1) What changed on Amazon.ca?
Amazon Canada is enforcing enhanced verification aligned with KYC/AML expectations. Business sellers are asked for more detailed identity and beneficial ownership information and supporting documents (for example, self-attestation and authorization letters). Notices appear in Account Health with a time-limited window to respond.
2) Are Individual sellers affected?
The official language focuses on business accounts, but in practice some Individual sellers report being asked for company-level documents (e.g., a “registration extract”).
- In some cases, support corrects a misclassification.
- In others, verification proceeds only after business documents are supplied.
If your sales are meaningful and time is tight, forming a company and re-submitting a clean, consistent set of documents can be the fastest path to restore or protect selling privileges.
3) Documents Amazon may request (checklist)
Use this as a working list and keep names, addresses, and dates consistent across all documents.
- Formation / Registration Document (e.g., Certificate of Formation, Registration Extract)
Proves the legal existence of the entity. - Beneficial Ownership Details (owners’ names, IDs, ownership percentages)
Shows who ultimately controls the company. - Self-Attestation Letter
Confirms ownership structure and who is authorized to act for the entity. - Authorization Letter (if a third party submits documents)
Grants delegated authority; include the Amazon account email/merchant ID. - Proof of Address (Entity)
A real, verifiable address (avoid PO boxes where possible). - Bank Evidence in the Entity’s Name
Recent statement that shows the entity name and address for payouts. - Tax IDs (EIN/ITIN, if applicable)
Ensure names and dates match formation and banking.
4) Step-by-step: Responding to a verification request
- Open Account Health and read the exact request + deadline.
- Confirm your legal entity in Seller Central (Individual vs. Company).
- If Amazon is asking for company docs and you are Individual, open a case to clarify.
- If Amazon is asking for company docs and you are Individual, open a case to clarify.
- Assemble a complete doc pack: formation, BO details, self-attestation, proof of address, bank evidence, tax IDs (if any).
- Submit once, complete: avoid drip uploads; include an authorization letter if a third party is submitting.
- Escalate if fields are locked (country or legal entity). Some accounts can’t change these; support may advise re-onboarding with the correct entity/country.
- Keep marketplaces consistent: align data across Amazon.ca and Amazon.com (same entity, address, banking).
5) Company vs. Individual: Which is safer now?
Amazon does not say every seller must form a company. However, current enforcement makes company-backed accounts more resilient because you can provide standard, verifiable documentation (formation records, bank statements in the entity name, BO details).
For non-residents, a U.S. LLC is popular due to fast setup, global-friendly banking, and clean paperwork Amazon recognizes.
6) Common pitfalls & how to avoid them
- Address mismatches: adopt one canonical business address across formation, bank, tax, and Amazon.
- Wrong entity on bank account: payout account must be in the same entity name you present to Amazon.
- Missing self-attestation: if requested, provide it on letterhead and sign with role/title.
- Country/legal-entity lock: escalate early; document all case IDs.
- P.O. boxes or virtual mail issues: where policy requires, use a verifiable physical address.
- Name variations: use the exact legal name everywhere (no abbreviations unless they appear on formation docs).
7) Non-resident sellers: A practical path
If you sell cross-border and need company documentation quickly, consider:
- Forming a U.S. LLC with standardized formation records.
- Obtaining EIN/ITIN (as applicable) for tax identity.
- Opening a business bank account in the entity’s name for Amazon payouts.
- Setting up compliance (bookkeeping, annual reports, tax filings) so your details stay consistent across Amazon, banking, and tax.
8) Sample Self-Attestation Letter
(Place on your company letterhead. Replace bracketed items.)
Subject: Self-Attestation of Ownership and Authorization – [Company Legal Name]
Date: [YYYY-MM-DD]
I, [Full Name], as [Title/Role] of [Company Legal Name], hereby attest that:
- Ownership: The beneficial owners of [Company Legal Name] are:
- [Owner 1 Full Name] – [XX%]
- [Owner 2 Full Name] – [XX%]
(If applicable, add more owners.)
- Authority: I am authorized to act on behalf of the company for Amazon Seller Central verification and to submit the required information and documents.
- Company Details:
- Legal name: [Company Legal Name]
- Registered address: [Full Address]
- Formation date & state/country: [YYYY-MM-DD, State/Country]
- Amazon account email / Merchant Token (if available):
I declare the above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Signature: ____________________
Name: [Full Name]
Title: [Title/Role]
Email: [Email] • Phone: [Phone]
9) FAQs
Do I have to form a company to sell on Amazon.ca now?
Not strictly, but many sellers are being asked for company-style documents. If support will not accept Individual documentation, forming a company can be the fastest route to complete verification.
How long does verification take?
Timelines vary based on workload and completeness. Submitting a complete, consistent pack typically shortens review.
Can I change my country/legal entity in Seller Central?
Sometimes these fields are locked. Open a case; in edge cases, Amazon may recommend re-registering with the correct entity/country.
What is “beneficial ownership”?
It identifies the people who ultimately own or control the company (often above a certain ownership threshold).
What if my bank statement shows a slightly different name or address?
Fix the mismatch before submitting. Amazon expects the same legal name and address across formation, banking, tax, and Seller Central.
10) How Clemta helps
- Fast company setup for non-U.S. founders (LLC or C-Corp) and a clean document pack aligned to Amazon verification asks.
- Banking & compliance (EIN/ITIN, bookkeeping, annual reports) to keep data consistent across Amazon, banking, and tax.
