No Stock, No Problem: How to Sell on Amazon Without Inventory [2025]
Think you need a garage full of products to make money on Amazon? Think again. These days, plenty of successful sellers are skipping the storage space altogether. If you’re wondering how to sell on Amazon without inventory, you’re not alone. And the good news? It’s easier than ever.
Let’s break it down.
Why Sell on Amazon Without Inventory?
Imagine making passive income from an online business but without the drawbacks. No upfront bulk purchases. No packaging. No trips to the post office. When you sell without inventory, you lower your risk and start faster. It also means more flexibility to test new ideas without betting the farm.
In 2025, tech and tools make it simple to run a lean business with high potential. You can sell physical or digital products – or never touch a single item yourself.
Your Main Options
Here’s how to sell on Amazon without inventory in 2025, broken down into real-world options:
1. Dropshipping
Dropshipping is the most popular method when it comes to selling on Amazon without inventory. With dropshipping, you sell a product, and the supplier ships it directly to your customer. You don’t hold any stock.
Unsure whether dropshipping is still profitable on Amazon? Click the link and find out.
How it works:
What you need to know:
2. Amazon Handmade
Looking to enrich Amazon product offers with your own high-quality, handmade goods? Instead of mass-produced goods, you can sell your own handcrafted items on Amazon Handmade – Amazon handles the rest for you. This is a great way for hobby craftsmen looking to make some extra income.
How it works:
What you need to know:
3. Print-on-Demand (POD)
Figuring out how to sell clothes with your print on Amazon without inventory? This is the right address.Amazon Merch on Demand (or Merch by Amazon) is a POD platform for creators who want to sell their designs without any upfront costs. You just upload your artwork, and Amazon takes care of the rest – printing, shipping, and even customer service.
Plenty of people have found real success here, and it usually comes down to following key factors: finding the right niche, creating designs that stand out, and knowing how to market them. The ones who do well aren’t trying to please everyone – they focus on a specific audience and create designs that really speak to them.
How it works:
This model is perfect if you’re creative or have an audience already. And the best part? Zero inventory.
3. Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
If you’re great at telling stories or have deep knowledge in a specific niche, Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) could be your perfect fit. KDP turns writers into self-publishers, giving you the chance to publish eBooks and earn royalties on every sale.
You’re in the driver’s seat when it comes to pricing and promotion. You control how your book looks, how much it costs, and how it’s marketed. And once it’s live, it can keep bringing in income with little effort on your part.
The more books you publish, the more you can earn. A diverse range of titles – across different topics or genres – helps you reach more readers. If you pay attention to what’s trending, KDP becomes a smart way to grow a passive income stream and connect with a global audience.
How it works:
This model is ideal for writers who want to build a passive income with their work or passion projects.While KDP is an interesting venture, selling books on Amazon can also be highly rewarding when done correctly. Click the link for professional tips and tricks.
4. Amazon Associates (Affiliate Marketing)
Amazon Associates enables you to earn money just by recommending Amazon products. Here’s how it works: you secure a unique affiliate link for something on Amazon, share it on your blog, website, social media, or even an app – and if someone clicks that link and buys the product, you get a cut of the sale. Technically this does not fall under the category of “how to sell stuff on Amazon without inventory” (since your expertise is not “stuff”), but it is an effective way to make money without having to rent warehouse space.
How it works:
If you’re good at content creation or already have an audience, this is a solid option.
Still Not Sure Which Model Fits You?
Let’s match the model to your strengths:
At the end of the day, there’s no one-size-fits-all. The key is to start with what you already enjoy – or are willing to learn.
How to Get Started (Step-by-Step)
Now that you know how to sell on Amazon without inventory in 2025, here’s a road map:
Step 1: Set Up an Amazon Seller Account
Go to sellercentral.amazon.com and sign up. Choose between Individual (no monthly fee but per-sale charges) or Professional ($39.99/month with no per-sale fee).
Step 2: Choose a Selling Method
Pick one (or more) of the models above. If in doubt, start with POD or KDP—they’re the most beginner-friendly.
Step 3: Research Your Niche
You want to sell things people are actually searching for. Use tools like:
Step 4: Set Up Your Products
Step 5: Optimize Listings
Use great product titles, clear descriptions, and high-quality images. Add keywords naturally. Your goal? Be found – and get clicked.
Step 6: Promote Your Listings
Even if Amazon has traffic, give your products a push:
The more eyes on your listings, the better your chances.
Real-World Success Stories
Still on the fence whether you should start selling on Amazon without inventory? Here are some success stories to spark your motivation.
None of them held inventory. All of them started from scratch.
Final Thoughts
If you’re still wondering how to sell products on Amazon without inventory in 2025, just remember: you don’t need storage space, a warehouse, or even a product in-hand. Your garage will still be able to fit your car, as long as you have a plan, the right software tools, and the willingness to test and learn.
Start small. Be consistent. Don’t overthink it.
FAQs
Yes, it’s possible. With methods like dropshipping, Kindle Direct Publishing, or Merch by Amazon, you don’t need to buy inventory upfront. Some options may still require small costs like account fees or design tools, but you can get started with very little capital.
You can use models like dropshipping, print-on-demand, or digital products. These let you list items for sale while a third party handles production and shipping. You focus on marketing and customer service – Amazon and your partners do the rest.
Sign up for Merch by Amazon. Upload your designs, set your prices, and Amazon handles printing, shipping, and customer service. No need to stock shirts or pay upfront – Amazon pays you a royalty for each sale.
Dropshipping is how to sell products without inventory. Instead of stocking items yourself, you partner with a supplier who stores the products and ships them directly to your customer when you make a sale. You’re essentially the middleman, handling the storefront and customer service, while the supplier takes care of fulfillment.
