Getting started with selling on Amazon

Starting a business on Amazon is comparatively easy because entry costs are low and there are no listing fees – sellers can list unlimited products without paying per‑listing charges.  Amazon operates more than 20 international marketplaces, so a single seller account can reach customers in the U.S., UK, Canada, Europe and other regions.  The trade‑off is that new sellers must understand Amazon’s registration process, fee structure and compliance requirements.

Registration and seller account set‑up

The first step is to create an Amazon Seller Central account.  New sellers choose an email and password and begin the sign‑up process from the Sign up link at sellercentral.amazon.com.  Amazon recommends using an email that is different from any existing buyer account so that notifications remain separate.  Once an account is created, sellers must complete five information sections:

1. Business information: Provide the business location and type (public, private, charitable or individual).  Include the exact legal name, registration number and registered address.  Sellers do not need to form a company – individual sellers can choose “None, I am an individual”.  A phone number and business address are also required.
2. Seller information: Amazon verifies the primary contact.  Sellers supply their full legal name, country of citizenship and birth, residential address and phone numbers.  Amazon asks whether the person is a beneficial owner (owns more than 25 % of the business’s shares) or a legal representative.
3. Billing information: Bank account and credit‑card details must be entered.  Amazon accepts major credit cards like American Express, Visa and MasterCard and offers a Currency Converter if the seller’s bank account is outside the U.S..  Sellers can use either their own name or the business name for the bank account.
4. Store and product information: During registration, sellers select a unique store name and provide product identifiers (UPC, ISBN, EAN or JAN).  Amazon uses these global trade item numbers to match items to the correct detail page.  Sellers can apply for a GTIN exemption if their product lacks a barcode, but many products require barcodes purchased from GS1.  Registering a brand in Amazon’s Brand Registry (requires a pending or registered trademark) unlocks extra listing tools and helps protect intellectual property.
5. Identity verification: Amazon requires a scan of a government‑issued ID and proof of address (such as a recent bank statement).  Some applicants must upload a photo of their face alongside the ID or schedule a video call with Amazon staff.  High‑quality colour scans showing all four corners of the document are required.

Amazon lists a short checklist to prepare before starting registration: a government‑issued ID, email address, internationally chargeable credit card, bank account and routing number, business licence (if applicable), proof of residential address and tax information.  Completing these steps generally takes a few hours, though identity verification can take up to three business days.

Selling plans and fees

Amazon offers Individual and Professional selling plans.  The Individual plan has no monthly subscription fee but charges US $0.99 per item sold; it suits sellers who expect fewer than 40 sales per month.  The Professional plan costs US $39.99 per month and eliminates the per‑item fee, making it better for businesses with higher volume.  In addition to the subscription fee, Amazon charges referral fees, typically around 15 % of the selling price, and variable closing fees for media items.  Sellers who use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) pay fulfillment and storage fees for each order, whereas merchants who ship products themselves pay Amazon’s shipping fees.  Advertising costs are also an important part of operating on Amazon; many sellers budget 10 – 15 % of sales revenue for ads.

Benefits and opportunities

Amazon’s platform attracts a large, loyal customer base.  Prime members expect fast shipping and trust Amazon’s customer service, so new sellers can tap into this goodwill.  The marketplace charges no listing fees, letting sellers upload many products.  Prime‑eligible items, especially those fulfilled by Amazon, gain more visibility because they qualify for free Two‑Day Shipping.  Sellers can choose to operate across multiple marketplaces – Amazon lists 20 global marketplaces covering North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.  Each region has unique product demand and pricing, so global expansion offers growth opportunities.

Starting an Amazon business requires careful planning: gather required documents, choose the right selling plan, and understand the fee structure.  Taking the time to verify your identity and set up bank and tax information correctly will help avoid delays.  With the proper foundation, sellers can begin listing products and tap into Amazon’s vast customer base.

‍