No. You do not need to set up a company in the United States to sell on Amazon US (Amazon.com). You can open a seller account with your company registered in Turkey. The one condition is that you register as a business, not as an individual; residents of Turkey cannot register as individual sellers on Amazon US.
- A company registered in Turkey (including a sole proprietorship) can open an Amazon US seller account.
- You do not need a US bank account or a US address.
- On Amazon sales, Amazon collects and remits state sales tax.
- Consider a US company only after your sales are established, and only if you need one.
Why do so many people think a US company is required?
This misconception usually comes from three places:
- Individuals from Turkey cannot register. Residents of Turkey cannot register as individual sellers on Amazon's US, Canada, UK and European marketplaces; they must register as a business (Amazon Seller Forums). This rule is often retold as "you need a US company". In fact, the business can be your company in Turkey.
- How some service packages are sold. Some providers present a US LLC as the "first step". An LLC can be useful in some cases, but it is not a prerequisite for Amazon.
- Fear of US taxes. Sellers assume they must calculate and pay each state's sales tax themselves. On Amazon sales, Amazon largely takes care of this.
What do you need to open an Amazon US account with your Turkish company?
For a North America account, Amazon asks for a valid credit card, bank account, phone number and tax information. During verification it may also request documents such as a passport, national ID, bank statement or credit card statement (Amazon Seller Central).
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Company registration documents | A sole proprietorship, limited or joint-stock company registered in Turkey |
| ID or passport | A valid document belonging to the account's point of contact |
| Internationally chargeable credit card | The billing address must match the address you enter at registration |
| Bank account for payouts | A US bank account is not required; multi-currency accounts such as Payoneer or Wise also work |
| Tax form | Non-US companies complete Form W-8BEN-E in the tax interview |
| Video verification | Amazon may hold a video call with the point of contact to check your documents |
On the tax form and verification steps: doola, Amazon registration guide.
Who pays US sales tax on Amazon sales?
On sales made through Amazon, Amazon calculates the sales tax, collects it from the customer and pays it to the states. Every state with a sales tax has enacted marketplace facilitator laws, which shift the duty to collect the tax from the seller to the platform (Hands Off Sales Tax).
There is one exception: if you also sell the same products through your own website, you remain responsible for the tax on those sales (Quaderno). If your products are stored in Amazon warehouses, it is worth getting advice from an accountant on any state-level obligations.
When can a US company (LLC) make sense?
A US company is not required, but it may be worth considering when:
- You want to sell to the US through your own website and use US payment providers
- You plan to work directly with large US retailers or wholesalers
- Once your sales grow, a separate structure turns out to be better for tax planning
It is better to make this decision after your sales are established, not before you start, and together with an expert. A US company comes with ongoing costs such as formation, a registered agent, bookkeeping and annual filings. We cover all start-up costs in our e-export budget guide.
The company question is only one of the things to settle before you start. For the rest, see 7 questions to ask before starting e-export.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply to Amazon US with a sole proprietorship?
Yes. Amazon's registration lists sole proprietorship as a business type. What matters is that the business is officially registered in Turkey.
Can I sell on Amazon without a US address?
Yes. You register with your company address in Turkey. If you ship from Amazon warehouses (FBA), Amazon handles delivery and returns to customers.
How long does it take to open an Amazon seller account?
If your documents are complete, verification usually takes a few business days. Mismatched names or addresses across documents slow the process down.
Sources
- Amazon Seller Forums – Seller registration from Turkey
- Amazon Seller Central – Global selling registration requirements
- Amazon – Global selling registration guide
- doola – Amazon setup for non-US founders
- Hands Off Sales Tax – Marketplace facilitator laws
- Quaderno – Amazon FBA and sales tax
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