How to Sell on Amazon: Complete Requirements Guide 2026

Meta Title: Amazon Seller Requirements 2026 - Complete Guide to Get Approved Meta Description: Everything you need to start selling on Amazon: account requirements, documents, fees, tax info, and step-by-step approval process. Primary Keyword: Amazon seller requirements

Want to start selling on Amazon? Here's exactly what you need.

Amazon Moderate to High; requires strict document matching and identity verification., and the approval process 3–10 business days.

This guide covers every requirement to get your seller account approved and start making sales.

Quick Checklist: Amazon Seller Requirements

Essential Requirements:

☐ Valid Government ID (Passport/License)
☐ Bank or Credit Card statement (last 90 days)
☐ Chargeable Credit Card (Not Prepaid)
☐ GS1-Certified UPCs/EANs
☐ Tax Identity Information

Documents Needed:

☐ National ID or Passport
☐ Bank Account Statement
☐ Utility Bill (Matching address)
☐ Business License (if applicable)

Approval Time: 3–10 business days

Can Anyone Sell on Amazon?

Most individuals and businesses globally; restricted for certain high-risk countries.

Geographic Requirements:

Supported Countries: US, UK, CA, DE, FR, IT, ES, JP, AU, etc.
Restricted Regions: North Korea, Cuba, Iran, Syria
International Sellers: Global Selling account required; VAT registration mandatory for EU/UK storage.

Legal Requirements

1. Business Registration

Not mandatory for 'Individual' plan, required for 'Professional' business entities.

Accepted Business Types:

LLC
Sole Proprietorship
Corporation
Partnership

Do you need an LLC? Optional; recommended for liability protection as volume scales.

2. Tax Information

EIN or SSN required for US; VAT for EU/UK.

Required Documents:

IRS SS-4 Confirmation
W-9 Form
Sales Tax Permit (per state)

Sales Tax: Amazon collects/remits in most US states (Marketplace Facilitator Law).

3. Inform Consumers Act Compliance

Annual verification of business address, bank account, and tax ID is mandatory.

Account Setup Requirements

Personal Information Needed:

Full Legal Name
Date of Birth
Phone Number with SMS capability
Business/Residential Address

Banking & Payment:

Bank Account: Checking account in a supported country/currency.
Payment Processor: Amazon Pay / Hyperwallet
Payout Schedule: Every 14 days
Minimum Payout: $0.00

Identity Verification:

Video call verification or high-res document upload with biometric check.

Required ID Documents:

Passport
Driver's License
Government-issued Photo ID

Product-Specific Requirements

Approved Categories:

Amazon allows selling in:

Grocery - Gated; requires invoice from reputable wholesaler.
Topical/Health - FDA compliance and manufacturer invoices.
Jewelry - Strict quality standards and higher referral fees.
Apparel - Referral fees reduced to 5-10% in 2026 for low-priced items.

Restricted Categories:

Some categories require additional approval:

Collectibles - Authentication certificates.
Medical Devices - Professional licenses.
Streaming Media Players - Standardized hardware only.

Prohibited Items:

You cannot sell:

Illegal Drugs
Offensive Material
Counterfeit Goods
Explosives/Ammunition

See complete prohibited items list →

Technical Requirements

Product Listings:

Product Images: Main image must be on pure white background.
Descriptions: No promotional language (e.g., 'Free Shipping').
Barcodes: GS1-registered GTINs only.

Image Requirements:

Minimum Resolution: 1600x1600 pixels (for zoom)
Background: Pure White (RGB 255, 255, 255)
File Format: JPEG, TIFF, PNG
File Size: Max 10MB

Inventory Management:

Real-time sync required; IPI score must stay above 400 for unlimited storage.

Financial Requirements

Upfront Costs:

| Cost Type | Amount | |-----------|--------| | Setup Fee | $0 | | Professional Plan | $39.99/month | | Individual Plan | $0.99 per item sold | | Fulfillment Fee (FBA) | Varies by weight/size (approx. $3.22+) |

Total to Start: $40 - $500 (Inventory/Samples)

Ongoing Fees:

Referral Fee (8% - 15%)
Storage Fees
Advertising (PPC) Costs

Full fee breakdown →

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Pre-Registration

Gather ID, bank statements, and tax info.

Time Required: 1 hour

Step 2: Online Application

Enter business details and upload docs.

Time Required: 30 mins

Step 3: Identity Verification

Complete video call or biometric scan.

Time Required: 15 mins

Step 4: Address Verification

Receive/enter postcard code (if triggered).

Time Required: 5–7 days

Step 5: Category Ungating

Apply for restricted categories if needed.

Time Required: 2–5 days

Total Application Time: 7–14 days

Common Rejection Reasons

1. Name Mismatch

How to avoid: Ensure name on ID perfectly matches Bank Statement.

2. Low-Quality Document Scan

How to avoid: Upload high-res, color photos, not screenshots.

3. Unsupported Bank Account

How to avoid: Use a standard checking account, not a digital-only wallet.

4. Prepaid Card Used

How to avoid: Provide a genuine Credit Card for the charge method.

Approval Rate: Approx. 65% for first-time applicants

Performance Requirements (After Approval)

Once approved, you must maintain:

Metrics to Monitor:

Order Defect Rate (ODR): Must stay above <1%
Late Shipment Rate: Must stay below <4%
Pre-fulfillment Cancel Rate: Must stay above <2.5%
Valid Tracking Rate: Must stay above >95%

Consequences of Poor Performance: Account suspension or removal of Buy Box eligibility.

First Steps After Approval

Week 1: Brand Registry

Apply for a trademark to unlock A+ Content.

Week 2-4: Launch 1st Product

Optimize listing and run Vine reviews.

Month 2-3: Scale PPC

Identify high-converting keywords and expand.

Requirements by Seller Type

Individual Sellers:

SSN, Personal ID, Standard Checking Account.

Business Sellers:

EIN, Articles of Incorporation, Utility bill in company name.

Professional/Enterprise Sellers:

Enterprise API access, dedicated account manager potential.

International Seller Requirements

Selling from Outside Amazon's Primary Market:

Must use Amazon Currency Converter or a localized bank account.

Additional Requirements:

Passport (International)
Notarized translations of docs
VAT/GST number for target region

Currency Conversion: 3.75% conversion fee via Amazon; use 3rd party like Wise to reduce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have multiple accounts?

Only with a legitimate business need; usually discouraged.

Do I need a trademark?

No, but it's required for Brand Registry benefits.

Is insurance required?

Yes, once you hit $10k/month in sales.

Can I sell used items?

Yes, in most categories except Clothing and Shoes.

How do I get paid?

Direct deposit to your linked bank account.

What is the referral fee?

A percentage of the sale price, usually 15%.

Quick Start Checklist

Before applying, make sure you have:

✅ Passport scanned in color
✅ Bank statement PDF
✅ Credit card ready
✅ GS1 UPC codes purchased
✅ Product sample tested
✅ High-res images ready
✅ Tax ID confirmed

Ready to Start Selling?

Start your Amazon journey today by securing your GS1 barcodes and professional imagery.

Key Takeaways:

Identity verification is the biggest hurdle.
GS1 barcodes are non-negotiable for new products.
Maintain ODR below 1% to keep your account safe.
2026 fee changes favor low-margin apparel and grocery.

Optimize Your Amazon Listings from Day 1

Getting approved is just the beginning. To succeed on Amazon, you need optimized, high-converting listings.

Optilist helps you:

🎯 Research winning keywords for Amazon
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Start Your Free Trial - Optimize Your Amazon Listings →