Houston has the second-largest concentration of Venezuelans in the US and one of the most entrepreneurial Latino communities in the country. Orlando is growing as a destination for the new Venezuelan and Colombian diaspora. This guide is for you — the Latin American in Texas or Florida who wants to build something of their own with Amazon.
The Latino Community in Houston and Orlando: 2026 Data
Before talking about Amazon, let's understand the landscape. Houston and Orlando are not just cities where Latinos live — they are hubs of Latin American entrepreneurship with their own ecosystems, support networks, and demographics that create unique business opportunities.
Houston, Texas
- 45% Hispanic population
- 200,000+ Venezuelan residents
- Energy + logistics hub for the southern US
- Direct access to the Port of Houston for importing
Orlando, Florida
- 35% Hispanic population
- Growing Venezuelan and Colombian diaspora 2020-2026
- Tourism = product opportunity
- International airport + logistics hub
Amazon FBA from Texas and Florida: Geographic Advantages
Living in Texas or Florida is not just a tax advantage — it is a direct logistical advantage for running an Amazon FBA operation. These two locations give you access to the Amazon infrastructure closest to tens of millions of Prime shoppers in the South and Southeast.
Texas: Southern logistics hub
Texas has Amazon warehouses in Dallas (DFW1, DFW2) and Houston (HOU1) — faster shipping across the south-central US. Port of Houston: ideal for importing containers from China, Mexico, or Colombia at lower costs than through Los Angeles.
Florida: Southeast gateway
Florida has Amazon warehouses in Opa-locka (near Miami) and Lakeland — perfect for Prime coverage across South Florida. Miami Airport is also a major air cargo import hub from Latin America.
No income tax: Texas and Florida
Neither state has a personal state income tax. For the Latin American entrepreneur building their first business, this means more money stays in your pocket to reinvest.
Prep centers in Miami and Houston
Miami has the highest concentration of prep centers serving Latin America in the entire US. Houston also has competitive options. If your inventory comes from Latin America, these cities are the natural entry point.
First Steps for Latino Residents in the US
Step 1: SSN or ITIN
If you have a Social Security Number, use it. If you are a new resident or on a work visa, you can apply for an ITIN from the IRS — it takes 7-11 weeks but allows you to open an LLC and bank account.
Step 2: US bank account
Wells Fargo, Chase, and Bank of America have branches in Houston and Orlando with Spanish-language service. Chase offers business accounts with direct Amazon Seller Central integration.
Step 3: LLC in your state
Texas: $300/year (Secretary of State). Florida: $125/year (Sunbiz.org). Both processes are 100% online and do not require a lawyer. An LLC protects you personally and is the right foundation for a serious operation.
Step 4: Amazon Professional Seller
$39.99/month. With US residency and an American bank account, registration is immediate. You do not need a W-8BEN — as a US resident you use the W-9 instead.
Step 5: Choose your business model
Private Label (your own brand), Wholesale (reselling established brands), or Handmade/Artisan (cultural products). For the Latin diaspora, the nostalgia and culture model has unique advantages that American sellers simply cannot replicate.
Businesses That Work Especially Well for the Latin Diaspora
Nostalgia products
Venezuelan, Colombian, Cuban, and Mexican food on Amazon Grocery. Tequeños, frozen arepas, chicha powder, longaniza, Venezuelan chicken broth — items the diaspora desperately buys and that no American knows where to find.
Services for the Hispanic community
Translation, business coaching, Spanish-language courses — Merch by Amazon for Latin-themed designs. The Hispanic market in the US actively seeks services and products that speak their language and understand their culture.
Latin American fashion
Clothing, ethnic crafts, Andean jewelry for the American market. Culturally-rooted Latin fashion has high demand among young American buyers and among the Hispanic community itself seeking to connect with their roots.
Import from LATAM + FBA
Connecting Latin American suppliers with the American market. Your advantage: you speak the language, know the suppliers, understand the logistics. You can do what an American seller cannot — build direct relationships in Colombia, Venezuela, or Mexico.
How to Use Your Latino Network as a Competitive Advantage
Your Community Is Your Greatest Capital Asset
The Latin American community in Houston and Orlando is one of the most underestimated assets for an Amazon entrepreneur. Venezuelan WhatsApp groups in Houston are not just gossip — they are supplier networks, first customers, and word-of-mouth referrals.
Cultural festivals are more than celebrations. The Feria de las Américas in Houston and the Festival de las Américas in Orlando are real product validation opportunities — if your product sells there, it will sell on Amazon. Latino churches have communities of very loyal consumers who buy on trust, not on price.
Do not underestimate your network. What seems ordinary to you — knowing where to find Venezuelan ingredients, knowing Colombian artisans, speaking with manufacturers in Mexico — is an asset worth real money in the American market.
"When I arrived in Miami, I didn't know anyone. But the Venezuelan community opened doors that no startup accelerator would have opened for me. The same thing happens in Houston and Orlando — your network is your greatest capital asset." — Diego Medina F, Founder, MerchandisePROS
Case Study: Venezuelan in Houston Builds Venezuelan Snack Brand
Carlos A. — Houston, Texas
Entrepreneur: Carlos A., Venezuelan in Houston
Product: Frozen Venezuelan tequeños + chicha powder with his own brand
Channel: Amazon Fresh + local Venezuelan community (WhatsApp groups and events)
Start: Began in his home kitchen, validating with the Venezuelan community in Houston before scaling
Result: $11,000/month combined (Amazon + direct community sales)
Most surprising: He exports back to Venezuela (ironically) and to Colombia — the Latin American diaspora in Houston buys from him to send care packages to family in LATAM. Full circle.
Frequently Asked Questions for Latinos in Houston and Orlando
Is it better to open an LLC in Texas or Florida to sell on Amazon?
Both are excellent. Texas: no state income tax, low costs ($300/year), access to the Port of Houston for importing. Florida: no personal income tax, $125/year, large Latino community in Miami and Orlando. If you already live in Texas or Florida, register in that state. If you are elsewhere, Delaware or Wyoming are more economical.
How do I handle Amazon sales tax in Texas and Florida?
Amazon acts as a marketplace facilitator — it collects and remits sales tax for you in most states. However, in Texas and Florida (where you have physical nexus) you do need to register with the state comptroller and file periodic returns. A business accountant can handle this for approximately $100/month.
Can I sell certified Venezuelan products on Amazon US?
Yes, if the product meets FDA regulations (food, cosmetics) or CPSC regulations (toys, electronics). Many Venezuelans in Houston sell food products like frozen tequeños, chicha powder, and papelón through Amazon Fresh and the local community. The key is proper certification and English labeling.
Are there Latino Amazon seller communities in Houston and Orlando?
Yes. In Houston there is the Amazon Sellers Houston group on Facebook with over 3,000 members, many Latino. In Orlando there are active communities on Meetup and Facebook of Venezuelan and Colombian entrepreneurs focused on e-commerce. Venezuelan WhatsApp groups in Houston are also informal but very active networks.
Does MerchandisePROS offer Spanish-language coaching for the Latino community in Texas and Florida?
Yes. All our work is in Spanish. Diego is Venezuelan, based in Miami, and built his company from scratch in the US. We offer a free audit in 60 seconds and individual consulting at $115/hour — no long contracts, no commitments.
Are You in Houston or Florida and Ready to Build Your Amazon Business?
Talk to Diego — Venezuelan, based in Miami, built his company from scratch in the US.
Free audit in 60 seconds
in Spanish, for the Latino community.
No credit card. No commitment. In Spanish.