This guide is for anyone who wants to start a U.S.-based online business but doesn’t have a Social Security Number (SSN). You might be:
Who This Guide Is For 👤📘➡️
1. Choosing Your
E-commerce Model 🛒
Before you set up your U.S. business, it's important to know what type of e-commerce model you want to run. Each has different tools, costs, and goals. Here are some of the most popular options for beginners:
Amazon
🏷️ 1. Amazon Selling (FBA or FBM)
Amazon offers two ways to sell:
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FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon): You send your products to Amazon's warehouses. They handle packing, shipping, and customer service.
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FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant): You (or a 3rd-party warehouse) store and ship products directly to customers.
FBA Pros: Fast Prime shipping, Amazon handles logistics
FBA Cons: Higher fees, strict compliance rules
FBM Pros: Lower costs, more control
FBM Cons: You manage shipping and customer service
🔑 Tip: Regardless of FBA or FBM, you’ll need an EIN to pass Amazon’s tax interview and a U.S. bank account (or Payoneer/Wise) to get paid.
🛍️ 2. Shopify Dropshipping
Create your own store and sell products without keeping inventory. Orders are automatically shipped by suppliers.
Pros: Low startup cost, highly customizable
Cons: Slower shipping times, need to handle customer support
🔑 Tip: Most payment processors (Stripe, PayPal) require an EIN or ITIN to verify your business.
Shopify
👕 Print-on-Demand (POD)
Sell custom designs on items like shirts, mugs, or posters. A print provider automatically prints and ships each order.
Pros: No inventory, passive income, great for creatives
Cons: Lower profit margins, limited control over shipping
🔑 Tip: Easily integrates with Shopify or Etsy. EIN needed to receive payments.
Digital Products or Freelance Services 💻🎨💼
Sell ebooks, templates, online courses, or offer freelance skills like design, writing, or consulting.
Pros: No shipping, high profit margins
Cons: Requires trust, audience building, or marketing skills
🔑 Tip: Platforms like Stripe, Payoneer, and Gumroad require proper tax setup (EIN/ITIN).
Affiliate Marketing or Content Sites
🔗 5. Affiliate Marketing or Content SitesPromote other companies' products and earn commissions when people buy through your links.Pros: No inventory, can become passive incomeCons: Slower to grow, content-heavy strategy🔑 Tip: Many affiliate networks ask for business verification, which you can do with an LLC and EIN.
✅ Which One Should You Choose?
There’s no single “best” e-commerce model — it all depends on your skills, budget, and goals. But one thing is universal:
Setting up your U.S. business properly with an EIN or ITIN unlocks the essential tools you need to grow — like Stripe, Payoneer, Amazon, and U.S. bank accounts.
Not having a Social Security Number shouldn’t hold you back from building the business you want.