Merch by Amazon accounts used to be much harder to come by (back in 2017), but they have since become much more lenient about letting people in.
Approval should take between 1-3 weeks on average - so apply right away. Also, if you're applying during Q4 (November/December) you may have to wait until busy season is over before getting accepted.
Before you apply, you will need the following information:
- Business contact information
- Bank account and routing numbers
- Social Security number or other tax identification number
Applying To Merch Within The US
1) Navigate to the Merch Home Page & click "Request Invitation".
2) Application Step 1: Company Profile
For Business Name, you can use your first + last name if you don't have a registered a separate company entity.
For Business email address, again this is not required to be different than your Amazon account email address, it's just giving you the option.
Note: Amazon Merch sends a LOT of emails (1 for each upload to indicate the t-shirt is LIVE), so make sure you use an inbox that you check & maintain regularly.
3) Application Step 2: Payment & Banking
You will need a valid bank account in the country that you are registering from.
4) Application Step 3: Tax Information
Most people will be registering as an individual (unless you have a registered business entity such as an LLC, in which case click "Business" & then you will need to provide a Federal Tax Classification)
You then need to provide your name as it appears on tax documents (& business name if applicable)
Provide your on record principal place of residence
Last, provide your Social Security Number as your Tax Identification Number if you are registering as an individual (other use your business Tax ID)
5) Application Step 4: Sign & Submit
Provide your electronic signature & submit the application! Now the waiting game begins... but there is plenty of prep-work to do while Amazon processes our request, so don't hesitate to move on to the next lecture.
Applying To Merch Internationally
You will need to provide a Tax Identification Number in your application to avoid a 30% tax withholding rate.
Often times you can call your government office that deals with internal revenue collection & ask for your tax number - different countries will have different processes.
Typically, if you haven't incorporated a business that has a tax ID number you will use your personal government 'social security,' or 'National Insurance,' number as your tax ID.
Looking to join Amazon Merch from outside the US but haven't trouble with rejection due to the lack of a tax ID? No problem!
Or, are you looking for a US based Merch account to avoid increased fees on your royalties?
Follow these steps:
- Purchase a US Merch by Amazon account (You can try Empire Flippers, where Merch accounts have gone for as much as $234,798)
- Sign up for Teezily & Link your account to Payoneer
• Doing it this way allows you to get your Payoneer Masterbard for FREE, otherwise you need a $35 balance
• You can also use PropellerAds & Airbnb to get the Mastercard for free
- Using Payoneer's Global Payment Service, update your Merch account's bank information to your Payoneer info
BOOM! Just like that, you're ready up to sell on Merch by Amazon internationally, with US tax rates!
