Seller verification is where most non-residents from the CIS get stuck on Amazon. Below is a step-by-step plan: what changed in the seller agreement on August 24, 2026, which documents to prepare, why Amazon rejects applications and how to fill out the tax interview without unnecessary withholding.

Step 01Understand what changed on August 24

Since August 24, 2026, an updated Amazon seller agreement (Business Solutions Agreement) has been in effect. According to EcomCrew, you previously could transfer an account only with Amazon's written consent. Now the agreement explicitly prohibits transferring the rights and obligations of an account to third parties, as well as pledging future Amazon revenue - for example, as collateral for a loan.

What this means in practice: if Amazon sees that the account is run by someone other than the person who went through verification, or the owner's details don't match reality, your account can be suspended and your funds frozen. The legitimate way to change ownership (a business acquisition or merger) is to contact Amazon through Seller Central, explain the reason and provide supporting documents.

ImportantBuying an aged account "with history" and selling on it is now a direct breach of the agreement. Legally, the money in that account isn't yours, and during a check you won't be able to show the owner's passport on a video call. Register your own account with your own documents.

Always check the exact wording against the current version of the agreement in Seller Central: blog summaries are no substitute for the primary source.

Step 02Gather your documents and check every letter

To register as a non-resident seller, you'll usually need the following:

  • International passport - valid, with a clear photo showing all corners of the page.
  • Bank statement or credit card statement - showing your name, address and account number. Some sources say "no older than 180 days" and others "no older than 90 days," so play it safe and use a statement from the last month.
  • Proof of address - Amazon may request it separately; it's usually a utility bill.
  • Bank card for the subscription fee. The Professional plan costs $39.99 a month plus selling fees (sell.amazon.com).
  • Payout account - a bank account or a payment service account that Amazon accepts for your country.
  • If you're registering with a US company - LLC and EIN documents: the certificate of formation and the IRS letter with your EIN.

The golden rule: your name, address and company name must match letter for letter across all documents and the application. Use the transliteration from your passport, the same word order in the address, the same apartment number. Amazon checks the data automatically, and "Ivanov" in your passport versus "Ivanoff" on your statement is already grounds for rejection.

If you're from Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan, we've covered the specifics for those countries separately: how to become an Amazon seller from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Step 03Eliminate rejection reasons before you apply

Almost every rejection I've seen among non-residents comes down to three things.

Virtual address

A registered agent address or mailbox is fine for your LLC and IRS correspondence, but it won't work for verifying your identity and place of business. NVI says this outright: a virtual address is no substitute for a real operational one, and marketplaces flag accounts where the country of the company, the identity and the address don't line up. For a non-resident, it's usually safer to list your actual home address, for which you have documents.

Name mismatch

A common case: Seller Central shows an address under the LLC's name, while the utility bill is issued to you personally. Or the bank shortened your name on the statement. Lay all your documents side by side and check them before uploading, not after a rejection.

Changing details right after registration

Change your address, phone number or bank account a week after approval, and Amazon triggers a new review. While the review is underway, payouts may be on hold. Enter your details once, and enter them correctly.

If Amazon asks for a utility bill

Amazon compares your identity and address against your passport and a utility bill for the address in Seller Central. Here's what to do:

  • upload an electricity, gas, water or internet bill in your name and for exactly the address on the account;
  • if the bill is in another language, attach a translation, but the original must be fully legible, with no cropped edges;
  • if the bill is in a relative's name, fix that first: transfer the service to your name or list an address on the account for which you have documents;
  • never edit documents in an image editor. Forgery means a permanent ban with no right to appeal.

If you have nothing else to upload, contact Seller Support and ask which alternative documents they accept for your country. The list depends on the marketplace and changes over time.

Step 04Prepare for the video call

After you upload your documents, Amazon often invites the account's primary contact person to a video call. An Amazon associate compares the originals of the documents you uploaded with the details in your application. This is described in the official registration guide.

It sounds intimidating, but in reality it takes 10-20 minutes. Here's what you need:

  • the original passport and the same supporting document you uploaded. New documents aren't accepted during the call;
  • a stable internet connection, a camera and good lighting;
  • the person on the call must be the exact person the account is registered to.

You can take the call right away or book a convenient time. If you book, the available slots are usually a few business days out.

If you'd rather not deal with the fine points of documents and addresses yourself, you can hand off account preparation to a team that has done it many times: Amazon account assistance from MakeItEarn. The account is still registered in your name and with your documents.

Step 05Complete the W-8 tax interview

The Tax Interview in Seller Central generates a W-8 form for you. A mistake here is one of the reasons an account doesn't get activated.

How to tell which form is yours:

  • you're a non-resident individual without a company - W-8BEN;
  • you have a single-member LLC owned by an individual - it's "disregarded" for tax purposes, and the form is usually filed in the owner's name: W-8BEN in your name;
  • the LLC is owned by a foreign company - W-8BEN-E;
  • W-9 is only for US tax residents. Non-residents must not fill it out.

Why this matters: according to the IRS instructions, foreign persons are subject to a 30% tax on US-source income, and if you don't provide the form when requested, the withholding agent may withhold 30%. A correctly completed W-8 confirms your foreign status and lets you claim treaty benefits if your country has a tax treaty with the US.

A few practical details:

  • the full name and the signature on the form must belong to the same person. Don't enter the LLC's name in the name field;
  • in the foreign tax identifying number field, enter your INN, IIN or equivalent;
  • the form remains valid until the end of the third calendar year after signing, unless your details change.
TipA W-8 doesn't mean you owe no taxes in the US. It all depends on your business model - for example, whether you store inventory in US warehouses. Talk to a tax professional before your first sales, and don't forget about LLC reporting: how to file Form 5472.

Step 06Plan and timeline: from registration to first payout

Amazon doesn't publish official timelines, so go by other sellers' experience and build in a buffer.

  1. Preparing documents - 1-2 weeks if you already have an LLC and EIN. If you don't have a company yet, add time for formation and getting an EIN.
  2. Registration and document upload - one evening.
  3. Review and video call - anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. If Amazon requests additional documents, it takes longer.
  4. Tax interview and payout setup - right after approval.
  5. First sale and first payout. Amazon disburses funds roughly every 14 days, but new sellers have part of their revenue held in reserve. According to third-party services, it takes about 4-6 weeks from your first sale to the first money in your account. Check exact dates in the Payments section of Seller Central.

Bottom line, a realistic horizon is about two months from the start of preparation to your first payout. Plan your inventory purchases and ad budget with this gap in mind.

SummaryChecklist before you apply

  • The account is registered with your own documents - no purchased accounts.
  • Your name and address match letter for letter on your passport, statement, utility bill and application.
  • The statement is recent, from the last month, with all account details and the bank's logo.
  • The address is real - not virtual and not a registered agent's address.
  • Original documents are at hand for the video call.
  • Tax interview: W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, but not W-9; the name and signature match.
  • After approval, you don't change anything unless you have to.
  • Your budget allows for 4-6 weeks until the first payout.
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