LLC and EIN for Amazon Wholesale

People overcomplicate this step more than any other part of starting Amazon wholesale. You don't need a lawyer, and you don't need to agonize over it for weeks. You need three things: an LLC, an EIN, and a separate business bank account. That's it, and each one is more straightforward than it sounds.

Watch: the full setup process

Step 1: Form Your LLC

An LLC registers you as an actual company instead of an individual, which matters the moment a distributor or brand asks who they're actually doing business with. Forming one is easy these days. Services like Bizee, Firstbase, and IncFile handle the paperwork for you online:

Go to the formation service's site and choose "LLC."
Pick your state.
Fill in your business name. Don't overthink this part, pick something simple and move on.
Go through their signup flow. Most of these services push a "basic package" that tries to upsell you an EIN as an add-on, skip that, you can get your EIN for free directly from the IRS (more on that below).

It typically takes anywhere from a few days to one or two weeks for your LLC to actually come through, depending on the state and the service.

Which State Should You Register In?

There's no single "best" state, and I'd be lying if I told you there was one universal right answer. Most US-based sellers just register in the state they already live in, since that's the simplest option and there's no real advantage to registering somewhere else if you're already a resident.

If you're outside the US, Wyoming is the common choice, specifically because it has no state income tax. That's the practical reason it comes up so often for non-US sellers, not because it unlocks anything special with Amazon or with suppliers.

Step 2: Get Your EIN (Free)

An EIN is your business's tax ID number, and brands and distributors will ask for it alongside your LLC almost every time. Here's the part people miss: it's completely free, directly from the IRS.

⚠

Don't pay for this. Go straight to IRS.gov and apply for your EIN yourself. It takes a few minutes. Plenty of services will happily charge you a fee for something the government hands out for free.

Step 3: Open a Separate Business Bank Account

Once you have your LLC and EIN, open a bank account specifically for the business. Keeping business funds separate from your personal money isn't optional bookkeeping advice, it's what makes taxes, supplier payments, and your own understanding of whether the business is actually profitable possible. Mixing personal and business funds is one of the fastest ways to lose track of what's actually happening financially.

That's the full list: LLC, EIN, separate bank account. Once you have all three, you're ready to actually create your Amazon seller account and start reaching out to suppliers. For what to have ready the moment a supplier asks, see what documents you need for Amazon wholesale, and for the outreach process itself, see how to open a wholesale account and get approved.

Common questions

Do I need an LLC to start Amazon wholesale? ›

You need three things before you're ready to approach suppliers: an LLC (or other registered business entity), an EIN, and a separate business bank account. Distributors and brands check for this before they take a new account seriously.

What is the fastest way to form an LLC? ›

LLC formation services like Bizee, Firstbase, and IncFile handle the paperwork for you online. Pick your state, fill in a simple business name, and go through their process. It typically takes anywhere from a few days to one or two weeks to actually get your LLC approved.

Which state should I register my LLC in? ›

There is no single best state. Most US-based sellers register in the state they already live in, since that is usually the simplest option. Non-US residents commonly choose Wyoming specifically because it has no state income tax.

How much does an EIN cost? ›

Nothing. An EIN is free directly from the IRS website (IRS.gov). You apply for it yourself in a few minutes. Be careful of paid services that charge a fee for something the IRS gives away for free.

Do I need a separate bank account for my Amazon wholesale business? ›

Yes. Keeping business funds separate from personal funds is standard practice once you have an LLC and EIN, and it makes bookkeeping, taxes, and working with suppliers far more straightforward.

Does my LLC name matter for Amazon wholesale? ›

Not as much as people think. Pick something simple and move on. Distributors care far more about whether you look and act like a real, committed business than about the specific name on the paperwork.