There are more than 500,000 Venezuelans in Florida — and tens of thousands more in Texas and other states. Many arrived with real business experience but don't know where to start in the American market. Amazon is the most accessible and scalable entry point for the Venezuelan entrepreneur in the US. I wrote this guide myself — Diego, also Venezuelan — thinking of you.
Why Amazon Is Ideal for Venezuelans in the US
Amazon does not ask for a 10-year credit history, nor that you were born in the US, nor that you have a physical storefront. What it does reward is the ability to find good products, manage numbers, and adapt quickly — three things Venezuelans have in abundance. Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) handles storage, packing, and shipping; you focus on the product and the strategy.
You can start without your own inventory using models like Retail Arbitrage or Dropshipping, or scale to your own brand with Private Label. The barrier to entry is low, the market is enormous, and the negotiation skills and resilience we bring from Venezuela are a real competitive advantage over sellers who have never operated in difficult environments.
Advantages for the Venezuelan diaspora
- Access to the world's largest marketplace
- Venezuelan network for sourcing products
- Resilience mindset = real adaptability
What you need first
- SSN or ITIN
- US bank account
- US physical address
- $500-1,000 for first inventory purchase
Requirements to Register on Amazon Seller Central from the US
The Amazon Seller Central registration process is entirely online. Having all your documentation ready before you start prevents the account from getting stuck mid-verification. These are the six key requirements:
Step 1: US physical address
Can be a relative's address or a mailbox service (like iPostal1 or Anytime Mailbox). It does not need to be your permanent residence.
Step 2: US phone number
A prepaid SIM from T-Mobile, AT&T, or Google Fi works perfectly. Amazon uses it for two-step verification.
Step 3: SSN or ITIN
If you have an SSN (Social Security Number), use it. If not, the ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is accepted by Amazon. See the ITIN section below for how to obtain one.
Step 4: US bank account
Chase, Bank of America, or Chime if you are just starting out. Amazon deposits directly into this account every 14 days.
Step 5: US credit card with a US billing address
Required to pay Amazon fees and the seller plan ($39.99/month for Professional). The Chime debit card also works as a backup.
Step 6: Valid Venezuelan passport
Amazon uses it to verify your identity during the KYC (Know Your Customer) process. Make sure it has at least 6 months of validity remaining.
ITIN: The Solution for Venezuelans Without an SSN
Many Venezuelans in the US on a TN visa, F-1, pending asylum, or TPS do not yet have an SSN. The ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is the IRS's official solution for people who need to meet US tax obligations without being eligible for an SSN. Amazon accepts it as a substitute for the SSN for individual sellers and LLCs.
How to Get Your ITIN for Amazon
Form: W-7 (IRS Form W-7 — Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)
Cost: $0 if you do it yourself; $150-300 with a Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) who verifies documents and speeds up the process.
Processing time: 7-11 weeks if mailed to the IRS. If you go to a CAA or an IRS office with an appointment, it can be faster.
Documents required: Valid Venezuelan passport (the simplest document for identity and foreign status verification), plus the completed W-7 along with your tax return or an exception letter.
Bank Accounts for Newly Arrived Venezuelans
Opening a bank account as a recently arrived Venezuelan can be one of the most frustrating obstacles. The good news is that there are real options for every stage of the process:
Chime
No credit requirement, ID only — ideal for the first few months. Visa debit card that Amazon accepts without issues.
Mercury
For LLCs, 100% online, accepts foreign founders with an ITIN. The preferred option for scaling the business formally.
Chase Business Checking
Once you have a minimum US credit history (6-12 months). Ideal for managing higher volumes and accessing business credit.
Payoneer
To receive Amazon payments while you open a US bank account. Accepts payments from the Amazon Marketplace directly.
"When I arrived in Miami, the first thing I did was open a Chime account with my Venezuelan passport and a utility bill. Within 48 hours I had a debit card and was ready to receive my first Amazon payment." — Diego Medina F, Founder MerchandisePROS
What to Sell: The Venezuelan's Competitive Edge in the US
This is where our experience as Venezuelans becomes a real competitive advantage. We know markets that local American sellers don't know, and we have networks they don't have.
Opportunity 1: Latin American products in the US
Venezuelan coffee, crafts, sauces, sweets (nostalgia market). The Latin diaspora in the US actively searches for these products and pays a premium for them. Low competition from local American sellers.
