Amazon seller account setup

Individual or Professional plan?

Working out which plan costs less

Using the figures on Amazon's UK pricing page, and noting the Professional fee is stated excluding VAT, the Professional plan's monthly fee equals the Individual per-unit fee at a little over thirty units a month. Below that, the Individual plan costs less in plan fees; above it, Professional does. Referral fees apply on each sale under either plan and depend on the product category. Plan features matter too, so read Amazon's current comparison before deciding, and remember that fees can change.

Check Amazon's current terms on changing plans if your sales grow.

Details to prepare

Make the details match

Amazon's registration guidance asks for identity, address, payment and business information. Delays can come from small mismatches: a name spelt differently on the ID and the bank statement, an address written two ways, a business name that differs from the registered one. Check every document before starting, use the business's legal details consistently and keep copies of what you submit. Amazon's current registration guide lists what it needs; follow it rather than any older checklist.

VAT questions

Whether you need to be VAT registered, and how VAT applies to sales on Amazon, depends on your business and where you sell. Ask your accountant before registering, particularly if you plan to sell in other countries or store stock abroad.

After the account opens

1. 01

   Secure it

   Strong password and two-step sign-in, where available, on the primary login.

   Output: Protected account

2. 02

   Add users

   Staff or providers given their own access with limited permissions.

   Output: Controlled access

3. 03

   Settings

   Business details, returns address and notification contacts checked.

   Output: Correct settings

4. 04

   First listings

   A few products listed and checked before adding the range.

   Output: Working listings

Example: a maker's first account

Check what you can sell

Amazon's seller FAQ for its US marketplace explains that some categories are open to all sellers, some require a Professional selling plan, some require approval from Amazon and some cannot be sold by third-party sellers. Check the rules for the marketplace you plan to use before buying stock for Amazon, and allow time for any approval your products need.

Keep product safety and compliance documents ready, since you may be asked for them.

Decide how you will fulfil orders

Decide early whether you will ship orders yourself or use Fulfilment by Amazon, which Amazon describes as its storage, shipping and customer service programme, with fees per unit sold and monthly inventory charges. The choice affects stock planning, costs and the routine you will need.