How to sell on Amazon USA from Chile: 2026 guide

Yes, a Chilean brand can sell on Amazon USA without having a company there: it needs a seller account (its own or one operated by a partner), products that meet US regulations, and a logistics strategy to bring inventory close to the customer. From that same base, it can expand to Amazon Canada and Amazon Mexico. In this guide, we cover the requirements, the steps, the logistics options and the mistakes we see most often.

Why sell on Amazon USA from Chile?

The United States is one of the largest consumer markets in the world, and Amazon is the main online shopping channel for millions of people there. For a Chilean brand, that means access to demand that does not exist in the local market, in dollars, and with shoppers used to discovering new brands. Categories such as gourmet food, wine-derived products, natural cosmetics, pet products and design items have room to grow when the product is presented well. If you are not yet sure how a marketplace works, we recommend starting with what is a marketplace.

What do you need to sell on Amazon from Chile?

The exact requirements change over time, so always verify them in Seller Central. In general, Amazon asks for:

• Company and representative details: identity documents, business information and a verifiable address.
• An international credit card to charge the subscription and other fees.
• An account to receive payouts at a supported bank or provider.
• Tax information: foreign sellers complete a tax interview in Seller Central to declare their status with respect to the United States.
• Product codes (GTIN/UPC) or the corresponding exemption for private brands.

It is also highly recommended to have your trademark registered (or pending) with an office accepted by Amazon so you can enroll in Brand Registry, which gives you control over your listings, A+ Content and brand protection tools.

Steps to start selling on Amazon USA

1. Validate demand and price: review competitors, price ranges and reviews. Calculate your landed cost in the United States (product, freight, duties, Amazon fees, logistics and advertising). Our guide to international export pricing helps with that calculation.
2. Review regulatory compliance: English labeling, category requirements and, where applicable, registrations with agencies such as the FDA for food or cosmetics.
3. Create or enable the seller account and complete verification.
4. Build optimized listings: titles, bullet points, images and attributes designed for the US shopper, not literal translations.
5. Ship your first inventory according to the logistics model you choose.
6. Launch with advertising and reviews: Sponsored Products campaigns and programs such as Amazon Vine help a new product gain traction.

Logistics options: FBA, shipping from Chile or a 3PL

Logistics is the decision with the biggest impact on margin and customer experience. The three main alternatives are:

• FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon): you send inventory to Amazon's centers and they store, ship and handle returns. Your products qualify for Prime, which usually improves conversion. It requires careful stock planning and compliance with prep and labeling rules.
• Direct shipping from Chile: you ship each order with an international courier. It requires less upfront inventory investment, but delivery times are longer and it often hurts competitiveness.
• A 3PL or warehouse in the United States: you import in bulk to a logistics provider that stores your inventory and replenishes Amazon or ships orders from other channels. It is a flexible option when you sell on several marketplaces.

Many brands combine models: a 3PL as a buffer and FBA for Amazon sales. We go deeper into this in our guide to international logistics for marketplace sellers.

Taxes and customs: what you need to know

At a general level, there are three fronts to consider:

• Importing into the United States: every shipment needs a responsible importer, correct tariff classification and origin documentation. Chile has a free trade agreement with the United States, but its benefits depend on meeting the product's rules of origin. Rules for low-value shipments have also changed recently, so confirm the current treatment with your customs broker.
• Sales tax: in most states, Amazon acts as a marketplace facilitator and collects sales tax on your behalf, but it is worth reviewing your obligations with an advisor.
• Taxes in Chile: exports and foreign income have their own local tax treatment. Coordinate with your accountant on how to document sales.

For a broader view, see our article on export regulations from Latin America.

How do you get paid for your sales?

Amazon disburses your sales periodically, after deducting fees and charges. You can receive funds in a supported bank account or through international payment providers that offer dollar accounts. Before choosing, compare the exchange rate applied, transfer fees and timing. To better understand these alternatives, read about fintech for cross-border commerce.

How to expand to Amazon Canada and Amazon Mexico

Amazon offers a unified North America account that lets you manage the United States, Canada and Mexico from the same Seller Central. Once your product works in the United States, you can replicate listings in the other two countries, adapting language (French in Quebec, Spanish in Mexico), prices and local compliance. Amazon also has programs to fulfill Canadian and Mexican orders from US inventory; check their availability for your category in Seller Central.

Common mistakes Chilean brands make on Amazon

• Translating instead of adapting: US shoppers search with different words and value different attributes.
• Pricing without all the costs: fees, storage, returns and advertising can wipe out your margin.
• Sending too much or too little inventory: excess stock generates storage fees; stockouts cost you ranking.
• Launching without an advertising budget: a new product with no reviews rarely reaches the top positions.
• Underestimating compliance: incorrect labeling or a missing registration can block a shipment or get a listing suspended.

How LAP Global helps you sell on Amazon from Chile

At LAP Global, we have more than 10 years of experience in cross-border commerce in the Americas, manage more than US$30 million in annual GMV, and handle more than 25,000 SKUs across 8+ countries. We work with two models:

• 3P, "You sell": you keep ownership of your inventory and your brand, and we operate your marketplaces end to end: account management, listings and SEO, advertising, pricing, logistics coordination and compliance. You do not need a US legal entity.
• 1P, "We sell": we act as seller of record and handle taxes, compliance, payments and logistics. You just provide the product.

We combine AI agents working 24/7 with Key Account Managers and a real-time centralized dashboard, integrated with marketplaces, couriers and fulfillment centers. Launch takes 45 days on average. See the details in how it works.

Ready to take your Chilean brand to Amazon USA? Email us at comercial@lapglobal.io and let's review together which model and logistics route make sense for your product.