41 replies
I am from Singapore and want to sell in Amazon.

I need to have a US bank account in order to get paid.

What is the best method to have an account from Singapore
#account #bank #open #open us bank account
  • Profile picture of the author shaan67in
    There is none. You will have to establish a company in the USA to be able to work with Amazon.

    There are paid agencies that will get you started with establishing a company and act as your companie's registered agents however most of them are scam. Beaised even if they manage to open youa bank account post opening a company, I am not sure how long the Bank account will function.

    During scrunity, the bank a/c might very well be blocked or deactivated unless you physically travel to the USA and the bank branch to sign some paper works.

    Bottom line, you can not open a USA Bank account unless you are a USA Citizen or physicilla visit there to establish a company and open a Bank acount thereafter and apponint a trust worthy law form to operate as your companie's registered agent and registered address for a fee.

    Thanks
    Shawn
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    • Profile picture of the author OnlineAddict
      Originally Posted by shaan67in View Post

      There is none. You will have to establish a company in the USA to be able to work with Amazon.

      There are paid agencies that will get you started with establishing a company and act as your companie's registered agents however most of them are scam. Beaised even if they manage to open youa bank account post opening a company, I am not sure how long the Bank account will function.

      During scrunity, the bank a/c might very well be blocked or deactivated unless you physically travel to the USA and the bank branch to sign some paper works.

      Bottom line, you can not open a USA Bank account unless you are a USA Citizen or physicilla visit there to establish a company and open a Bank acount thereafter and apponint a trust worthy law form to operate as your companie's registered agent and registered address for a fee.

      Thanks
      Shawn
      Anyone can open a bank account in the US, you don't need a company in the US for that. The bank account can be a personal bank account. But yes, it got harder without a personal visit. There is still some services offering setting it up online, but not sure which banks they work with. But going there in person, its really easy to set up a bank account for anyone.
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      • Profile picture of the author shaan67in
        You are right, anyone can per the rules, but you need an address which you can not get unless you are a US Citizen. An alternative would be to get a place on rent for the lifetime of the Bank Account. I am not sure how it will work as there will be no one to receive letters and stuffs.

        I mentioned establishment of a company because this thread is about selling in Amazon and the Bank account needs to be opened for that purpose.

        Without being a US Citizen you will not have the Tax Info and other details to sell in Amazon the only way out is to establish a company.

        Originally Posted by OnlineAddict View Post

        Anyone can open a bank account in the US, you don't need a company in the US for that. The bank account can be a personal bank account. But yes, it got harder without a personal visit. There is still some services offering setting it up online, but not sure which banks they work with. But going there in person, its really easy to set up a bank account for anyone.
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        • Profile picture of the author Jon Crimes
          I use amazon.com (USA) on one of my sites for affiliate sales, I'm based in the UK.

          I get cheques from the US instead of direct deposits into a US bank account which I cannot open because I'm not resident over there.

          I'm assuming you know this, are cheques an option for your country?

          Cheers
          Jon Crimes
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          • Profile picture of the author AnniePot
            Have you read Amazon's Terms of Service fully? Here is what they say about sending payments to associates:

            What payment methods are available?

            We pay you referral fees on a monthly basis. Approximately 60 days after the end of each month, we will either send you a check, send you an Amazon.com Gift Certificate (subject to our standard terms and conditions), or deposit your fees directly into your bank account.

            If you wish to use direct deposit, you will have to tell us the name of your bank, whether your account is checking or savings, your account number, your bank's nine-digit routing number, and the name of the primary account holder as it appears in the bank's records.

            If you are being paid by Amazon.com Gift Certificate or direct deposit, we will not send payment until the total amount due is at least $10. If you are being paid by check, we will not send payment until the total amount due is at least $100. Please note that we will also deduct an $15 processing fee from all checks we send you. If your billing address is outside the United States, and direct deposit is, therefore, unavailable to you, we will waive the $15 fee. There is no processing fee for payment via gift certificate or direct deposit.

            Also, most of what has already been said about US bank accounts is utter rubbish. It's dangerous to ask for legal advise here on WF.

