Establishing online business activities on Amazon is an effective way of tapping into the international market and boosting sales. However, it you need to complete the registration process by submitting some documents. As a rule, Amazon operates within tight guidelines to assess seller authenticity and not get defrauded. The document outlines the different types of documents that a user needs to create an Amazon seller account and what to watch out for in the entire registration exercise.
1. Selecting Appropriate Amazon Selling Plan
Before you start putting together the needed documents, you need to make a decision on whether to registration as an individual seller or professional seller account.
Individual seller – this is specifically designed for those users who plan to sell less than 40 items a month. You will not incur any monthly subscription fee but Amazon charges for each sale.
Professional seller – this works better for users who expect to sell more than 40 items a month. There is a subscription fee that is charged each month, but there are other benefits like sophisticated selling tools that they have access to and reports that they can request.
2. Enrollment Documents Necessary for Registering as an Amazon Seller
To be eligible to sell through Amazon, a seller has to submit documents that ascertain their identity, business activities, and taxes. The following documents are considered necessary for this process:
- Documents for Personal Identification
Verification of every seller’s identity is a prerequisite for Amazon. The documents required include the following:
Government Issued ID: A clear and valid passport or driver’s license is acceptable.
Selfie Verification: Optionally, Amazon may solicit a real time picture that matches an ID photo.
- Documents for Business Verification
When registering a business entity, the following items are necessary:
Business License: Not necessary for sole proprietorships but required for registered companies.
Articles of Incorporation: Legal papers that prove your company is an LLC or corporation.
- Information Related to Bank Account and Payment
Amazon requires an entrepreneur to have a bank account to facilitate payments as well as deductions of other fees like commissions:
Bank Statement: A three-month period bank statement is crucial. The statement must have an account number, name, and the bank’s information.
Debit or Credit Card: To confirm that the annul membership fee can be deducted, a valid card is mandatory.
- Evidence of Physical Address
Amazon accepts the following documents from users trying to verify their identity.
A Utility Bill: Electricity, water, gas, and internet service bills are accepted as long as they are recent and have the user’s name as well as address.
A Bank Statement: To accompany other documents as proof of identity on Amazon, the statement should be in agreement with the provided address.
- Information of a Tax Nature
Fulfilling tax responsibilities may require one of the following:
Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN) (for US sellers)
VAT/GST Number (for international sellers in taxable areas)
W-9 or W-8BEN Forms(Foreign/American tax compliant)
3. Register as an Amazon Seller
Step 1: Set Up an Amazon Seller Account
Open Amazon Seller Central.
Click on the “Sign-Up” tab and select your seller profile (Individual or Professional).
Type in your email address and set a strong password.
Step 2: Fill in Business and Private Information
Input business name (if any).
Attach the necessary documents.
Step 3: Add Payment and Bank Details
Bank account details from which payments will be drawn.
Provision of credit or debit card for verification purposes.
Step 4: Confirm Identity
Upload Identification documents.
Carry out other verification as may be required, for example video verification.
Step 5: Fill-In Tax Information
Tax details application in accordance with your country and the area amazon marketplace supports.
4. Issues that May Arise and Preventive Measures
- Submission of Documents that Were Not Approved
Ensure the documents submitted loosely correlates to the registration information as well as to be an original copy.
Low resolution photographs and cropped images should be avoided. Submit sharp scanned images only.
- Mismatching Addresses
Ensure that address submitted on either the utility bill or bank statement is the same as the one used for the registration on amazon.
- Incorrect Information Regarding Taxes
Ensure that your SSN or EIN is consistent with IRS records as required by U.S. sellers.
Confirm whether registration for VAT/GST is necessary as an international seller.
5. Other Tips for Simple Registration
Open a business bank account to prevent any financial problems.
Always keep copies of documents that have been submitted for reference.
Make sure the contact number and the email provided are functional to receive updates regarding verifications and codes from Amazon.
6. Questions and Answers Section
Q1: Is it possible to use a PO Box as a business address?
Unfortunately not, Amazon confirms verification through physical addresses.
Q2: What is the duration of Amazon’s verification process?
This process is typically completed in 24-48 hours but can take longer due to further verification.
Q3: What can I do if my registration gets rejected?
You can confirm the rejection reason through your account in Amazon Seller Central.
Check to ensure documents have been account verified and match the details you provided.
Seek clarification from Amazon support.
Conclusion:
To establish an Amazon seller account, a seller must formulate a plan and prepare the required documents in a precise manner. If identification, business, bank, and tax details are organized, getting approved to sell on Amazon can be a hassle-free process. To avoid the complexities associated with starting your Amazon business, you should carefully adhere to the recommendations provided in the article.