Opportunity 2: Chinese imports you know from the Venezuelan market
If you sold electronics, hardware, or home goods in Venezuela, you already know the margins and the suppliers. That knowledge transfers directly to Amazon FBA.
Opportunity 3: Retail Arbitrage
Buy at Walmart, TJ Maxx, Dollar Tree, Marshalls and sell on Amazon. The lowest-risk model to start — you know the prices, you buy what already has demand, and Amazon FBA handles the rest.
Opportunity 4: Private Label
Brand your own product imported from China. Higher margin, more control, but requires $1,500-3,000 USD of initial investment and 60-90 days for the first order. The long-term model.
Opportunity 5: Wholesale
Negotiate with US distributors using your Venezuelan negotiation skills. Buy at wholesale price and sell on Amazon at retail. The bargaining skills we developed in Venezuela are a real edge here.
The Venezuelan Community as a Competitive Advantage
One of the most underestimated assets of Venezuelans in the US is their own network. The Venezuelan diaspora is one of the most entrepreneurial in the world, with significant concentrations in three key cities:
The Venezuelan Network in the US: A Real Business Asset
Miami (Doral, Weston, Kendall): The largest concentration of Venezuelan entrepreneurs in the US. There are Venezuelan accountants, Venezuelan immigration attorneys, Venezuelan suppliers, and potential business partners just one call away.
Houston (Sugar Land, Katy): Second largest concentration. Strong in the energy and manufacturing sectors — wholesale opportunities abound in those industries.
Orlando: Fast-growing over the last three years. A young community with strong potential in e-commerce and digital services.
Network resources: Search on LinkedIn for "Venezuelan Amazon sellers" and on Facebook for "Venezolanos en Miami emprendedores" or "Venezolanos en Houston negocios" — there are active groups where suppliers, Amazon tips, and joint venture opportunities are shared. This network is your differential advantage over American competitors who simply don't have it.
Case Study: Venezuelan in Miami, $0 to $8,000/month in 6 Months
The numbers are real. The model is replicable. What makes the difference is consistent execution and using the right resources from the start:
Case: Luis G., Venezuelan in Doral (Miami)
Initial model: Retail Arbitrage → Private Label
Initial product: Pet accessories purchased at TJ Maxx at clearance prices.
Months 1-2: Learning FBA, setting up the account, first sales. Revenue: $800/month. Net margin: ~40% after Amazon fees.
Months 3-4: Scaling with more SKUs identified via Amazon's Search Term Report. Revenue: $2,800/month. Started using tools like Helium 10 to validate new products.
Months 5-6: Launched his first private label brand of pet accessories with a product imported from Alibaba. Brand registration in progress.
Result at month 6: $8,200/month in gross sales. Net margin after product cost, Amazon fees, and PPC: ~35%. Net income: ~$2,870/month and growing.
Frequently Asked Questions — Venezuelans Selling on Amazon in the US
Can I sell on Amazon with a tourist visa (B1/B2)?
No. To operate a business in the US you need immigration status that authorizes work (TN, H1B, Green Card, citizenship, DACA, TPS, or a pending work permit). Consult an immigration attorney if you have any doubts — this is not an area to guess.
Can I use a relative's US address if I still live in Venezuela?
Amazon requires the seller to have residency in the country where the account operates. If you live in Venezuela, open an account on Amazon.com.mx (Mexico), Amazon.com.co (Colombia), or Amazon.com.br (Brazil) depending on your situation. This guide is specifically for Venezuelans residing in the US.
Do I need an LLC to sell on Amazon in the US?
It is not required, but recommended for legal protection and to open a business bank account. A Florida LLC costs $125/year. You can start as a sole proprietor with your SSN or ITIN and form the LLC later once you are generating revenue.
How much money do I need to start selling on Amazon in the US?
With Retail Arbitrage you can start with $200-500 USD buying clearance products. For FBA Private Label you need a minimum of $1,500-3,000 USD for the first inventory order, photography, and brand registration. The Amazon Professional Seller plan costs $39.99/month.
Does MerchandisePROS help Venezuelans who want to start on Amazon?
Absolutely. Diego Medina is Venezuelan and understands exactly the challenges of the diaspora: banks, ITIN, visa, first steps. The free audit includes an analysis of your current situation and the most accessible opportunities for your profile.
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