How to Get an 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.

Do you need an LLC to sell on Amazon?

Not to sell on Amazon. Amazon lets individuals open a seller account. For wholesale, though, you need one in practice: most legitimate distributors won’t open an account for an individual person, and they ask for your LLC details and EIN on the application. An LLC also keeps the business separate from you personally.

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:

1. Go to the formation service's site and choose "LLC."
2. Pick your state.
3. Fill in your business name. Don't overthink this part, pick something simple and move on.
4. 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.

Stuck on the LLC or EIN? Book a free call and I’ll tell you what I’d do in your place.

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. The full setup from abroad, including the EIN by phone and the bank account, is in how to sell on Amazon USA from another country.

What does an LLC cost?

Less than most people expect. Through a formation service, plan on about $100 to $250, depending on the state and the package. The EIN is free from the IRS. If your LLC is in a state where you don’t live, you also need a registered agent service, someone with a street address in that state who receives official mail for the LLC. Formation services usually include the first year, then it’s a yearly fee. For example, Wyoming, the usual pick for non-US sellers, costs about $100 to form and at least $60 a year. Fees change, so check your state’s website before you file.

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.

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.