Do Pakistani Sellers Need a Registered Company to Sell on Amazon or eBay?
By Shaheer Khan, founder of Markify Ecommerce
It is one of the most common questions we hear from sellers in Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad and Sialkot: "Can I start with my CNIC and Pakistani bank account, or do I need a company in the US or UK?"
The honest answer depends on the marketplace and on how you plan to get paid. Some marketplaces accept Pakistani individuals and businesses directly. Others effectively need a business registered in the country you sell to. This guide goes through each one.
The short answer
| Marketplace | Can you register from Pakistan directly? | When a US or UK company helps |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Yes, Pakistan is on Amazon's list of supported seller countries | Easier banking, payment options, some wholesale suppliers, Shopify and Stripe for your own site |
| eBay | Depends on the eBay site and payout setup | Smoother payouts and verification on eBay UK and US |
| Walmart | Generally no | A US entity with an EIN is the usual route |
| TikTok Shop US | No | Needs a US business |
| TikTok Shop UK | No | Needs a UK business |
| Etsy | Depends on Etsy's current list of supported payout countries | Payout access |
| Your own Shopify store selling abroad | Store yes, card payments limited | Stripe or Shopify Payments for international buyers |
Marketplace rules change, so always check the current registration and payout requirements before you start.
Amazon: individuals and Pakistani businesses can register
Amazon added Pakistan to its list of countries whose sellers can register in 2021. To register you typically need:
- a passport or CNIC
- a recent bank or credit card statement
- a credit or debit card that can be charged internationally
- a bank account that can receive Amazon payouts in a supported way
- a phone number and identity verification, sometimes by video call
When a company still makes sense:
- You want a business bank account in USD or GBP for payouts, ad payments and suppliers.
- You plan to buy from US wholesalers or distributors who sell only to registered businesses with a tax ID.
- You also want a Shopify store with Stripe or Shopify Payments for international buyers.
- You want to separate business and personal finances and liability.
See how to start an Amazon business from Pakistan.
eBay: depends on the site and payouts
eBay manages payments itself and needs a supported bank account to pay you. Whether you can sell from Pakistan as an individual depends on eBay's current list of supported countries for registration and payouts on the site you want to sell on. Many Pakistani sellers find eBay UK or US runs more smoothly through a UK Ltd or US LLC with a matching business bank account. See eBay UK managed payments for Pakistani sellers.
Walmart: usually needs a US entity
Walmart Marketplace reviews every seller and asks for a US business tax ID (EIN) and matching W-9 information, along with ecommerce experience and US fulfilment. For Pakistani sellers, a US LLC is the usual route. See our Walmart approval guide.
TikTok Shop: needs a local business
TikTok Shop US and UK are open to businesses registered in those countries (with some cross-border programmes for specific countries, which do not currently cover Pakistan). See how to open a US TikTok Shop from Pakistan.
What a US LLC or UK Ltd costs you
A company is not free. Budget for:
- Formation fees and state or Companies House fees
- Registered agent (US) or registered office (UK) every year
- Annual filings: for example Wyoming's annual report, or UK confirmation statement and accounts
- Tax filings: a non-resident-owned single-member US LLC must file Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 each year, even with no US tax due. A UK Ltd files accounts and a company tax return, and pays UK corporation tax on its profits.
- Accountant fees
- Pakistani tax: as a Pakistani resident, you must declare your foreign income and assets in Pakistan
Read taxes for Pakistani sellers with a US LLC and US LLC vs UK Ltd before deciding.
What not to do
- Do not use someone else's identity or account. Renting an account or using a relative's US details breaks marketplace rules and usually ends in permanent suspension and frozen funds.
- Do not hide your location with VPNs. Payment providers and marketplaces detect it, and the mismatch with your documents looks like fraud.
- Do not buy "ready-made" accounts from social media sellers.
A company owned by you, with your real identity as owner, is legitimate. Pretending to be someone else is not.
How to decide
- Starting small on Amazon? You can begin with a Pakistani individual or business account and add a company later.
- Want Walmart or TikTok Shop US? Plan a US LLC.
- Want your own international Shopify store? A US LLC or UK Ltd makes card payments possible.
- Focused on the UK and Europe? Consider a UK Ltd.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell on Amazon with just my CNIC?
You can register with Pakistani identity documents, a card that can be charged internationally and a supported payout method. Amazon may ask for more verification.
Is a US LLC legal for a Pakistani resident?
Yes. Non-US residents can own US LLCs. You must meet the US filing requirements and declare the income in Pakistan.
Can Markify set up the company?
Yes. See our US company formation and UK Ltd formation services.
Work with Markify Ecommerce
Markify Ecommerce (listed on Google Maps as Markify Ecommerce - Unicored Technologies) is an ecommerce marketplace management agency in Bahria Orchard, Lahore. We manage Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Shopify, Etsy and TikTok Shop accounts, and we set up US LLCs and UK Ltd companies for Pakistani sellers.
- Office: Central Block, Bahria Orchard, Raiwind Road, Lahore 55150, Punjab, Pakistan
- Phone & WhatsApp: +92 321 3131641
- Free account audit: Send us your store or account details and we will reply with the first fixes we would make.