The Middle East has a very young population structure, with a median age generally under 351, and its large, still-growing young population brings vitality and potential to the region. Higher population density creates favorable conditions for growth in the Internet and consumer sectors. The convenience of online shopping has made it hard for Middle Eastern consumers to resist, and the Middle East has become one of the regions with the fastest growth in the number of online consumers worldwide2. It is estimated that by 2026, the total e-commerce market in the Middle East will reach $57 billion3. Against this backdrop, more and more Chinese sellers are setting their sights on the Middle East, a promising blue-ocean e-commerce region. To further help Chinese sellers expand into the Middle East, Amazon has launched the Export to the Middle East Cross-Border E-commerce Industry Insights Report, so sellers can better understand the region’s consumer outlook, consumption trends, e-commerce environment, and other information. Drawing on the report, this article provides recommendations on bestselling e-commerce products in the Middle East that many beginner sellers are interested in.

In terms of categories, all major categories are showing an upward trend in e-commerce sales in the Middle East. Among them, fashion, consumer electronics, and beauty and personal care products rank among the top 4. As one of the top-traffic e-commerce websites in the Middle East, some of Amazon’s bestselling categories are also well worth looking at. According to Amazon data, Home and Kitchen, personal computers, Beauty, wireless devices, and Consumer Electronics rank among the bestselling categories in the Middle East Marketplace, and these categories are also maintaining high year-over-year growth5. At the same time, according to Amazon’s "Middle East Cross-Border E-commerce Export Industry Insights Report," the following categories show strong potential and are bestselling product categories in Middle East e-commerce, so sellers can focus on them.

● Consumer Electronics: stable growth, abundant opportunities

Electronic products have become one of today’s hottest product categories. According to third-party data, they are expected to see 10% compound annual growth from 2022 to 20266, especially smart products, whose share of consumption continues to rise. Digital cameras, microSD cards, and tower cases are performing well, and related products such as mice and keyboards are also worth focusing on.

Selling note: international sellers must ensure that all electrical products are safe to use in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, including meeting the voltage requirements in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia (British standard, 220 volts).

Home and appliance products are also growing steadily and are expected to see even stronger growth in the next few years. You can focus on storage products, such as drawer organizers, cosmetic display boxes, and storage boxes.

Selling notes:
For lighting products, the UAE requires product packaging images, DOC documents that meet EU standards, and ECAS certificates. For lighting products, Saudi Arabia requires product packaging images and test reports issued by internationally recognized laboratories that meet EU standards, or DOC documents that comply with the SOLAS Convention.

Demand for beauty and personal care among women in the Middle East is growing rapidly. According to third-party data, demand for home care is expected to soar to a 17% annual growth rate from 2022 to 20267. Due to the local climate in the Middle East, you may want to focus on sun protection-related products. Because beauty products require relevant qualifications, the barrier to entry is relatively high and competition is relatively low, making this category a great fit for professional beauty sellers.

Selling notes:
Selling beauty products in the UAE requires product packaging images, a Dubai municipal certificate (MONTAJI), or an ECAS certification certificate. In Saudi Arabia, in addition to having a picture of the product packaging, it is also necessary to have SFDA cosmetic product certification.

● Health and Personal Care category: products that enhance quality of life have strong potential

Driven by stay-at-home and healthy living trends, the Health and Personal Care category is on the rise. It is worth noting that earwax removal devices have performed very well in the Middle East Marketplace, and facial hydration products such as sprays and toners are also popular with local consumers.

In addition, we want to remind sellers who want to open a store in the Middle East Marketplace that religious culture has a major impact on people’s lifestyles in the region. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct in-depth social and cultural research before entering the market, including paying attention to Islamic law and other relevant laws and regulations to ensure your business stays compliant and avoids violating local taboos. ( For example, elements related to pigs, alcohol, and crosses require special attention. )

The above is an introduction to bestselling products and popular categories in Middle East cross-border e-commerce. You can also click 《Middle East Cross-Border E-commerce Industry Insights Report》 to get more detailed information about Middle East e-commerce and consumers in the Middle East. In addition, we’d like to especially remind new sellers that to succeed in cross-border selling, you need to carefully select products and choose the right cross-border e-commerce channel. We recommend that you pay close attention to Amazon Middle East Marketplace. In recent years, Amazon has continued to increase its support for the overall development of the Middle East Marketplace, launching a number of preferential policies such as the “Middle East Launch Gift Package,” and attracting more and more Chinese sellers to expand their global business presence through the Amazon Middle East Marketplace.