How to Sell Internationally on Amazon: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re looking to expand your business internationally, Amazon offers an opportunity to tap into its marketplace of more than 300 million customers. In the six months to December 2023, Amazon.com received 6.1 billion direct visits and close to 2 billion visits via organic search.¹

Amazon’s international marketplaces and logistics capabilities can make it easy for you to reach new customers around the world. This article explains how to sell products internationally on Amazon.

Can I Sell on Amazon Internationally From the US?

Yes, US sellers have access to Amazon’s international marketplace. The Amazon Global Selling program is designed to help sellers expand their business by listing their products on its marketplaces around the world. Amazon handles the overseas shipping and customer service through its Fulfilled By Amazon (FBA) service, making it easier to sell internationally than going it alone.²

What Countries Can I Sell to From Amazon US?

Amazon ships products to customers in more than 100 countries and regions. It also operates 20 local marketplaces, which allow sellers to reach a diverse range of customers and offer buyers a more localized shopping experience. Buyers can receive faster deliveries from local warehouses and see prices in their local currency without additional customs charges.³

Amazon has indicated that it plans to launch a marketplace in Ireland in 2025.

US sellers can sell their products on any of these marketplaces, extending their reach to millions of customers.

How to Sell Internationally on Amazon

If you’re looking for guidance on how to sell on Amazon internationally, we’ve got you covered. The process involves several steps, from choosing the right market to optimizing your product listings and fulfilling orders. Here’s the basic steps to follow to navigate this process.

Choose Where to Sell Your Items

Deciding where to sell internationally on Amazon will depend on whether you want to find a country where there is a market for the product, or you have a specific country in mind you want to expand into. The latter approach gives you the flexibility to choose a country that is favorable to your business in terms of shipping costs and language. For example, it may be easier as a US seller to expand into English-speaking markets, especially at first.

Decide What to Items to Sell Internationally on Amazon

Once you have decided which Amazon Marketplace(s) you want to use, and have an idea of what products you want to sell, you’ll need to research the market carefully. You should make sure that your products are in demand in your target country.

Successful sellers carry out careful product research to avoid wasting resources on stocking and marketing products that will not sell. Amazon’s Best Sellers and other market analysis tools can help you make informed decisions.

You should also be sure that your products are suitable for different countries or regions. For instance, electrical products use different voltages and plugs in different parts of the world. Product standards and regulations can also differ across regions. You’ll need to check that your items are eligible for international shipping on Amazon, as some cosmetics or chemicals, for example, cannot be shipped overseas.

Determine Your Product Pricing Based on Location

When you start selling into different countries, you’ll need to price your products in their local currencies. These are likely to differ in value from the US dollar. Research is key to setting competitive prices that will still allow you to make a profit. Consider factors such as shipping costs, taxes, and import duties.

Amazon simplifies the process for international sellers with its Build International Listings (BIL) tool. BIL helps you to manage product sales across multiple marketplaces. You can link listings to your domestic market products and adjust them automatically to reflect price changes and exchange rate fluctuations.

Set up Your Amazon Account for Global Selling

Once you have decided where and what to sell, you’ll need to set up your Amazon Global Selling Account for the countries or regions you want to operate in. For the North America and European regions, you can open Unified Accounts that cover multiple countries without additional costs.

To sign up, simply enter your details, such as email and bank account name, as you did for your initial seller account. You’ll also need to provide documentation, such as proof of identity and business information. You can then link your accounts to manage them from a single marketplace.⁴

Optimize Product Listings to the Country

As you create product listings for your new international marketplace, it’s important that you localize them to the target market. This means checking that you’re using the right language, spellings and terminology in the titles and descriptions. Tailoring your listings to the local language and preferences can improve your products’ visibility and appeal.

Register and List Your Products

Next, register your products and add them to your international marketplace listings. Ensure that the listings comply with local regulations and Amazon's guidelines for the target country. The details you’ll need include product categories and high-quality images, item title, ID such as ISBN or UPC, description and keywords.

Ship and Fulfill the Orders

There are two ways you can handle your overseas order shipments: self-fulfillment or using Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA). FBA simplifies the process by handling storage, packaging, and shipping for you. It also provides customer service and returns management.

It is important to understand the fulfillment requirements for international shipments, such as import and export duties.

Establish a Reliable Supply Chain Network

Once you’ve established your international business and have a sense of expected product sales, you need to make sure you can continue to meet demand as it grows. Developing and maintaining good relationships with suppliers is key to ensuring your business runs smoothly. Consider local warehousing options to minimize shipping times and costs.

Manage Your International Amazon Business

Listing and selling your items to sell on Amazon internationally is just the beginning. You’ll need to continue advertising your products and keep on top of market trends. Stay informed about local taxes, import duties, and market trends. Regularly review and optimize your listings based on customer feedback and sales data.

You will also need to register and pay taxes on your sales income.

Find the Best Method for Getting Paid in the Local Currency

To avoid losing money on currency conversion fees and transaction charges, you should find the best way to get paid in the local currency and pay your local suppliers.

Which Country is Best for Amazon Sellers?

Choosing the best country for you to sell on Amazon depends on various factors, including market size, competition, and demand for your product. Amazon's biggest, most established market is the US, which brings in total sales of around $300 million, followed by Germany and the UK.

These markets offer significant opportunities for sellers because they have large customer bases and established e-commerce infrastructure.⁵

Can I Ship Amazon Products to Another Country?

Yes, you can ship products to other countries on Amazon, as long as they are permitted to be transported overseas. It’s essential to understand the shipping requirements, customs regulations, and taxes in the destination country. Using the FBA service can simplify the process, as Amazon handles the logistics and ensures compliance with local regulations.

Can I Have Two Amazon Seller Accounts in Different Countries?

If you want to sell products on Amazon Marketplaces in different countries, you’ll need to have accounts for each. Amazon typically doesn’t allow sellers to have multiple accounts, but it does allow you to have separate accounts for different regions. You must make sure to follow Amazon’s guidelines for maintaining multiple accounts.

Creating multiple accounts using the same address or a fake identity can result in Amazon suspending all your accounts.

Receive Amazon Payments with Wise Business

Selling internationally on Amazon means that you’ll receive payments in currencies other than the US dollar. A Wise Business account makes it easy for you to manage funds from your Amazon international sales all in one place. You can have account details for 8+ currencies to receive payments like a local. And you can hold multiple currencies in your account, so that you can choose the best time to make conversions into US dollars.

Wise is not a bank, but a Money Services Business (MSB) provider and a smart alternative to banks. The Wise Business account is designed with international business in mind, and makes it easy to send, hold, and manage business funds in 40+ currencies. You can get major currency account details for a one-off fee to receive overseas payments like a local. You can also send money to 160+ countries.

Register with Wise Business 🚀

Wise Business can reduce your currency conversion fees and streamline your payment processes, ensuring you retain more of your earnings from Amazon international sales.

Learn more and sign up today for a Wise Business account.

All sources checked August 2024