How Long Does It Take To Start An Amazon Business

Can you launch your Amazon business in a day? 

A week? 

Or does it take months of planning and work? 

Spoiler: it's not as simple as clicking "Add to Cart." 

But don’t worry — once you figure it out, the process gets much easier.

Recently, I had a chat with Jane from Chinese Tiger, a company that specializes in product sourcing, shipping, and inspections in China. 

We dove into the nitty-gritty of starting an Amazon business, focusing on how long it actually takes to get your product from the manufacturer to Amazon’s fulfillment centers. 

Spoiler again: patience is key, but there are ways to make it work smoothly.

Here’s something cool: if you decide to use Chinese Tiger’s services, you can mention my name, Vova Even (yes, me!), and they’ll throw in a free inspection of your product sample. 

Mention My Name (Vova Even) & Get a FREE Product Inspection In China from Chinese Tiger!

Ready to find out how long it really takes to kickstart your Amazon journey? 

Let’s dive in!

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How Long Does It Take to Start Your Amazon Business?

Vova: So, Jane, let's dive right in. 

If someone is starting their first Amazon business, how much time should they realistically plan for before their product is ready to sell?

Jane: That’s a great question, Vova. 

Honestly, I’d say you need at least three months or more to get everything in place. 

Let me break it down step by step so it’s easier to understand.

Find a Supplier

Jane: The first thing you’ll need to do is search for a reliable supplier.

This part takes time because you’ll want to compare options, negotiate prices, and finalize details with the one you choose. 

You should set aside at least one to two weeks just for this. 

Rushing through it might mean missing out on better pricing or a more dependable partner, so it’s worth putting in the effort here.

Relevant Read: Master the Hunt: Find Your Ideal Amazon Supplier!

Order a Product Sample

Jane: Once you’ve picked a supplier, the next step is to order a sample of your product. 

This isn’t as straightforward as it might sound. 

First, it could take a couple of days just to process the payment. 

If you’re using an American or Canadian bank, international payments can take longer to go through.

Produce the Sample

Jane: After that, your supplier will need about 7 to 15 days to produce the sample. 

If you’re working with a company like ours, you might decide to send the sample to an inspector in China. 

That can take an additional two or three days. 

The inspector will check everything for you right there before shipping it to you. 

Alternatively, if you prefer to receive the sample yourself, you’ll need to factor in shipping time, which is typically another 7 to 15 days if it’s coming to the US or Canada.

Worth Your Attention: Actionable Tips for Efficient Shipping to Amazon [Save Money and Deliver Your Goods Faster]

Verify the Sample

Jane: Once the sample arrives, you’ll need to thoroughly check it to make sure it meets your expectations. 

This step might take longer if you’re traveling or unable to review the sample right away. 

We’ve worked with clients who had delays simply because they weren’t home to inspect the sample.

Start Product Production

Jane: If everything looks good and you’re ready to place a full order, the production process begins. 

This can take anywhere from 30 to 40 days for your products to be manufactured. 

Transfer the Products to a Chinese Logistics Provider

Jane: After production, the goods need to be sent to a logistics provider in China. 

That transfer might take three to seven days.

At this point, the logistics team will handle some essential tasks for you. 

They’ll add barcodes to your products, schedule the delivery, and take care of other necessary preparations. 

This can take an additional seven days.

Get the Products Shipped

Jane: Finally, your products are ready to be shipped to an Amazon warehouse or your own storage facility. 

This Could Be Worth Your Time: How To Survive The Recent Amazon FBA Logistics Issues?

Shipping time depends on the method you choose, but it usually ranges from 15 to 30 days.

So, when you add all this up, you’re looking at about three months to get your first batch of products into Amazon’s system. 

And that’s assuming everything goes smoothly, with no unexpected delays along the way.

Here's also a list of the best freight forwarders from Amazon sellers, those guys can help you ship from China to different places in the world.

Vova: Yeah, the good thing is that once you’ve gone through the whole process the first time, reordering the same product becomes much easier. 

You already have your logistics chain set up, so you don’t need to start everything from scratch again. 

At that point, it’s mostly about making sure you stay in stock and focusing on growing your product reviews and improving your ranking on Amazon. 

Take a Look at This: The Secret to Getting More Amazon Reviews

But that’s a topic we can save for another time.

The process gets smoother with repeat orders because you’re already familiar with your supplier and their workflow. 

Plus, ordering larger quantities of products can often help lower the cost per unit. 

You can negotiate better pricing, especially if you’ve built a good working relationship with your supplier over time.

Another advantage of working consistently with the same partners — whether it’s suppliers or companies like yours — is the trust you develop. 

For example, if I’ve ordered from you five or ten times, you can see that I’ve always paid on time and handled my business fairly. 

That kind of track record builds confidence on both sides.

Eventually, that trust could lead to more flexible arrangements. 

Say, for instance, I need to delay a payment for some reason. 

If we’ve worked together long enough and you see I’m reliable, you might be open to discussing it. 

You know what I mean? 

It’s really about thinking long-term and understanding that these relationships can grow into partnerships over time.

Jane: Yes, we’ve actually had many situations like this with our clients. 

For example, there was a recent case where we shipped products for a customer, and they only paid half of the total amount to the supplier upfront. 

The remaining half will be paid once the products arrive in Canada.

Building these kinds of arrangements takes time and trust. 

It’s about creating strong relationships not only with us but also with your suppliers. 

You Might Wanna Read This: How To Find An Amazon Business Partner

We work closely with suppliers to help our clients set up agreements like this, which can make a big difference, especially when managing cash flow.

Vova: Yeah, that makes sense. :)

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Conclusion

Wrapping up my chat with Jane, it’s clear that starting an Amazon business takes time, patience, and good planning. 

From finding the right suppliers to setting up shipping and managing payments, each step matters. 

The great thing is that once you build strong relationships—with suppliers or companies like Chinese Tiger—things can get a lot smoother. 

Mention My Name (Vova Even) & Get a FREE Product Inspection In China from Chinese Tiger!

Trust and communication go a long way in creating a process that works well for everyone involved.

I hope this conversation gave you a better idea of what to expect and how to approach the journey of selling on Amazon. 

Remember, every business starts somewhere, and learning as you go is part of the process. 

If you’re ready to dive in, take it step by step, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.