            A much simpler alternative to a US bank account is Payoneer.
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        • Profile picture of the author OnlineAddict
          Originally Posted by shaan67in View Post

          You are right, anyone can per the rules, but you need an address which you can not get unless you are a US Citizen. An alternative would be to get a place on rent for the lifetime of the Bank Account.
          You don't need an US address to open a bank account. I opened mine when I was on vacation in the US. Just walked in the bank with my passport and utility bill from home and that was it. Not sure if they wanted something more, maybe a different bank statement, I had that in my computer. But it was really easy, the account was set up almost instantly, got the card few days later.

          What do you mean you cannot get an US address if you are not an US citizen? 30% of the people in the US are either illegal or legal aliens and they have addresses and bank accounts. To get an address, you just need to have a place to stay, thats it. Or even use a friend's address, whatever works.
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          • Profile picture of the author donhx
            Originally Posted by OnlineAddict View Post

            You don't need an US address to open a bank account. I opened mine when I was on vacation in the US. Just walked in the bank with my passport and utility bill from home and that was it.

            What do you mean you cannot get an US address if you are not an US citizen? 30% of the people in the US are either illegal or legal aliens and they have addresses and bank accounts. To get an address, you just need to have a place to stay, thats it. Or even use a friend's address, whatever works.
            Hate to get involved in this debate since I don't have a dog in this fight, but I see a lot of questionable statements here.

            First, the OP will find it extremely difficult to open a bank account in the US without being present in this country. One way to get around that is to form a company here. Then expensive lawyers can open an account on behalf of the OP's company. People do this every day.

            Second, since Sept 11, 2001, it has become increasingly more difficult for anyone to open a bank account in the US. I know that for sure since I was out of the country for 10 years and came back after 9/11. Also, I opened a new account at a new bank a few months ago, and they required extensive proof of who I was and where I lived, and that is the norm. A US Social Security Number (SSN) is mandatory under money laundering and terrorist-stopping banking rules, though a US government issued ITIN can be acceptable. A person needs to apply for that.

            So, Online Addict, unless you got a US bank account before 9/11, both US Homeland Security and the Internal Revenue Service may want to talk with you and the bank that opened an account based on a utility bill with a foreign address on it, and without a SSN or ITIN.

            Finally, those 30% of the illegals here cannot open bank accounts in most cases. They have only been able to get driver's licenses recently, and that is only in a couple states. Without a SSN they deal in cash, and that's why check cashing facilities and those "cash cards" from places like Walmart have exploded in popularity. Both are used by the millions who do not have the proper legal paperwork to open a bank account.

            My 2 cents...
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            • Profile picture of the author aaronngoh
              Thank you for all the reply.

              Being an affiliate there is no need to have a bank account.

              What I want is to sell in Amazon then they deposit the money into your bank account.

              What are other way for receiving money directly from Amazon. They need three pieces of information :
              account number
              Routing number
              Name in the bank account
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            • Profile picture of the author OnlineAddict
              Originally Posted by donhx View Post

              So, Online Addict, unless you got a US bank account before 9/11, both US Homeland Security and the Internal Revenue Service may want to talk with you and the bank that opened an account based on a utility bill with a foreign address on it, and without a SSN or ITIN.
              I got the bank account 2 years ago, walked in a bank in Manhattan and got everything set up very quick, with no hassle. What has Homeland security and IRS anything to do with having a bank account? No offence, but you watch too many movies. In every country in the world, anyone can open a bank account(maybe except North Korea and few other places like that). You guys should travel more and watch less TV, with all due respect.
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              • Profile picture of the author donhx
                Originally Posted by OnlineAddict View Post

                I got the bank account 2 years ago, walked in a bank in Manhattan and got everything set up very quick, with no hassle. What has Homeland security and IRS anything to do with having a bank account? No offence, but you watch too many movies. In every country in the world, anyone can open a bank account(maybe except North Korea and few other places like that). You guys should travel more and watch less TV, with all due respect.
                Disappointed you feel that way. Even though I am a US citizen, I have been to over 30 countries, many times to most of them, and many for extended periods, including 10 straight years in another country. I know firsthand what you say opening accounts easily in almost any country does not pass the reality test. Been there, tried to do that on occasion.

                I know for sure that the Patriot Act gave wide financial powers to Homeland Security and the IRS. You can get an overview here: Patriot Act, Title III - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Also, I am a native of the US, live here, and have the experience of dealing with the US financial system on a near-daily basis.

