How to Sell on Amazon USA from India – Step-by-Step Guide

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How to Sell on Amazon USA from India – Step-by-Step Guide

Should you sell on Amazon USA?

Selling on Amazon USA gives Indian brands access to one of the largest ecommerce markets on earth. With the right product selection, compliance, shipping and tax setup you can scale fast – but you must plan for customs, payments and Amazon’s US-specific policies. Use Amazon Global Selling to get started.

1) Eligibility – who can sell on Amazon.com from India?

You can sell on Amazon USA from India as:

An Indian business (sole proprietor, partnership, LLP, Pvt Ltd) or an individual (check Amazon rules for acceptable account types).
You’ll need a valid phone number, an internationally chargeable credit card, an email, and bank details for receiving payouts. Amazon’s Global Selling pages list the exact registration prerequisites.

2) Documents you must prepare (mandatory checklist)

Prepare high-quality scans (PDF/JPG) of the following before you start – missing or low-quality documents slow approvals:

Identity & business

Government ID / Passport of the owner(s).
Business registration certificate (Certificate of Incorporation / GST registration / Trade license).
PAN (India) and GSTIN (if applicable).

Tax & payments

W-8BEN / W-8BEN-E (for non-US sellers) to certify foreign status for withholding tax purposes – Amazon will ask for tax information during registration. See IRS instructions for W-8 forms

Bank & payout

Bank account details and routing (note: Amazon supports conversion/disbursement options — see Amazon Currency Converter for Sellers / ACCS). Decide whether to receive payouts in INR or via a multi-currency route.

Address & contact

Valid address proof (utility bill / bank statement) dated within 180 days. Amazon may require address proof for the seller contact.

Brand & product

Trademark certificate or brand authorization letter (if you’re a reseller). High-quality images and product identifiers (UPC/GTIN) for listings.

3) Step-by-step: Registering as a seller on Amazon USA

Step A – Decide how you’ll sell (FBA vs FBM)

FBA: Ship inventory to Amazon US fulfillment centers (faster delivery, Prime eligibility). Good for scale.
FBM: You or a 3PL ship orders directly. Good for low-volume, oversized, or custom SKUs.

(You can start with FBM and switch to FBA later.)

Step B – Create a Global / US Seller account

Visit Amazon Global Selling or Sell on Amazon → Create your account (use a company email not tied to a buyer account).
Enter business details, address and phone; upload ID and business docs.
Provide tax information (W-8BEN / W-8BEN-E). Amazon requires this for non-US sellers to avoid default 30% withholding.

Step C – Complete bank & payout setup

Choose your payout method. Amazon can disburse using Amazon Currency Converter for Sellers (ACCS) or via third-party PSPs; check fees and conversion rates. Amazon’s seller docs explain supported countries & currencies.

Step D – List products (ASIN matching or create new ASIN)

Research product eligibility and restrictions in the US category (some categories need approval).
Add accurate titles, bullets, images, and GTINs/UPC codes. For brand owners, enroll in Brand Registry (if you own a trademark) to enable A+ content.

Step E – Shipping & fulfillment

If using FBA, create an inbound Shipping Plan in Seller Central, prepare labels and pick a forwarder/carrier experienced with Amazon FBA shipments to the USA. If FBM, integrate your shipping solution and ensure delivery SLAs meet Amazon expectations.

Step F – Launch & monitor

Go live, monitor orders, returns, buyer messages and account health. Use Seller Central dashboards and set up reporting & inventory alerts.

4) Tax, customs & Importer of Record (IOR)

W-8BEN / W-8BEN-E: Required for foreign sellers to document tax status. Without it, Amazon may withhold at a higher rate. See IRS instructions.
Importer of Record (IOR): For inbound shipments you must have an IOR in the US who files customs entry and pays duties. You can: use your own US entity (if you have one), appoint a third-party IOR (customs broker), or use freight forwarders that offer IOR services. Always calculate landed cost (product + duty + brokerage + freight) before shipping.

5) Payments: How you’ll get paid

Amazon offers options to receive disbursements in your local bank via ACCS or via payment providers. Each option has fees and FX spreads — compare Amazon’s conversion fees vs specialized services (Skydo, etc.) to minimize forex costs. Amazon disburses on a regular schedule (settlements), and transfers can take a few business days.

6) Shipping & logistics – practical tips

First shipment: use express courier for your first test shipment (faster, simpler customs). For scale, transition to air/sea freight for unit economics.
Labels & prep: Follow Amazon’s FBA packing and labeling rules exactly — incorrectly labeled boxes are delayed or fined.
Choose forwarders with FBA experience who handle Amazon routing, palletization and final delivery to FCs.

7) Common mistakes to avoid

Mismatched names on documents (PAN vs GST vs bank) — causes verification failures.
Skipping W-8 forms — leads to high withholding tax.
Underestimating landed cost — neglecting duties, brokerage, and conversion fees destroys profit margins.
Poor image & listing quality — limits conversion and increases returns.
Not using an experienced forwarder for FBA — results in routing issues and longer lead times.

8) Quick launch checklist

Decide FBA or FBM for each SKU
Prepare: passport, PAN, GSTIN, business registration, address proof, bank details
Complete Amazon Global Selling / Seller Central registration (upload docs)
Submit W-8BEN / W-8BEN-E tax form.
Create listings (titles, bullets, images, GTINs) & check category approvals
Book freight (express/air/sea) and choose an IOR / customs broker if shipping to FBA
Create FBA Shipping Plan, print labels and ship
Monitor disbursements and reconcile settlements

FAQs

Can I sell on Amazon USA without a US company?

Yes, many sellers operate from India and sell on Amazon.com using Amazon Global Selling. You don’t need a US company to create a seller account, but you do need to address tax, payouts and IOR responsibilities.

What tax form do I need as an Indian seller?

Non-US sellers typically submit W-8BEN (individuals) or W-8BEN-E (entities) to certify foreign status and avoid default withholding. See IRS guidance and Amazon’s tax help pages.

How do I receive USD payouts in India?

Amazon offers conversion tools (ACCS) to convert and disburse to local bank accounts. Third-party PSPs and services are also available and sometimes cheaper. Compare fees before choosing.

Do I need an Importer of Record (IOR)?

Yes, someone must act as IOR for customs clearance in the US. You can appoint a third-party IOR or use a forwarder that offers IOR services.

Final tips & a low-cost test plan

Start small: test 5–10 SKUs via express for the first shipment to validate listings and payouts.
Model landed cost first: include duties, brokerage and ACCS or PSP fees.
Use a reputable forwarder with FBA experience to reduce routing problems.
Document naming matters: ensure PAN/GST/bank/company names match to avoid KYC issues.

Let us assist you!

Want help launching on Amazon USA? Get a free Amazon Global Selling audit, we’ll model your landed cost, review documents, and recommend FBA vs FBM. • WhatsApp / Call: +919667386779