Can you sell shoes on Amazon? Yes. Shoes are one of Amazon’s biggest fashion categories, and new sellers can list unbranded or open-brand footwear without category approval. The catch is that many well-known shoe brands (Nike, Adidas and others) are brand-gated, shoes generate more returns than most products, and Amazon charges FBA sellers a returns processing fee on every returned apparel or shoe unit. This guide explains how to sell shoes on Amazon profitably: which types sell, how to source them, which fees to budget for, and how brand approval works.
Sell Shoes via Amazon FBA
So, what is Amazon FBA, and how does it serve you as a seller? Amazon has two fulfillment methods: FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) and FBM (Fulfillment by Merchant). Obviously, with the FBM program, you must handle everything and handle shipping orders.
FBA is the preferred method among most third-party sellers on Amazon because it leaves the packaging, shipping, and delivery to Amazon while freeing your precious time. As a result, you can focus on increasing sales and sourcing the best products. Here’s a guide about starting an amazon fba business:
First, you must do product research to find a suitable type of shoe and find a wholesaler that offers them, buy in bulk, and send your inventory to an Amazon Fulfillment Center. Your products will be stored there, and whenever a customer orders them, Amazon will pack and ship the order. This way, you won’t need to worry about the mundane parts of being an Amazon seller and can focus on more important things like advertisement and making your listings as attractive as possible.
Of course, Amazon FBA services are not free. Fulfillment fees depend on the size, weight and price of the item, and since 2026 Amazon publishes them in three price bands (under $10, $10 to $50, and over $50). Shoes and apparel use their own fee table, which is slightly higher than the standard one, and apparel and shoe returns are charged a returns processing fee on every returned unit. Budget for monthly storage, inbound placement fees and the referral fee as well. Our Amazon FBA fees guide breaks these costs down, and you should always confirm current rates with the revenue calculator or Fee Preview report in Seller Central. If you prefer to ship orders yourself, compare both options in our Amazon FBA vs FBM comparison.
Why Are Shoes Popular on Amazon?
If you’re still not convinced about selling shoes on Amazon, knowing more about why so many customers order them from this marketplace may help you decide. The main reasons for the popularity of shoes on Amazon are:
- Availability and ease of ordering – Nowadays, you don’t have to drive around the block searching for the perfect shoes. You can go on Amazon, look at the thousands of available products, and order your favorite pair from the comfort of your home.
- Easy returns – many shoes on Amazon come with free returns, so shoppers who get a pair that doesn’t fit can send it back and order another size. This removes the biggest fear people have about buying shoes online. For you as a seller it also means a higher return rate than most categories, so price returns into your margins and read our guide on handling Amazon FBA returns.
As you can see, shoes are a great product to sell on Amazon because they have a vast target audience who love to shop online. If you can find a particular style of shoe that is a fan favorite or get into selling seasonal shoes, you can make tons of profits.
Best Types of Shoes to Sell on Amazon
Picking a shoe to sell from the millions of available products is not easy, and you can’t just pick whatever you think looks nice. You must approach this strategically and rely on data when making important decisions. For starters, you can check out the Amazon best sellers page to see which products generate more sales.
For example, comfort is a big hit right now. After a quick look at the best sellers page, you’ll find out that the best-selling shoes on Amazon are either croc-style casual shoes or have memory foam. However, other important factors determine which type of shoe you should go for when selling shoes on Amazon. Here are a few types of shoes that have sold well over the years:
- Seasonal trends – for example, in the winter, everyone needs boots to keep their feet warm. So, fall and winter are the best times to sell boots on Amazon. The opposite of this is also true – people buy casual water shoes in the summer to keep their feet cool, so that’s an option you can go for during spring and summer.
- Athletic shoes – we all love sneakers. Not only do they stand up to our favorite sport or exercise, but they also play a huge role in our outfits and overall fashion style. So, you can also sell sneakers on Amazon.
How to Find Profitable Shoes to Sell Them on Amazon
Other than looking at Amazon’s best sellers, product research tools can help you find the perfect products for selling on Amazon. You can also check data reports such as sales rank history to ensure you choose the right product. However, in addition to these, you must also consider the variation differences.
Unlike products like toys or books, shoes come in various variations. But amazon product hunting might not be a piece of cake for beginners. You might find out that a specific brand of shoes is selling well, but you don’t know which sizes are actually selling. You must consider two crucial factors when choosing the right shoes to sell on Amazon: color and size.
