An Amazon individual seller account can be the best way to start if you want to sell on Amazon but don’t want to pay for a complete subscription right away. This option is flexible and lets small or new merchants list and sell things without having to pay a monthly charge.
This post will explain everything you need to know about starting as an Amazon seller, how it differs from the professional plan, how to set it up, and when to upgrade. It will also show you how PlugBooks.io can make managing your seller finances easier.
Key takeaways:
- The individual plan is best for sellers who make less than 40 sales a month.
- You don’t have to pay a monthly fee; instead, you pay $0.99 for each item sold.
- A good way for beginners to try out Amazon’s platform.
- It has some problems, like not being able to use bulk tools or complex reports.
- When your business grows, it’s easy to switch to the professional plan.
Amazon Individual Seller Account vs Professional Seller Account
Amazon offers two selling plans — Individual and Professional. Both help sellers reach millions of customers, but they cater to different needs.
| Feature | Individual Seller | Professional Seller |
| Cost | $0.99 per item sold | $39.99 per month (no per-item fee) |
| Ideal For | Sellers with <40 monthly sales | High-volume or brand sellers |
| Tools | Basic listing tools | Bulk uploads, analytics, advertising |
| Reports | Limited | Advanced sales & performance reports |
| Access | Restricted categories unavailable | All categories open |
| Team Access | Single user | Multiple user permissions |
The Amazon individual seller account is a good choice if you’re just starting out because it keeps prices low and gives you a lot of freedom. The Pro Plan, on the other hand, gives you long-term scalability and additional features if you want to grow quickly or deal with a lot of inventory.
When Should You Sign Up as an Amazon Individual Seller?
You should consider signing up as an individual seller if:
- You’re new to eCommerce and want to test Amazon’s platform.
- You want to sell fewer than 40 things each month.
- You don’t need complicated analytics or advertising tools right now.
- You want to start selling with no risk and no monthly fee.
This configuration is great for people who sell things as a hobby, part-time, or to test out their product ideas before getting a professional account.
Step by Step: How to Set Up an Individual Seller Account on Amazon
It’s easy to get started. Follow these steps to set up your account in just a few minutes:
- Go to Amazon.com/sell and select “Sign up.”
- Go down to the “Individual” plan choice.
- Please give the following information:
- The number of your bank account and routing number
- Information about credit cards for payment
- ID from the government to prove who you are
- Tax ID (SSN or corporate tax ID)
- Number to verify
- To finish setting up, follow the on-screen directions.
Once you get the green light, start putting your things up for sale one by one.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep your papers close by so you don’t have to wait for verification.
Key Features of the Amazon Individual Seller Account
This is what makes this plan different:
- Affordable: You only have to pay $0.99 for each sale, and there is no monthly fee.
- Good for businesses with low sales volume: great for fewer than 40 transactions a month.
- Basic Tools: Keep track of orders and list items one at a time.
- Restrictions:
- No bulk uploads or detailed sales reports.
- Cannot sell in restricted categories.
- No access to Amazon Ads or multiple user permissions.
- No bulk uploads or detailed sales reports.
- Flexibility: You can upgrade to Pro at any time when sales go up.
Good and Bad Things
Pros:
✅ No upfront monthly costs.
✅ Great for beginners or side sellers.
✅ Simple setup and minimal management.
Cons:
❌ Limited analytics and advertising access.
❌ Not suitable for high sales volume.
❌ Manual listing can be time-consuming.
How to Understand Amazon Individual Seller Account Fees
Amazon charges $0.99 for each item sold, plus a referral fee that depends on the type of goods (typically between 6% and 45%).
For example:
If you sell something for $50, Amazon might charge you $0.99 for each item.
- $7.50 (15% fee for referring)
- Total: $8.49 taken off of your sale.
Other potential costs include:
- FBA fees (if using Fulfilled by Amazon)
- Refund administration fees
- Shipping charges (for self-fulfilled orders)
PlugBooks.io Tip: Use PlugBooks.io to keep track of Amazon fees automatically and sync them with QuickBooks or Xero so you’re always ready to make money.
