Amazon is one of the largest marketplaces in the world, and you do not need to live in the United States to sell on Amazon.com. Thousands of sellers in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East run US stores from their home country. The process is open to non-residents, but it has strict identity and tax checks, and many applications stall over small details. This guide explains how to open an Amazon seller account from outside the US, what Amazon asks for and how to get paid.
Amazon changes fees, policies and verification steps often. Everything here is general guidance, so check Seller Central for the current requirements before you pay or apply. Nothing in this guide guarantees account approval.
Can a non-US resident sell on Amazon?
Yes. Amazon allows sellers from many countries to register for its US marketplace, provided they can pass identity verification, supply a valid payment method and complete the tax interview. You can register as an individual or as a business. A US company is not mandatory for most sellers, but it brings real advantages that many international sellers want, discussed below.
Choose the right account type
| Individual | Professional | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Selling a small number of items | Regular sellers and brands |
| Fee model | Per-item fee | Monthly subscription |
| Advertising and promotions | Limited | Full access |
| Bulk listing tools | No | Yes |
| Typical choice for a business | Rarely | Usually |
If you plan to sell more than a small number of units a month, the Professional plan is normally the better value. Check current pricing in Seller Central, as fees and thresholds change.
What Amazon asks for when you register
- Business information. Legal business name, address and type. Use exactly the same name and address that appear on your documents.
- Primary contact. The person who owns or runs the account, with date of birth and country of citizenship.
- Government-issued ID. A passport is the most widely accepted document.
- A payment method. A credit or debit card that can be charged internationally, for seller fees.
- A deposit method. A bank account or payment service where Amazon sends your sales proceeds.
- Proof of address. A recent bank statement or utility bill that matches the address in your application.
- A phone number and email. Amazon uses them for verification codes and security alerts.
Amazon may also ask you to join a live video call to show your documents. Prepare a quiet space and have your originals ready.
The tax interview: W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E and W-9
During registration you complete a tax interview. The result is a tax form that tells Amazon how to treat your account for US reporting:
- W-8BEN is for a foreign individual.
- W-8BEN-E is for a foreign company.
- W-9 is for a US person or a US company, using an EIN.
Answer honestly, because the tax form is legally binding and a mismatch with your company records is a frequent trigger for later review. If you have a US LLC, you generally provide its EIN. For tax questions specific to your country, speak to a qualified accountant.
Do you need a US LLC and an EIN?
Strictly speaking, not always. Some foreign sellers register with their own company or as individuals. A US LLC with an EIN becomes valuable when you want to:
- Open a US business bank account and receive payments in dollars with less friction.
- Use a US address and a US business identity for suppliers, marketplaces and trademark filings.
- Keep your business separate from your personal finances and limit personal liability.
- Apply for brand and trademark programmes that expect a clear business entity.
If that matches your plans, read how to form a US LLC as a non-resident and how to get an EIN without an SSN. You can order both through our US LLC formation service.
How to get paid as a non-US seller
Amazon pays out to a bank account or a payment service. Your options include:
- A US business bank account opened for your LLC. This is the most flexible option.
- A multi-currency account from a payment provider that gives you US bank details, such as Payoneer, Wise, Airwallex, PingPong or WorldFirst. Availability depends on your country and the provider's approval.
- Your local bank account if your marketplace and country support it, often with currency conversion.
Compare conversion fees, withdrawal fees and payout times before you choose. Our guides on opening a US business bank account as a non-resident and payment accounts for non-US residents explain each provider, and our banking and merchant service can guide the setup.
Step by step: open your seller account
- Decide which marketplace you will sell on and which account type you need.
- Prepare scans of your passport and proof of address, and make sure the names and addresses match exactly.
- Register with a new email address used only for the business.
- Enter your business and contact details and verify your phone number.
- Add your payment method for fees and your deposit method for payouts.
- Complete the tax interview with your W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-9 details.
- Upload your identity documents and join the video call if Amazon requests it.
- Wait for verification, which can take several days, and respond quickly to any request.
- Once approved, list your first products and check each category for approvals or restrictions.
Why seller applications get rejected or suspended
- Mismatched details. Name, address or date of birth differ between the application, the ID and the bank statement.
- Unclear documents. Blurred scans, cropped corners, expired IDs or documents more than a few months old.
- Multiple accounts. Amazon limits sellers to one account per business, and shared devices or payment cards can link accounts.
- Using a VPN or constantly changing devices and locations during registration, which looks like fraud.
- Restricted categories or brands. Selling gated products without approval.
- Policy issues after launch. Poor customer metrics, counterfeit complaints or inauthentic listings.
Amazon decides each case itself, so a careful, consistent application is the best protection. If something is wrong, respond with a clear, factual appeal rather than opening a new account.
Other things to plan for
- Sales tax. Marketplace facilitator rules mean Amazon often collects US sales tax on your behalf, but you may still have registration or filing duties in some states.
- Import and customs. If you ship from abroad you are responsible for duties, import rules and product compliance.
- FBA or self-fulfilment. Fulfilment by Amazon needs inventory in US warehouses and affects your costs and logistics.
- US tax filings. A foreign-owned US LLC has annual reporting duties. Our IRS and state filing service can help.
- Trademarks. Brand protection tools are easier with a registered mark. See our trademark service.
Conclusion
Opening an Amazon seller account from outside the US is realistic if you prepare matching documents, answer the tax interview truthfully and choose a payment route that works for your country. A US LLC with an EIN and a US bank or payment account makes everything smoother but is not a requirement for every seller. Contact our team if you want help with the company, the EIN or the banking before you register.
