Amazon Global Selling From India: Products, Fees and Payouts

Amazon Global Selling is an ecommerce export program that allows Indian businesses to sell products on Amazon marketplaces outside India. It helps sellers register and list their products, ship them internationally, and receive payments in Indian rupees.

For Indian sellers, Amazon Global Selling provides access to 18 or more Amazon marketplaces across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. Sellers can manage their own international shipping through the Merchant Fulfilled Network (MFN) or use Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA), where storage, packing, shipping, and customer delivery support is handled by Amazon.

What Is Amazon Global Selling?

Amazon Global Selling is Amazon’s cross-border ecommerce program for exporters. Through this program, Indian sellers are able to sell to foreign customers via Amazon marketplaces in the USA, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Australia and UAE.

This program is ideal for businesses who wish to export without having to build and maintain their own international e-commerce web site or acquire foreign customers directly. Sellers will utilize Amazon Seller Central to manage listings, orders, inventory, prices, shipping, returns, and payment.

While there are many similarities to selling on Amazon.in, selling via Amazon Global Selling and selling on Amazon.in differ. An Amazon.in seller is selling to consumers within India whereas an Amazon Global Selling seller is exporting products to consumers in other countries.

Also read: How to start an export-import business in India

How to Start Amazon Global Selling From India

Businesses located in India can begin selling internationally by registering on Amazon Seller Central, complying with necessary know your customer (“KYC”) and export compliance processes, adding products to your listings and selecting a fulfillment option.

Who Can Sell?

Amazon Global Selling is open to most types of businesses including:

• Manufacturers & brand owners
• Traders/exporters
• Direct-to-consumer (“D2C”) brands seeking global demand
• Artisans, MSMEs & small businesses
• Any business with export ready products and the capability to comply with regulations related to the destination country.

You don’t have to be a large company to participate in Amazon Global Selling. However you do have to be able to provide all the relevant documentation and follow compliance regulations related to meeting labeling, shipping and tax obligations in the selected destination market.

Documents Indian Sellers May Need

Each product category has specific documentation needs depending on the destination country and business type. Some common examples include:

• Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade
• Authorised Dealer (AD) code from the seller’s bank
• Goods and Services Tax (“GST”) registration along with GST supporting documentation (if applicable)
• Letter of Undertaking (“LUT”), if seller wishes to ship goods without paying Integrated GST up front
• PAN and business KYC documentation
• Product-category licences/certifications (e.g. food products: FSSAI registration or licence; regulated categories: applicable certifications)
• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Shipping bill
• Other export shipping documents

An IEC is a 10-digit identifier issued by DGFT and is generally required for commercial goods exports from India. An LUT is a declaration that allows eligible exporters to ship without paying Integrated GST (IGST) upfront. The alternative is to pay IGST and claim an eligible refund. The IGST guide explains both routes.

How Amazon Global Selling Works: Registration to Payout

The general workflow for participating in Amazon Global Selling involves the following four phases: registration, listing, shipment, and payment.

1. Register on Seller Central

Registering for an Amazon Global Selling account occurs through Seller Central. Typically this will require providing proof of your identity, proof of residence, banking information and a valid credit/debit card enabled for international transactions. Amazon’s registration guide lists the current requirements.

2. Select Marketplaces and Add Listings

Choose which marketplaces you’d like to sell on and create product listings. Each listing should contain accurate product title(s), image(s), description(s), keyword(s), price(s), shipping detail(s) as well as compliance information where necessary. For export invoices and classification, check the relevant HSN code.

3. Choose MFN or FBA Fulfilment

Sellers can select either Merchant Fulfilled Network (“MFN”) or Fulfillment by Amazon (“FBA”).

Fulfilment option	How it works	Best suited to
Merchant Fulfilled Network (MFN)	Seller stores, packs and ships orders independently.	Sellers testing demand, handling low volumes or making products to order.
Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA)	Seller sends inventory to an Amazon fulfilment centre. Amazon packs and ships orders and handles certain aspects of customer service.	Sellers with predictable demand, higher volumes or a need for faster delivery.

When using MFN sellers retain full control over their inventory levels and shipping options however they also become responsible for logistics/delivery times/customer service. When using FBA sellers send their inventory into an Amazon fulfillment center. After receiving an order for one of the seller’s products Amazon fulfills the order (packs/ships etc.) and provides some customer support.

4. Track Payouts and Reconcile Sales

Once a sale is completed Amazon subtracts applicable fees and makes payment to the seller. Indian sellers can receive proceeds in INR in an Indian bank account, subject to their account and disbursement configuration.

Amazon Global Selling Payouts: How Indian Sellers Get Paid

Amazon Global Selling payouts/ payments refer to the funds that Amazon pays to the seller following subtraction of applicable fees. The amount paid to the seller is generally equal to the total value of the order less applicable Amazon fees (seller fees/referral fees/FBA fees/storage/advertising etc.), refunds etc.

