How to Source Products to Sell on Amazon FBA
Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) is one of the most powerful ways to scale an e-commerce business. By storing products in Amazon’s warehouses and letting them handle shipping, returns, and customer service, you can focus on finding profitable products. The real challenge—and opportunity—lies in sourcing the right items.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to source household goods and sporting products for Amazon FBA, while avoiding common pitfalls. Whether you’re just starting or looking to grow your private label brand, these steps will set you on the right path.
Understanding the Amazon FBA Model
Amazon FBA allows you to ship products in bulk to Amazon fulfillment centers. When customers order, Amazon handles packing, shipping, and service. The benefits are clear: Prime eligibility, fast delivery, and customer trust.
But success starts with product selection. Household goods (kitchen gadgets, storage items, cleaning tools) and sporting products (fitness gear, outdoor accessories, golf accessories) are high-demand categories—but competition can be tough. That’s why solid product sourcing is essential.
Product Research for Household Goods and Sporting Products
Using BSR and Profit Margins
Before sourcing, invest time in research. Focus on items with strong Best Sellers Rank (BSR) but not dominated by big brands. Use Amazon’s FBA calculator to ensure healthy margins after fees, shipping, and duties.
Identifying Customer Pain Points
Check reviews in household and sporting goods categories—what do buyers complain about? These gaps can guide your sourcing and product improvements. 👉 Learn how IPS helps brands with concept design and product development to ensure products meet real market demand.
Choosing Between Wholesale and Private Label
There are two main sourcing strategies:
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Wholesale – Buying existing products in bulk. It’s faster, but highly competitive.
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Private Label – Designing and branding your own products. More investment upfront, but greater long-term control and profitability.
At customproduct.com, we specialize in custom product manufacturing and Asia-Pacific sourcing, helping Amazon sellers succeed with private label household and sporting goods.
How to Find and Vet Suppliers in Asia
When sourcing from Asia, the biggest risks are quality issues and IP theft. Always:
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Request samples before large orders.
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Verify certifications (safety, social responsibility, infrastructure).
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Build long-term partnerships instead of chasing the lowest price.
IPS has spent 25+ years cultivating factory partnerships in China and Vietnam. See how we protect client intellectual property and manage supplier relationships.
Factoring in Shipping, Duties, and Landed Costs
Even products that look profitable can lose margin when shipping and duties are overlooked. Household goods and sporting products vary widely in size and weight—both of which affect landed cost.
Tools like our LDP Pricing Calculator help sellers forecast true landed costs, including:
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Factory first cost
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Shipping method (air, LCL, full container, pallet)
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Duties and tariffs
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Per-shipment and container fees
Mistakes to Avoid in Amazon FBA Product Sourcing
Many new sellers stumble by:
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Failing to conduct proper market research
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Ignoring quality control, leading to returns and bad reviews
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Overstocking or understocking inventory
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Relying only on seasonal products instead of balancing with evergreen items
At customproduct.com, we help Amazon sellers avoid these mistakes by combining engineering, prototyping, and production management into a proven 8-step development process.
Conclusion – Building a Profitable Amazon FBA Business
Sourcing products for Amazon FBA is not about finding the cheapest supplier—it’s about finding the right supplier and building a sustainable brand. Household goods and sporting products remain excellent categories with strong consumer demand, but success depends on:
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Doing thorough research
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Choosing the right sourcing strategy
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Partnering with trusted factories
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Calculating real landed costs
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Maintaining quality control
By leveraging experts like International Product Solutions (IPS), you can streamline sourcing, minimize risk, and maximize profit.
FAQs: Sourcing Products for Amazon FBA
Q1: What types of household goods sell best on Amazon FBA?
Popular categories include kitchen gadgets, cleaning tools, storage solutions, and everyday consumables. Evergreen products with steady demand are often more profitable than purely seasonal items.
Q2: Are sporting products a good niche for Amazon FBA?
Yes. Fitness gear, outdoor recreation items, and golf accessories are consistently strong sellers. Focus on products that solve customer pain points or bundle items for added value.
Q3: Should I start with wholesale or private label for Amazon FBA?
Wholesale is lower risk and faster to start, but private label offers greater long-term brand control and profitability. Many sellers begin with wholesale, then transition to private label with partners like customproduct.com.
Q4: How can I calculate the true cost of sourcing products?
Use an LDP Pricing Calculator to factor in factory costs, duties, shipping, and Amazon FBA fees. This ensures accurate profit margin forecasts before investing.
Q5: How do I protect my product ideas when sourcing overseas?
Work only with vetted, trusted factories and use IP protection strategies. IPS has a 25+ year track record ensuring safe and ethical manufacturing in Asia.
Want to bring a new household or sporting product to Amazon FBA without the headaches of sourcing? 👉 Contact International Product Solutions to design, develop, and source your next product with trusted factories in Asia.