Sell on Amazon Canada: A Complete Guide

Step 1: Set Up Your Amazon Canada Seller Account

Choose Your Selling Plan

Amazon Canada offers two primary selling plans: Individual and Professional. The Individual plan is suitable if you expect to sell fewer than 40 units per month, as it charges a $1.00 CAD per-item fee plus closing fees. The Professional plan, priced at $29.99 CAD per month (plus referral fees), is ideal for sellers exceeding 40 sales monthly, as it waives the per-item fee and provides access to advanced selling tools like bulk listing, order reports, and API integrations. To make your choice, navigate to Seller Central Canada and click “Sign up.” You’ll be prompted to select your plan during the registration process. You can upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time through your Seller Central account settings.

Register Your Business Information

To register, you’ll need several pieces of information ready. This includes a valid credit card (not a debit card or prepaid card) that can be charged internationally, a phone number where you can be reached during the registration process for verification, and your tax information. For Canadian businesses, this typically means your Business Number (BN) and Goods and Services Tax (GST)/Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) registration details. If you are an individual seller, you will use your Social Insurance Number (SIN). Amazon will also require a bank account for disbursements, which must be located in Canada. Ensure the name on your bank account matches the name on your Amazon seller account. During registration, you will be guided through a series of screens to input your business name, address, contact information, and financial details. Be prepared for a potential video call verification or document submission (e.g., utility bill, business license) as part of Amazon’s identity verification process.

Step 2: Prepare Your Products for Listing

Understand Amazon’s Product Categories and Restrictions

Before sourcing or listing, familiarize yourself with Amazon Canada’s product categories and any associated restrictions or requirements. Some categories, such as Fine Art, Collectible Coins, or Streaming Media Players, are “gated,” meaning you need Amazon’s approval to sell in them. Others, like certain electronics or health products, may require specific certifications or safety compliance documentation. Review Amazon’s “Categories and Products Requiring Approval” page within Seller Central for a comprehensive list. Additionally, be aware of prohibited products, which include illegal items, recalled products, and certain dangerous goods. Selling restricted or prohibited items can lead to account suspension. Always ensure your products comply with all Canadian federal and provincial regulations, including labelling and safety standards.

Gather Product Information and Images

Accurate and comprehensive product information is crucial for successful listings. For each product, you’ll need:

Product Identifier: A Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) such as a UPC, EAN, or ISBN. If you don’t have one, you may need to purchase them from GS1 Canada or apply for a GTIN exemption from Amazon if your product is a private label or handmade item.
SKU: Your unique Stock Keeping Unit for internal tracking.
Product Title: A concise, keyword-rich title (max 200 characters) that includes brand, product type, key features, and size/color if applicable.
Brand Name: The brand of your product. If it’s your own brand, ensure you’ve registered it with Amazon Brand Registry for better protection and tools.
Manufacturer: The name of the manufacturer.
Product Description: A detailed overview of your product’s features, benefits, and uses, formatted for readability.
Bullet Points (Key Product Features): 5-8 concise bullet points highlighting the most important aspects of your product.
Keywords: Relevant search terms that buyers might use to find your product.
Images: High-quality images with a minimum resolution of 1000px on the longest side for zoom functionality. The main image must have a pure white background (RGB 255, 255, 255), show only the product for sale, and fill at least 85% of the image frame. Include multiple lifestyle and detail images to showcase the product from various angles.

Organize this information in a spreadsheet or a dedicated product information management system to streamline the listing process.

Step 3: Create Your Product Listings

Utilize Amazon’s Listing Tools (Seller Central)

Log into your Seller Central account and navigate to “Inventory” > “Add a Product.”

Adding a Product Already on Amazon: If your product already exists in Amazon’s catalog (e.g., a popular brand item), search for it using its UPC, EAN, ISBN, or ASIN. If found, you can simply “Sell yours” and provide your offer details (price, condition, quantity, fulfillment method).
Creating a New Product Listing: If your product is unique or not yet on Amazon, click “I’m adding a product not sold on Amazon.” You will then be guided through a series of tabs:
- Vital Info: Enter product name, brand, manufacturer, and GTIN.
- Offer: Set your price, condition, quantity, and choose your fulfillment method (FBA or FBM).
- Images: Upload your prepared product images.
- Description: Add your product description and key product features (bullet points).
- Keywords: Input relevant search terms to improve discoverability.
- More Details: Fill in additional attributes like material type, dimensions, weight, and country of origin.

For multiple listings, consider using Amazon’s bulk upload templates (found under “Inventory” > “Add Products via Upload”) to save time.

Optimize Your Product Titles and Descriptions

Effective optimization is key to visibility and conversion.

Titles: Follow Amazon’s style guidelines (e.g., Brand + Model + Product Type + Key Feature). Include your primary keywords naturally at the beginning. For example, “XYZ Brand Wireless Bluetooth Headphones with Noise Cancellation and 30-Hour Battery Life.” Avoid all caps, excessive punctuation, or promotional phrases like “Free Shipping.”
Bullet Points: Use these to highlight key features and benefits. Start each bullet with a capitalized noun or verb and keep them concise. Focus on what the product does for the customer. Example: “Crystal Clear Audio: Experience superior sound quality with advanced audio drivers.”
Product Description: Expand on the bullet points and tell a more complete story about your product. Use short paragraphs and bolding for readability. Incorporate secondary keywords naturally throughout the text. Focus on solving customer problems or enhancing their lives. For Brand Registered sellers, utilize A+ Content (Enhanced Brand Content) to create visually rich, engaging descriptions with images and comparison charts, which significantly boosts conversion rates.
Search Terms (Keywords): In the “Keywords” tab, input relevant search terms that customers might use but are not explicitly in your title or bullet points. Think like a customer. Include synonyms, common misspellings, and related product terms. Avoid repeating keywords that are already in your title or bullet points.