                Where are you located?

                You are not accurate about the amount of TV I watch; it seems you may not be accurate about other things too.
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                • Profile picture of the author OnlineAddict
                  Originally Posted by donhx View Post

                  Disappointed you feel that way. Even though I am a US citizen, I have been to over 30 countries, many times to most of them, and many for extended periods, including 10 straight years in another country. I know firsthand what you say opening accounts easily in almost any country does not pass the reality test. Been there, tried to do that on occasion.

                  I know for sure that the Patriot Act gave wide financial powers to Homeland Security and the IRS. You can get an overview here: Patriot Act, Title III - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Also, I am a native of the US, live here, and have the experience of dealing with the US financial system on a near-daily basis.

                  Where are you located?

                  You are not accurate about the amount of TV I watch; it seems you may not be accurate about other things too.
                  I never had a problem to open a bank account in any country, even if I just came as a tourist. And I don't think they open accounts for me, because I have a nice smile or anything...banks are just business, I'm a customer, so I'm business for them. I can see why some banks wouldn't want to open corporate accounts from suspicious offshore countries without enough funding, but personal accounts, I never had a single problem with them.

                  I'm not joking about the US bank, I went in and while I sat down there, the guy who was in charge of me, set everything up, just like that. It was even easier than setting it up at home. I got checks and a debit card within a few fays.

                  But if its just me, I feel so special.
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              • Profile picture of the author salegurus
                Originally Posted by OnlineAddict View Post

                What has Homeland security and IRS anything to do with having a bank account?
                Since 9/11 Many laws were changed amended.

                Originally Posted by OnlineAddict View Post

                You guys should travel more and watch less TV, with all due respect.
                With all due respect, whats with the America bashing? "You guys"? what's that about...
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                • Profile picture of the author savidge4
                  You might want to try and go to American based banks in Singapore such as Standard Chartered Bank, Bank of America, Citibank, or Chase bank and see what options might be available from them.
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      • Profile picture of the author davidkings
        Originally Posted by OnlineAddict View Post

        You don't need an US address to open a bank account. I opened mine when I was on vacation in the US. Just walked in the bank with my passport and utility bill from home and that was it. Not sure if they wanted something more, maybe a different bank statement, I had that in my computer. But it was really easy, the account was set up almost instantly, got the card few days later.
        Did you have to verify the address, show proof of address (a utility bill)
        did they ask for a Social security number ? or a ITIN

        + do you mind sharing what bank it was with

        Originally Posted by OnlineAddict View Post

        Anyone can open a bank account in the US, you don't need a company in the US for that.
        The bank account can be a personal bank .
        Is a personal bank account fine, for taking large funds in regular product launches?

        For example:
        $30,000 every 6 months, $60,000 every 6 months, or even 6 figures,

        are those funds from merchant accounts allowed to come into just a 'personal' bank account? or they ask questions, and/or prefer a business account ?
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        • Profile picture of the author OnlineAddict
          Originally Posted by davidkings View Post

          Did you have to verify the address, show proof of address (a utility bill)
          did they ask for a Social security number ? or a ITIN

          + do you mind sharing what bank it was with
          Yes, utility bill. I always have a few on my computer, anyway. Why would they ask for a SSN? US banks are not restricted to US citizens...I had my passport, they knew I'm from Europe, so they only wanted a proof of home address(utility bill) and some bank reference/statement, I think.

          It was Chase bank.
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  • Profile picture of the author Omarkenawy
    Personally I have registered with Payoneer after knowing that it is possible to get an US account an routing number , which can be used to receive payments from US companies that you are working with like Amazon. Payments received to your US Payment Service account will be loaded to your Payoneer card. Honestly I`m still waiting my payonner card, it will be arrived by the regular mail on the next month and i can`t be certain until it arrives.

    Do anybody else try to act what i did? if so, can tell me what did happen with him?
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  • Profile picture of the author HammerNiko
    Try BankVCC.com as a friend from EU opened a bank account in USA.
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  • Profile picture of the author njs7227
    Here are 2 answers for the OP. If you can visit the U.S. on vacation and bring your utility bill in your name, along with your passport of course, you can open an account - just like the guy above said. If one banker turns you down, move on to the next one down the block. It depends on if they're actively wanting more deposits. I wouldn't bring a million dollars with you - the post-911 reporting requirements are for amounts greater than $3000. Pre-911, it used to be $10,000.

