How to sell on Amazon US from Singapore (2026 guide)

Key takeaways:

• Singapore-based sellers can register for an Amazon US seller account directly. You need a passport or national ID, a credit card, and your business registration details.

• Expect to pay a Professional plan fee of US$39.99/month plus referral fees of 8–15% on each sale¹, with optional Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) costs for storage and shipping.

• With an Airwallex Global Account, you get US bank details to receive Amazon payouts in USD. Airwallex also gives you competitive FX rates that save you up to 80% on FX fees when you covert from USD to SGD.

If you're wondering how to sell on Amazon US from Singapore, the short answer is: Amazon makes it straightforward. The platform accepts sellers from most countries worldwide, including Singapore, and provides tools specifically designed for cross-border selling.

This guide walks you through everything you need to get started: account registration, seller plans and fees, fulfillment options, shipping logistics, tax considerations, and how to keep as much of your USD profits as possible without incurring high conversion fees.

What you need before you start

Before you create your Amazon US seller account, gather the following documents and details. Having these ready will speed up the process.

Registration documents

Amazon requires these from Singapore-based sellers²:

• Passport, national ID (NRIC), or driver's licence — the name and address must match your other documents exactly

• Business registration number (UEN) and ACRA business verification certificate

• Bank or credit card statement — in the name matching your ID or business name

• Valid credit card that supports international charges

• Valid mobile number and email address

The application process takes roughly 20–30 minutes, but the entire registration can take up to two weeks to complete.

Phone number

You'll need a phone number to complete registration and receive verification codes. Your existing Singapore mobile number works fine. If you need a separate US number for customer communication later, virtual number services like Google Voice or Grasshopper can provide one.

Setting up your seller account

To sell on Amazon US from Singapore, create a North America and Brazil unified selling account through Amazon's Global Selling programme³. This single account gives you access to the US, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil marketplaces.

If you're new to Amazon, go to sell.amazon.com and sign up for a Professional selling plan at US$39.99/month¹. If you already sell on Amazon.sg, log into Seller Central, select "Sell Globally" from the Inventory menu, and expand to the United States.

How you'll get paid

Amazon pays US marketplace sellers in USD. You have three options for receiving these funds:

Option 1: Amazon Currency Converter for Sellers (ACCS)

Amazon converts your USD earnings to SGD and deposits them into your Singapore bank account. This is the simplest option, but Amazon applies a currency conversion spread on top of the interbank rate — which can reduce your take-home earnings over time³.

Option 2: Amazon Seller Wallet

This is a newer option that lets you hold your USD earnings, convert them to 20+ currencies, and transfer to your global bank accounts³.

Option 3: A US dollar bank account

You provide US bank details as your deposit method and receive your earnings in USD with no conversion applied by Amazon. This gives you full control over when and how you convert to SGD.

This is where Airwallex Global Accounts are particularly useful. You get a US bank account number — without needing to visit the US or open an account with a US bank. Amazon deposits your earnings in USD directly, and you convert to SGD at Airwallex's rates, which are significantly lower than what banks or ACCS charge.

New Seller Incentives

Amazon currently offers over US$50,000 in potential benefits for new brand owners, including 10% back on your first US$1,000,000 in branded sales, free FBA inbound shipping, storage credits, and US$50 in Sponsored Products advertising credit⁴.

Amazon US seller plans and fees

Understanding Amazon's fee structure is essential before you start selling. Fees fall into two categories: mandatory selling fees (plan fee + referral fee on every sale) and optional fees if you use services like Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).

Selling plans

Amazon offers two plans. You can switch between them at any time⁵.

The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 15 April 2026.

If you plan to sell more than 40 items per month, the Professional plan is more cost-effective. It also unlocks tools you'll need to grow — like advertising, automated pricing, and brand-building features⁵.

Referral fees

On top of your plan fee, Amazon charges a referral fee on every item sold. This is a percentage of the total sales price (including shipping and gift wrap)⁵.

