To sell on Amazon USA, you need five things: a valid ID (a passport works), a tax ID (SSN, ITIN, or your company's EIN), a bank account where Amazon deposits payments, a credit or debit card to receive commissions, and a phone to verify the account. You don't need to be a resident or have a registered company to start, although having an LLC is beneficial as your sales volume grows. What you do need from day one are clear numbers: in 2026, Amazon will take between 15% and 35% of each sale, depending on what you sell and how you ship it. This guide gives you the exact requirements, the real costs, and the order in which to get started without losing money.
📌 Related guide: What is ecommerce and how to create your online store in the United States (requirements, platforms and costs)
Requirements to open a seller account on Amazon USA
| Requirement | What Amazon accepts | If you are Hispanic in the USA or sell from your country |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Valid passport, driver's license, or state ID + a video call or photo verification | Your country's passport is valid |
| Tax ID number | SSN, ITIN or EIN (form W-9 if you are a U.S. person or company; W-8BEN if you are a foreigner without a U.S. presence) | With an ITIN you can sell; with your LLC's EIN it's the cleanest way. Details at Sell on Amazon without Social Security |
| Bank account | Account in the U.S. or in one of the countries that Amazon accepts for deposits | Business account with ITIN, or Payoneer/Wise if you are outside the US. |
| Card | International credit or debit card for subscription and fees | A card from your country will work if it's an international card. |
| Phone and address | Verifiable number and billing address; for returns, a US address (your own, FBA's, or a forwarding service's) | If you use FBA, Amazon handles the returns. |
| Bank or credit card statement | Recent document with your name and address | Amazon requires it during verification; that it matches the account details |
Verification takes 2 to 10 business days. The number one reason for rejection is that the name or address on the statement doesn't exactly match what you entered. Use a dedicated business email address: if Amazon suspends an account, it's very difficult to open another one with the same information.
How much will it cost to sell on Amazon in 2026?
| Cost | How much | When does it apply? |
|---|---|---|
| Single plan | $0.99 per item sold, no monthly fee | If you sell fewer than 40 units per month |
| Professional Plan | $39.99 a month | From 40 units per month; required for advertising, Buy Box and restricted categories |
| Referral commission (referral fee) | 8% – 15% of the selling price (most categories, 15%; minimum $0.30) | In each sale, use FBA or FBM |
| FBA Logistics | Starting at around $3.20 for a standard small unit; $5 – $10+ for larger sizes | If Amazon stores and ships for you |
| FBA Storage | $0.78 – $2.40 per cubic foot per month (more expensive from October to December) | While the inventory is in your warehouses; surcharge for inventory held for more than 6 months |
| Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising | $0.20 – $2.00 per click | Optional, but almost essential for new products |
| Returns | Amazon usually charges a processing fee and the product may be returned damaged | Clothing and footwear categories have high return rates |
Real-world example: a product you buy for $6 and sell for $24 using FBA. Commission 15% = $3.60; FBA logistics ≈ $4.00; warehousing and advertising ≈ $2.00. You're left with $24 − 6 − 3.60 − 4 − 2 = $8.40 , a 35% margin. That same product sold for $15 yields you $0.15: that's why the rule for experienced sellers is selling price ≥ 3.5 times the cost of the product for FBA products.
FBA or FBM: which model suits you best
| FBA (Amazon ships) | FBM (you send) | |
|---|---|---|
| What do you do? | You send the inventory to Amazon's warehouses; they store, pack, ship, handle returns, and provide customer service. | You store, pack, and ship each order; you serve the customer |
| Main advantage | Prime badge, more sales, zero logistics | Lower fixed fees, full control, suitable for large or handmade products |
| When it is convenient | Small and medium-sized products with a margin ≥ 30%, constant volume | Bulky, artisanal, low-volume products, or products to try before investing in inventory |
| Entrance fee | Inventory of 100–300 units + shipping to Amazon: $1,500 – $5,000 | You can start with 20 units in your garage |
Many Hispanic sellers start with FBM to validate their product and switch to FBA when the volume justifies the logistics. If you want a step-by-step guide to FBA, see how to sell on Amazon FBA ; if you prefer not to buy inventory, see how to sell on Amazon without inventory.