For an INR disbursement, Amazon converts the net proceeds into INR. The actual payout date, exchange treatment and settlement cycle depend on the marketplace, bank details and account settings. Sellers should check the payment report and conversion rate used for each disbursement.

Sellers should reconcile payouts against:

• Order-level sales and refunds.
• Amazon fees and charges.
• Shipping and fulfilment costs.
• Advertising spend.
• Currency conversion amounts and the purpose code or remittance record where applicable.
• Tax invoices and export documentation.

Accurate payout reconciliation is important because the amount received in the bank account may differ from the gross order value. Businesses should treat gross sales, Amazon deductions and net payouts as separate figures in their accounting records. Bank reconciliation then matches the net payout with the bank credit.

Also read: Ecommerce payment reconciliation: a practical guide

Amazon Global Selling Fees: What Sellers Pay

Amazon Global Selling fees vary by marketplace, product category, selling plan, fulfillment method, and optional services. The main cost components include:

• Monthly subscription fee: a recurring fee for using a professional selling plan. Amazon’s US selling-plan page lists $39.99 per month for the US Professional plan; Individual and linked global accounts can be priced differently.
• Referral fee: a percentage-based fee charged on each sale; a minimum fee, often $0.30 in US categories, can apply depending on the category and marketplace.
• Fulfillment fees: Charges for FBA storage, picking, packing, shipping, and related services.
• Storage fees: Monthly inventory storage charges and, in some cases, additional long-term storage fees.
• Optional advertising costs: sponsored product ads, sponsored brand ads, or other Amazon advertising products.
• Returns and refunds: Costs related to returned, refunded, or unsellable inventory.
• Currency conversion and remittance charges: charges may apply where proceeds are converted and remitted to the seller’s Indian bank account.

Sellers should calculate their full cost per unit before finalising international pricing. Include product cost, packaging, domestic logistics, international shipping, Amazon fees, advertising costs, conversion costs, taxes and expected returns.

Amazon Global Selling Products List: Which Categories Can You Sell?

A wide range of product categories are supported by Amazon Global Selling. Eligibility depends on destination marketplace and product-specific regulations.

Some popular export categories from India include:

• Home and kitchen products such as bedsheets pillowcases towels carpets and rugs.
• Apparel and accessories including T-shirts shirts trousers ethnic wear fashion accessories.
• Beauty and personal care products.
• Health and wellness products.
• Toys games and educational products.
• Sports and outdoor products.
• Leather goods bags and accessories.
• Fashion jewelry.
• Gourmet food grocery products subject to applicable approvals.
• Books stationery office products.

Amazon’s Global Selling category examples highlight home products, apparel, carpets/rugs, toys, beauty and health. But listing a product in a category does not automatically mean it will be eligible for export. Sellers should check destination-country rules, restricted-product policies, labelling requirements and certification needs. For example, food health beauty toy products may require documentation such as an FSSAI licence FDA requirements children’s product certificates depending on the destination market.

Example: An Indian Home Décor Brand

An Indian home decor brand sells cotton bedsheets and cushion covers. It wants to sell in the United States through Amazon Global Selling. The business registers on Seller Central obtains required export documentation lists its products on the U.S. marketplace selects FBA ships an initial batch of inventory to an Amazon fulfillment center when a customer places an order in the U.S., Amazon picks packs and ships the product. Amazon deducts the applicable referral, fulfilment, storage and advertising charges. The remaining amount is sent to the brand’s Indian bank account in INR. This is an illustrative example. Actual fees payout timing and compliance requirements depend on marketplace product category fulfillment methods and seller configuration.

GST and Export Compliance for Amazon Global Selling

Export of goods from India is generally treated under GST as a zero-rated supply, subject to applicable conditions and documentation. Sellers can export under a letter of undertaking (LUT) without paying IGST upfront or pay IGST and claim a refund later depending on their eligibility and preference.

Businesses should maintain all export documentation such as shipping bills invoices packing lists proof of export etc. They should also work with their accountant or tax adviser to ensure correct GSTR-1 export invoice reporting, export invoices and input tax credit claims.

Requirements can change based upon the type/product/marketplace/regulator etc. Sellers should verify latest requirements with Amazon Seller Central DGFT GST authorities and relevant destination country regulators prior to exporting.

Benefits of Amazon Global Selling for Indian Sellers

Amazon Global Selling can help Indian businesses reach international customers without building a standalone cross-border ecommerce operation.

Key benefits include:

• Access to Amazon’s international customer base.
• A structured seller dashboard for listings, orders, payments, and reports.
• Choice between self-fulfilment and FBA.
• Payments remitted in INR for Indian sellers.
• Tools for advertising, pricing, inventory management, and business reports.
• Support for export documentation and compliance through Amazon’s seller resources.

For many Indian MSMEs, the main advantage is demand discovery. Instead of independently finding overseas buyers, sellers can list products on established marketplaces and use Amazon’s tools to improve visibility.

