Amazon INFORM Act: U.S. Agent Requirements for Foreign Sellers

Amazon INFORM Act: U.S. Agent Requirements for Foreign Sellers

Published by US Compliance Agent LLC

If you sell products on Amazon from outside the United States, you have likely encountered requirements related to the INFORM Consumers Act. This federal law, which went into effect on June 27, 2023, requires online marketplaces like Amazon to collect and verify certain information about high-volume third-party sellers — and for foreign sellers, that includes having a verifiable U.S. contact point.

This article explains what the INFORM Act means for foreign Amazon sellers, what the verification requirements are, and how a U.S. contact address can help you stay compliant and avoid disruptions to your selling privileges.

What Is the INFORM Consumers Act?

The INFORM Consumers Act — formally the Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces for Consumers Act — is a federal law that requires online marketplaces to collect, verify, and disclose certain identifying information about their high-volume third-party sellers.

The law was designed to combat the sale of stolen, counterfeit, and dangerous goods on online marketplaces by increasing transparency about who is actually selling products to American consumers.

The INFORM Act applies to all major online marketplaces operating in the United States, including Amazon, eBay, Walmart Marketplace, Etsy, and others. However, Amazon is by far the largest marketplace for foreign sellers, and Amazon's implementation of the INFORM requirements is the most relevant for most international e-commerce businesses.

Who Is Affected?

The INFORM Act specifically targets "high-volume third-party sellers," defined as sellers who complete 200 or more transactions totaling $5,000 or more in gross revenue during a continuous 12-month period.

For any seller based outside the United States who meets this threshold — which includes a very large portion of active foreign Amazon sellers — the law creates specific identification and verification requirements.

In practice, Amazon applies INFORM-related verification to all sellers, not just those who have already crossed the threshold. The marketplace proactively collects the required information from all third-party sellers to ensure compliance as sellers grow.

What Does INFORM Require from Foreign Sellers?

Under the INFORM Act, online marketplaces must collect and verify the following information from high-volume sellers:

Identity verification. The seller's full legal name, physical address, and government-issued identification.

Contact information. A working phone number and email address where the seller can be reached.

Tax identification. A tax identification number or, for foreign sellers, a tax identification number issued by the seller's country of residence.

Bank account information. The name of the bank where the seller's payment account is held.

For foreign sellers, there is an additional practical reality: Amazon — and other marketplaces — need a way to verify that the seller has a legitimate presence or contactability within the United States. While the INFORM Act does not use the exact term "U.S. Agent," the verification framework effectively requires foreign sellers to have verifiable U.S. contact information.

The Role of a U.S. Contact Address

For foreign Amazon sellers, having a U.S.-based contact address serves several important functions:

INFORM Act compliance. A verifiable U.S. address helps satisfy the marketplace's verification requirements and demonstrates that you have a legitimate, reachable presence in the U.S. market.

Consumer disclosure. Under the INFORM Act, marketplaces must make certain seller information available to consumers, including a contact address. A U.S. address in the seller disclosure is more reassuring to American consumers than a foreign address and can positively impact buyer confidence.

Amazon account health. Amazon uses seller verification as part of its overall account health assessment. Sellers who cannot be verified or who have inconsistent contact information are at higher risk of account suspension or restriction.

Customer and marketplace correspondence. A U.S. address provides a reliable point of contact for Amazon's internal communications, customer complaints, legal notices, and any marketplace-related correspondence.

Regulatory compliance for products. Many foreign sellers on Amazon sell products that are subject to additional U.S. regulatory requirements — cosmetics (MoCRA), electronics (FCC), consumer products (CPSC/FTC). Having a U.S. contact address can serve double duty: INFORM Act compliance and regulatory agent designation.

How Is This Different from a Regulatory U.S. Agent?

It is important to understand the distinction between an INFORM Act U.S. contact address and a formal regulatory U.S. Agent designation.

A regulatory U.S. Agent — such as an FDA U.S. Agent under MoCRA or 21 CFR 807, or an FCC U.S. Agent under 47 CFR 2.911 — is a formal, legally defined role. The agent is designated in a government registration system and has specific, codified responsibilities related to receiving and forwarding agency communications.

