Why Sell on Amazon USA?
Amazon.com is the world's largest e-commerce marketplace, with over 310 million active customer accounts and more than $500 billion in annual gross merchandise value. For any seller — whether based in the United States or selling internationally from India, the UK, or Southeast Asia — access to Amazon USA opens a market larger than most countries' entire retail economies.
The opportunity is enormous, but the setup process can feel intimidating. This guide walks you through every step, from deciding on your selling plan to shipping your first order.
Step 1: Understand the Two Selling Plans
Amazon USA offers two account types:
- Individual Plan: No monthly fee, but you pay $0.99 per item sold. Best if you are testing the waters with fewer than 40 sales per month. You cannot use Amazon Advertising or apply to restricted categories.
- Professional Plan: $39.99/month flat, regardless of how many items you sell. Unlocks all advanced selling tools, advertising access, and eligibility for the Buy Box. If you plan to sell more than 40 units a month, this is always the better choice financially.
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
Before you begin registration, have these ready:
- A valid government-issued photo ID (passport for international sellers; driving licence or state ID for US residents)
- A chargeable credit or debit card (Visa/Mastercard accepted)
- A bank account that can receive USD disbursements (US bank account or a service like Payoneer/Wise for international sellers)
- A working phone number for SMS verification
- Business registration documents if registering as a company
- Tax information: US residents need their SSN/EIN; non-US sellers typically complete a W-8BEN (for individuals) or W-8BEN-E (for businesses) to confirm they are exempt from US tax withholding
Step 3: Register on Seller Central
Go to sellercentral.amazon.com and click "Sign Up." You can either create a new Amazon account or link to an existing one. Fill in your legal business name, address, and contact details. Amazon will ask you to complete an identity verification step, which may include a video call with an Amazon associate — keep your passport ready.
Step 4: Set Up Your Bank and Tax Information
Amazon will not disburse your earnings until your bank details are verified. International sellers should set up a multi-currency account via services like Wise or Payoneer before registration, as Amazon requires a US-compatible bank account routing number. Once verified, payments are typically disbursed every 14 days.
Step 5: Create Your First Listing
You can list products three ways:
- Match to an existing ASIN: If your product is already on Amazon, simply find it and add yourself as a seller. This is the fastest route.
- Create a new listing: For brand-new products, you will need a product title, bullet points, description, high-quality images, and a UPC/EAN barcode.
- Bulk upload via flat file: For large catalogues, download Amazon's product template spreadsheet, fill it in, and upload it.
Step 6: Choose Your Fulfilment Method
Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA): You ship your inventory to Amazon's US warehouses. Amazon picks, packs, and ships every order. Your products become Prime-eligible, which dramatically increases conversion rates. However, FBA incurs storage and fulfilment fees.
Fulfilment by Merchant (FBM): You store and ship products yourself. This gives more control and lower fees, but you are responsible for meeting Amazon's strict shipping speed requirements. An Order Management System like PointNXT is invaluable here, automating label generation and tracking updates to keep your metrics healthy.
Key Metrics to Protect
Amazon monitors seller performance rigorously. Keep these within target:
- Order Defect Rate (ODR): below 1%
- Late Shipment Rate: below 4%
- Pre-Fulfilment Cancellation Rate: below 2.5%
Falling outside these thresholds can result in account suspension. This is why automating your order processing from day one is so critical.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not setting up a proper USD receiving account before registration
- Using the same account for buyer and seller activity on personal Amazon
- Selling in gated categories without first applying for approval
- Ignoring Amazon's product compliance requirements (safety certifications, labelling laws)
Final Thoughts
Opening an Amazon USA seller account is one of the most impactful business decisions you can make as an e-commerce entrepreneur. The market is deep, competition is real, but the rewards for sellers who set up correctly and operate professionally are substantial. Take the time to prepare your documents, choose the right plan, and invest in the right tools from the start.