In the US marketplace, mid-range sizes sell fastest: roughly men’s 9–12 and women’s 7–9. Extreme sizes sell more slowly and tie up capital, so check which child variations actually have sales history (in Keepa or a similar tool) before you buy. When choosing the color of the shoes, remember that most people are not that flashy in their sense of style, so neutral colors are more likely to sell. So, go for black, tan, or brown shoes instead of red or other flashy colors.
When it comes to selling shoes on Amazon, there are three major ways to source inventory:
- If you do retail arbitrage, go to a shoe store, scan different shoes, and see which can generate more profit.
- If you do online arbitrage, go to an online store and search for good shoes.
- If you do wholesale, find a reliable shoe manufacturer to sell their products on Amazon.
Do You Need Brand Approval to Sell Shoes on Amazon?
The shoes category itself is open for most sellers, but many established shoe brands are not. Amazon keeps counterfeits off its marketplace by restricting (gating) certain brands and products, and popular footwear brands such as Nike and Adidas are common examples. To sell a gated brand you must request approval in Seller Central first, and Amazon alone decides whether to approve you. See our step-by-step guides to getting ungated in Nike and ungated in Adidas. There is no single public list of gated shoe brands: restrictions differ by account, so the reliable way to check is to search the ASIN in Seller Central (Add a Product) or with a tool like SellerAmp before you buy. Our overview of Amazon restricted categories and brands covers the bigger picture.
How to Get Ungated to Sell Different Brand Shoes on Amazon?
If you look at the list of gated shoe brands on Amazon and find your products’ brands, you can apply for approval for selling shoes on Amazon. The application process for every brand is the same, and it is surprisingly easy, and the process is similar to other products (like how to sell clothes on amazon). Here’s how you can do it:
- Log in to Seller Central, open the Catalog menu and select “Add Products”.
- Search for the shoe by ASIN, UPC or name.
- If the listing is restricted, you’ll see a “Show limitations” link next to it.
- Click “Apply to sell” (Request approval) and follow the prompts.
After you apply for ungating on Amazon, you have to wait for an answer. You may get auto-approved immediately, but most people have to provide the required documentation to get approved. If you get a response back from Amazon requesting additional information, you may need to upload the following documentation:
- Recent invoices from an authorized manufacturer or distributor (retail receipts are usually rejected; see how to submit invoices for Amazon ungating)
- A letter from the manufacturer or brand owner
- Other types of documentation
If your account is “healthy” enough, you’ll probably get approved with no trouble. Certain metrics determine your account health, including Order Defect Rate, Cancelation Rate, Late Dispatch Rate, etc. So, pay attention to these metrics and try to keep them healthy so you can get approved fast.
Remember that even if you get denied, you can try again, so don’t give up hope easily. There are many reasons for an application denial – the most common being that you haven’t established yourself as a reliable Amazon seller yet. Double-check your application requirements to ensure you qualify if this is not the reason. Try again in 3-6 months, and keep trying until you get the approval. In the meantime, improve your overall selling metrics to increase your approval chances.
Final Thoughts
As already established in this article, shoes are a popular product on Amazon for various reasons. This makes it a profitable business venture for any Amazon seller. Unbranded and open-brand shoes can be listed right away, while gated brands require Amazon’s approval. Amazon makes every approval decision, so build healthy account metrics and use valid invoices. If you’d like structured help, OABeans leads-list members get free access to our Amazon ungating course, which walks you through preparing applications yourself (approval is never guaranteed).
After deciding to sell shoes on Amazon, spend some time researching and finding out which variations and types of shoes are more profitable. By doing this, you will ensure the success of your business in the long run. If you source through online arbitrage, pre-researched online arbitrage leads can save hours of product research.
FAQ: Selling Shoes on Amazon
Can I sell shoes on Amazon without approval?
Yes, for unbranded and open-brand shoes. Many major brands are gated, so check each ASIN for listing limitations in Seller Central before you buy inventory.
Can you sell used shoes on Amazon?
Shoes on Amazon are generally expected to be sold as New, and used footwear is heavily restricted. Check the condition guidelines for the category in Seller Central before listing anything pre-owned; for other second-hand goods, see our guide on selling used items on Amazon.
Is selling shoes on Amazon profitable?
It can be, if you buy proven sizes and colors, keep return costs in your margin calculation, and avoid brands you aren’t approved to sell. Returns processing fees apply to every returned shoe unit sent through FBA, so a buffer for returns is essential.
