Every day, thousands of new sellers try to launch their Amazon store — and a huge number get stuck or rejected in the first week simply because they didn't know what documents their target country actually requires. If you're planning to sell in the USA, UK, or UAE, getting the setup right the first time saves you weeks of frustrating back-and-forth with Amazon's verification team.
To open an Amazon seller account in the USA, UK, or UAE, you need valid ID, a business or personal bank account, a tax ID (EIN/ITIN for the USA, VAT number for the UK, trade license for the UAE), and proof of address. Approval typically takes a few days to a few weeks depending on the country and verification process.
Amazon Seller Account Requirements: USA vs UK vs UAE
| Requirement | USA | UK | UAE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business structure | Individual or LLC | Sole trader or Ltd company | Free zone or mainland company |
| Tax ID | EIN or ITIN | UK VAT number (if required) | UAE trade license |
| Bank account | US bank or Payoneer | UK bank or Payoneer | UAE bank or Payoneer |
| ID verification | Passport/national ID | Passport/national ID | Passport/Emirates ID |
| Approval time | Few days to 2 weeks | 1–3 weeks | 2–4 weeks |
| VAT/Tax registration | Not always required upfront | Often required early | Corporate tax registration required |
What You Need Before Starting
- Valid government-issued ID (passport preferred)
- Email address and phone number
- Bank account that can receive international payments
- Credit card for verification
- Business address (can be residential in most cases)
- Tax identification number for your target marketplace
How to Set Up an Amazon Seller Account in the USA
- Go to Amazon Seller Central and choose Individual or Professional plan
- Enter your business information and legal name
- Provide an EIN (for LLCs) or ITIN (for individuals)
- Add a US or international bank account for payouts
- Complete the identity verification, which may include a video call
- Wait for approval, usually within a few days to two weeks
Non-residents commonly form a US LLC first to simplify EIN registration. If you're setting this up from Pakistan, our guide on registering a US LLC from Pakistan walks through the exact process, and our ITIN guide for non-US residents explains how to get your tax ID without a US visit.
How to Set Up an Amazon Seller Account in the UK
- Register on Amazon.co.uk Seller Central
- Provide personal or company details, depending on your business structure
- Submit ID and address verification documents
- Add a UK bank account or international payment service
- Register for UK VAT if your sales cross the threshold
- Complete verification, typically 1–3 weeks
Non-residents can register a UK Ltd company remotely. See our UK company formation guide for non-residents for the full incorporation steps, and our UK VAT registration guide for the £90,000 threshold and rolling 12-month rule that catches many new sellers off guard.
How to Set Up an Amazon Seller Account in the UAE
- Register on Amazon.ae Seller Central
- Provide a valid trade license (mainland or free zone)
- Submit Emirates ID or passport for verification
- Add a UAE bank account for payouts
- Register for UAE corporate tax if applicable
- Approval usually takes 2–4 weeks
Choosing between a mainland and free zone company affects your license cost, ownership rules, and market access. Our mainland vs free zone UAE guide breaks down which structure fits an e-commerce business best, and our UAE corporate tax 2026 guide covers registration deadlines and Small Business Relief. If banking is your main hurdle, see our UAE bank account guide for non-residents.
Individual vs Professional Amazon Account
- Individual account: No monthly fee, pay per item sold, best for testing products
- Professional account: Monthly subscription fee, access to bulk listing tools and advertising, required for most serious sellers
Most FBA sellers choose the Professional plan once they plan to sell more than 40 items a month.
Amazon Seller Fees to Expect
- Referral fee: a percentage of each sale, varies by category
- FBA fulfillment fee: based on product size and weight
- Monthly storage fee: charged per cubic foot
- Subscription fee: applies only to Professional accounts
If you're selling across multiple states or countries, understanding your tax exposure matters as much as the Amazon fees themselves. Our guide on sales tax nexus for Amazon and Shopify sellers explains when you're required to collect and remit sales tax.
Why Amazon Seller Accounts Get Rejected
- Mismatched name or address across documents
- Unclear or blurry ID scans
- Using a business bank account under a different legal name
- Missing tax ID or invalid EIN/ITIN
- Failed video verification call
Expert Guidance
- Match every document exactly — name, address, and spelling must be identical across your ID, bank account, and Amazon application
- Use a business bank account tied to your registered entity, not a personal account, once you're selling as an LLC or Ltd company
- Apply for your EIN or trade license before starting the Amazon application — missing tax ID is the most common rejection reason
- Choose one marketplace to master first. Running USA, UK, and UAE accounts simultaneously as a beginner often leads to compliance mistakes
- Keep a folder with digital copies of every document Amazon may request — verification calls often ask for last-minute proof
Key Facts
- The USA requires an EIN for LLCs and an ITIN for individual non-resident sellers
- The UK requires VAT registration once you cross the sales threshold
- The UAE requires a valid trade license before you can register as a seller
- Individual Amazon accounts have no monthly fee; Professional accounts do
- Approval times range from a few days (USA) to up to four weeks (UAE)
- Document mismatches are the leading cause of account rejection
- Amazon's official guidance on seller account requirements outlines current fee structures and eligibility by marketplace
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need to open an Amazon seller account? A valid ID, bank account details, a tax ID (EIN, ITIN, or VAT number depending on the country), and proof of address.
How long does Amazon seller account approval take? Typically a few days for the USA, one to three weeks for the UK, and two to four weeks for the UAE.
Can I open an Amazon USA seller account from another country? Yes. Non-residents commonly form a US LLC and obtain an EIN or ITIN to register as a seller.
Do I need an LLC to sell on Amazon USA? No, but an LLC simplifies tax ID registration and offers liability protection, which most serious sellers prefer.
Do I need a UK company to sell on Amazon UK? Not initially, but you'll need to register for VAT once your sales cross the UK threshold.
Is a trade license required to sell on Amazon UAE? Yes. A valid mainland or free zone trade license is required before registering as an Amazon UAE seller.
What bank account works best for Amazon seller payouts? A bank account matching your registered business name works best; Payoneer is a common alternative for non-residents.
Why was my Amazon seller account rejected? The most common reasons are mismatched documents, blurry ID scans, or a missing valid tax ID.
Conclusion
Setting up an Amazon seller account in the USA, UK, or UAE isn't complicated once you know exactly what each marketplace expects — the right business structure, matching documents, and a valid tax ID before you even hit "submit." Most rejections happen from small, avoidable mistakes, not from Amazon being overly strict. Get your paperwork aligned upfront, and you'll move through verification far faster than most first-time sellers.
Ready to launch your Amazon business the right way? Book a consultation with Brandora Services and let our team handle your LLC, EIN, VAT, or trade license setup — so your Amazon account gets approved without delays.