Account Setup for South Asian Sellers
What You Need to Register
Amazon’s Seller Central registration for international sellers requires:
Business identity:
- Business registration document (trade license, certificate of incorporation, or equivalent from your country)
- National ID or passport of the business owner/authorized representative
- A business address in your home country
Financial:
- Internationally chargeable credit card (Visa or Mastercard — most South Asian banks issue these)
- A bank account capable of receiving international payments in USD
Communication:
- Phone number (Amazon will call for verification)
- Email address
The Verification Process
Amazon’s identity verification for international sellers is thorough and can take 2-6 weeks:
Step 1: Submit documents through the registration portal. Amazon reviews business registration, ID, and bank statements.
Step 2: Video verification call. Amazon schedules a video call where you show your ID document on camera and answer basic questions about your business. This is standard for international sellers.
Step 3: Address verification. Amazon may send a postcard to your business address with a verification code. This can take 2-3 weeks for South Asian addresses.
Common rejection reasons and fixes:
| Rejection Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Business name on documents doesn’t match registration | Ensure exact name match across all documents |
| Bank statement doesn’t show business name | Use a business bank account, not personal |
| ID photo is blurry or cropped | Resubmit high-quality scan |
| Address verification postcard not received | Contact Seller Support for re-send or alternative verification |
| Business registration expired | Renew before reapplying |
US Entity Option (Recommended for Serious Sellers)
While you CAN sell on Amazon.com with a foreign entity, forming a US LLC provides advantages: simplified Brand Registry enrollment, easier trademark filing (USPTO), a US bank account for faster payment processing, and improved customer trust. See our Bangladesh Amazon seller guide → for US LLC formation steps.
Receiving Payments
Amazon Currency Converter for Sellers (ACCS)
Amazon can deposit your earnings directly to a bank account in your home country, converting USD to your local currency. ACCS applies a currency conversion fee (typically 1-1.5% above the market exchange rate).
Pros: Simple setup, no additional accounts needed.
Cons: The conversion spread reduces your effective revenue by 1-1.5%.
Payoneer or Similar Payment Services
Services like Payoneer provide a US virtual bank account that receives Amazon disbursements in USD. You then transfer to your local bank at Payoneer’s exchange rate (typically 0.5-1% fee).
Pros: Better exchange rates than ACCS, USD account for other international transactions, wider currency conversion options.
Cons: Additional account setup, small monthly or per-transaction fees.
US Bank Account (If US LLC Formed)
If you’ve formed a US LLC, open a US business bank account (Mercury, Relay, or traditional banks that accept foreign-owned LLCs). Amazon deposits directly in USD with no conversion fees. You convert to local currency when you choose — at market rates.
Pros: No conversion fees on Amazon disbursements, full control over currency timing.
Cons: Requires US entity, more complex setup.
Our recommendation: For sellers doing under $10K/month, Payoneer is the simplest high-value option. For sellers above $10K/month, a US LLC + US bank account pays for itself through currency savings within months.
Product Compliance for the US Market
Products sold in the US must comply with federal and sometimes state-level regulations. Non-compliance can result in: products seized at customs, listings removed by Amazon, and potential legal liability.
General Requirements (All Products)
Country of origin labeling. All products imported into the US must be marked with the country of origin. “Made in Bangladesh” (or India, Pakistan, etc.) must be permanently and legibly marked on the product or packaging. This is a US Customs requirement, not optional.
Product safety. Products must not pose unreasonable safety risks. Amazon can and does test products randomly. If a product fails safety testing, the listing is removed and the seller may face account suspension.
Category-Specific Requirements
| Product Category | Key Compliance Requirements | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Children’s products | CPSIA testing (lead, phthalates), CPC (Children’s Product Certificate), ASTM F963 for toys, age grading | $500-$2,000 per product |
| Textiles and apparel | Fiber content labeling (FTC Textile Act), care labeling, flammability standards (CPSC 16 CFR 1610) | $200-$500 per product |
| Food and beverages | FDA facility registration, nutrition labeling, ingredient listing, food safety compliance | $1,000-$5,000+ |
| Cosmetics and skincare | FDA registration (not approval), ingredient labeling (INCI), no prohibited ingredients | $500-$2,000 |
| Electronics | FCC certification (if emits RF), UL/ETL safety listing (recommended), California Prop 65 | $1,000-$5,000 |
| Supplements | FDA facility registration, GMP compliance, supplement facts panel, structure/function claims only | $2,000-$10,000 |
How to Get Compliant
Step 1: Identify which regulations apply to your specific product. Amazon’s Product Compliance portal in Seller Central lists requirements by category.
