Registering as a seller on Amazon’s South African marketplace is a Seller Central sign-up, a plan choice and a set of verification documents. This page walks through the registration itself, step by step. For a broader look at what selling on Amazon involves and how it compares to other marketplaces, see our guide to Amazon South Africa’s marketplace.
Step 1: Choose your selling plan
Amazon offers two plans, and the right one depends on volume:
- Individual plan: no monthly fee, with a fee of R10 charged per item sold. This suits a business selling under about 40 items a month, or one still testing which products sell.
- Professional plan: a monthly subscription, discounted to R1 a month under a promotion running until 31 March 2027, against the regular rate of R400 a month. This plan unlocks bulk listing tools, advertising and access to Amazon’s seller programmes, so it suits a business selling in volume.
Step 2: Understand the referral fees
On top of the plan fee, Amazon takes a referral fee on each sale, which normally ranges from about 8% to 20% depending on the product category, with a minimum fee per item. Amazon is running a promotion reducing referral fees to a flat 5% on items fulfilled through Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA), until 31 March 2027. Confirm the current rate for your specific category before pricing your products, since these promotional rates are temporary.
Step 3: Register on Seller Central
Create an account on Amazon Seller Central. You will need:
- A South African company registration or ID, depending on your business structure
- A South African bank account for payouts
- A valid tax number
- Contact and identity verification documents
Step 4: List your first products
Add products individually or in bulk, depending on your plan, with clear titles, images and accurate category placement. Correct categorisation affects both your referral fee and whether customers find the listing.
Step 5: Decide how you will fulfil orders
You can ship orders yourself, or use Fulfilment by Amazon, where Amazon stores, packs and ships your stock and handles customer service for those orders. FBA currently carries promotional pricing too, including reduced inbound shipping costs and zero storage and pick-and-pack fees until the same 2027 dates, so it is worth comparing against self-fulfilment while those promotions run.
Frequently asked questions
Which plan should a new seller choose?
The Individual plan while testing a small number of products, moving to Professional once volume or the need for advertising and bulk tools grows.
Do referral fees apply on top of the plan fee?
Yes. The plan fee and the per-item referral fee are separate charges.
Is South African company registration required to sell?
A registered business is generally expected, along with a South African bank account and tax number.
Should I use Fulfilment by Amazon?
It is worth comparing against self-fulfilment on cost and convenience, particularly while FBA promotions reduce its usual costs.
What is the difference between Amazon and other South African marketplaces?
See our comparison of e-commerce seller programmes in South Africa.
Originally published in May 2024. Updated September 2026.
