How to find suppliers to sell on Mercado Livre and Shopee (and what to check)
The right marketplace supplier isn't the cheapest one. It's the one that provides an invoice, restocks at the same cost, delivers on time, and, if possible, offers payment terms. The four types are manufacturer, importer or distributor, wholesaler, and direct import, each suited to a different stage of your store. There's also an underused way to find who actually brings a product into the country: check the Inmetro registration number on the packaging. It identifies the responsible manufacturer or importer.
A product's margin starts with the purchase. A one-point reduction in cost is worth more than almost any listing optimization. I'll show you where to look and what to check before your first purchase.
#The four types of suppliers
| Type | Advantage | Disadvantage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic manufacturer | lower cost, reliable restocking | high minimum order | high-volume stores |
| Importer or distributor | sells to resellers, with invoices and stock in Brazil | mid-range margins | most stores |
| Wholesaler (in-store or online) | low minimum order, variety | higher cost, uncertain restocking | new sellers |
| Direct import | lower cost per unit | high capital requirements, long lead times, currency and customs risks | established stores with scale and experience |
A common path is to start with a wholesaler, move to a distributor once the product proves it sells, and then source your bestsellers directly from the manufacturer or through imports.
#Where to find each one
Wholesalers. Wholesale centers in major cities, online wholesalers, and regional distributor catalogs. Good for testing products with little money.
Distributors and importers. Industry trade shows, retailer associations, and the product itself: the packaging lists the CNPJ of the manufacturer or importer. Calling the importer to ask for a distributor list or reseller terms usually works better than searching online.
The Inmetro registration route. Products that require mandatory certification (toys, small appliances, some automotive accessories, and more) have an Inmetro registration number. Inmetro’s public registration database shows the company responsible for that registration—the manufacturer or importer. It’s a shortcut for anyone looking to go beyond wholesalers and reach the company that brings the product into the country.
Manufacturers. Industry associations, trade shows, and industry catalogs. They require volume and regular orders, but offer the best costs and predictable restocking.
#The checklist before your first purchase
- Active CNPJ and Nota Fiscal. Without a Nota Fiscal, you can’t prove your costs, use FULL, or avoid tax risks.
- Certification when the product requires it. Products without required certification may be removed from the marketplace.
- Minimum order that fits your budget.
- Delivery and restocking times. If the product sells, you need to restock quickly.
- Price stability. A margin that depends on a supplier promotion disappears when you restock.
- Payment terms. They’re worth money—see below.
- Defective product returns. Who pays for a defective product returned by the buyer?
- Margin at the marketplace price. Before you commit, calculate what you’ll have left at the price top sellers charge.
#Payment terms are worth more than a discount
For marketplace sellers, sales revenue arrives days after delivery, while suppliers usually expect payment upfront. Every extra day your supplier gives you to pay is working capital you don’t need to have on hand.
For a store that spends R$ 40 mil per month on purchases, 30-day payment terms mean about R$ 40 mil less tied up in cash. A 5% discount for paying upfront is worth R$ 2 mil per month. If you don’t have cash to spare, payment terms are usually worth more. I break down the full calculation in cash flow for an online store.
#The calculation that decides whether to buy
A supplier’s price only makes sense alongside the price the marketplace will accept. Before you buy, calculate:
Margin at the top sellers’ price = (price − commission − shipping or fixed fee − tax − acquisition cost − packaging) ÷ price
Acquisition cost includes shipping for the purchase and a reserve for damaged goods. If the margin is below 20% before Ads, there’s little room to work with. See the step-by-step guide on how to tell if a product will be profitable.
In practice. A car accessories seller bought a phone mount from a wholesaler in São Paulo. It was their best-selling product, with a 14% margin on Mercado Livre. The registration number on the packaging led them to the importer, which sold to resellers with a 200-unit minimum order and 28-day payment terms. The cost dropped 22%, the margin rose to 27%, and the payment terms covered the time it took for sales proceeds to be released.
#Private label and caution with other sellers’ catalogs
If you buy from an importer and put your brand on the product, the brand is yours. Mercado Livre’s terms require sellers to operate under their own brand or name and protect third-party intellectual property. The reverse is also true: listing another company’s trademarked product as your own, or using another seller’s photos and text, can get your listing removed.
#From supplier catalog to selling price
The most tedious part of buying is turning a supplier catalog into selling prices. Milewa’s Suppliers module (Pro and Scale plans) uses AI to read PDF catalogs, extract products and prices, and show the suggested selling price for your target margin on Mercado Livre and Shopee. When a supplier updates their price list, you can immediately see which products are still worth buying.
#Frequently asked questions
Where can I find suppliers to sell on Mercado Livre?
There are four options: domestic manufacturers (for high-volume buyers), importers and distributors (who sell to resellers and issue a Nota Fiscal), brick-and-mortar and online wholesalers (good for starting with low volume), and direct importing (for sellers who already have scale). For products that require mandatory certification, the Inmetro registration number on the packaging leads to the responsible manufacturer or importer.
What should I check before buying from a supplier?
An active CNPJ and Nota Fiscal, product certification when required, minimum order quantity, delivery and restocking times, price stability, payment terms, the defective product return policy, and the product’s margin at the marketplace price.
How can a small seller negotiate with suppliers?
Negotiate payment terms before discounts: 30 days to pay can be worth more than a 5% discount because it reduces the working capital you need. Show that you’re reliable with regular, smaller orders. Ask for better terms on your second purchase if the first sells well, and concentrate your orders with a few suppliers to become a more important customer.
#Sources
- Mercado Livre — Shipping costs (table by weight and price)
- Shopee — Commission policy for CNPJ and CPF sellers
- Mercado Livre — Terms and conditions (private label and intellectual property)
Marketplace fees change. The numbers in this article are valid for the period mentioned — before setting your price, check the current table in your account.
Supplier catalog with prices already calculated
Upload a PDF catalog to Milewa’s Suppliers module. AI extracts the products and prices, and you’ll see the suggested selling price for your target margin on Mercado Livre and Shopee (Pro and Scale plans). Try it free for 14 days, no card required.
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