    Secondly, if you have enough money, you can open a bank account from anywhere to anywhere - there are always agents who will facilitate these kinds of things. I remember coming across a website where they would open a Hong Kong or Singapore account for $8000-10,000.

    Thirdly, (oops, that 3 answers) try googling "HSBC offshore". I don't know what it does or if it satisfies the routing number/account number requirement, and it may be only for Americans wanting accounts not in America (not the other way around), but sometimes digging deep with search - something we should all know how to do - might help find you a solution.
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  • Profile picture of the author HammerNiko
    Try BankVCC.com is like $993 to open USA bank account with company for non-US residents. You can try and give feedback...
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  • Profile picture of the author wbee
    Perhaps you can try payoneer. I hear they come with acct & routing # just like a bank account. And this product is very helpful for non-US citizens.
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  • Profile picture of the author Moneymaker2012
    if you have any friend is US then ask him to recieve your payments in his account if you don,t have any friend then search american based banks and ask them about your problem.
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  • Profile picture of the author Adie
    Originally Posted by aaronngoh View Post

    I am from Singapore and want to sell in Amazon.

    I need to have a US bank account in order to get paid.

    What is the best method to have an account from Singapore
    I am from Philippines and I have a US bank account through Payoneer. No need to go to US. Payoneer will solve your problem.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lightlysalted
    I think only paypal would be available, but I don't think Amazon will pay you via paypal. The other option is that you could get paid via gift certificate.
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  • Profile picture of the author affiliatesx
    Payoneer, It is the answer for u
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  • Profile picture of the author femtop
    Go the way of Payoneer. They have a US Bank payment service. You can receive your payment from Amazon through it and have it loaded to your payoneer card.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nissim
    Hi Everyone,

    Thanks for mentioning Payoneer as a solution to receive your Amazon Seller earnings!

    We provide you with a US collection account which you can use to receive US bank transfers from US companies (such as Amazon) - just like anyone with a US bank account. We have many Amazon Sellers currently receiving payments to their Payoneer accounts.

    The Payoneer account has a Payoneer Prepaid Debit MasterCard card, which you can use to make purchases online, in stores, and at ATMs worldwide. You can also withdraw your funds to your local bank account.

    In addition to a US collection account, we also have a new pilot program offering an EU collection account (for SEPA transfers). If anyone has interested in either service mentioned above, feel free to contact me and I'll be happy to assist in getting you set up.
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    Director of Community at Payoneer

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    • Profile picture of the author Zubb
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Nissim View Post

      Hi Everyone,

      Thanks for mentioning Payoneer as a solution to receive your Amazon Seller earnings!

      We provide you with a US collection account which you can use to receive US bank transfers from US companies (such as Amazon) - just like anyone with a US bank account. We have many Amazon Sellers currently receiving payments to their Payoneer accounts.

      The Payoneer account has a Payoneer Prepaid Debit MasterCard card, which you can use to make purchases online, in stores, and at ATMs worldwide. You can also withdraw your funds to your local bank account.

      In addition to a US collection account, we also have a new pilot program offering an EU collection account (for SEPA transfers). If anyone has interested in either service mentioned above, feel free to contact me and I'll be happy to assist in getting you set up.
      People don't ever read through threads! Here's a Pioneer rep offering to help and non even recognized him/her.

      OP... read through this guys reply and PM him if you wish. Pioneer is your best bet and they've been there for ages.

      However be wary of anyone asking you for direct payment without Pioneer.com asking you this within your account dash board.

      Carl Z
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    • Profile picture of the author Justin Ford
      Originally Posted by Nissim View Post

      Hi Everyone,

      Thanks for mentioning Payoneer as a solution to receive your Amazon Seller earnings!

      We provide you with a US collection account which you can use to receive US bank transfers from US companies (such as Amazon) - just like anyone with a US bank account. We have many Amazon Sellers currently receiving payments to their Payoneer accounts.

      The Payoneer account has a Payoneer Prepaid Debit MasterCard card, which you can use to make purchases online, in stores, and at ATMs worldwide. You can also withdraw your funds to your local bank account.

