAQs
1. Do I need a business license to sell used products on Amazon?
No. You can sell as an individual. Amazon just needs your Social Security number for taxes. No special license required.
2. Can I sell used clothes on Amazon?
Only certain types. Used jackets, pants, and shirts are allowed. Used underwear and swimwear are banned. Check Amazon’s clothing policy before listing.
3. How does Amazon know if my used product is authentic?
Amazon trusts you at first. But if a customer reports a fake product, Amazon investigates. They may ask for receipts or proof of purchase. Without proof, they suspend your account.
4. What happens if a buyer returns my used product?
The buyer ships it back to you or to Amazon. You must refund their money. Amazon also charges you a return shipping fee. You cannot sell the returned item as “Like New” again. Lower the condition grade.
5. Can I sell a used product without the original box?
Yes. Just say “No original box” in your description. Lower the condition grade by one level. A “Like New” item without a box becomes “Very Good.”
6. How long does it take to get paid?
Amazon pays every two weeks. They hold your money for seven days after delivery. This protects buyers from bad sellers. Your first payment may take three to four weeks.
7. Can I sell used broken items for parts?
No. Amazon does not allow items sold “for parts only.” Those items go on eBay. Amazon only sells working used products.
8. What is the best used item to start selling?
Used books. They are cheap to buy. Easy to ship. Low return rate. Amazon has millions of book buyers every day.
Conclusion
Selling used products on Amazon is possible. Many people do it as a side job. Start with the Individual seller plan. Pick easy items like books or video games. Describe the condition honestly. Set a fair price.
Ship fast. Answer messages quickly. Avoid banned items like used cosmetics. Watch out for returns and fees. Do not expect to get rich. But you can turn your old stuff into cash. Give it a try. List one item today. See how it feels. You can always list more later.