Limitations and Risks to Check Before Selling

Amazon’s Global Selling program lets Indian businesses export their products to international buyers via Amazon’s global marketplace. Sellers manage product listing, orders, payments and compliance from the Seller Central dashboard, while Amazon can handle fulfillment for sellers who choose FBA. Therefore, it provides Indian businesses with the means to sell into multiple countries via Amazon’s marketplace system. If you already have exportable products and want access to international buyers without creating another platform, this could be a good opportunity.

To successfully sell via the Global Selling program, however, there are more considerations beyond simply making a listing. For example, sellers will have to think about how much Amazon will charge them in fees (eg. referral fee); which fulfillment option (Merchant Fulfillment Network (MFN) or Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)) will best suit their volume, cash flow, and operational capacity; whether they will maintain documentation of exports (e.g. commercial invoices); whether they will maintain correct records of their payouts; and whether the products they are offering will meet requirements of the country in which they wish to sell.

Global selling also includes additional costs, competition and operational complexities. Shipping to other countries and returning products can be very costly. Using Amazon as a selling channel reduces the profit margins even further as Amazon charges referral fees on the sales price of every item sold. The compliance requirements for products varies depending on the country being exported to. Currency fluctuations can change the INR value realised from a foreign-currency sale.

Slow-moving FBA inventory may incur additional storage charges. Negative reviews, returns and account-health issues can also impact a sellers ability to make sales. Due to additional legal obligations related to exporting goods from one country to another, including taxes on the sale of those items, there are many details that must be properly managed by the seller such as: GST registration, export documents and reconciliation of payouts.

One of the biggest mistakes that sellers make is only considering the cost of purchasing the items they sell and the cost to ship them. Sellers should model the full cost per order including any other costs such as Amazon fees, advertising, return shipment charges, taxation and currency conversion.

Checklist Before Listing Products on Amazon Global Selling

Prior to starting the process of listing your products on international market places via Amazon’s Global Selling program, the following checklist must be completed by Indian sellers:

1. Determine target marketplace(s) and category(ies).
2. Verify product eligibility restrictions and destination-country compliance requirements for both marketplace and destination countries.
3. Obtain required IEC and AD codes where applicable.
4. Register GST and evaluate whether a letter of undertaking (“LUT”) is necessary.
5. Determine the total cost “per order” including landed cost + Amazon fees + shipping cost + desired margin.
6. Decide between FBA or MFN based upon expected volumes/cash flow/operational capacity.
7. Develop product images listings keywords compliance documents etc.
8. Set up bank information and understand how payouts will work.
9. Plan inventory management, returns, customer service, account health monitoring etc.

Selling Outside Amazon

Amazon handles marketplace checkout and seller disbursements. If you also sell through your own website or invoice overseas buyers directly, that is a separate collection flow. Compare an international payment gateway for card checkout with Global Collections for eligible cross-border bank transfers. Neither changes how Amazon pays out marketplace sales.

Also read: How Indian businesses can receive international payments

Conclusion

Amazon has created the Global Selling program as a tool for businesses looking to expand into new markets through a relatively simple method of utilizing Amazon’s existing marketplace systems. This program allows Indian businesses to easily export their products and gain exposure to a large pool of potential customers worldwide. While success with the Global Selling program does take some time and effort, the potential rewards are well worth it for those willing to put in the time and energy to build a successful online presence.

FAQs About Amazon Global Selling

What does Amazon Global Selling mean?

Amazon Global Selling is an international e-commerce exporting platform by Amazon, allowing Indian sellers to list and sell their items on Amazon’s marketplaces worldwide.

Can I sell my stuff internationally from India on Amazon?

Yes. Once you create your Amazon Seller Central Account, fill-out all of the required KYC and export documents; you can start listing your products, and selling on international Amazon marketplaces that qualify.

How are payments made after a sale on Amazon Global Selling?

Amazon deducts applicable fees and adjustments before disbursing net proceeds. Indian sellers can receive INR into an Indian bank account, depending on marketplace and account configuration. Check the settlement report, exchange conversion and bank credit.

Are there specific Amazon Global Selling Fees?

Costs may include a Professional plan subscription or Individual per-item fee, referral fees, FBA fulfilment and storage, advertising, returns, and currency conversion or remittance charges where applicable.

What kind of products can I sell using Amazon Global Selling?

Sellers in India can export products under a wide variety of categories like home/kitchen, apparel, beauty, health/wellness, toys/sports equipment, leather goods/jewelry/grocery, depending on whether the seller meets eligibility criteria for both local regulations and regulations of the country receiving the product.

Do I need to register for GST for Amazon Global Selling?

Requirements for GST registration depend on how your business is structured, what products you’re selling/exporting; eligible exporters may use an LUT to export without paying IGST upfront, or pay IGST and claim an eligible refund. Each exporter should consult with a tax expert regarding their individual situation.

Should I have an IEC number for global sales from India?

Typically, a 10-digit Importer/Exporter Code Number (“IEC”) issued by DGFT is needed for export related compliance/documentation. An IEC is generally required before commercial goods exports, subject to DGFT exemptions.