Step 2: Engage a US-based compliance consultant or testing laboratory. Labs like SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas, and UL have offices in Bangladesh and India and can test products locally before shipment.
Step 3: Obtain required certificates and documentation before shipping to FBA. Amazon may request compliance documents at any time. Having them ready prevents listing disruption.
Step 4: Update product labels and packaging to meet US labeling requirements (country of origin, fiber content, care instructions, safety warnings as applicable).
GigaCommerce’s role: We guide South Asia Bridge → clients through the compliance process for their specific product categories, connecting them with appropriate testing labs and documentation providers.
Shipping Inventory to Amazon FBA
The Logistics Chain from South Asia
Your Factory / Warehouse
↓ [Local transport to port/airport]
Major Port (Chittagong, Mumbai, Karachi, Colombo)
↓ [Ocean freight: 25-40 days | Air freight: 5-7 days]
US Port (Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, Savannah)
↓ [Customs clearance: 1-5 days]
↓ [Last-mile transport: 2-5 days]
Amazon FBA Fulfillment Center (assigned by Amazon)
Freight Options
| Method | Transit Time | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean freight (FCL — full container) | 25-40 days | $3,000-$8,000 per 20ft container | Large shipments (5,000+ units) |
| Ocean freight (LCL — shared container) | 30-45 days | $100-$300 per CBM | Smaller shipments (1,000-3,000 units) |
| Air freight | 5-7 days | $4-$8 per kg | Urgent restocks, lightweight products |
| Air express (DHL, FedEx) | 3-5 days | $6-$12 per kg | Very small urgent shipments, samples |
For initial inventory shipments (first launch): Ocean LCL or FCL depending on volume. Plan for 6-8 weeks from factory to FBA (production + ocean transit + customs + last mile).
For restocks: Ocean freight for planned replenishments (order 60-90 days ahead of projected stockout). Air freight for emergency restocks when you’ve miscalculated demand.
Customs and Import Duties
You need a customs broker. A customs broker handles the paperwork, duty calculation, and clearance process at the US port. Many freight forwarders include brokerage services. Cost: typically $100-$300 per shipment for brokerage fees.
Required documents:
- Commercial invoice (product descriptions, quantities, unit values, country of origin)
- Packing list (box counts, weights, dimensions)
- Bill of lading (ocean) or air waybill (air)
- Product-specific documentation (compliance certificates, FDA prior notice for food items)
- Importer of Record (IOR) — this is you or your US entity
Import duties (tariffs): Vary by product and are determined by the HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) code. Examples:
| Product Type | Typical US Import Duty |
|---|---|
| Cotton apparel from Bangladesh | 0-16.5% (GSP eligible for some categories) |
| Leather goods | 3-20% |
| Home textiles | 0-12% |
| Jute products | 0% (typically duty-free) |
| Electronics accessories | 0-5% |
GSP and trade preference programs: Bangladesh benefits from the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and other trade programs that reduce or eliminate duties on certain product categories. Check current GSP eligibility for your specific HTS code — these programs change periodically based on trade policy.
Amazon FBA Prep Requirements
Products arriving at Amazon FBA must meet specific prep standards:
FNSKU labeling: Every individual unit must have an FNSKU barcode label (Amazon’s internal product identifier). You can print and apply these at your factory, use a US-based prep service, or pay Amazon’s labeling fee ($0.55/unit).
Packaging requirements by product type:
- Textiles/apparel: Poly-bagged with suffocation warning (if bag opening >5 inches)
- Fragile items: Bubble-wrapped or otherwise protected
- Liquids: Sealed to prevent leakage, with “This Side Up” arrows
- Sets/bundles: Packaged together as a single unit with “Sold as Set — Do Not Separate” label
Box requirements: Maximum 50 lbs per box. Maximum dimensions 25×25×25 inches for standard. Contents must match the Amazon shipping plan exactly.
Prep at origin vs US-based prep service:
| Option | Cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prep at your factory | $0.30-$0.80/unit | Lowest cost, no additional handling | Requires training on Amazon standards |
| US prep service | $1.00-$3.00/unit | Professional, reduces rejection risk | Adds cost and 3-5 days to timeline |
| Amazon prep service | $0.55-$2.20/unit | Simplest | Limited services, not all prep types available |
Our recommendation for South Asian sellers: Prep at origin for simple products (apparel, textiles, accessories). Use a US prep service for the first 1-2 shipments of complex products (electronics, multi-component items) until you’ve verified your factory’s prep meets Amazon’s standards.
