Scalix Tech

Amazon Global Selling & DUNS Number Requirements | Scalix Tech
Marketplace Compliance

Amazon Global Selling's Standard Registration Doesn't Actually Ask for a DUNS Number

If you're an Indian seller researching Amazon Global Selling (the program that lets you list and sell on Amazon's 18+ international marketplaces — US, UK, UAE, and more, directly from India), here's the direct answer up front: standard Amazon Global Selling registration doesn't include a DUNS number as a baseline document.

What Amazon actually asks for is your business registration details, ID proof, an internationally chargeable card, business address proof, and typically PAN, GST, and IEC details for business verification.

So where does the "DUNS number for Amazon Global Selling" connection actually come from? It's narrower and more specific than most generic guides suggest — and this page explains exactly where it applies.

📦
Standard Goods Direct to Market
🇺🇸
FDA Regulated DUNS Required
// The Real Triggers

When You Actually Need a DUNS Number for Amazon Global Selling

The genuine, documented requirement applies specifically to one category of seller, plus a few strategic scenarios.

🍎
The Regulatory Trigger

Importing Food, Beverages, or Dietary Supplements to the US

If you're importing these categories into the US to sell on Amazon, you are required to obtain a DUNS number — this isn't an Amazon policy, it's a US FDA registration requirement. Foreign food facilities exporting to the US, under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), must register with the FDA, and that registration requires a valid DUNS number.

If you sell in this category and plan to list on Amazon's US marketplace, this requirement applies to you regardless of whether you sell through Amazon, your own website, or any other channel — Amazon isn't the source of the rule, US food import regulation is.

Beyond this specific regulated category, a DUNS number can still be genuinely useful if:

💳

Trade Credit & Financing

You want to apply for trade credit or business financing tied to your export/Global Selling operations.

🤝

Larger B2B Relationships

You're building toward larger B2B relationships beyond your Amazon Global Selling storefront.

🏦

Bank Due Diligence

A bank or lender assessing your export business specifically asks for one as part of due diligence.

For the vast majority of Global Selling categories — apparel, home goods, electronics accessories, handicrafts, and most consumer products — Amazon's own registration process doesn't require a DUNS number at all.

// Account Types

Amazon Global Selling vs Amazon India Seller Accounts

If you're coming from our existing guide on DUNS Number for E-commerce, Amazon & Flipkart Sellers, it's worth understanding how these two relate.

🇮🇳

Amazon.in (Domestic Seller Account)

What it covers

Selling to customers within India.

Do you need an Amazon.in account first?

N/A

Standard registration documents

PAN, GST, business registration.

DUNS number required?

Generally not for standard accounts; relevant for Amazon Business B2B program or regulated US-bound imports.

🌎

Amazon Global Selling (International)

What it covers

Selling on 18+ international Amazon marketplaces (US, UK, UAE, etc.).

Do you need an Amazon.in account first?

No — you can register for Global Selling directly, without an existing Amazon.in seller account.

Standard registration documents

Business registration, PAN, GST, IEC, ID proof, international card, business address proof.

DUNS number required?

Not for standard registration; required specifically for food/beverage/supplement imports to the US under FDA rules.

The underlying DUNS-related trigger is the same in both cases: it's not about which Amazon program you're using, but about what product category you're selling and which country's regulations apply to that category.

// The Real Checklist

Documents Amazon Global Selling Actually Requires

To set the full picture straight, here's what Amazon's own registration process asks for.

Contact Info

Email address and mobile number.

ID Proof

Aadhaar card, passport, or driving license, with your name matching exactly what's on the ID.

Business Address Proof

Bank or credit card statement, or equivalent.

Payment Method

An internationally chargeable credit or debit card with a valid billing address, since your monthly subscription fee is charged to this card.

Tax Identity

PAN and GST details, generally required for business verification.

IEC

Import Export Code — for many sellers, particularly relevant since you're exporting from India.

Category/Country Specific Docs

Which vary — for example, a VAT document is typically needed to sell into European marketplaces, and a DUNS number specifically for FDA-regulated food, beverage, or supplement imports into the US.

// Compliance Pipeline

How to Get a DUNS Number If Your Category Requires It

1

Confirm the requirement

Confirm your product category actually triggers the requirement — primarily food, beverages, or dietary supplements destined for the US market.

2

Check existing records

Check if your business already has a DUNS number — see our guide on checking for an existing DUNS number before applying fresh.

3

Gather documents

Gather your business registration documents — GST certificate, PAN, IEC certificate, and Certificate of Incorporation if applicable.

4

Apply on D&B Website

Apply on the official Dun & Bradstreet India website, selecting the entity type that matches your business structure.

5

Ensure exact matching

Make sure your business name and address match across your DUNS application, your IEC certificate, and your Amazon Global Selling account details.

6

Use for FDA Registration

Use this DUNS number as part of your FDA food facility registration, if that's the specific requirement driving your application.

// Risk Factors

Common Mistakes Sellers Make With This

1

Assuming every Global Selling category requires a DUNS number.

It doesn't — this is specific to FDA-regulated food, beverage, and supplement imports to the US, not a general Amazon Global Selling rule.

2

Confusing this with Amazon's domestic India business requirements.

The triggers are different — see our E-commerce/Amazon/Flipkart guide for the domestic picture.

3

Not checking country-specific requirements beyond the US.

Other marketplaces have their own document needs — for example, VAT registration for European marketplaces — that have nothing to do with DUNS.

4

Applying for a DUNS number without actually needing one.

Wasting time that could go toward completing the rest of your Global Selling registration, which has its own document checklist entirely separate from DUNS.

// Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a DUNS number to register for Amazon Global Selling?
Not as a general rule. Standard registration relies on business documents, ID proof, PAN, GST, and IEC. A DUNS number is specifically required if you're importing food, beverages, or dietary supplements into the US, due to FDA regulations, not Amazon's own policy.
Is the DUNS number free for Amazon Global Selling sellers?
Yes. The standard D-U-N-S number application is completely free and issued directly by Dun & Bradstreet. Our fees, when you use our service, cover only documentation guidance and application support, never the number itself.
Do I need an Amazon India seller account before I can register for Global Selling?
No — you can register for Amazon Global Selling directly without having an existing Amazon.in seller account.
What's different about Amazon Global Selling for food and supplement sellers specifically?
Beyond Amazon's own registration, you'll need to separately register your facility with the US FDA under the Food Safety Modernization Act, which requires a valid DUNS number as part of that registration — this is a US regulatory requirement, not an Amazon-specific one.
Does selling on Amazon's European marketplaces require a DUNS number?
Not based on what Amazon's own documentation describes — European marketplace registration is more commonly tied to VAT documentation rather than DUNS, though requirements can vary and are worth confirming for your specific marketplace and category.
Can I use the same DUNS number for both Amazon.in and Amazon Global Selling?
Yes — your DUNS number is tied to your business, not to a specific Amazon program. If you already have one for any other purpose, the same number applies across any Amazon marketplace or program that asks for it.
// Ready to Apply?

Ready to Find Out If You Need One?

Whether you're selling regulated food products to the US or just exploring Amazon Global Selling more broadly, we'll help you figure out exactly what's required for your specific category.

// Document Review

DUNS Registration Form

Need help figuring out your specific situation? Fill out our quick form and we'll guide you through it.

DUNS Reg Form
// Take Action

Don't Apply if You Don't Have To.

Not sure if your product category needs a DUNS number for Global Selling? Tell us what you're selling and we'll help you figure it out.

For the full registration process, see our complete guide to DUNS number registration in India.

Scroll to Top
Powered by Joinchat