The five business models on Amazon
- Private label: You buy a generic product from a manufacturer (many in Alibaba), you add your brand and packaging. Better margin and long-term sellable asset; requires $3,000 – $10,000 startup investment.
- Wholesale: You buy existing brands from authorized distributors and resell them. Less product risk, more competition for the same product list.
- Arbitration: You buy bargains in stores or online and resell them. It's useful for learning the system with $200; it doesn't scale.
- Artesanal (Amazon Handmade): DIY products, often without professional fees. Ideal for crafts, textiles, and non-perishable food with permits.
- Books and Content (KDP): Publish print-on-demand or digital books; without inventory.
How to start selling on Amazon USA step by step
- Choose the product based on data, not intuition. Look for items priced between $15 and $50 that are lightweight (under 1 pound), have consistent demand, and aren't dominated by a single brand that controls 80% of sales. Review the first 10 search results: if they all have thousands of reviews, it's not your entry niche.
- Calculate the margin before buying. Use Amazon's (free) revenue calculator with the actual selling price, not the one you would like.
- Decide on the structure. You can start as an individual with an ITIN; once you sell more than $1,000 per month, form your LLC to separate liabilities and invoice with an EIN. Guide: How to open an LLC in the United States.
- Open an account at Seller Central (sellercentral.amazon.com) with the documents from the table above and complete the verification.
- Create the list: Title with the words the client is searching for, 7 or more photos (white background, in use, with dimensions), 5 bullet points of benefits and keywords in the backendBad photos are the number one cause of listings that don't sell.
- Send the inventory (FBA) or prepare your packing space (FBM). Purchase labels and boxes before the merchandise arrives.
- Launch with advertising Spend the first 30 days to get the first 10–20 reviews; then reduce the spending.
- Register your trademark with the USPTO Once you confirm the product works: it gives you access to Brand Registry, A+ content, and copy protection. How to do it: register a trademark in the U.S.
Taxes: What Amazon does and what you owe
Amazon collects and remits sales tax in all states with marketplace facilitator laws (virtually all of them), so you don't have to register for sales tax just for selling on Amazon. What you do need to do is report your earnings on your annual tax return (Schedule C if you're a sole proprietor; Form 1065 if your LLC has partners) and pay estimated taxes each quarter. Amazon will send you Form 1099-K if you exceed the sales thresholds. How it all works: franchise tax, sales tax, and income tax explained.
Mistakes that leave new sellers with a negative margin
- Choosing the product based on taste rather than demand; buying 500 units without having sold 20.
- Forget storage and return fees in the calculation.
- Competing on price against Chinese sellers who manufacture the same product: the one with the best listing and brand wins, not the cheapest.
- Use supplier photos instead of your own photos.
- Ignoring Amazon's policies (paid reviews, restricted products, third-party brands): suspension comes without warning and recovering the account takes weeks.
- Mixing Amazon payments with your personal account: When your business grows, you don't know how much you earn or how much you owe in taxes.
Frequently asked questions about selling on Amazon USA
Can I sell on Amazon USA without a Social Security number?
Yes. Amazon accepts ITINs and EINs. If you're outside the United States, you register as an international seller with your passport and tax form W-8BEN.
Do I need an LLC to sell on Amazon?
Not to begin with. It is beneficial once the business generates regular income: it separates your assets, simplifies banking and supplier relationships, and is a practical requirement for Brand Registry with a registered trademark.
How much money do I need to get started?
With arbitrage or FBM, $200 – $500. With FBA and private label, between $3,000 and $10,000 including inventory, shipping, photos, advertising and subscription.
How much can you earn selling on Amazon?
It depends on the product and volume. A private label seller with two or three well-chosen products can generate $3,000–$15,000 in revenue per month with net margins of 15%–30%. The first six months are typically spent reinvesting in inventory.
How long does it take Amazon to pay?
Every 14 days, with a reserve that holds part of the balance to cover refunds. Initial payments may take longer while the account is set up.
Sources and resources
- Amazon Seller Central — Pricing (current plans and commissions)
- Amazon — How to start selling
- IRS — Self-employed individuals tax center
Amazon's fees change annually; confirm the current rates in Seller Central before setting your prices. Are you selling on Amazon and need to form an LLC, obtain an EIN, or get your taxes in order? Request a quote.