Tax Obligations
US Sales Tax
If you sell through Amazon FBA, your inventory is stored in Amazon’s US warehouses — creating “nexus” (tax obligation) in those states. Amazon collects and remits sales tax in most states through its Marketplace Facilitator obligations. You generally do not need to collect or remit sales tax yourself when selling through FBA.
However, filing requirements vary by state. Consult a US tax professional familiar with e-commerce and international sellers. Services like TaxJar, Avalara, or a CPA with Amazon experience can guide you.
US Income Tax
Non-US persons or entities earning income from US sources may have US tax obligations. The specifics depend on: whether you have a US entity (LLC/Corp), your country’s tax treaty with the US, and the structure of your business.
Key forms:
- W-8BEN-E: Filed by foreign entities to certify foreign status and claim tax treaty benefits
- Form 1040-NR: Non-resident alien tax return (if applicable)
- State tax filings: Vary by state where you have nexus
Critical advice: Hire a US-based CPA experienced with international Amazon sellers. The cost ($500-$2,000/year) is trivial compared to the penalties for non-compliance. Do not navigate US tax obligations without professional guidance.
Home Country Tax
Your Amazon income is likely taxable in your home country as well. Consult a local tax professional about reporting foreign income. Bangladesh, for example, has ITES (Information Technology Enabled Services) tax exemptions that may apply to certain e-commerce services — the specifics depend on your business structure and registered activities.
Common Challenges for South Asian Sellers
Challenge 1: Long Lead Times
Ocean freight from South Asia takes 25-40 days. Combined with production time (2-4 weeks) and customs clearance (1-5 days), the total cycle from order to FBA availability is 6-10 weeks.
Mitigation: Order inventory 90+ days ahead of projected need. Use air freight for emergency restocks. Build safety stock into your inventory planning.
Challenge 2: Quality Consistency
Quality that’s acceptable for OEM clients may not be acceptable for DTC Amazon sales (where every defect becomes a public review).
Mitigation: Implement pre-shipment quality inspection for every FBA-bound batch. Third-party inspection services (QIMA, SGS) charge $200-$500 per inspection. This is insurance against negative reviews that cost far more to recover from.
Challenge 3: Communication Time Zones
Bangladesh (GMT+6) and India (GMT+5:30) are 10-11 hours ahead of US Eastern Time. Real-time communication with US-based Amazon support, freight forwarders, and prep services requires early morning or late evening availability.
Mitigation: Designate specific team members for US time zone communication. Or work with an agency like GigaCommerce that has team members in both time zones. Our Dhaka team handles Amazon operations during US business hours.
Challenge 4: Intellectual Property Protection
Registering US trademarks from South Asia involves navigating the USPTO system, which can be complex for international applicants. Additionally, protecting your brand on Amazon against unauthorized sellers requires Brand Registry enrollment.
Mitigation: Use Amazon’s IP Accelerator program for faster trademark filing and Brand Registry access. See: Amazon Brand Registry Guide →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a US address to sell on Amazon.com?
No — you can register with a South Asian business address. However, a US address (through a registered agent if you form a US LLC) provides benefits: easier Brand Registry, improved customer trust, and a US business identity for banking and legal purposes. A registered agent costs $100-$300/year.
Which South Asian countries are eligible to sell on Amazon.com?
Amazon accepts seller registrations from most countries, including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and others. India-based sellers have the most streamlined process due to Amazon India’s infrastructure and Amazon’s investment in the Indian seller ecosystem.
How much money do I need to start from South Asia?
Minimum realistic budget: $8,000-$20,000 USD covering product inventory ($3,000-$10,000), international shipping ($500-$2,000), US entity formation ($500-$800 if applicable), trademark ($600-$2,000), product photography ($200-$500), and initial advertising ($1,000-$3,000). See our complete cost breakdown →.
Can I sell on Amazon Europe and Amazon Japan from South Asia?
Yes. Amazon’s marketplace system allows you to register for additional marketplaces (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, Australia) separately from your US account. The processes are similar but each marketplace has its own compliance requirements, VAT/GST obligations, and language needs.
How long until I start making profit?
First sales typically appear within 1-2 weeks of listing going live with advertising. Break-even (monthly revenue covering monthly costs) usually occurs within 60-90 days. Total investment recovery (including startup costs) takes 6-12 months for well-executed launches.
Next Steps
Based in South Asia and ready to sell on Amazon? Our team in Dhaka specializes in helping South Asian sellers navigate the entire process — from account setup to compliance to FBA logistics to ongoing management. Schedule a consultation →
Keep reading:
- How Bangladesh Manufacturers Can Sell on Amazon USA →
- Amazon FBA Fees 2026: Complete Cost Breakdown →
- Amazon Brand Registry: Complete Setup Guide →
Last Updated: March 2026