How to sell on Amazon US without a US company
Updated: · GrowNow team
A foreign company can sell on Amazon.com without setting up a company in the US, but it has to handle importing the goods, logistics, product compliance with US requirements and settlements in dollars. The simplest route for a manufacturer is to sell through a partner that buys the goods and is itself the seller in the US.
Do you need a US company?
Amazon allows companies from outside the US to register seller accounts, so a US company is not a condition for selling. In practice, the problem is not the account but everything around it: who imports the goods, where the stock is held, who is responsible for the product on the US market and how the sales are settled.
What do you need to arrange when selling on your own?
- Import – appointing the Importer of Record, customs clearance and duties.
- Logistics – a warehouse in the US or deliveries to Amazon FBA centres, including preparing the goods.
- Product compliance – requirements depend on the category, e.g. for toys, cosmetics or electronics.
- Taxes – in most states Amazon collects and remits sales tax as a marketplace facilitator, but the company’s own tax obligations need to be reviewed individually.
- Content and advertising – separate listings built around the search terms American customers use, and campaigns run locally.
How long does it take to launch on Amazon US?
With a ready product and documentation, the first sales can go live within a few weeks. Sea freight and warehouse intake usually take longest, so it is worth planning deliveries around the season, e.g. ahead of Prime Day and Black Friday.
How to make it simpler
GrowNow has a US company (GrowNowUS LLC) and warehouse facilities in Orlando, Florida. We buy the goods from the manufacturer and sell them in the US as the seller. The manufacturer doesn’t set up an entity, look for a logistics operator or settle in dollars – you issue us a B2B invoice.
- Amazon – selling on Amazon.com
- Amazon – marketplace facilitator tax collection in US states (Seller Central help)
Frequently asked questions
Can a European company have an account on Amazon.com?
Yes. Amazon accepts sellers from outside the US. Import, logistics and product compliance are harder than opening the account.
Who pays sales tax when selling on Amazon US?
In most states Amazon, as a marketplace facilitator, collects and remits sales tax on the seller’s behalf. Other tax obligations are worth checking with an adviser.
How long does a US launch with GrowNow take?
We launch the first market within 4 weeks of signing, and the pace in the US depends mainly on freight and warehouse intake.
Where is the stock held in the US?
When you sell through GrowNow, the goods go to our warehouse facilities in Orlando, Florida, and from there to customers or Amazon FBA centres.
When should you plan the first US delivery?
Ahead of the season. Sea freight and warehouse intake take the longest, so plan deliveries well before Prime Day and Black Friday.