The best ways for individual sellers to fulfill orders
There are two basic ways that Amazon fulfills orders:
1. Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM):
- You keep the merchandise and ship them yourself.
- Best for goods that are manufactured to order or by hand.
- More control, but it takes more work.
2. Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA):
- Amazon handles storage, packing, and shipping.
- Shipping is faster (if you’re a Prime member).
- There are extra expenses for storage and fulfillment.
FBM is easier for individual sellers to get started with, whereas FBA is better for growing.
When and How to Switch to a Professional Seller Account
You should upgrade when:
- You sell more than 40 things per month.
- You need tools for your brand, advertising, or sophisticated reports.
- You wish to sell in limited categories.
To upgrade,
- Go to Seller Central and log in.
- Click on Settings, then Account Info, and then Your Services.
- Click “Manage” next to the type of plan you have.
- Pick a professional and confirm.
Your account changes right away, and the $39.99 monthly price starts with your next statement.
Problems that sellers often have
Even simple accounts can be hard sometimes:
- Verification that takes too long: No ID or bank information.
- Payment holds: New accounts might have to wait a little longer.
- Category limits: Some items need permission to be sold.
PlugBooks.io automatically marks any problems with your sales or payments so you can find them and rectify them before they affect your cash flow.
Tips for security and compliance
- Keep your tax information and ID up to date at all times.
- Two-step verification is a good way to keep your account safe.
- Don’t list anything that is against the rules or not allowed.
- Check Amazon’s seller policies often.
- If you are filling orders personally, keep customer information safe.
PlugBooks.io can help you keep track of your Amazon finances.
You don’t have to worry about your Amazon individual seller account funds. PlugBooks.io helps merchants keep track of all their sales and fees in real time, automatically record transactions, and make sure that Amazon payments match up.
You can easily connect with QuickBooks or Xero, get reports sent to you automatically, and see all of your profit margins. PlugBooks.io maintains your records correct and ready for an audit, whether you’re selling a few things or thousands.
👉 Today is the day to start your free trial at PlugBooks.io and make selling on Amazon easier.
Questions and Answers
1. What’s the main difference between individual and professional accounts?
The individual account charges per item sold, while the professional plan has a monthly fee with advanced tools.
2. Can I switch from an individual to a professional account anytime?
Yes, upgrading is instant and reversible at any time.
3. Are there any hidden fees for individual sellers?
No hidden charges, but referral and FBA fees still apply per sale.
4. Can I use Amazon FBA with an individual account?
Yes, but you’ll pay additional fulfillment and storage costs.
5. How does PlugBooks.io help Amazon sellers?
It automates bookkeeping, categorizes Amazon fees, and syncs with QuickBooks or Xero for real-time financial visibility.
6. What is an Amazon seller account individual, and who should use it?
An Amazon seller account individual is best for beginners or low-volume sellers who plan to sell under 40 items a month and want a low-risk entry point without monthly fees.
7. Can I upgrade my Amazon seller account individual to professional later?
Yes, you can easily upgrade to a professional plan anytime through Seller Central when your sales volume grows or you need advanced selling tools.
Quick Summary:
- An Amazon individual seller account costs $0.99 per sale and has no monthly charge.
- Best for less than 40 products a month.
- Setting up is easy and there isn’t much risk for new merchants.
- When you grow, switch to Pro.
- PlugBooks.io makes it easy to keep track of your sales and fees.
In conclusion
Whether you should get an Amazon individual seller account or a professional seller account depends on how far along you are in your eCommerce career. The individual plan is the best choice if you’re just starting out or testing your niche. It’s also the cheapest. When your business grows, upgrading lets you use all of Amazon’s features.
And you’ll never lose track of your sales, fees, or growth indicators with PlugBooks.io. This makes your selling experience smooth, open, and profitable.