Most categories charge around 15%⁵. Some common rates for Singapore sellers:

The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 15 April 2026.

A minimum referral fee of US$0.30 per item applies in most categories. Media items (books, DVDs, music, software, video games) also incur a US$1.80 closing fee per item.

For the full list, see Amazon's referral fee schedule⁵.

Fulfilment options: FBA vs Fulfilled by Merchant

You have two main ways to get products to US customers. The method you choose will impact your shipping and fulfillment fees.

Option 1: Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA)

With FBA, you ship your inventory to Amazon's US fulfilment centres. Amazon stores your products, picks, packs, and ships orders, and handles customer service and returns. Your products also become eligible for Amazon Prime's free two-day shipping — which can significantly increase your conversion rate.

FBA costs are based on your product's size and weight⁶:

The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 15 April 2026.

Amazon also charges monthly inventory storage fees⁶:

The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 15 April 2026.

Storage costs roughly triple during the October–December peak season for standard-size items. Items stored for more than 181 days may incur an aged-inventory surcharge⁶.

Use Amazon's Revenue Calculator⁵ to estimate your total FBA costs for specific products before you commit.

Option 2: Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM)

With FBM, you handle storage, packing, shipping, customer service, and returns yourself. Amazon does not charge fulfillment or storage fees — you only pay the selling plan fee and referral fees described above.

However, you bear the full cost of getting products to US customers. These typically include:

• International shipping or local US warehousing — if you ship directly from Singapore, expect higher per-order costs and longer delivery times. Many FBM sellers use a US-based third-party logistics (3PL) partner to store inventory closer to customers.

• Customs duties and import taxes — you or your logistics provider must act as the importer of record and pay any applicable duties. Amazon will not accept shipments with customs charges due³.

• Customer service and returns — you handle these directly. If you sell across time zones, consider using Amazon's Service Provider Network to find customer service support in English³.

Amazon's Buy Shipping tool can help reduce costs. It offers pre-negotiated rates that are over 31% lower on average compared to retail ground rates for UPS, FedEx, and USPS³.

FBM can make sense if you already have a US-based warehouse or 3PL partner, or if your products are large, fragile, or made to order. But for most Singapore sellers starting out, FBA is the simpler path — it removes the logistics burden and gives your products Prime eligibility.

Product compliance and restrictions

Not everything can be sold on Amazon US. Before you source or list products, check whether your items fall into a restricted category — and whether they meet US safety and regulatory standards.

Unrestricted vs restricted categories

Amazon US divides products into two groups⁷:

Unrestricted categories — open to all sellers. These include Home and Garden, Office Products, Sports, Musical Instruments, Luggage, Toys and Games, and Beauty Tools and Accessories, among others⁷.

Restricted categories — require approval, a Professional selling plan, or both before you can list. These include⁷:

• Baby Products

• Beauty Topicals (skincare, cosmetics)

• Dietary Supplements

• Electronics

• Grocery and Gourmet Food

• Health and Personal Care

• Jewellery and Precious Gems

• Watches

Some product types cannot be sold by third-party sellers at all, such as certain alcohol, weapons, and hazardous materials⁷.

Before committing to a product, check Amazon's product restrictions page for the full category list. You can also use Amazon's Manage Your Compliance and Compliance Reference tools in Seller Central to check specific requirements for your items³.

US product compliance

Your products must meet US safety standards and regulations. This includes labelling requirements, product certifications, and import rules specific to your category. For example, children's products must comply with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards, and food items must meet FDA requirements³.

Amazon may ask for documentation proving your products meet these standards. Failing to comply can lead to listing removals or account suspension.

