Short answer: to sell on Amazon.ie with products from China, choose a product with real demand in Ireland, find a supplier that already exports to the EU, check the EU product safety and labelling rules, inspect the goods before they leave China and prepare cartons and labels for Amazon. Then ship by sea or air, clear customs and send the stock to the fulfilment option you use in Seller Central. Careful preparation in China saves most of the problems sellers face later.
This guide is written by our team in Yiwu, China, where we source, check and prepare goods for marketplace sellers in Ireland, the UK and across Europe.
Important: Amazon rules, product requirements, duty and VAT depend on your product and can change. We recommend consulting a local customs broker and an accountant before you import and start selling.
Why Amazon.ie matters for Irish sellers
Amazon launched its dedicated Irish store, Amazon.ie, in March 2025. Before that, Irish shoppers mostly bought through Amazon.co.uk. A local store means prices in euro, local delivery promises and a new marketplace where many product categories still have fewer sellers than on larger EU stores.
- Growing marketplace: new sellers can still find categories with less competition.
- EU rules: Ireland is in the EU, so the same product safety and customs framework applies as in other EU countries.
- English-speaking market: listings, packaging and instructions can be in English.
- Connection with other stores: once your products are ready for Amazon.ie, it is easier to expand to other Amazon stores in Europe.
Step 1. Choose the right product
Good products for a new Amazon.ie seller are usually light, not fragile, easy to explain and not heavily regulated. Avoid starting with products that need complex certification, such as electrical items, toys or cosmetics, unless you are ready for the extra paperwork.
| Easier to start with | Needs more preparation |
|---|---|
| Home and kitchen accessories | Electrical and electronic products |
| Storage and organisation | Toys and children’s products |
| Sports and outdoor accessories | Cosmetics and personal care |
| Pet accessories | Food contact items with special materials |
| Seasonal décor | Large or fragile items such as furniture |
Seasonal products can sell very well if you plan early. Our guide to Christmas decorations from Yiwu shows how far ahead you need to order.
Step 2. Find a supplier in China
Most Amazon sellers start on Alibaba or 1688, or work with factories and wholesalers in the Yiwu market. Each platform has its strengths: Alibaba is in English and ships abroad, while 1688 often has lower prices but is in Chinese and ships only within China. Read 1688 vs Alibaba vs Taobao to choose the right one for your order.
- order samples from two or three suppliers and compare them;
- ask whether the supplier already sells to Europe and has test reports;
- agree on packaging, barcodes and your brand logo before production;
- put quality requirements and the inspection in the order.
Step 3. Check EU product rules and labelling
Products sold to consumers in Ireland must meet EU product safety rules. Under the EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), many products need an economic operator based in the EU, such as a manufacturer, importer or responsible person, whose details appear on the product or packaging. Amazon may also ask for this information in your listing.
- Labels: product name, batch or model number, manufacturer and EU contact details.
- Instructions and warnings in English.
- CE marking and a declaration of conformity where the product type requires it.
- Test reports from the supplier for regulated products.
If you are not sure which rules apply to your product, ask a compliance specialist before you place the order. Fixing labels in China is much easier than in Ireland.
Step 4. Inspect goods before shipping
On Amazon, a few bad reviews can stop a new listing. A pre-shipment inspection checks quantity, appearance, function, labels and packaging while the supplier can still fix problems. Read our guide to quality inspection in China to see what a good inspection covers.
Step 5. Prepare cartons and labels for Amazon
Amazon has strict rules for how stock arrives at its warehouses. It is best to prepare everything in China, before the goods are shipped:
- product barcodes (FNSKU or manufacturer barcodes) on every unit;
- polybags, suffocation warnings or bubble wrap where needed;
- cartons within Amazon’s size and weight limits;
- carton labels and shipment labels from Seller Central;
- a packing list that matches the cartons exactly.
If you buy from several suppliers, you can have all goods delivered to one warehouse in China, where they are checked, labelled and combined into one shipment. See real examples on our work samples page.
Step 6. Ship to Ireland and clear customs
Goods from China reach Ireland by sea or by air. Sea freight is the usual choice for regular stock, while air freight suits samples, urgent restocks and light, high-value products.
| Method | Best for |
|---|---|
| Sea freight | Regular stock, larger orders, lower cost per unit |
| Air freight | Samples, urgent restocks, light products |
On arrival, the goods are cleared through customs, where customs duty and import VAT are paid. You need an EU EORI number, and your VAT obligations depend on where your stock is stored and where you sell. For the full import process, read our import from China to Ireland guide. To compare transport options in more detail, see shipping from China: sea freight vs air freight.
Amazon offers different ways to deliver orders on Amazon.ie, including Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) and delivering orders yourself. Some sellers also serve Irish customers from stock in other countries. Check the current options in Seller Central before you choose where to send your stock.
Common mistakes new Amazon.ie sellers make
- Choosing a product that needs certification they cannot provide.
- Forgetting EU contact details on labels and packaging.
- Skipping the inspection and receiving defective stock.
- Sending cartons that do not meet Amazon’s packing rules.
- Calculating profit without shipping, duty, VAT and Amazon fees.
- Ordering seasonal products too late.
How SilkwayMall helps Amazon sellers
We are a sourcing agent based in Yiwu with our own warehouse in China and an office in the EU. For Amazon sellers in Ireland we:
- find and compare suppliers and arrange samples;
- check goods before shipping and send photos and videos;
- apply barcodes, labels and packaging for Amazon;
- combine goods from several suppliers into one shipment;
- arrange sea or air freight to Ireland;
- issue an EU VAT invoice for your business.
Read more about our sourcing services for Amazon, eBay and Allegro sellers, see how our fees work on the price page, or send us your product idea through our contact form.
FAQ: selling on Amazon.ie with products from China
Can I sell on Amazon.ie if my products come from China?
Yes. Many sellers source from China. The products must meet EU safety and labelling rules, and you must follow Amazon’s policies for your category.
Do I need an EU contact person on my products?
For many consumer products, EU rules require an economic operator in the EU whose details appear on the product or packaging. Check the requirements for your product before production.
Can Amazon labels be applied in China?
Yes. Barcodes, carton labels and packaging can be prepared in China before shipping, which is usually faster and cheaper than doing it in Ireland.
Is sea or air freight better for Amazon stock?
Sea freight is usually better for regular stock. Air freight is useful for samples, the first small test order or urgent restocks.
Do I need a customs broker?
Most sellers use one. A local customs broker submits the import declaration, checks product codes and helps you avoid delays. An accountant can advise on your VAT obligations.
Related guides
- Import from China to Ireland: the complete 2026 guide
- Quality inspection in China: how to check goods before shipping to Ireland & the UK
- 1688 vs Alibaba vs Taobao: which should a UK or Irish business use?
- Christmas decorations from Yiwu: wholesale guide for UK & Irish shops
- Import from China to EU countries: country-by-country guides
- Amazon UK FBA from China: how to source and ship products to the UK
- Importing from China after the EU ended the €150 duty-free limit
This guide is for general information only. Amazon policies, product, customs and tax rules can change and depend on your goods, so we recommend consulting a local customs broker and an accountant before you import.