Want to supply your products directly to Amazon India as a vendor?
Then you need to know about Amazon Vendor Central – Amazon’s invite-only platform designed for manufacturers, distributors, and brands who want to sell their products to Amazon, not on Amazon.
In this blog by Infobeam Solution, we break down everything you need to know about Amazon Vendor Central, including how it works, the onboarding process, pros and cons, and how it compares with Seller Central.
📌 Table of Contents
-
What is Amazon Vendor Central?
-
Vendor Central vs Seller Central: Key Differences
-
Who Can Use Amazon Vendor Central?
-
How to Get an Invite for Vendor Central in India
-
Amazon Vendor Central Onboarding Process
-
How the Purchase Order System Works
-
Product Listings, A+ Content, and Marketing
-
Pros and Cons of Vendor Central
-
How Infobeam Solution Supports Amazon Vendors
-
Final Thoughts + FAQs
✅ What is Amazon Vendor Central?
Amazon Vendor Central is a B2B platform where businesses act as first-party (1P) sellers to Amazon. As a vendor, you supply your inventory directly to Amazon, and they take care of pricing, listing, shipping, and customer service.
In simple terms:
You → Supply products to Amazon → Amazon → Sells to customers
You get purchase orders (POs), ship goods to Amazon’s fulfillment centers, and receive payments according to agreed payment terms.
🤔 Vendor Central vs Seller Central
| Feature | Vendor Central | Seller Central |
|---|---|---|
| Business Type | 1P (First-Party) | 3P (Third-Party) |
| Access | Invite-only | Open to all |
| Who Sells | Amazon sells your products | You sell directly to customers |
| Pricing | Controlled by Amazon | Controlled by Seller |
| Inventory | Sold in bulk to Amazon | Managed by Seller |
| Shipping | You send bulk shipments to Amazon FCs | FBA, Easy Ship, or Self-Ship |
| Marketing | Through Amazon Retail Marketing | Sponsored Ads & Brand Tools |
| Customer Service | Amazon handles it | Seller handles (or Amazon FBA) |
🧾 Who Can Use Vendor Central?
Vendor Central is suitable for:
-
Large manufacturers
-
National or regional distributors
-
Well-established brands
-
FMCG companies
-
Importers of high-volume products
It’s not ideal for small sellers or startups, since Amazon prefers vendors with high order capacity, consistent supply, and competitive pricing.
📩 How to Get an Amazon Vendor Central Invite in India
Vendor Central is invite-only. There is no open signup link like Seller Central.
You may receive an invite if:
-
Your brand or product is trending on Amazon
-
Amazon Retail buyers see demand for your product
-
You attend trade shows and meet Amazon Retail Team
-
You work with a third-party agency (like Infobeam) with Vendor Central contacts
If you get an invite, Amazon will email you a registration link, and you’ll need to complete the onboarding process.
🛒 Amazon Vendor Central Onboarding Process (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Receive Official Invite
You will get an invite email with the subject “Welcome to Amazon Vendor Central”.
Click the link and create your Vendor Central account.
Step 2: Complete Vendor Profile
Fill in:
-
Business details
-
Bank account info
-
Tax registration (GSTIN, PAN)
-
Billing address
Step 3: Sign the Vendor Agreement
Read and accept Amazon’s terms including:
-
Payment terms (e.g., 60 days net)
-
Delivery timelines
-
Chargeback policies
-
Packaging requirements
Step 4: Setup EDI or Vendor Portal
You’ll get access to the Vendor Central dashboard or you can use EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) for managing orders and invoices.
Step 5: Receive First Purchase Order (PO)
Once setup is done, Amazon may issue your first PO. You’ll need to:
-
Confirm quantities
-
Pack and label the goods as per Amazon standards
-
Ship to designated fulfillment center
Step 6: Invoicing and Payment
After delivery:
-
Upload invoice via the Vendor Portal
-
Amazon verifies and processes payment within agreed timeline
📦 How Purchase Orders Work in Vendor Central
Amazon’s supply chain team will issue POs based on demand forecasting and sales trends.
As a vendor, you:
-
Receive POs weekly or bi-weekly
-
Confirm PO within 24-48 hours
-
Pack and ship within the agreed SLA
-
Raise invoice after delivery
-
Get paid in 30–90 days (depending on terms)
🖼️ Product Listing, A+ Content, and Marketing
Amazon controls the product pages, but you can submit:
-
A+ Content (Enhanced Brand Content)
-
Videos, brand stories, lifestyle images
-
Retail Marketing (AMS campaigns) through a separate console
-
Vine Program to generate authentic reviews
Note: You can’t directly change prices or run coupons — Amazon manages retail pricing.
✅ Pros of Amazon Vendor Central
✔ Sell in bulk directly to Amazon
✔ No customer service or returns handling
✔ Amazon handles pricing, shipping, and taxes
✔ Access to A+ content and brand marketing
✔ Trusted as “Ships from and sold by Amazon”
✔ Potential for big purchase volumes
❌ Cons of Amazon Vendor Central
❌ Invite-only access
❌ Less pricing control
❌ Complex PO and chargeback system
❌ Payment cycles may be long (up to 90 days)
❌ Higher pressure to meet delivery timelines
❌ Margins can be lower than Seller Central
🧑💼 How Infobeam Solution Supports Vendor Central Clients
At Infobeam Solution, we help large manufacturers, distributors, and brand owners get started and scale on Amazon Vendor Central.
Our services include:
-
📩 Vendor onboarding assistance
-
🔄 PO and invoice management
-
📦 Labeling and packaging support
-
📈 Retail analytics and inventory planning
-
🎯 Vendor marketing campaigns (AMS)
-
💬 Account health monitoring and A+ submissions
-
🤝 Connecting potential vendors with Amazon Retail team
Want to become a vendor on Amazon India?
Let Infobeam handle the process for you.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How do I get invited to Amazon Vendor Central?
You need to be noticed by Amazon Retail buyers or work with a verified partner like Infobeam to help introduce your brand.
Q2: Can I be on both Vendor Central and Seller Central?
Yes, many brands use a hybrid model, selling some products as vendors and others as 3P sellers.
Q3: Is Vendor Central better than Seller Central?
It depends on your goals. Vendor Central offers bulk orders and brand trust, while Seller Central gives pricing control and better margins.
Q4: Can new startups apply for Vendor Central?
Usually not. Amazon prefers working with large, established companies or manufacturers.
🏁 Final Thoughts: Should You Join Vendor Central?
If you’re a manufacturer, wholesaler, or established brand looking to sell large quantities to Amazon and don’t want to manage end-customer sales, Vendor Central is a great opportunity.
However, due to its complexity and invite-only access, it’s best to work with a trusted Amazon partner like Infobeam Solution.
📞 Ready to Become an Amazon Vendor?
Whether you’re looking to start on Vendor Central or need support managing POs, logistics, or retail marketing, Infobeam Solution is here to help.
👉 Contact us today for a free consultation and let’s get your business listed as a trusted Amazon vendor
