Overview

In episode #131 of the Helium 10 podcast, hosts Hannah Santín and Adriana Rangel break down Amazon’s two primary selling plans, the tax responsibilities that accompany each, and the suite of support programs available to sellers. The discussion equips both newcomers and seasoned merchants with the criteria needed to select the right plan, avoid costly tax missteps, and tap into Amazon‑run initiatives that can accelerate growth.

Key Points

• Individual plan — No monthly fee is required; instead, Amazon charges a per‑item referral fee (typically $0.99 per sale). A hobbyist who expects to move fewer than twenty units a month often chooses this route to keep fixed costs at zero.
• Professional plan – A flat subscription of $39.99 per month unlocks bulk‑listing tools, the ability to run Lightning Deals, and access to detailed sales dashboards. A seller projecting 200‑plus units monthly can recoup the subscription within weeks through higher‑volume sales.
• Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) – By shipping inventory to Amazon’s fulfillment centers, sellers delegate storage, picking, packing, and customer service. For example, a brand that ships 500 units to a U.S. warehouse can reduce its average delivery window from 5‑7 days (self‑ship) to 2‑3 days (Prime‑eligible).
• Brand Registry & A+ Content – Registering a trademark grants entry to the Brand Registry, which protects listings from hijackers and unlocks Enhanced Brand Content. A cosmetics company that enrolled its logo saw a 12 % uplift in conversion after adding A+ modules.
• Tax compliance – Sellers must register for the appropriate consumption tax (IVA in Mexico, GST in Canada, or state sales tax in the U.S.) based on where they store inventory and ship from. Failure to file quarterly returns can trigger penalties up to 20 % of the owed tax.
• Amazon support programs – Initiatives such as the Early Reviewer Program, Amazon Small Business Academy, and the Amazon Launchpad provide free or low‑cost promotional credits, educational webinars, and dedicated account managers. A kitchen‑gadgets startup that enrolled in Early Reviewer collected ten verified reviews within two weeks, boosting its product rating from 3.8 to 4.4 stars.