Step 4: Manage Orders and Fulfillment

Choose Your Fulfillment Method (FBA vs. FBM)

You have two primary options for fulfilling orders on Amazon Canada:

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA): You send your inventory to Amazon’s fulfillment centers in Canada. When a customer places an order, Amazon picks, packs, ships, and provides customer service for those orders. FBA products are eligible for Amazon Prime, which significantly increases sales potential. While FBA involves fulfillment fees, storage fees, and potentially long-term storage fees, it frees up your time, leverages Amazon’s logistics network, and often results in higher sales due to Prime eligibility and Amazon’s trusted fulfillment. To set up FBA, convert your listings to “Fulfilled by Amazon” in Seller Central, create a shipping plan, and send your inventory according to Amazon’s packing and labeling requirements.
Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM): You are responsible for storing your inventory, picking, packing, and shipping orders directly to customers. You also handle all customer service related to shipping and returns. FBM gives you more control over your inventory and packaging but requires significant time and resources, especially as order volume grows. You must meet Amazon’s strict shipping performance metrics (e.g., on-time delivery rate, valid tracking rate) to maintain good seller health. To use FBM, simply list your products and when an order comes in, you will see it under “Orders” > “Manage Orders” in Seller Central. You then purchase shipping labels (either through Amazon’s Buy Shipping service or a third-party carrier), pack the item, and ship it, confirming shipment in Seller Central with tracking information.

Many sellers use a hybrid approach, using FBA for best-selling items and FBM for slower-moving or oversized products.

Handle Customer Service and Returns

Effective customer service is vital for maintaining a good seller rating and positive customer reviews.

Communication: Respond promptly (within 24 hours) to all customer inquiries received via the Buyer-Seller Messaging Service in Seller Central. Be polite, professional, and helpful. Address questions about products, orders, shipping, and returns.
Returns: Amazon has a customer-friendly return policy. If you use FBA, Amazon handles the returns process for you. If you use FBM, you are responsible for processing returns. You must provide a valid return address in Canada, offer a prepaid return label for seller-faulted returns (e.g., damaged or incorrect item), and process refunds promptly upon receipt of the returned item. Familiarize yourself with Amazon’s return policies for different product categories and conditions. Monitor your “Returns” dashboard in Seller Central regularly.
Feedback and Reviews: Encourage satisfied customers to leave product reviews and seller feedback. Respond to both positive and negative feedback professionally. For negative feedback, try to resolve the issue with the customer and then politely request they consider revising their feedback. Never pressure customers or offer incentives for reviews, as this violates Amazon’s policies. Regularly check your “Performance” > “Customer Service Performance” metrics in Seller Central to ensure you are meeting Amazon’s standards.

FAQs

Q1: How much does it cost to sell on Amazon Canada?

A1: The costs vary based on your selling plan and fulfillment method. The Professional selling plan costs $29.99 CAD per month. The Individual plan has no monthly fee but charges $1.00 CAD per item sold. Additionally, all sellers pay referral fees (a percentage of the sale price, typically 8-15% depending on the category). If using FBA, you’ll incur fulfillment fees (picking, packing, shipping) and storage fees. Other potential costs include advertising, returns processing, and professional services.

Q2: Do I need a Canadian business license to sell on Amazon Canada?

A2: While Amazon itself doesn’t strictly require you to upload a business license during registration for all account types, it is highly recommended and often legally necessary to register your business with the appropriate provincial and federal authorities in Canada. This includes obtaining a Business Number (BN) from the CRA and registering for GST/HST if your total taxable sales are expected to exceed $30,000 in a 12-month period. Operating without proper business registration can lead to legal issues and tax complications.

Q3: Can I sell from outside Canada on Amazon.ca?

A3: Yes, you can sell on Amazon.ca from outside Canada. However, you will need to meet specific requirements. This includes having a valid credit card, a phone number, and a bank account in a country supported by Amazon’s currency converter (Amazon will convert your CAD earnings to your local currency). You must also comply with all Canadian import regulations, customs duties, and taxes. If using FBM, you’ll need to manage international shipping or use a third-party logistics provider in Canada. If using FBA, you’ll need to ship your inventory to Amazon’s Canadian fulfillment centers and ensure all import duties and taxes are paid before arrival.

Q4: How long does it take to get paid by Amazon Canada?

A4: Amazon typically disburses funds to your bank account every 14 days. However, for new sellers, there might be an initial holding period of up to 21-28 days after your first sale to ensure customer satisfaction and account verification. After the initial period, your funds become available for disbursement every two weeks, provided your account balance is positive and there are no pending issues (e.g., A-to-z claims, chargebacks) that would cause a reserve to be held.