How to Sell Used Items on Amazon

While Amazon doesn’t quite have that thrift store feel, the truth is selling used items on Amazon is quite popular. Bargain hunters don’t want to shell out full price for a new item that works just as well when it’s second-hand — and that’s why more and more sellers are looking into this method.

In this guide, we answer all your questions about how to sell used items on Amazon so you too can cater to “thrifty” online shoppers.

Can You Sell Used Items on Amazon?

The short answer is yes, although not in all product categories. Some allow both used and certified refurbished products, while others accept used but not refurbished items.

Other categories will accept neither of those options, and there's also a special caveat for collectible items that can be sold if they're "like new."

Here's a quick reference list of which categories allow what:

Used and Certified Refurbished

• Amazon Device Accessories
• Automotive & Industrial
• Camera & Photo
• Cell Phones & Accessories
• Computers
• Electronics
• Home, Garden & Tools
• Industrial & Scientific
• Major Appliances
• Musical Instruments
• Office Products
• Outdoors
• Pets
• Sports
• Tools & Home Improvement

Used But Not Refurbished

• Amazon Kindles
• Books
• Music
• Software
• Video, DVD & Blu-ray
• Video Games

Neither Used Nor Refurbished

• Baby Products
• Beauty
• Clothing
• Fine Art
• Grocery & Gourmet Food
• Health
• Jewelry
• Personal Care
• Shoes & Handbags
• Toys & Games
• Watches

Collectibles (Like New)

• Collectible Coins
• Entertainment Collectibles
• Sports Collectibles

You can learn more about all of the Amazon categories in this guide.

How to Sell Used Items on Amazon in 7 Steps

Selling used items on Amazon is just a matter of listing them correctly. Follow the instructions below to learn how to sell used items on Amazon.

1. In Seller Central, go to Manage Inventory > Add a Product.
2. Enter the ASIN of your item. If you don’t know the item’s ASIN, see if you can find the same product already listed on Amazon.
3. When selecting the product, you’ll notice a dropdown window for the item condition on the right-hand side. From the dropdown, choose Used.
4. Click Sell this product.
5. On the Offer page, you’ll see another dropdown menu for Condition. Here, you'll mention what state the used product is in, such as Like New or Acceptable. The Amazon guidelines for item conditions are strict and precise, so review the criteria carefully to make sure you select the right option.
6. Beneath the condition dropdown is a section for Condition Notes. This is where you'll describe any issues the used product has, such as “minor scratch on the display window” or “rounded corners.” Although this section is optional, it’s highly recommended.
7. Fill in the rest of the Offer page as you would with a new product, and complete the listing.

What if you want to sell refurbished products instead of just used ones? For that, check out our guide on Amazon Renewed, an Amazon program that accepts and certifies refurbished products for manufacturers and third-party refurbishers.

What are the Best Used Items to Sell on Amazon?

Unfortunately, some of the most profitable Amazon product categories don’t allow used goods, specifically clothing, baby products, jewelry, and toys and games. However, there are still plenty of categories that do allow used goods, so sellers should focus on these instead. Here are some of the best used items to sell on Amazon.

Books

It should be no surprise that books are top sellers on Amazon — after all, the world’s largest marketplace started as an online book store. What is surprising is just how popular print books still are in the age of eBooks as this category is consistently near the top of Amazon’s best-selling product categories.

You can sell any used books you come across as long as the condition is suitable, but don’t forget certain books can also be collector’s items, which can warrant higher price tags.

Learn more: 3 Expert Tips for Selling Books on Amazon

Electronics

Electronics are one of the best-performing product categories on Amazon primarily because they are inherently popular with bargain hunters.

Many shoppers prefer to buy the older, outdated versions of electronics at a hefty discount when newer models are released. You too can take advantage of this shopping habit by selling used electronics in your Amazon store.

Kitchen and Cooking Items

Does it really matter if your cooking utensils are used if they’re still in good shape? Many shoppers don’t mind used kitchen goods or appliances as long as they work properly.

Kitchen and Home Goods are consistently one of the best-performing product categories on Amazon so naturally, the used goods market is also lucrative.

Tools and Home Improvements

Similar to both electronics and home goods, shoppers don’t mind so much if their tools are used, so long as they work.

Selling used products like power tools, hand tools, or other home improvement items makes sense considering their popularity in general and that their condition doesn’t need to be flawless for them to get the job done.

Pet Goods

The pet market is an eCommerce darling as shoppers don’t mind spending a little extra on their furry companions.

Pet goods like bowls, leashes, litter boxes, and nail trimmers are all best sellers, whether new or used. Just be sure to properly sanitize any used items to give them the best condition possible.

Why Selling Used Goods on Amazon Works

Selling used goods can be a profitable business strategy if you’re already familiar with thrift stores and second-hand markets. However, you really don't have to be.

If you already have an Amazon seller account, you could use it to unload some of your own used products like an online garage sale!

You can also read our guide on How to Become an Amazon Reseller to learn more about how to acquire used goods in bulk at the lowest costs. Good luck!