How to Set Up an Amazon Seller Account: A Complete Guide

How to Set Up an Amazon Seller Account: A Complete Guide

Step 1: Understand Amazon Seller Account Types and Requirements

1.1 Differentiate Between Individual and Professional Selling Plans

Before you begin, it’s crucial to understand the two main selling plans Amazon offers: Individual and Professional. The Individual plan is suitable for sellers who anticipate selling fewer than 40 units per month. There’s no monthly subscription fee; instead, you pay a $0.99 per-item fee when a product sells. This plan lacks access to advanced selling tools, bulk listing options, and some reporting features. The Professional plan, on the other hand, is designed for sellers who expect to sell more than 40 units per month. It carries a flat monthly subscription fee of $39.99 (as of early 2024, subject to change), but it waives the per-item fee. This plan grants access to Amazon’s full suite of selling tools, including inventory management, bulk uploads, order reports, advertising options, and eligibility for the Buy Box. Choose the plan that best aligns with your projected sales volume and business needs. You can always upgrade from an Individual to a Professional plan later.

1.2 Gather Necessary Information and Documents

To ensure a smooth registration process, have all required information and documents readily available before you start. Missing items can cause significant delays. You will need:

• Business Email Address: A dedicated email address that you actively monitor.
• Chargeable Credit Card: A valid, internationally chargeable credit card (e.g., Visa, MasterCard, American Express) with a valid billing address. This is required for verification purposes and monthly subscription fees, even if you opt for the Individual plan initially. Debit cards may not always be accepted.
• Phone Number: A domestic or international phone number where you can receive a verification call or SMS.
• Tax Information: Your U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) for U.S. sellers (e.g., Social Security Number for individuals, Employer Identification Number for businesses). Non-U.S. sellers will need their local tax identification.
• Business Information (if applicable): If registering as a business, you’ll need your legal business name, address, and potentially business registration documents.
• Bank Account Information: A bank account where Amazon can deposit your sales proceeds. This must be a checking account, not a savings account, and must be located in one of Amazon’s supported countries.
• Government-issued ID: A valid, unexpired government-issued photo identification (e.g., driver’s license, passport) for identity verification. The name on the ID must match the name provided during registration.

Step 2: Initiate Your Amazon Seller Account Registration

2.1 Navigate to the Amazon Seller Central Website

Open your web browser and go directly to the Amazon Seller Central website. For the U.S. marketplace, this is typically sellercentral.amazon.com. Be cautious of phishing sites and always double-check the URL. Once on the homepage, look for a prominent button or link that says “Sign up,” “Register now,” or “Sell on Amazon.” This is usually located towards the top right or center of the page.

2.2 Begin the Registration Process and Provide Initial Details

Clicking the “Sign up” button will direct you to the account creation page. You will be prompted to either sign in with an existing Amazon customer account or create a new one. It’s generally recommended to create a new Amazon account specifically for your seller activities to keep personal and business matters separate. Follow the on-screen instructions:

• Create your Amazon account: Enter your name, email address, and create a strong password. Confirm your password.
• Business location: Select the country where your business is located.
• Business type: Choose your business entity type from the dropdown menu (e.g., “State-owned business,” “Publicly-owned business,” “Privately-owned business,” “Charity,” or “None, I am an individual”). If you are operating as a sole proprietor, select “None, I am an individual.”
• Legal name: Enter the legal name of your business as registered, or your full legal name if you are registering as an individual. This must exactly match your government-issued ID and tax information.
• Agree to terms: Read and accept the Amazon Services Business Solutions Agreement. It’s crucial to understand Amazon’s policies before proceeding.

After providing these initial details, click “Agree and continue” or the equivalent button to move to the next stage of the registration process.

Step 3: Complete Account Verification and Business Information

3.1 Verify Your Identity and Business Details

This is a critical step for security and compliance. Amazon will ask for detailed information to verify your identity and business. Be prepared to provide:

• Personal Information: Your full name, date of birth, country of birth, and country of citizenship.
• Proof of Identity: Upload clear, high-resolution scans or photos of your government-issued ID (e.g., passport, driver’s license). Ensure all four corners of the document are visible, and the image is not blurry or cut off. The name on the ID must match the name you provided.
• Business Address: Your full physical business address. This should be a verifiable address, not a P.O. Box.
• Phone Verification: Amazon will send a One-Time Password (OTP) via SMS or a call to the phone number you provided. Enter this code to verify your number.
• Video Call Verification (New requirement for some sellers): In some cases, Amazon may require a video call verification. Be prepared to show your original government-issued ID during the call.

Ensure all information entered matches your documents precisely to avoid delays or rejection of your application.

