Amazon Global Selling from India: Complete Guide

What is Amazon Global Selling?

Amazon Global Selling (AGS) is Amazon's program that allows sellers in one country to list and sell products on Amazon marketplaces worldwide. For Indian sellers, this opens up access to some of the world's largest consumer markets without needing a physical presence in those countries.

From India, you can currently sell on the following Amazon marketplaces:

With a unified account, you register once and can list products across all marketplaces in that region. The North America and Europe unified accounts are the most popular choices for Indian sellers, with the USA being the single largest destination market.

What do I need to set up an Amazon Global Selling account?

Before you can start selling, you need to gather several documents and credentials. Amazon's identity verification process has become stricter in recent years. Have everything ready before you begin registration to avoid delays.

Required Documents

• GSTIN. Active GST registration is mandatory. Ensure your trade name matches your bank account name exactly.
• PAN Card. PAN of the business entity (for proprietorships, the proprietor's PAN).
• Passport or Aadhaar. For identity verification. Passport is preferred as Amazon may ask for it during video verification.
• SWIFT-enabled bank account. Your bank account must support international wire transfers (SWIFT). Most current accounts at major Indian banks support this. Verify your SWIFT/BIC code with your bank.
• International credit card. Visa or Mastercard with international transactions enabled. Amazon charges monthly subscription fees and may charge for certain services.
• Business utility bill or bank statement. For address verification. Must be less than 90 days old.
• Product listings ready. Have at least 5-10 products prepared with UPC/EAN codes (or apply for GTIN exemption), product images meeting Amazon standards (white background, 1000x1000px minimum), and compelling titles and bullet points.
• IEC (Import Export Code). From DGFT. Required for any export activity from India. Free to obtain online.
• AD Code registration. Register your Authorized Dealer (AD) code at the customs port you'll be shipping from.

How do I register on Amazon Global Selling?

1. Go to sell.amazon.com (for USA) or the marketplace-specific Seller Central URL.
2. Choose "Professional" selling plan ($39.99/month for USA). Individual plans limit your access to advertising and reporting tools.
3. Enter your business information, upload identity documents, and complete the video verification call (usually scheduled within 3-5 business days).
4. Once approved, set up your payment deposit method. Either Amazon's built-in currency converter or a third-party service like Payoneer.
5. Create your product listings, set pricing (in the local currency), and ship inventory to Amazon's FBA warehouse (or set up FBM shipping templates).

What fees does Amazon charge global sellers?

Amazon's fee structure has multiple components. Understanding each one is critical for pricing your products correctly and maintaining profitability. Here's a breakdown for the US marketplace (other marketplaces have similar structures with slightly different rates):

What is the referral fee for my product category?

Should I use FBA or FBM when selling from India?

As an Indian seller, your fulfillment choice fundamentally shapes your business model. Each approach has distinct trade-offs for cross-border selling.

FBA. Fulfilled by Amazon

You ship inventory in bulk to Amazon's warehouses in the destination country. Amazon handles storage, individual order fulfillment, shipping to customers, returns, and customer service.

Pros

• + Prime eligibility (major conversion boost)
• + Amazon handles returns and customer service
• + Buy Box advantage
• + Faster delivery to end customer
• + Multi-channel fulfillment option

Cons

• - Higher upfront cost (bulk shipping)
• - Long-term storage fees for slow movers
• - Less control over inventory
• - Customs clearance complexity for bulk shipments

FBM. Fulfilled by Merchant

You ship each order directly from India (or a third-party warehouse) to the customer. You handle packaging, shipping, customs, and customer service yourself.

Pros

• + No upfront bulk inventory investment
• + Full control over packaging and branding
• + Lower fees (no FBA fulfillment/storage fees)
• + Good for high-value, low-volume items
• + Test products without bulk commitment

Cons

• - No Prime badge (lower conversion rates)
• - Longer delivery times (7-21 days from India)
• - You handle returns internationally
• - Per-order customs clearance

How do I ship inventory from India to FBA warehouses?

When shipping bulk inventory from India to Amazon's FBA warehouses, you have two main options:

• Air freight. Faster (5-10 days), more expensive ($4-8/kg). Good for lightweight, high-margin products or initial test batches. Courier services like DHL/FedEx can handle customs clearance.
• Sea freight (LCL or FCL). Much cheaper ($0.50-2/kg) but slower (25-45 days). Use a freight forwarder experienced with Amazon FBA shipments. They should provide customs clearance at both ends.

