What Is Amazon to eBay Arbitrage?
Amazon to eBay arbitrage means listing products on eBay at a higher price than they sell for on Amazon, then buying the item on Amazon only after an eBay buyer places an order and having Amazon ship it straight to that buyer. It is a form of dropshipping, and it is why some eBay buyers receive their order in an Amazon box.
The short answer most people are looking for: eBay does not allow this model. Since early 2019, eBay’s drop shipping policy has said that listing an item and then buying it from another retailer or marketplace that ships directly to your buyer is not permitted. Dropshipping from a wholesale supplier is allowed. Below we explain how the model works, what the rules say today, the risks, and the legitimate ways to profit from price gaps between Amazon and eBay.
How the Amazon to eBay model works
- List an Amazon product on your eBay store at a marked-up price.
- Wait for an eBay buyer to place an order.
- Buy the same item on Amazon and enter the eBay buyer’s address, so Amazon ships it directly to them.
Dropshipping in general means selling items without holding inventory: when an order comes in, a supplier ships it to the customer. It is a common model, but it is a different business from online arbitrage, where you buy discounted products first and resell inventory you own.
Is Dropshipping from Amazon to eBay Allowed in 2026?
Retail-to-marketplace dropshipping is generally not illegal, but it breaks the rules of both platforms involved:
- eBay: its drop shipping policy allows fulfilling orders directly from a wholesale supplier, but not listing an item and then purchasing it from another retailer or marketplace that ships to your buyer. You also remain responsible for delivery within your stated handling and shipping time. Violations can lead to listings being removed, selling limits or account restrictions.
- Amazon: Amazon’s dropshipping policy requires you to be the seller of record and to be identified on all packing slips and invoices. Buying from another online retailer and having that retailer ship directly to your customer is not allowed when the shipment does not identify you as the seller of record. An Amazon order shipped to an eBay buyer shows Amazon, not you.
- Products: the items must be legal to sell and ship, and you must not list counterfeit or trademark-infringing goods.
Some sellers still run Amazon to eBay arbitrage and are not caught right away, but that is a risk to your eBay account, not a loophole. If you want to read more about the legal side of reselling, see our guide on whether online arbitrage is legal.
Amazon to eBay Arbitrage Software
Searches for “Amazon to eBay arbitrage software” are common, so it is worth knowing what these tools do and how to use them within the rules. Most are built for eBay product research or for compliant dropshipping from approved suppliers:
- ZIK Analytics: eBay market research. It shows what sells on eBay, competitor sales and pricing, which is useful whether you dropship from wholesale suppliers or list inventory you already own.
- SaleFreaks and AutoDS: listing and order-automation tools for eBay dropshippers. SaleFreaks was acquired by AutoDS in 2025. Use them with supplier sources that eBay permits, not to auto-order from Amazon.
- BuyBotPro: a Chrome extension for analyzing products you plan to sell on Amazon: profit, ROI, sales rank and sales estimates. It suits the reverse direction (buy elsewhere, sell on Amazon). Read our BuyBotPro review for details.
What Are the Risks of Dropshipping from Amazon to eBay?
- Policy enforcement: eBay can remove listings, limit or suspend accounts that dropship from other retailers.
- Confused buyers: the order arrives in an Amazon box, sometimes with Amazon pricing or Prime messaging, and with no information about your store. That leads to “item not as described” claims, returns and negative feedback.
- Price and stock changes: Amazon prices change constantly. If the price rises or the item sells out after your eBay sale, you either lose money or cancel the order, which hurts your seller metrics.
- No quality control: you never see the item, so wrong, damaged or mismatched products go straight to your customer.
- Thin margins and no repeat customers: buyers who see the Amazon box can find the lower price themselves, so loyalty is low.
Legitimate Ways to Profit from Amazon and eBay Price Gaps
The price differences between Amazon and eBay are real. You can use them without breaking platform rules:
- Buy first, then sell on eBay. Purchase discounted inventory (clearance, retail or online deals), receive it, and ship eBay orders yourself as the seller of record.
- Sell on Amazon instead. Source discounted products from retailers and sell them through Amazon FBA, where Amazon handles storage, shipping and customer service. This is online or retail arbitrage.
- Use eBay as a second channel. List slow-moving or returned Amazon inventory you own on eBay to recover cash faster.
- Wholesale dropshipping. If you want a no-inventory model on eBay, work with wholesale suppliers that allow dropshipping, as eBay permits.
What Should I Not Sell on eBay?
Some items are prohibited or restricted on eBay, and others are simply poor choices for arbitrage:
- Perishable food: spoilage, temperature and shipping-time problems.
- Expensive jewelry: high value, high risk of loss and fraud claims.
- Large, heavy items: expensive to ship and harder to sell profitably.
- Counterfeit or replica items: prohibited, and can lead to account suspension and legal action.
- Tobacco and alcohol: prohibited or heavily restricted.
- Seeds and plants: many states have strict rules on shipping them.
Can eBay Make You Rich?
You can build a profitable eBay business, but not with Amazon to eBay dropshipping. You do not control the supplier’s price or stock, you do not own the customer relationship, and the model violates eBay’s rules, so income from it is neither stable nor safe. Sustainable eBay sellers own their inventory or work with approved wholesale suppliers.
How Much Can You Make From Amazon to eBay Arbitrage?
There is no reliable figure. Margins are usually small after eBay fees, payment costs and Amazon price changes, and one cancelled order or claim can wipe out the profit from several sales. Because there is little upfront investment, many people overestimate what the model can earn.
Online arbitrage on Amazon is different: you invest in inventory, but you control your buy price and your listing. Our guide on how much money you can make from online arbitrage breaks down the factors that drive real results.
Is Selling on Amazon Better than on eBay?
Amazon and eBay are very different marketplaces. Amazon has a larger buyer base for new products, fast Prime shipping through FBA, and clear return and refund rules handled by Amazon. eBay is strong for used, collectible and hard-to-find items and gives sellers more control over listings and pricing.
For resellers of new, branded products, Amazon FBA is usually the more scalable option because Amazon handles fulfillment and customer service. For a full comparison of fees, audiences and pros and cons, read our guide to Amazon vs eBay for sellers.
Final Thought
Amazon to eBay arbitrage looks risk-free because you hold no inventory and need little capital, but it breaks eBay’s drop shipping rules and Amazon’s seller-of-record rules, and it exposes you to cancellations, claims and account restrictions. If you want to profit from price gaps, buy inventory first and sell it as the seller of record, or focus on online arbitrage on Amazon. If you want pre-checked products to source, OABeans online arbitrage leads deliver profitable Amazon deals every day.
FAQs
Is Amazon to eBay dropshipping allowed?
No. eBay does not allow listing an item and then buying it from another retailer or marketplace, such as Amazon, that ships directly to your buyer. Dropshipping from a wholesale supplier is allowed on eBay.
Can you get banned on eBay for dropshipping from Amazon?
Yes. eBay can remove listings, apply selling limits or restrict accounts that break its drop shipping policy, especially after buyer complaints or late or cancelled orders.
What is the best Amazon to eBay arbitrage software?
Tools like ZIK Analytics, SaleFreaks and AutoDS are built for eBay research and dropshipping automation, but they should be used with supplier sources eBay permits. Auto-ordering from Amazon to fulfill eBay orders breaks eBay rules.
Is eBay to Amazon arbitrage a better option?
Buying underpriced items on eBay to resell on Amazon is allowed if you own the inventory, but be careful: many eBay purchases are used or lack invoices, and Amazon can ask for invoices from authorized suppliers to prove authenticity. Retail and online arbitrage from established retailers is usually safer.
