Starting Amazon FBA in Ireland does not require massive capital, but it does require enough money to buy a meaningful initial stock order, cover Amazon's fees, and run advertising until organic sales kick in. Here is a realistic breakdown of what you will need.
Minimum viable budget for Irish FBA sellers
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Amazon Professional Seller account | €39/month + 23% VAT |
| Product samples (2–3 suppliers) | €50–€150 |
| Initial stock order (100–200 units) | €400–€1,500 |
| Freight to Amazon EU fulfilment centre | €80–€250 |
| FNSKU labelling / prep (if outsourced) | €30–€80 |
| Amazon PPC advertising budget (first 60 days) | €200–€500 |
| Total minimum | ~€800–€2,500 |
Most experienced Irish FBA sellers recommend having at least €1,500–€3,000 available before placing your first order. This gives you enough buffer to restock if your first shipment sells faster than expected.
Why you need more than just the cost of stock
New sellers often underestimate the non-stock costs. Beyond the product itself, you need to budget for:
Amazon fees before you see revenue — you pay for storage from day one, and FBA fulfilment fees are deducted automatically from each sale before Amazon pays you. Your first payout typically arrives 14 days after your first sale.
Advertising — new listings on amazon.ie have no reviews and no sales history, so they do not rank organically. Sponsored Products (PPC) advertising is essential in the first 60–90 days to generate sales velocity and early reviews. Budget at least €3–€5 per day while you build momentum.
Samples — always order samples from 2–3 suppliers before placing a bulk order. Sample costs are typically €20–€80 per supplier plus international shipping, and the investment protects you from committing to a large order of substandard goods.
Starting costs by model
Wholesale (buying branded products from Irish/EU distributors)
- Lower MOQs (often 12–50 units)
- No design or branding costs
- Realistic starting budget: €500–€1,500
Private label (manufacturing under your own brand, typically from Alibaba)
- Higher MOQs (typically 100–500 units minimum)
- Additional costs for logo, packaging design, barcode registration
- Realistic starting budget: €1,500–€5,000
Online arbitrage (buying discounted retail stock to resell on Amazon)
- Lowest barriers to entry
- No minimum order quantities
- Realistic starting budget: €200–€500
Irish-specific costs to factor in
VAT on Amazon fees — Amazon charges 23% Irish VAT on all seller fees. Before you hit the €40,000 VAT registration threshold, this is a direct cost. On €200/month in Amazon fees, that is an extra €46/month you cannot reclaim until you register.
Import costs — if sourcing from outside the EU (China, USA, UK), Irish import duty and 23% import VAT apply on goods entering Ireland. Work with a freight forwarder to get accurate landed cost figures before you finalize your buying price.
Currency — all amazon.ie transactions are in euros. If you are sourcing from China and paying in USD, exchange rate fluctuations affect your margin. Consider a Wise Business or Revolut Business account for better exchange rates than traditional Irish banks.
How to make your first €1,000 go further
- Do thorough product research before spending — validate demand and margins before buying any stock
- Start with one product, not five
- Use an FBA profit calculator to confirm your net margin per unit before ordering
- Choose a product small enough to sit in the lowest FBA size tier — lower fulfilment fees per unit make a big difference at small volumes
- Order the minimum viable quantity for your first batch — if it sells, you can reorder with confidence