Hello everyone and thank you Kika for inviting me to join! I’m a little confused about using a virtual address. If I use a virtual address on my LLC and use that as my business address on my Amazon seller account, do I use the same address when I purchase items online (online arbitrage)? How will that affect my ungating/selling applications? Doesn’t Amazon require that my name and address be on the invoice? When using a virtual address, where will the items ordered online be shipped? I want the items be shipped to my physical address. Thank you so much for your help.
Why would you use a LLC with a virtual address? You will need to provide utility bills to Amazon so I don’t think this would work.
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It is also a red flag for money laundering.
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Hello @Lea19,
thank you for posting into our forum. Regarding your question, I agree with others. Amazon expects all sellers to setup a business locally in their own country to demonstrate that they are legitimate.
Seeing a seller based elsewhere setting up a virtual company in the USA with no established trading history, presence or assets to lose raises red flags.
Amazon’s preference is that all sellers operate a business in their own country, where they have to comply with local laws, pay taxes and may face consequences if something goes wrong.
There is nothing that can be done against a virtual LLC in the US setup by a foreign national. The person is free to disappear and run away, avoiding liability.
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Amazon will verify your address at some point by sending you a postcard with a pin number on it. If they cant verify it they will deactivate your account.
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Amazon has been cracking down on virtual addresses since the Inform Act requirement. I know several people who got suspended.
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Thank you for your insights,… but if this is true then how are other sellers doing it? When you go to YouTube, you will see all of the gurus suggesting getting a LLC?
Biggest advantage of an LLC in the USA is the fact you do not have to carry workers comp on yourself, assuming you are the only employee. Any other entity you will need to make sure you have workers comp on your self.
Plenty of nefarious actors using proxy sellers so they can side step paying taxes and what also appears to be less efficient way to launder money along with an attack on the USA manufacturing base/economy. It is NOT (virtual address / aka cloaked) an area you want to venture in. If you are an honest person, stay on the high road.
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I will keep your advice in mind, thank you
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