How to sell on Amazon US without a US company: a guide for Latin American brands

A small or mid-sized Latin American brand can sell on Amazon US without setting up a company there. Amazon accepts foreign sellers, so the challenge is not the entity but four other things: a verified seller account, a responsible importer to bring inventory into the US, a way to receive payouts in dollars and products that meet US rules. This guide walks through each one and explains when a US LLC does make sense.

Does Amazon require a US company?

No. Amazon lets companies incorporated in a long list of countries register a seller account, including several in Latin America. During registration it asks for your company details in your home country, the representative's ID documents, an international credit card and an account to receive payouts. The list of supported countries and the exact documents change over time, so confirm them in Seller Central before you start.

What many brands mix up is that selling on Amazon and importing into the US are two different things. Amazon lets you sell without a local company, but your product still has to enter the country legally, and that is where the important decisions are.

The four things you need to solve

1. The seller account

You can open your own account as a foreign company or work with a partner that runs it for you. Either way, it is strongly recommended to have your trademark registered (or pending) with an office Amazon accepts so you can enroll in Brand Registry, which gives you control over your listings, A+ content and brand protection tools.

2. The responsible importer

Every commercial shipment entering the US needs a party responsible to US Customs (CBP): whoever declares the goods, pays the duties and answers for compliance. Amazon does not play that role for shipments to its fulfillment centers. The most common options are:

• Importing as a non-resident foreign company, through a US customs broker who handles the registration and the customs bond.
• Working with a logistics provider that offers import services and delivers inventory with duties paid.
• Working with a partner that takes on importing as part of a sales or distribution model.

The rules for low-value shipments changed recently, so confirm the current treatment for your product with your customs broker. We cover the options in more depth in our guide to international logistics for marketplace sellers.

3. Payments

Amazon pays out your sales periodically, net of fees and charges. Without a US bank account, you can receive funds in a supported account in your country or through international payment providers that offer US dollar accounts. Compare the exchange rate applied, the fees and the payout times. We explain this in fintech for cross-border commerce.

4. Taxes and product compliance

• Tax interview: as a foreign seller, you declare your non-US status in Seller Central.
• Sales tax: in most states Amazon collects it as a marketplace facilitator, but review your obligations with an advisor.
• Product rules: English labeling and category requirements. Food, supplements and cosmetics may require FDA registrations, which usually ask foreign companies to designate a US agent.
• Liability insurance: Amazon may require it once you pass a certain sales level; check the current policy.
• Taxes at home: exports and foreign income have their own local tax treatment. Work with your accountant on how to document sales.

For a broader view, read our article on key regulations for exporting from Latin America.

When does a US LLC make sense?

It is not required to sell on Amazon, but it can make sense once you have proven the market and want, for example, to sell to US distributors or brick-and-mortar retailers, hire people there, sign local contracts or simplify banking. In exchange, a company brings setup costs, bookkeeping and ongoing filings, and it may change your tax position at home. That is why we recommend validating first and structuring later, always with a legal and tax advisor.

Common mistakes when selling without a US company

• Shipping inventory without a defined importer: the cargo can get held at customs.
• Pricing without duties and import costs: the margin disappears with the first shipment. Our guide to international pricing helps with the math.
• Forgetting category registrations: a missing registration can block a shipment or suspend a listing.
• Setting up an LLC too early: you add fixed costs before you know the product sells.

Country guides

For the details for your home market, see our guides to selling on Amazon US from Chile, from Mexico and from Colombia.

How LAP Global helps

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

• 3P, "You sell": you keep ownership of your inventory and brand, and we run your marketplaces end to end: account management, listings, advertising, pricing, logistics coordination and compliance. You don't need a US legal entity.
• 1P, "We sell": we act as seller of record and handle taxes, compliance, payments and logistics. Compare both in 1P vs 3P marketplace models.

We combine AI agents working 24/7 with Key Account Managers and a real-time centralized dashboard. The average launch takes 45 days. See how it works.

Want to sell on Amazon US without setting up a company there? Email us at comercial@lapglobal.io and we'll help you choose the right model and import route for your product.