3.2 Provide Banking and Tax Information

Once your identity and business details are initially verified, you will be prompted to enter your financial information:

• Bank Account Details: Provide the routing number and account number for your checking account where Amazon will deposit your sales proceeds. Double-check these numbers carefully to prevent payment issues.
• Chargeable Credit Card: Reconfirm or enter details for your internationally chargeable credit card. This card will be used for Amazon’s monthly fees (if on a Professional plan) and any other charges, such as advertising costs or refunds.
• Tax Interview: You will be guided through a “Tax Interview” process. This is mandatory for all sellers. For U.S. sellers, you will typically provide your Social Security Number (SSN) as an individual or Employer Identification Number (EIN) for a business. Answer all questions accurately as they determine your tax reporting obligations (e.g., 1099-K forms). Amazon uses this information to comply with IRS regulations.

After completing these sections, review all the information you’ve entered. Any discrepancies can lead to account suspension or further verification requests.

Step 4: Configure Your Seller Account Settings and Launch

4.1 Set Up Your Business Information and Shipping Preferences

Once your account is approved (which can take a few hours to several days after verification), you’ll gain full access to Seller Central. Before listing products, optimize your account settings:

• Business Information: Go to “Settings” > “Account Info” in Seller Central. Here you can update your business address, legal entity, and contact information. Ensure your “Display Name” (how customers see your store name) is set.
• Shipping Settings: Navigate to “Settings” > “Shipping Settings.” This is crucial for defining your shipping regions, transit times, and shipping costs. You can set up different shipping templates for various products or services. If you plan to use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), these settings are less critical for FBA items, but still important for any FBM (Fulfillment by Merchant) items.
• Return Settings: Under “Settings” > “Return Settings,” configure your return address and return authorization rules.
• Notification Preferences: Adjust your email notification settings to ensure you receive alerts for new orders, customer messages, and important Amazon announcements.

4.2 Understand Fees and Start Listing Your Products

Before you list, fully grasp Amazon’s fee structure beyond the monthly subscription:

• Referral Fees: A percentage of the product’s selling price, varying by product category (typically 8-15%, but can be higher or lower).
• Closing Fees: A fixed fee of $0.99 per item for Individual sellers.
• Fulfillment Fees (FBA): If using FBA, these include picking, packing, shipping, customer service, and product storage fees. These are based on product size and weight.
• Optional Service Fees: Advertising costs, premium account services, etc.

Once you’re familiar with the fees, you can begin listing your products:

• Add a Product: In Seller Central, go to “Inventory” > “Add a Product.”
• Search for Existing Products: If selling a product already on Amazon, search by ASIN, ISBN, UPC, or EAN. Select the existing listing and provide your offer details (condition, price, quantity, fulfillment method).
• Create a New Product Listing: If your product is unique or not yet on Amazon, click “I’m adding a product not sold on Amazon.” You will need to provide detailed information including product ID (UPC/EAN/GTIN), title, brand, manufacturer, images, detailed description, bullet points, and category.
• Choose Fulfillment Method: For each product, decide whether you will fulfill it yourself (FBM) or send it to Amazon’s fulfillment centers (FBA).

Carefully review all listing details before publishing to ensure accuracy and compliance with Amazon’s product listing policies.

FAQs

Q1: How long does it take for Amazon to approve a new seller account?

A1: The approval process can vary. Initial verification steps (email, phone, credit card) are often instant. Identity and business verification, which may involve document review and sometimes a video call, can take anywhere from a few hours to several days, or even up to two weeks in some peak periods or if issues arise with document clarity or matching information. It’s best to have all documents ready and ensure they are clear and match the information provided exactly to speed up the process.

Q2: Can I change my selling plan from Individual to Professional later?

A2: Yes, absolutely. You can easily upgrade your selling plan from Individual to Professional at any time through your Seller Central account. Simply navigate to “Settings” > “Account Info” and look for the “Your Services” section. There will be an option to “Manage” and change your selling plan. The change usually takes effect immediately, and you will be charged the monthly Professional plan fee. You can also downgrade from Professional to Individual if your selling needs change.

Q3: What if I don’t have a UPC code for my product?

A3: A UPC (Universal Product Code) or other GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) like EAN or ISBN is generally required to list products on Amazon. If you are the brand owner and your products don’t have UPCs, you can apply for a GTIN exemption from Amazon. This allows you to list products without a standard product ID. Alternatively, you can purchase UPCs from GS1, the official source of UPC barcodes. Avoid buying cheap UPCs from unofficial resellers, as they may not be valid or unique and can cause listing issues.

Q4: What are the main differences between FBA and FBM?

A4: FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) means you send your products to Amazon’s fulfillment centers. Amazon then handles storage, picking, packing, shipping, customer service, and returns for those products. This makes your products eligible for Prime shipping, which can significantly boost sales. FBM (Fulfillment by Merchant) means you store your products yourself and are responsible for all aspects of shipping, customer service, and returns once an order is placed. FBA typically involves higher fees per unit but offers convenience and Prime eligibility, while FBM gives you more control over the fulfillment process and potentially lower costs for very large or slow-moving items.