Amazon Brand Registry

If you sell your own branded products, consider enrolling in Amazon Brand Registry before you start listing. It's free and gives you access to³:

• A+ Content — enhanced product descriptions with images and comparison charts

• Brand Analytics — data on search terms, customer demographics, and competitor insights

• Brand protection tools — automated protections against counterfeit listings

• Manage Your Experiments — A/B testing for product titles, images, and descriptions

To enrol, you need a registered trademark in the US, EU, Japan, or another eligible country. A trademark from a single country is enough — once approved, your Brand Registry account works across all Amazon stores worldwide³.

The trademark registration process can take several months, so start early if you plan to sell your own brand.

Shipping your products to the US

Getting inventory from Singapore to Amazon's US fulfilment centres is one of the biggest operational steps. Here's how to approach it.

Shipping to FBA fulfilment centres

If you're using FBA, you need to ship your inventory in bulk to Amazon's warehouses in the US. You have several options³:

• Amazon Global Logistics (AGL): Amazon's own international shipping service, which handles ocean freight from origin to Amazon's US fulfilment network. New sellers get a US$200 credit towards AGL costs⁶.

• Amazon Partnered Carrier programme: Pre-negotiated shipping rates for sending inventory to FBA. New sellers receive a US$100 credit towards their first shipments⁶.

• Third-party freight forwarders and couriers: Companies like DHL, FedEx, and UPS can ship directly from Singapore to Amazon's US warehouses. If you open a corporate account with DHL, rates can be significantly lower than consumer pricing.

• Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD) — a low-cost bulk storage option with no seasonal surcharges. Your inventory is stored in AWD and automatically replenished to FBA fulfilment centres as needed³.

Key shipping rules

Whichever method you choose, keep these requirements in mind³:

• Ship DDP (Delivered Duty Paid). You or your logistics provider must act as the importer of record and pay all customs duties and import taxes before delivery. Amazon will not accept shipments with unpaid customs charges — they will be returned to the sender.

• Label correctly. Every item must have an Amazon product label (FNSKU barcode). Use Amazon's Send to Amazon workflow in Seller Central to create your shipping plan and generate labels.

• Meet FBA packaging standards. Products must be packed according to Amazon's prep requirements. If your products don't meet the standards, Amazon may charge a prep fee, reject the shipment, or fine your account.

Small shipments vs large shipments

For small shipments (a few cartons), express couriers like DHL or FedEx with DDP shipping are the simplest option. For larger shipments (a full pallet or more), ocean freight through AGL or a third-party freight forwarder is more cost-effective. Ocean freight has higher fixed costs, so it only makes sense at scale.

Using a fulfilment preparation centre

If you're sourcing products from a manufacturer in China or Southeast Asia, consider shipping directly to a US-based fulfilment prep centre rather than from Singapore.

These centres receive your inventory, inspect it, label it according to Amazon's standards, and forward it to FBA warehouses. This can save time and reduce shipping costs compared to routing everything through Singapore.

Tax and regulatory considerations

Selling on Amazon US from Singapore involves tax obligations on both sides. This is a complex area — consult a qualified tax adviser for your specific situation.

US sales tax

The good news: Amazon handles most of the sales tax burden for you. Under US marketplace facilitator laws, Amazon automatically calculates, collects, and remits sales tax on all marketplace sales in the 45 US states that charge it. You do not need to collect sales tax manually on your Amazon orders.

However, if you use FBA, Amazon stores your inventory across multiple US states. This can create physical nexus — a legal connection to that state — which may require you to register for a sales tax permit in those states, even though Amazon handles the actual collection. Monitor where your inventory is stored using the Inventory Event Detail report in Seller Central.

US customs duties

When importing goods into the US, you may owe customs duties depending on the product type and its classification under the Harmonised Tariff Schedule. These duties are paid at the point of import — either by you or your freight forwarder if shipping DDP³.

Singapore tax obligations

Income earned from Amazon US sales is generally taxable in Singapore under normal corporate or personal income tax rules. Singapore does not impose GST on exports of goods, but your Amazon seller account fees may be subject to GST.

Get professional advice

Tax rules change frequently and vary by state. Amazon's Service Provider Network includes vetted tax specialists who can help you with US tax registration and compliance³.

