Selling an Amazon FBA business is a well-established exit route that Irish sellers use once they have built a profitable, stable product catalogue. FBA businesses are attractive acquisition targets because revenue is predictable, operations are largely automated, and the business is not location-dependent.
How FBA businesses are valued
The standard valuation metric for Amazon FBA businesses is a multiple of monthly net profit, expressed as an annual figure.
- Businesses generating €2,000–€10,000/month net profit typically sell at 2–3× annual net profit
- Businesses generating €10,000–€50,000/month net profit can achieve 3–5× annual net profit
- Larger, more established businesses with strong brand moats command 4–6× or higher
Example: An FBA business generating €5,000/month net profit = €60,000/year → sells for approximately €150,000–€180,000 at a 2.5–3× multiple.
Valuations are higher when the business has:
- Consistent or growing revenue over 24+ months
- Diversified product catalogue (not reliant on one ASIN)
- Own brand / trademark registered
- Supplier contracts in place
- Clean financial records
Where to sell your FBA business
FBA specialist brokers handle the majority of transactions:
- Empire Flippers — one of the largest online business marketplaces, regularly lists Irish and UK FBA businesses
- Flippa — broader marketplace, handles smaller FBA businesses (€10,000–€500,000 range)
- FE International — focuses on mid-market to enterprise deals (€500,000+)
- Quiet Light Brokerage — US-based but handles international FBA businesses
Most brokers charge a commission of 10–15% of the sale price. In return, they handle buyer vetting, due diligence coordination, and the transfer process.
Direct to buyers — private equity firms and individual aggregators actively acquire FBA businesses. Irish sellers sometimes find buyers through LinkedIn, FBA communities, or referrals from their accountant or solicitor.
What buyers look for
Buyers conducting due diligence will examine:
- 12–24 months of Seller Central data — revenue, units sold, return rates, account health metrics
- Profit and loss statement — ideally prepared by an accountant, showing all costs including COGS, Amazon fees, advertising, freight, and owner's salary
- Supplier agreements — buyers want to know they can replicate your supply chain after the purchase
- Intellectual property — brand name, trademark registration, any proprietary product designs or formulations
- Account health — no recent suspensions, policy warnings, or unresolved customer complaints
The transfer process
Amazon FBA businesses can be transferred in two ways:
Amazon Business Transfer — Amazon's official transfer tool, available in Seller Central. The buyer creates a new seller account and you transfer your listings, inventory, and brand registry to them. This is the cleanest method.
Entity sale — you sell the Irish company that owns the Amazon account, rather than transferring the account itself. Simpler from an Amazon perspective but involves more legal complexity. Requires an Irish solicitor to handle the share transfer.
Timing your sale as an Irish seller
The best time to sell is when your business is growing, not declining. Buyers pay for trajectory. A business showing 20–30% year-on-year growth will command a significantly higher multiple than one with flat or declining revenue.
Irish sellers should also consider the Irish capital gains tax (CGT) implications of a business sale — the standard CGT rate is 33%, though Entrepreneur Relief can reduce this to 10% on qualifying gains up to €1,000,000. Consult a qualified Irish accountant or tax advisor before agreeing a sale price.