An INFORM Act U.S. contact is more about marketplace compliance than government agency compliance. You are satisfying Amazon's verification requirements, not filing a designation with a federal agency.

That said, there is significant overlap for foreign sellers who also manufacture the products they sell. If you are a Chinese manufacturer selling cosmetics on Amazon, you need both a MoCRA U.S. Agent for your facility registration with FDA and a verifiable U.S. contact for your Amazon INFORM compliance. A single U.S. Agent service can address both needs.

Common Challenges for Foreign Sellers

Account verification delays. Amazon's INFORM verification process can take time, and sellers who cannot provide consistent, verifiable information may experience delays in account activation or reactivation.

Address verification failures. Amazon's systems may flag certain types of addresses — virtual mailboxes, P.O. Boxes, or addresses that do not match other records — during the verification process. Using a verifiable physical U.S. address from a legitimate service provider reduces this risk.

Annual recertification. The INFORM Act requires marketplaces to reverify seller information at least once per year. This means your U.S. contact information must remain current and verifiable on an ongoing basis — not just at initial setup.

Language barriers. When Amazon or consumers send correspondence to the address on file, it arrives in English. Having a U.S.-based contact that can receive, understand, and forward these communications is more reliable than relying on an address where no one reads the mail.

Multiple marketplace compliance. If you sell on Amazon, Walmart Marketplace, eBay, and other platforms, each marketplace has its own implementation of INFORM requirements. A consistent U.S. contact address across all platforms simplifies your compliance administration.

The Cross-Sell Opportunity: When Amazon Sellers Also Need Regulatory Agents

This is where many foreign sellers discover they have compliance obligations beyond the INFORM Act.

If you manufacture and sell cosmetics on Amazon, you likely need a MoCRA U.S. Agent for your manufacturing facility's FDA registration — in addition to your INFORM compliance.

If you manufacture and sell electronics or wireless devices on Amazon, you may need an FCC U.S. Agent as part of your equipment authorization process.

If you manufacture and sell consumer products, CPSC and FTC regulations may require a U.S. contact for compliance correspondence related to product safety.

Many foreign manufacturers who start by addressing their Amazon INFORM requirements discover that a broader U.S. Agent service — one that covers multiple regulatory verticals — is the more complete and cost-effective solution.

How to Get a U.S. Contact for INFORM Compliance

Step 1: Choose a U.S.-based service. Select a provider that offers a verified U.S. physical address and correspondence forwarding. Make sure the address is a real street address, not a P.O. Box.

Step 2: Provide the address in your Amazon seller account. Update your seller profile with the U.S. contact address, phone number, and other information required by Amazon's verification process.

Step 3: Maintain the service. Keep your subscription active and your information current. INFORM requires annual recertification, so your U.S. contact must remain valid year over year.

Step 4: Assess broader compliance needs. If you manufacture the products you sell — rather than reselling products made by others — evaluate whether you have additional U.S. Agent obligations under FDA, FCC, or other regulatory frameworks. Addressing everything through a single provider is simpler and usually less expensive.

Pricing

U.S. contact services for Amazon INFORM compliance typically range from $99 to $300 per year, depending on the provider and the level of service included.

At US Compliance Agent, our e-commerce and consumer product U.S. contact service starts at $149 per year. This includes a verified U.S. mailing address, correspondence forwarding, and 12-month coverage.

If you also need a MoCRA U.S. Agent ($249/year), FDA U.S. Agent ($349/year), or FCC U.S. Agent ($349/year), we offer multi-service packages. Contact us for multi-vertical pricing.

Getting Started

If you are a foreign Amazon seller and need a verifiable U.S. contact for INFORM Act compliance, we can get you set up the same day.

Visit our e-commerce U.S. Agent service page to learn more, or check our pricing page for all service options.

US Compliance Agent LLC is a private company. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Amazon, the FTC, CPSC, or any U.S. government agency or online marketplace. We do not provide legal advice, regulatory consulting, product testing, or certification services.