Getting a USA bank account for amazon

lollyenfield

As someone who regularly sells books on amazon dot co.uk with an amazon "seller account" I have been keen to sell my stuff to the US market on amazon dot com - however, whilst ob the co-uk site sellers can ship to anywhere in the world, it seems impossible to find a way of setting up a seller account on the main dot-com site without a US bank account (what they term a checking account, presumably current account). Any websites I have found offering US bank accounts to people living outside the States have asked for a huge amount of money to set up the account.

So: if anyone knows how to set up a seller account on amazon dot com without the hassle, or knows how to get US bank account from the UK, I'd love to hear about it. Thanks.

datostar

Check https://www.citibank.co.uk

They offer $US and Euro current accounts. Possibly more oriented to spending, than receiving, but worth asking them if they would accept $US payments into such an account. They are UK based accounts but operate in the foreign currency.

jonesMUFCforever

How much will be your turnover?
Citibank used to ask for a minimum balance of £2000 equivalent to set up the account for ''free''.

You have to ask yourself whether it will be worth the effort.

System

The Citi UK ones don't allow you to use the American version direct debits and credits (ACH) as far as I know as It doesn't have its own routing number (US version of sort code) etc

This will probably be how you operate the seller account .

datostar wrote: »

Check www.citibank.co.uk

They offer $US and Euro current accounts. Possibly more oriented to spending, than receiving, but worth asking them if they would accept $US payments into such an account. They are UK based accounts but operate in the foreign currency.

lollyenfield

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

How much will be your turnover?
Citibank used to ask for a minimum balance of £2000 equivalent to set up the account for ''free''.

You have to ask yourself whether it will be worth the effort.

Thanks for all those swift replies. My turnover would be a lot more modest, maybe 20-50 a week I guess if all goes well. It is worth chasing up though, fingers crossed that amazon accept a euopean based dollar account! When I called them and asked if I could use an account based in Canada, I was turned down.

Cheers

savagej

Wells fargo once told me they would open a current account and a secured credit card for a UK citizen living in the UK. No idea what hoops you have to jump through

jonesMUFCforever

savagej wrote: »

Wells fargo once told me they would open a current account and a secured credit card for a UK citizen living in the UK. No idea what hoops you have to jump through

When was this?

If before 2001 and subsequent legislation I don't think it is allowed now unless you turn up in person to open the account.