Why Singapore businesses sell on Amazon US with Airwallex

One of the most overlooked costs of selling on Amazon US from Singapore is the currency conversion fee when you convert your USD earnings to SGD.

Amazon's built-in Currency Converter for Sellers applies a markup on the interbank rate — and traditional banks typically charge 3–5% on top. Over time, these fees add up.

Airwallex gives you a better way to manage your Amazon US earnings. Here’s what you can do with Airwallex:

Receive payouts in USD with a US bank account

Open a USD Global Account with Airwallex and get US bank details (account number, routing number, ACH, and Fedwire support) — without visiting the US or setting up a US entity. Add these details to your Amazon Seller Central deposit settings, and Amazon pays you in USD directly.

Convert to SGD at interbank rates

When you're ready, you can convert your USD to SGD through Airwallex at 0.4% above interbank, saving up to 80% on FX fees. There are no account opening fees, no monthly maintenance charges, and no minimum balance requirements with Airwallex.

Pay Amazon fees and suppliers in USD

Use Airwallex Corporate Cards to pay your Amazon subscription fee, advertising costs, and supplier invoices directly from your USD balance. There are no international transaction fees, and you can save on two rounds of conversion fees by holding USD to pay your USD bills directly.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Do I need a US bank account to sell on Amazon US from Singapore?

No. Amazon offers its Currency Converter for Sellers (ACCS), which converts your USD earnings to SGD and deposits them into your Singapore bank account. However, ACCS applies a currency conversion spread that reduces your take-home amount. A better option is to open a USD account with a provider like Airwallex, which gives you US bank details to receive Amazon payouts in USD — then convert at lower rates.

How much does it cost to sell on Amazon US from Singapore?

The Professional selling plan costs US$39.99/month⁵. On top of that, you pay a referral fee of 8–15% on each sale, depending on the category⁵. If you use FBA, there are additional fulfilment and storage fees based on product size and weight⁶. Use Amazon's Revenue Calculator to estimate your total costs for specific products.

Do I need to register a US business to sell on Amazon US?

No. Singapore-based sellers can register for an Amazon US seller account using their Singapore passport or NRIC, ACRA business registration, and a valid credit card². You do not need a US business entity or address.

How does Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) work for Singapore sellers?

You ship your inventory in bulk to Amazon's US fulfilment centres. Amazon stores your products, and when a customer places an order, Amazon picks, packs, and ships it. Amazon also handles customer service and returns. Your products become eligible for Prime's free two-day shipping⁶.

What products can I sell on Amazon US from Singapore?

Amazon US has both unrestricted and restricted product categories. Unrestricted categories (Home and Garden, Sports, Toys, Office Products) are open to all sellers. Restricted categories (Baby Products, Health and Personal Care, Dietary Supplements) require approval or a Professional selling plan⁷. Check Amazon's product category list before sourcing.

How do I ship products from Singapore to Amazon's US warehouses?

You can use Amazon Global Logistics (AGL), the Amazon Partnered Carrier programme, or third-party couriers like DHL, FedEx, or UPS. Always ship DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) — Amazon will reject shipments with unpaid customs charges³.

Sources:

1. https://sell.amazon.com/pricing

2. https://sell.amazon.com.sg/start/registration

3. https://sell.amazon.com/global-selling/international-to-usa

4. https://sell.amazon.com/pricing (New Seller Incentives)

5. https://sell.amazon.com/pricing

6. https://sell.amazon.com/fulfillment-by-amazon

7. https://sell.amazon.com.sg/north-america/us

This publication does not constitute legal, tax, or professional advice from Airwallex, nor does it substitute seeking such advice, and makes no express or implied representations / warranties / guarantees regarding content accuracy, completeness, or currency. If you would like to request an update, feel free to contact us at [email protected]. Airwallex (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (201626561Z) is licensed as a Major Payment Institution and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.