Creating a seller account using a limited company set up on a virtual office address
Hi all,
I can't seem to find too much information about this, so I thought I will ask the question myself. I am potentially looking into starting to sell on Amazon and prior to that, ideally setting up a limited company. However, due to privacy reasons, I don't want to register that company on my own address and I want to use the services of a virtual office.
I found someone else having issues as Amazon would ask for utility bills of the address where the LTD is registered. However, those virtual address services don't provide that. After browsing around Amazon's FAQ, I could find the only utility bill or other similar address-associated document that is required is from the primary contact person's address (e.g., when confirming their residential address, and not any business information).
Would love to hear from someone who knows more about this! I can of course always start as an individual seller, but looking at the bigger picture, I would benefit more if I registered with a limited company right away.
Thanks in advance!
Creating a seller account using a limited company set up on a virtual office address
Hi all,
I can't seem to find too much information about this, so I thought I will ask the question myself. I am potentially looking into starting to sell on Amazon and prior to that, ideally setting up a limited company. However, due to privacy reasons, I don't want to register that company on my own address and I want to use the services of a virtual office.
I found someone else having issues as Amazon would ask for utility bills of the address where the LTD is registered. However, those virtual address services don't provide that. After browsing around Amazon's FAQ, I could find the only utility bill or other similar address-associated document that is required is from the primary contact person's address (e.g., when confirming their residential address, and not any business information).
Would love to hear from someone who knows more about this! I can of course always start as an individual seller, but looking at the bigger picture, I would benefit more if I registered with a limited company right away.
Thanks in advance!
14 replies
Seller_ZJhFeE3tNKzfh
Theres no issue with doing this setup. However, on setup, amazon will require beneficial owner data and their residential address.
This is all part of their KYC checks (ie anti money laundering)
You'll need to provide proof of ID of the beneficial owner and proof of residential address (in the form of a utlity bill dated within I think the last 90 days)
Seller_ZVAz3d5lZuGid
" I can of course always start as an individual seller,"
When you say individual seller, I assume you mean sole-trader ? , and not the individual seller account, which is only for selling off one's own persoanl secondhand items. You still need to have a BUSINESS seller account on Amazon, as either sole-trader, ltd, partnership etc.
As you are posting on this seller forum then you have obviously already registered for a seller account - which type of account did you choose ? (the legal entity), and I am not meaning the selling PLAN (professional or individual) - many newcomers get confused by this.
Make sure you know all that is involved in having a ltd company before going down that route straight away.
Seller_tRuvBEHDedp4q
Can I ask have you looked into what is involved in setting up a Ltd company as opposed to acting as a sole trader?
There are disadvantages and advantages in both options but for probably most people starting as a sole trader is often better, especially if this is a new business venture.
And TBH, I would not worry too much about privacy issues. Even if you used a virtual address for general correspondence, you would still need an actual address listed with Amazon to accept returns so your address is never going to be private. Anyone who makes a return will be given your actual address unless you go fully FBA (which for any new seller is not something I would recommend until your have proved any product you intend selling has a good market).
Ive been trading as a Sole Trader for approx 20 years and have never had any problems with privacy issues.
PS - Nice name. We could be business twins :-)
Seller_tRuvBEHDedp4q
They are not that expensive. Just register a domain for now so you can at least get a professional email. You can get this for approx £2.50 a month.
Create a static webpage that describes what you sell and directs people to your Amazon items to buy
Yes an ecommerce site is more expensive - but again not prohibitive. There are a lot to choose from. You can get a hosting server for a woocommerce site for approx £15 a month. The main stumbling block is finding someone who can administer the site. Luckily I came from that background so it was not that difficult for me. If you have any experience then it should not be too difficult for you either. But certainly register domain and email for now at least.
