How to sell supplements on Amazon

The dietary supplement market generated billions in revenue in just 2021 alone, so it’s wise to consider the massive opportunities it presents for Amazon sellers who understand the rules. 

The catch? Amazon treats supplements more like pharmaceuticals than typical consumer products, with layers of compliance requirements that can trip up even experienced sellers.

Getting into supplement selling means navigating FDA regulations, Amazon’s own verification systems, and a constantly evolving policy landscape. One misstep can mean losing your ability to sell supplements entirely.

This guide covers everything from Amazon’s supplement policy requirements to setting up compliant listings, finding profitable products within regulatory constraints, and avoiding the pitfalls that derail most sellers.

Amazon’s dietary supplements policy explained

The FDA regulates dietary supplements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, defining them as vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, or other substances that supplement the diet. They come in various forms like pills, capsules, powders, liquids, and sprays, covering categories from basic vitamins to sports nutrition and joint health products.

Amazon goes beyond basic FDA compliance with its own verification requirements. Since April 2024, all supplement sellers must verify their products through third-party Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) organizations annually.

The five core compliance areas Amazon requires:

• Manufacturing compliance: Products must be made in facilities following FDA Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations
• Contaminant screening: Testing for heavy metals, microbes, pesticides, and THC as applicable
• Content verification: Ensuring products contain ingredients as labeled within FDA tolerance ranges
• Pharmaceutical screening: Testing for undeclared drug ingredients, especially in sexual enhancement, weight management, sports nutrition, and joint health products
• Labeling compliance: Proper FDA-required labeling without disease claims or “FDA approved” statements

The requirements get stricter for certain categories. Sexual enhancement, weight management, sports nutrition, bodybuilding, and joint health supplements face additional testing for known adulterants that could contain hidden pharmaceutical ingredients.

How to get approval to sell supplements

Professional selling plan requirement

Amazon requires a Professional selling plan to sell supplements, which costs $39.99 monthly. Individual seller accounts cannot list supplement products under the current policy structure.

Third-party Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) process

You’ll work directly with one of Amazon’s approved TIC organizations to verify compliance. The testing covers all five core areas mentioned above, and you’ll need valid certificates from accredited third-party organizations.

Accepted GMP certification programs include:

• Eurofins GMP
• NSF/ANSI 455-2
• UL GMP
• USP GMP
• SAI Global
• SGS and Intertek
• TGA and SQF Dietary Supplements Food Safety Code

The GMP certificate must be current and performed by an accredited third-party. Private audits, first-party audits, consulting audits, FDA inspections, and ISO standards won’t qualify.

Manage Your Compliance dashboard

Amazon’s Manage Your Compliance dashboard shows which supplement listings need action and their due dates. You’ll initiate testing requests through this dashboard by selecting “Add or appeal compliance” for each affected product.

The process involves uploading existing test documentation if available, or requesting new testing through approved TIC providers. Once testing is complete and results confirm compliance, your products become eligible for sale.

Timeline expectations (annual renewals)

Plan for annual re-verification of all supplement products. The initial compliance process can take several weeks, depending on testing requirements and TIC provider capacity. Set reminders for renewal dates to avoid having listings removed for expired compliance.

Essential supplement listing requirements

Packaging requirements

Supplements must arrive in original manufacturer packaging with all seals intact. Used or opened products cannot be sold, even if unused. Every package needs clear manufacturer or distributor identifying codes, like lot numbers, matrix codes, or serial numbers, visible on the packaging.

Labeling compliance

All supplement labels must be in English with specific required elements. The “Supplement Facts” panel is mandatory, along with ingredient lists, total quantities, and manufacturer contact information. Labels cannot state “tester,” “not for retail sale,” or “not intended for resale.”

Disease claims are strictly prohibited unless FDA-approved. This means you cannot claim products cure, treat, prevent, or mitigate diseases. Structure/function claims that describe how ingredients affect normal body functions are allowed, but anything suggesting medical treatment crosses into drug territory.

Common prohibited claims include anything suggesting the supplement works like prescription drugs or controlled substances. Names that could be confused with prescription medications (like “Viagrex” or “TestosterX”) are forbidden, as are any “FDA-approved” claims or use of the FDA logo.

Product detail page requirements

Product pages must include complete ingredient lists with clear images of the ingredient list from the actual product label. You’ll need high-quality photos showing the entire product label, including the facts panel, ingredient list, certification logos, identity statement, usage instructions, and any warnings.

The page must display the supplement name, total quantity, and complete ingredient information. Include the brand owner or manufacturer’s name and contact information as it appears on the packaging.

Prohibited claims and keywords to avoid

Detail pages cannot contain disease names in keywords or product descriptions. Avoid any language suggesting the supplement produces effects similar to anabolic steroids, prescription drugs, or controlled substances. Terms like “Legal Steroids” or claims about being “alternatives to prescription drugs” will trigger policy violations.

You cannot use the FDA logo in any product images or claim the products are “FDA approved.” Remember that dietary supplements are regulated by the FDA but not approved in the same way as drugs.

How to find profitable supplements to sell

Market research in supplements requires balancing profit potential with compliance complexity. Start by identifying established manufacturers who already have robust quality systems and documentation in place, as they’ll be more likely to provide the compliance materials you need.

Higher-scrutiny categories requiring additional testing:

• Sexual enhancement supplements
• Weight management products
• Sports nutrition formulas
• Bodybuilding supplements
• Joint health products

These categories face extra pharmaceutical ingredient screening, making compliance more expensive and complex. They also cannot be sold in single or double pill packs as of December 2021.

Focus on mainstream vitamin and mineral supplements from reputable manufacturers for easier compliance. Products with simpler ingredient profiles typically have lower testing costs and fewer regulatory hurdles.

Research your potential suppliers thoroughly. Verify they have current GMP certifications from approved programs and can provide the test documentation you’ll need for Amazon compliance. Manufacturers who already sell on Amazon may have existing compliance processes that can expedite your approval.

How to manage ongoing compliance

Annual re-verification means planning ahead for renewal dates. Set calendar reminders at least 60 days before expiration to allow time for testing and documentation. Late renewals can result in listing suspensions while you work through the compliance process.

Policy violation consequences escalate quickly. First violations might result in listing removal, but repeated violations can lead to the complete loss of supplement-selling privileges. Amazon’s enforcement has become stricter since implementing the TIC verification system.

Stay updated with policy changes through Amazon’s seller forums and official announcements. The supplement landscape evolves rapidly, with new prohibited ingredients and updated testing requirements appearing regularly. Subscribe to relevant FDA and Amazon notifications to catch changes early.

Record-keeping best practices include:

• Maintaining copies of all GMP certificates
• Storing test results for each product batch
• Documenting supplier communications about compliance
• Tracking renewal dates in a centralized calendar system
• Keeping FDA correspondence and regulatory updates

Monitor your products for recalls, safety alerts, or regulatory changes that could affect compliance status. Set up Google Alerts for your product ingredients and supplier names to catch potential issues before they impact your listings.

Time to supplement your success

Selling supplements on Amazon requires treating compliance as seriously as product sourcing and marketing. The barriers are high, but they also limit competition to sellers willing to invest in proper verification and ongoing compliance management.

The key is viewing regulatory requirements as business advantages rather than obstacles. Proper compliance protects your customers, builds trust with Amazon’s algorithms, and creates moats around your supplement business that casual sellers cannot cross.

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