Amazon Seller Account Setup Guide: Step-by-Step for 2026
Complete setup in 30–45 minutes. Here is every step, every document you need, and the two decisions that will affect your first 6 months of selling.
The 8 Setup Steps
Go to sell.amazon.com and click "Start Selling." You can sign in with an existing Amazon customer account or create a new one. Use an email address you check regularly — Amazon sends important notices here.
Select Individual plan to start (free, $0.99/item fee). You can upgrade to Professional ($39.99/month) at any time. Upgrade when you hit 40+ sales/month.
Fill in your business type (Individual/Sole Proprietor for most new sellers), your legal name, and address. This is the information Amazon uses for tax documents and payout deposits.
Enter your bank routing number and account number for payouts. Add a credit card for seller fees (Amazon charges the card if payout balance is insufficient).
Upload a government-issued ID (passport or driver's license) and a bank statement or utility bill confirming your address. Amazon verifies this within 1–3 business days.
Search "Amazon Seller" in the App Store or Google Play. Free. This is your barcode scanner for in-store sourcing — the most important tool you have on sourcing runs.
In Seller Central, go to Settings → Fulfillment by Amazon and confirm FBA is enabled. Create your first FBA shipping plan when you're ready to send inventory.
When you find a product to sell, search it in Seller Central by barcode or ASIN. Set your price slightly below the current Buy Box price. Select "Fulfilled by Amazon." Create an FBA shipment.
Individual vs Professional Plan — The Decision
This matters financially. Start Individual, upgrade when the math tips:
| Individual | Professional | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $0 | $39.99 |
| Per-item fee | $0.99 | $0 |
| Break-even point | Under 40 items/month | Over 40 items/month |
| FBA access | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gated category access | Limited | Full |
| Bulk listing tools | ✗ | ✓ |
| Reports and analytics | Basic | Full |
At exactly 40 items sold: Individual costs $39.60, Professional costs $39.99. At 41 items: Individual costs $40.59, Professional still $39.99. Upgrade when you cross 40 consistent monthly sales.
After Setup: Your First Sourcing Run
Once your account is verified and the Seller App is downloaded, you're ready. Your first run checklist:
- Amazon Seller App installed and logged in with your seller account credentials
- Afterpay account set up and active (first test purchase made)
- $75–100 cash buffer available in your bank account
- FBA shipping supplies: poly bags, boxes, tape, bubble wrap for fragile items
- Destination store chosen (Walmart or Target clearance section)
The Starter Kit includes an FBA prep checklist and shipping supplies reference — everything you need to prep your first shipment correctly.
Get the Starter Kit — $37Frequently Asked Questions
The initial registration takes 30–45 minutes. After registration, identity verification takes 1–3 business days. Once verified, you can list products immediately on the Individual plan. FBA shipment creation and inventory going live takes an additional 2–5 days after your first shipment arrives at the warehouse.
No. You can sell on Amazon as an individual using your personal SSN and personal bank account. An LLC is not required to start. Many sellers operate as sole proprietors for 12–18 months before forming an LLC for liability protection and tax structuring. Consult a CPA about the right time for your situation.
Individual plan: Free monthly fee, $0.99 per item sold, limited access to some seller tools. Professional plan: $39.99/month, no per-item fee, full access to Seller Central tools, required for selling in some gated categories. Upgrade to Professional when you sell more than 40 items per month — the per-item fees on Individual become more expensive than the flat monthly rate.
Yes. Amazon deposits to personal checking accounts. You will need to provide your bank routing number and account number during registration. Amazon deposits every 14 days by default. Ensure the name on your bank account matches the name on your Amazon seller account to avoid verification delays.