To vet a wholesale supplier for Amazon FBA, confirm it is a real, registered business you can contact, that it issues proper invoices, that its products are genuine and can be sold on Amazon, and that its terms and payment methods are safe. Work through the checklist below before you send any money.
Quick answer: Check the supplier’s business registration, address and phone, ask for a sample invoice, confirm where its stock comes from, ask whether its brands can be sold on Amazon, read its terms, and pay with a method that offers protection. Start with a small test order.
The Wholesale Supplier Checklist for Amazon Sellers
Copy this list and tick off each item for every new supplier.
| # | Check | What a good answer looks like |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registered business | You can find it in its state’s business registry |
| 2 | Physical address | A real business address, not only a P.O. box |
| 3 | Phone that is answered | A person picks up or calls back promptly |
| 4 | Website and business email | A working site and an email on its own domain |
| 5 | Sample invoice | Shows its business name, address, phone and website |
| 6 | Source of stock | It can explain where its products come from |
| 7 | Amazon policy | It confirms which brands you can sell on Amazon |
| 8 | Clear terms | Minimum order, lead time, shipping, returns and damages in writing |
| 9 | Safe payment | Accepts methods with some buyer protection |
| 10 | References or reviews | Other Amazon sellers or trade references can vouch for it |
Print it, save it or add it to your supplier spreadsheet.
Step 1: Confirm the Business Is Real
Search the supplier’s legal name in its state’s business registry, usually run by the Secretary of State. Check that the address on its website matches. Call the phone number. Real suppliers answer and know their products.
Step 2: Check the Supply Chain
Ask where the supplier buys its stock. Is it the brand itself, an authorized distributor or another wholesaler? Each has different risks for Amazon sellers; see authorized distributor vs wholesaler. For strict brands, you can check if a distributor is authorized by asking the brand.
Step 3: Look at a Sample Invoice
The invoice is what you will show Amazon if you need approval or face a complaint. It should show the supplier’s full details and list products clearly. If a supplier will not show you what its invoices look like, treat that as a warning. Our guide to how to get ungated on Amazon explains why invoices matter so much.
Step 4: Ask the Right Questions
Ask about minimums, lead times, expiration dates, damages and whether its brands allow Amazon sales. We list them all in questions to ask a wholesale supplier. Ask too whether its brands have a MAP policy you will need to follow.
Step 5: Watch for Red Flags
Prices far below everyone else, pressure to pay fast and wire-only payment are classic warning signs. See how to spot fake wholesale suppliers, and be wary of stock that may be grey market products on Amazon.
Step 6: Start With a Test Order
Even after every check passes, start small. A test order shows you the real lead time, the condition of the goods, the invoice and how the supplier handles problems.
How to Choose a Wholesale Distributor for Amazon
When two suppliers both pass the checklist, choose on fit:
- Brands and categories that match what you want to sell
- Minimum order that fits your budget
- Invoices that are complete and consistent
- FBA services such as labeling and shipping straight to Amazon
- Communication: how fast and clearly they answer
Still building your supplier list? Read how to find wholesale suppliers for Amazon FBA.
How We Measure Up
We think every supplier should pass this checklist, including us. Here is how we answer the main points:
- Address and phone: our US business address and phone number are in our site footer and on our contact page.
- Invoices: every order includes an invoice with our business details and yours.
- Terms: a $1,000 minimum order, shipping in 3–7 days and FBA prep available.
- Brands: we are an authorized distributor for every brand we supply, and we can confirm it for the products on your invoice if Amazon or a brand asks. Ask us about the Amazon policy for any brand before you order.
See what we offer as Amazon FBA wholesale distributors, and put us through the checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify a wholesale supplier for Amazon FBA?
Check its business registration, address, phone and website, review a sample invoice, ask where its stock comes from, and place a small test order before buying more.
Should I pay a supplier by wire transfer?
Be careful. Wire transfers are hard to reverse. Use them only with suppliers you have fully verified, and prefer payment methods that offer some protection for a first order.
How many suppliers should I vet at once?
Vet several in parallel. Expect some to fail the checklist or say no to Amazon sellers.