Opening an Amazon seller account takes about 30 minutes if you have your documents ready. You’ll need a government-issued ID, a bank account, a credit card, and basic business information. The process is straightforward, but Amazon’s identity verification step trips up many new sellers, so knowing what to expect at each stage will save you time and frustration.
Choose Between Individual and Professional Plans
Amazon offers two selling plans, and you’ll pick one during registration. The Individual plan charges $0.99 per item sold, with no monthly fee. The Professional plan costs $39.99 per month regardless of how many items you sell. If you expect to sell more than 40 items per month, the Professional plan is cheaper. It also gives you access to advertising tools, bulk listing features, and eligibility for the Buy Box, which is the “Add to Cart” button shoppers see on product pages.
Most serious sellers start with the Professional plan. If you’re testing the waters with a handful of products, the Individual plan lets you avoid the monthly commitment. You can switch between plans at any time from your account settings.
Documents You Need Before Starting
Gather everything before you begin registration. Amazon won’t let you save your progress and come back later if you’re missing something, and incomplete applications can trigger delays or additional verification. Here’s what you need:
- Government-issued ID: A passport or national identity card with your photo. You’ll enter your full legal name, date of birth, country of citizenship, and residential address exactly as they appear on the document.
- Bank account and routing number: The account must be in your name or your business name. Amazon deposits your sales revenue here.
- Internationally chargeable credit card: Amazon uses this to charge your selling fees.
- Business license or registration: If you’re registering as a business, you’ll need your exact registered business name, company registration number, and registered address.
- Proof of residential address: A bank statement or credit card statement dated within the last 180 days.
- Tax information: For U.S. sellers, this means your Social Security number or Employer Identification Number (EIN).
Step-by-Step Registration
Go to sell.amazon.com and click the signup button. You’ll create a new Amazon account or sign in with an existing one. From there, the registration walks you through several screens in sequence.
First, you’ll enter your business information. If you have a registered business, type the name exactly as it appears on your business license. Amazon cross-references this, so even small discrepancies (like abbreviating “LLC” or using a different spelling) can cause problems. Enter your company registration number and registered address.
Next, you’ll provide your personal information from your government-issued ID: full legal name including middle name, date of birth, country of citizenship, and country of birth. Then you’ll add your bank account details and credit card.
After submitting your store information, Amazon asks you to upload two documents: your government-issued ID and your proof of residential address (the bank or credit card statement dated within the last 180 days). Make sure both are clear, legible scans or photos.
Identity Verification: The Video Call
After uploading your documents, Amazon will ask you to verify your identity through one of two methods. You may be prompted to take a photo of your face alongside your government-issued ID, or you may need to complete a video call with an Amazon associate. Many new sellers are directed to the video call.
You can join an instant video call if the option is available in your region, or schedule one for a later time. When scheduling, you’ll pick your preferred language and choose a date and time. Amazon’s verification team supports English, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Hindi, and several other languages. If your language isn’t listed, you can bring an interpreter to the call.
For the call, you’ll need a device with a front-facing camera, a stable internet connection, and either Safari or Chrome. Have the original versions of the documents you submitted during registration: your government-issued ID and your bank or credit card statement. Only the same documents you uploaded earlier will be accepted, so don’t substitute different ones. The associate will ask you to hold up your ID and address document on camera for verification.
If you miss your scheduled call, Amazon sends a notification to reschedule. You can also cancel and rebook through the Identity Information page in your account settings. Don’t ignore these notifications, because your account stays inactive until verification is complete.
Setting Up Your Account After Approval
Once Amazon verifies your identity, your Seller Central dashboard becomes active. Before listing your first product, take care of a few setup tasks.
Configure your shipping settings. If you plan to fulfill orders yourself, set your shipping rates and handling times. If you want Amazon to store, pack, and ship your products, enroll in Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and create your first shipment to an Amazon warehouse.
Set up your tax settings by completing the tax interview in Seller Central. This generates the appropriate tax form and ensures Amazon collects sales tax where required.
Create your storefront profile with your business name, logo, and a brief description. This is what customers see when they click on your seller name.
Restricted Categories to Know About
Not every product category is open to new sellers. Amazon “gates” certain categories, meaning you need separate approval before you can list products in them. The approval process generally requires business documentation, product photos, and purchase invoices dated within the last 180 days.
Categories that always require approval include Fine Art, Music, Video and DVD, and specific subcategories of Grocery and Gourmet Foods (such as dietary supplements and alcoholic beverages). Fine jewelry requires approval for items containing gold, platinum, natural diamonds, and precious gemstones. Certain electronics brands require individual approval as well.
A few categories are permanently closed to new applicants, including Collectible Coins, Entertainment Collectibles, and Sports Collectibles. Some categories also restrict the condition of items you can sell. Baby products, beauty products, and grocery items can only be sold as new. Toys and games are limited to new and collectible condition only.
Your seller performance metrics factor into approval decisions, so it helps to build a track record of low defect rates and positive customer feedback before applying for gated categories. Amazon typically reviews category applications within two to seven business days.
Enrolling in Brand Registry
If you’re selling your own branded products, Amazon Brand Registry gives you tools to protect your listings from counterfeiters and unauthorized sellers. Enrollment is free but requires a trademark. You need an active, registered trademark or a pending trademark application filed with a government trademark office. The trademark must be a text-based mark or an image-based mark that includes words, letters, or numbers.
To enroll, you’ll provide your trademark registration or application number, a standalone image of your logo, and a photo showing your logo permanently affixed to your products or packaging. Your trademark text must match the brand name on your application exactly. You can use the same Seller Central login to create your Brand Registry account.
Brand Registry unlocks enhanced product detail pages (called A+ Content), the ability to create a branded Amazon storefront, and access to tools that let you report and remove counterfeit listings. If you don’t have a trademark yet, you can still sell on Amazon, but you won’t have access to these protections until your trademark is registered or pending.