What compliance requirements apply to Indian Amazon sellers?

Cross-border e-commerce from India involves compliance with multiple regulatory frameworks. Both Indian export regulations and import regulations of the destination country. This section covers the key requirements that Indian Amazon sellers must satisfy.

5.1 How do I stay FEMA-compliant when selling on Amazon?

Under FEMA regulations, all export proceeds must be repatriated to India within 9 months from the date of shipment (for goods) or from the date of invoice (for services). This is non-negotiable and enforced through the EDPMS system.

• Export proceeds must be received in a bank account in India. You cannot hold them in a foreign account.
• The 9-month window starts from the date on the shipping bill, not from the date of sale or the date Amazon disburses funds.
• If proceeds are not received within 9 months, your AD (Authorized Dealer) bank reports it to the RBI, which can result in penalties and restrictions on future exports.

5.2 How does GST work for Amazon exports from India?

Export of goods from India is treated as a "zero-rated supply" under GST. You have two options:

Important: Your LUT must be filed annually on the GST portal (Form GST RFD-11). Ensure it is active before you start exporting each financial year (April 1). If you export without a valid LUT and without paying IGST, you are in technical non-compliance.

5.3 What customs documentation do I need for Amazon exports?

Every export shipment from India requires a Shipping Bill filed with Indian Customs through the ICEGATE system. Key requirements:

• HS Code classification. Each product needs a correct HS (Harmonized System) code. Wrong classification can lead to wrong duty rates, RoDTEP ineligibility, or customs delays at the destination.
• Export invoice. Must include your IEC number, GSTIN, HS code, FOB value, and buyer details. For Amazon FBA shipments, the buyer is typically the Amazon FBA warehouse address.
• Packing list. Detailed list of all items in the shipment with quantities and weights.
• AD Code. Your Authorized Dealer code must be registered at the customs port of export.
• Certificate of Origin. Required for some destinations to avail preferential duty rates under FTAs (e.g., India-UAE CEPA, India-Australia ECTA).

5.4 How does EDPMS tracking work for Amazon sellers?

The EDPMS (Export Data Processing and Monitoring System) is an RBI system that tracks whether export proceeds have been repatriated for every shipping bill. Here's how it works for Amazon sellers:

1. You export goods → Customs files a Shipping Bill → An EDPMS entry is automatically created with the FOB value.
2. Amazon sells your products → Amazon disburses funds → You receive payment in your Indian bank account (via ACCS, Payoneer, or SWIFT).
3. Your AD bank receives the foreign remittance → Bank matches it to the EDPMS entry → Entry is "closed".

5.5 What product compliance does each destination country require?

Beyond Indian export regulations, your products must comply with the import and safety standards of the destination country:

How do I receive payments and repatriate funds?

Understanding how money flows from an Amazon sale to your Indian bank account is essential for both financial planning and regulatory compliance.

How does the payment flow work?

1. Customer buys your product on Amazon marketplace (e.g., amazon.com). Amazon collects the payment.
2. Amazon deducts its fees (referral fee, FBA fees, etc.) from the sale amount.
3. Net proceeds accumulate in your Amazon Seller Central account balance.
4. Every 14 days (or on a custom schedule), Amazon disburses the balance to your chosen deposit method.
5. Funds are converted to INR and deposited into your Indian bank account.

Which payment method should I use?

How do I get my FIRC and close EDPMS entries?

After the funds land in your Indian bank account, two critical steps remain:

• FIRC (Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate). Request this from your bank for every incoming foreign remittance. It serves as proof that you received export proceeds. Some banks issue e-FIRCs automatically; others require you to request them. You need FIRCs for GST refund claims and for your auditor.
• EDPMS closure. Your bank should close the corresponding EDPMS entry when they credit the export proceeds. However, since Amazon payments are aggregated, your bank may not automatically match the credit to the right shipping bill. You may need to provide a mapping document showing which shipping bills correspond to which Amazon settlement.
• Purpose code. Ensure your bank credits the remittance with the correct purpose code (P0108 for export of goods). Incorrect purpose codes can lead to EDPMS reconciliation issues.

What are my tax obligations in each marketplace?

Each Amazon marketplace has different tax implications for Indian sellers. Here's what you need to know:

Do I need to pay US sales tax?

Good news for Indian sellers: Amazon collects and remits sales tax on your behalf in all states that require it (Marketplace Facilitator laws). You do not need to register for sales tax or file sales tax returns in the US. However, you may still have income tax obligations if your US sales create a "permanent establishment". Consult a tax advisor if your annual US revenue exceeds $500,000.

