Amazon FBA LLC for International Sellers: Setup Guide

TL;DR: Forming a US LLC is one of the fastest, most reliable ways for international sellers to start an Amazon FBA business in the US. With the right steps — LLC formation, EIN, US bank account, Amazon tax forms, and sales tax compliance — a foreign entrepreneur can sell on Amazon US with professional credentials and easier banking. Tiempo de lectura: ~8 minutos

Lo que vas a aprender

Qué requisitos legales y fiscales necesitás para vender en Amazon US como extranjero.
Cómo formar una Amazon FBA LLC step-by-step: LLC formation, EIN, bank account, Amazon setup.
Recomendaciones prácticas sobre impuestos (federal, sales tax) y documentos (W‑8/W‑9).
Tiempos y costos aproximados para estar operativo.
Cómo minimizar fricciones con Amazon y recibir pagos en dólares.

Context: why international sellers choose a US LLC

Amazon FBA is a huge opportunity for international entrepreneurs who want to reach US consumers. Many choose an Amazon seller LLC because a US LLC:

Permite abrir bank accounts and payment processors in USD.
Improves credibility with suppliers, Amazon, and banks.
Simplifies VAT/IVA confusion for US sales and can help separate personal from business liability.

Keywords like Amazon FBA LLC international, sell Amazon US LLC, and FBA foreigner reflect a common path: a foreign entrepreneur forms a US LLC, registers for an EIN, opens a US business bank account, and uses Amazon FBA to store and ship inventory.

Common obstacles for international Amazon sellers

Amazon requires valid tax documentation and payout details before releasing funds.
Many US banks require US presence or complex paperwork for foreigners.
Sales tax nexus and collection rules can be confusing.
Formation and paperwork (Operating Agreement, registered agent, EIN) can be time-consuming if no local support.

Solution: Step-by-step setup to sell on Amazon US with an LLC

Below is a practical, actionable process you can follow. Times are realistic estimates for a non-US resident.

1) Decide on basics: state, structure, and name (1 day)

Choose a state to form the LLC (common choices: Delaware, Wyoming, Florida). State filing fees vary; typically $50–$300.
Pick a business name (must be unique in that state).
Decide owners and ownership percentages — you’ll document this in the Operating Agreement.

2) Form the LLC (1–7 business days)

File Articles/Certificate of Formation with the chosen state.
Appoint a Registered Agent (required; Rely includes registered agent in plans).
Typical timeline: 5–7 business days for standard processing; express options can be same‑day.

What you get: Articles of Organization, Operating Agreement, and Beneficial Ownership Information Report (BOIR) as required.

3) Obtain an EIN (Employer Identification Number) (1–3 days)

An EIN is mandatory for opening business bank accounts and for Amazon tax registration.
Foreign-owned LLCs can obtain an EIN by filing IRS Form SS‑4. This can be done without an SSN in most cases.
Rely’s packages include EIN acquisition so you avoid paperwork delays.

4) Open a US business bank account (2–10 days)

Options: online fintech banks like Mercury or Relay or a traditional US bank.
Some Rely plans include bank account assistance with Mercury or Relay to make approval faster.
Requirements: EIN, Articles of Organization, Operating Agreement, ID for beneficial owners, and sometimes a notarized document or bank interview.
Expect onboarding time: fintechs ~2–5 days; traditional banks can take longer and may require in-person verification.

5) Register with Amazon and enroll in FBA (1–3 days)

Create an Amazon Seller Central account (Professional plan recommended for scale).
For Amazon tax setup, foreign-owned entities often submit Form W‑8BEN‑E to certify foreign status; if your LLC is treated as a US entity for tax purposes, Amazon may request a W‑9.
Enroll in FBA: create listings, send inventory to Amazon fulfillment centers.

Tip: Amazon will ask for bank details for payouts. Having a US bank account removes many payout delays and currency conversion issues.

6) Sales tax and compliance (ongoing)

Marketplace facilitator laws: Amazon collects and remits sales tax in many states, but you still must verify registration requirements. Some states require seller registration even if Amazon collects sales tax.
Register for sales tax permits in states where you have nexus beyond Amazon’s collection (e.g., if you use multi-state FBA warehouses in certain states).
Keep accurate records of Amazon reports (merchant reports, tax documents) for filings.

Important: Tax rules depend on your country of residence, the LLC’s tax classification (disregarded entity vs. corporation), and US tax law. It is strongly recommended to consult a US tax professional experienced with international Amazon sellers.

7) Ongoing operations and scaling

Use Amazon Brand Registry if you own a brand.
Automate inventory and repricing tools.
Consider hiring an accountant familiar with international Amazon business.

Practical timeline example (realistic)

Day 0: Choose state and plan.
Day 1–2: File LLC formation (express if needed).
Day 2–5: EIN issuance and receive LLC documents.
Day 3–10: Open US bank account (faster with Mercury/Relay via included support).
Day 5–14: Create Amazon seller account, submit tax forms, send first shipment to FBA. With express formation and bank help, you can often be fully operational in under 5 business days.

Cómo Rely te ayuda

Rely simplifies the entire setup: sus planes (desde USD 449 hasta USD 649) incluyen la formación de la LLC, registered agent, obtención del EIN, y documentos legales como el Operating Agreement y el BOIR. El proceso es 100% online — no necesitás viajar a EE. UU.

Algunos planes de Rely además incluyen apertura de cuenta bancaria con Mercury o Relay, lo que reduce significativamente el tiempo hasta poder recibir pagos en dólares. El tiempo estándar de formación es 5–7 días hábiles, y si necesitás todo rápido hay un servicio express que forma la LLC en 1 día para que puedas estar operativo en menos de 5 días.

Próximos pasos

Si querés empezar hoy y minimizar errores al formarte como Amazon seller LLC, da el siguiente paso con Rely: elige un plan, formá tu LLC y obtené EIN y soporte para la cuenta bancaria — todo online y pensado para international Amazon business.

Recordá también consultar con un contador o abogado fiscal que entienda operaciones internacionales y Amazon FBA para asegurar cumplimiento fiscal y elegir la estructura más ventajosa para tu caso.