      In addition to a US collection account, we also have a new pilot program offering an EU collection account (for SEPA transfers). If anyone has interested in either service mentioned above, feel free to contact me and I'll be happy to assist in getting you set up.
      Yes..!!
      I think this is right solution for making US account without stay USA. Hope you will select it. Thanks
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      • Profile picture of the author dannyarcher14
        Hiii to all of you experts out there...

        been through the posts of everyone and thought may be i could also seek a little help.

        I'm in great need of a USA bank account... or may be a Virtual bank ... so was wondering if someone can really help me get one please ? I'm in urgent need of getting a US bank account or may be a USA VBA for the time being... can you help me get one ???

        I'll be grateful if you can rather help me get a USA bank account, i've a business & its registered by my name i also do have the EIN for it, but don't have an ITIN or SSN so as to be able to get a bank account, which is why i'm looking for someone to help me with this, please...

        irony of the situation is that ITIN could be obtained through IRS and when i'm approaching them for the same they're telling me i need to have a bank and when i'm approaching any of the banks, they are asking me for the ITIN to open an account.
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    • Profile picture of the author Anthony J Namata
      Originally Posted by Nissim View Post

      Hi Everyone,

      Thanks for mentioning Payoneer as a solution to receive your Amazon Seller earnings!

      We provide you with a US collection account which you can use to receive US bank transfers from US companies (such as Amazon) - just like anyone with a US bank account. We have many Amazon Sellers currently receiving payments to their Payoneer accounts.

      The Payoneer account has a Payoneer Prepaid Debit MasterCard card, which you can use to make purchases online, in stores, and at ATMs worldwide. You can also withdraw your funds to your local bank account.

      In addition to a US collection account, we also have a new pilot program offering an EU collection account (for SEPA transfers). If anyone has interested in either service mentioned above, feel free to contact me and I'll be happy to assist in getting you set up.
      Yes, Payoneer IS the deal. Glad to see you hanging out here Nissim.
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  • Profile picture of the author Makabongwe Maseko
    Well I guess I was one of the few that got a US bank account with Wells Fargo without being in the US in person. Everything was done through mail.

    This was in 2008, maybe things are much tighter now.
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    • Profile picture of the author Snow_Predator
      I spoke to Citibank's Global Support Centre today, and they told me that all I need is to show up to a citibank branch in person in the U.S. with my passport and some proof of address (bank statement or utility bill), and my account would be opened in 5 days.

      All this stuff about homeland security and the IRS sounds like a load of scaremongering if you ask me.
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  • Profile picture of the author toutou123
    Use Payoneer, it's a us virtual account so you don't have to be there
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    • Profile picture of the author Wargamon
      Originally Posted by toutou123 View Post

      Use Payoneer, it's a us virtual account so you don't have to be there
      Yes, Payoneer. I am also from Singapore and been using payoneer even for CLICKBANK. Support is also responsive.
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  • Profile picture of the author stevenjacobs
    Banned
    yeah i would go for payoneer for sure
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  • Profile picture of the author Snow_Predator
    eh, but doesn't payoneer have extra fees? It's bad enough paying Clickbank or Paypal fees. In the long run, wouldn't it be better to open your own bank account in the U.S.?

    I've got over 20k saved up in Paypal, and I stand to lose some 600usd to Paypal's poor conversion fees to gbp. So I'm planning a trip to the US to open up a US-based Citibank account.
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  • Profile picture of the author rlopez88
    Frankly its not as easy as it looks unless of course you JV with someone in the US and use his bank account. On a sidenote did you search on Fiverr? They sell just about anything there...you could spend some time looking there too and see if comeone can help.
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  • Profile picture of the author bosanci28
    To open a US Bank account there is quite some info that you need to verify, like proof of address, id, ss, and others.
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  • Profile picture of the author NRabosa
    Funny to have stumbled into these thread, I just received a check for $50USD doing surveys and I'm having difficulty to encash (or deposit it), bank says I should have a US account. But to open one I need at least 200-500USD (depending on bank's policy) as initial. Now I'm wondering how to, looks like this thing's not worth it.

    I've read the answers to the OP's question and I guess the effort is not worth much enough than what I gained.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mathiesen
    Simply you may take help from third party or you may open a Nettler card. Third parties are serving well now a days.
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  • Profile picture of the author blackmagic
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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