Selling on Amazon and Etsy from Sri Lanka
Marketplaces decide who can sell and how they’re paid based on where the business and bank account are. Registering as a US LLC with a US bank account opens the US seller options on Amazon and Etsy. Each marketplace still verifies you, so check its seller requirements before you form a company for it.
Written by Kaveesha Mallawaarachchi, founder of Entryly. Facts checked .
How marketplaces decide
Amazon and Etsy each keep lists of countries where sellers can register and where they can be paid. Where your business is registered and where your bank account is decide which options you get. A Sri Lankan seller often gets fewer payout options, or none.
A US LLC with an EIN and a Mercury account lets you register as a US business. That usually means:
- US payout options, with sales paid into Mercury in US dollars;
- a US seller account, which US buyers and the marketplace treat like any other US seller;
- US tax forms filled in with your LLC’s EIN.
Etsy
Etsy Payments is how Etsy sellers take card payments and get paid. It’s only available in a list of eligible countries, and Sri Lanka isn’t on it (India is). Sellers registered with a US business and a US bank account can use it. If you make handmade, vintage or digital products in Sri Lanka, a US LLC can be the way to accept Etsy payments and get paid in dollars.
Amazon
Amazon lets sellers from many countries register, and pays out to bank accounts in supported countries. Payoneer is a common payout route for international sellers. With a US LLC and Mercury, you can register as a US business and be paid to Mercury. Selling on Amazon US also means US sales tax and product compliance rules, so plan for them before you send stock.
Getting the money home
Marketplace payouts land in Mercury. Move them to Wise and on to your Sri Lankan bank account when you need rupees.
| Stop | What happens | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Your client | Pays your invoice by US card | $800.00 |
| Stripe | Card fee, 2.9% + 30¢ | −$23.50 |
| Mercury | Receives the payout, sends it to Wise by ACH for free | $776.50 |
| Wise | Converts to rupees and sends (0.46% + $1.36) | −$4.93 |
| Your Sri Lankan bank | At 1 USD = 332.55 LKR | LKR 256,586 |
Fees checked 2026-11-04. International cards add 1.5% and currency conversion adds 1% at Stripe. Sri Lankan income tax isn’t included.
The example includes a Stripe card fee. Marketplaces charge their own fees instead, so your figures will differ. The Wise step is the same.
Tax
Marketplace profit is income in Sri Lanka. Keep your marketplace reports, Mercury and Wise statements for your accountant.
Want us to set this up for you?
We file your US LLC, get your EIN and help you apply for Mercury and Stripe. From $160, paid in rupees with Dialog Genie or a bank transfer. Your price is locked when you pay.
Sources
- Etsy: Etsy Payments eligible countries
- Amazon Seller Central: registration requirements
- Mercury: eligibility and requirements
Published . This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.