You’ve got a great product idea. Are you a manufacturer, a designer, a distributor, or all of the above? Now you’re ready to leap into the WORLD’S BIGGEST MARKETPLACE?!! We’ve got the definitive checklist for you! Instead of starting with fees, selling strategies, and pitfalls to avoid, we know you just want to get that account open. We will guide you through the steps to open your new Seller Account!
Opening a New Amazon Seller Central Account
Here are the THINGS YOU MUST HAVE IN PLACE to SELL your awesome WIDGET on Amazon! First…make sure you have:
- Credit card (for withdrawals) Debit Cards and Pre-paid cards are NOT acceptable
- Clear copy of Government issued ID (passport, driver’s license)
- Tax ID (Social Security Card)
- Phone number that can receive calls and text messages
- A bank account where Amazon can send you proceeds from your sales
- BRAND new business email – that has never been used before on Amazon
And, if you’re registering as a business, you will also need:
- A Federal Tax Id number (or an EIN)
- Your Legal Business Name
- Be prepared to undergo a 1099-K tax document review
Individual or Professional?
Something to think about: Decide if you will open an INDIVIDUAL or PROFESSIONAL SELLER account. (Individual account fees start at $.99 per sale and professional fees are $39 / per month). Ready to start? Open up a new Amazon Seller Account by heading over to the seller dashboard.
SOME FAQS FROM AMAZON ALONG THE WAY…..
- Your business location: This is the country in which your business is located. MAKE SURE YOU ENTER IT CORRECTLY!! You will need to verify it further down the line. If you’re an individual, this will be the address at which you currently reside. (Make sure you can receive physical mail!)
- Your business type: What type is your business entity (confused? most fall into the ‘Privately-owned’ category): State-owned business, Publicly-owned business, Privately-owned business, Charity or None, I am an individual.
- Your full name: Make sure you enter your first, middle, and last names (make sure that you enter your name EXACTLY how it appears on any state-issued identification).
Personal Verification
So far, so good? The next step is easy. You’ll enter your personal information and upload your government ID for verification.
Credit card verification
You’re doing great! Time for a break? NO!! Let’s continue. Now you’ll be asked for a valid credit card that can be charged. While you can use an international card, Amazon will not accept debit or prepaid cards. Best practices: make sure you choose a card with an expiry date far in the future.
Questions about the products you’ll be selling
- What’s the name of your Amazon store? (You can choose any name you want, but if you’re a brand, you may want to use that brand name)
- Do you have UPC codes for your product(s)? (if you don’t know what a UPC code is, click here)
- Are you the manufacturer and/or brand owner of the product(s) you sell?
- Do you have a registered trademark for your product(s)?
And now….the last step PATIENCE!!! Amazon will be sending a verification postcard to the address you’ve confirmed on record. Once you’re verified….YOU’RE IN!! Congratulations! You can start by selling the very first piano on Amazon, today! But wait, there’s more!! (We’ll talk about selling on other marketplaces, systems and procedures, product options, logistics, fees, and the verification process).
Ready to start your e-commerce journey? Or…ready to buy an existing Amazon Seller account and avoid the verification process? We’ve got a catalog of accounts ready for you!