Do I need UK VAT registration?

VAT registration is required if you store goods in the UK (which you do if using FBA). Key points:

• Standard VAT rate is 20%. Amazon collects VAT on orders under GBP 135.
• For FBA sellers, you must register for UK VAT regardless of revenue threshold because storing goods in the UK creates a tax nexus.
• Quarterly VAT returns must be filed via HMRC's Making Tax Digital (MTD) system.
• You may need a fiscal representative or use a VAT compliance service like AVASK, SimplyVAT, or Hellotax.

How does EU VAT work for Indian sellers?

The EU VAT landscape for cross-border sellers is more complex:

• OSS (One-Stop Shop). If you store goods in an EU country (FBA), register for VAT in that country. The OSS system lets you file a single VAT return for B2C sales across all EU countries, instead of registering in each one.
• IOSS (Import One-Stop Shop). For consignments valued under EUR 150 shipped directly from India (FBM), IOSS allows simplified VAT collection at point of sale. Without IOSS, the customer pays VAT on delivery, leading to higher cart abandonment.
• Amazon's Pan-European FBA program moves your inventory across EU warehouses, potentially triggering VAT registration in multiple countries. Understand this before opting in.
• EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility). Germany (VerpackG), France (CITEO), and other EU countries require EPR registration for packaging. Amazon now enforces this and may suspend listings without valid EPR numbers.

Do I need UAE VAT registration?

The UAE charges 5% VAT. If your annual taxable supplies in the UAE exceed AED 375,000 (~ 00,000), you must register for UAE VAT with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA). Amazon.ae collects VAT on behalf of sellers for most transactions, but you still need to file returns if registered.

Do I need to register for Japan's consumption tax?

Japan's consumption tax is 10%. As a non-resident seller using FBA in Japan, you may need to register for JCT. Amazon Japan handles the collection for most B2C transactions, but filing obligations vary. Consider working with a Japanese tax agent.

What mistakes do Indian sellers commonly make?

After working with hundreds of Indian exporters selling on Amazon, these are the most costly and common pitfalls:

What happens if I don't file LUT before exporting?

Without a valid LUT, you should be paying IGST on every export shipment. Many sellers export without either. Technically non-compliant. The LUT takes 5 minutes to file on the GST portal. Do it on April 1 every year, or before your first export, whichever comes first.

What happens if I ignore EDPMS reconciliation?

Open EDPMS entries pile up silently. By the time your bank sends an RBI caution list notice, you may have dozens of unmatched entries. And only weeks to resolve them. Reconcile monthly. Every shipping bill should be matched to a corresponding bank credit within 60 days of receiving payment.

Am I overpaying with Amazon's currency converter (ACCS)?

Amazon's built-in Currency Converter for Sellers charges approximately 4% on every conversion. On 0,000 in monthly sales, that's $400/month lost to FX fees. Payoneer, WorldFirst, or Wise can cut this to 00-200/month. Over a year, switching saves $2,400-3,600.

What happens if I use the wrong HS code?

Using the wrong HS code affects your customs duty rate in the destination country, your RoDTEP eligibility, and can trigger customs holds. Indian textile and garment sellers frequently misclassify (woven vs. Knitted, men's vs. Women's) each has different codes and different duty rates. Get it right from the start.

Can underpricing to win the Buy Box hurt my business?

Many new sellers price aggressively to get initial sales, forgetting to account for Amazon's full fee stack, FX costs, returns (8-15% in fashion), advertising spend (15-30% of revenue for new products), and product compliance costs. Calculate your true landed cost and work backward from a minimum 20% net margin.

How much should I budget for returns and refunds?

Amazon's return policy is very customer-friendly. In the US, customers get free 30-day returns on most items. Return rates vary by category. Fashion can see 15-25%, electronics 5-10%, home goods 5-8%. For FBA sellers, Amazon handles returns but charges a return processing fee. Returned items in unsellable condition are a total loss. Factor a 10-15% return reserve into your pricing.

Where can I find more resources?

Bookmark these resources for quick reference:

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Seasaw for Amazon Sellers

How can Seasaw automate my export compliance?

Seasaw automatically reconciles your Amazon settlements with shipping bills, tracks EDPMS entries, and generates FIRCs. So you can focus on growing your business.

Learn more about Seasaw

Update history

• 2026-08-09 Content reviewed and updated.
• 2026-04-15 First published.