Creating an Amazon Business account in Canada is a strategic move for businesses looking to streamline their procurement process, access exclusive pricing, and manage purchases more effectively. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set up your Amazon Business account:
Key Takeaway: How to Create an Amazon Business Account in Canada
- Visit the Amazon Business site: Go to Amazon.ca/business and click “Create a free account.”
- Enter business details: Provide your legal business name, address, phone number, and business type (corporation, sole proprietorship, etc.).
- Use a business email: Sign up with a professional or work email address (not your personal Amazon account).
- Verify your business: Amazon may ask for documents like your business license, GST/HST number, or utility bills to confirm your identity.
- Add users and roles: Invite team members and assign roles (buyers, admins, etc.) to manage purchasing.
- Start shopping: Access business-only pricing, bulk discounts, tax-exempt purchasing (if eligible), and spend analytics.
- Upgrade anytime: Link your Amazon Business account with Amazon Prime Business for additional shipping benefits.
How to Create an Amazon Business Account in Canada
Step 1: Visit Amazon Business Canada
Go to the Amazon Business Canada website here. This platform is specifically designed to meet the needs of businesses in Canada, offering various tools and features to help manage business purchases.
Step 2: Start the Registration Process
Click on the “Create a Free Account” button. You will be redirected to a registration page where you need to enter your business email address. It’s recommended to use your company email address for this purpose.
Step 3: Provide Business Information
Fill in the required information about your business. This typically includes:
- Business Name: The official name of your business.
- Address: The physical location of your business.
- Industry: The sector your business operates in.
- Business Type: Whether you are a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, etc.
Step 4: Verify Your Email
Amazon will send a verification email to the address you provided. Check your inbox and follow the instructions in the email to verify your email address. This step is crucial to ensure that your account is associated with a legitimate business email.
Step 5: Add Payment Information
Enter your business payment details. Amazon Business allows you to use credit cards, procurement cards, or other payment methods suitable for businesses. You can also set up multiple payment methods if needed.
Step 6: Set Up Account Users and Permissions
One of the key features of an Amazon Business account is the ability to add multiple users. You can invite colleagues to join the account and assign roles and permissions based on their responsibilities. This helps in managing who can make purchases, approve orders, or access certain features.
Step 7: Customize Your Account
Customize your account settings to align with your procurement policies. This includes setting up:
- Approval workflows: Determine who needs to approve purchases.
- Tax exemptions: If applicable, provide tax exemption information to make tax-exempt purchases.
- Purchase policies: Create policies that guide what can be purchased and by whom.
Step 8: Explore Business-Only Pricing and Discounts
Once your account is set up, explore the exclusive business-only pricing and quantity discounts available to Amazon Business customers. These can lead to significant savings for your business.
Step 9: Utilize Analytical Tools
Amazon Business offers various analytical tools to help you track spending, manage budgets, and gain insights into purchasing patterns. These tools are valuable for optimizing your procurement process and making informed decisions.
FAQs
1. What is an Amazon Business account, and how is it different from a personal account?
An Amazon Business account is designed specifically for businesses and organizations, offering features that go beyond what a personal Amazon account provides.
With this account, businesses in Canada can access business-only pricing, bulk discounts, multi-user accounts, purchase approval workflows, and detailed spending analytics.
Unlike personal accounts, Amazon Business lets you manage multiple buyers under one account and offers invoice billing options, which is ideal for streamlining corporate procurement.
For those exploring online business models, check out this guide on how to sell on Amazon and make money.
2. Who can open an Amazon Business account in Canada?
Any registered business, nonprofit organization, educational institution, or sole proprietor in Canada can open an Amazon Business account. You don’t necessarily need a large company; even small businesses and freelancers can benefit.
However, during the verification process, Amazon may require proof such as a GST/HST number, business license, or utility bill showing your business name and address.
For new entrepreneurs, these 10 things to sell to start a business might help inspire your Amazon journey.
3. How do I sign up for an Amazon Business account in Canada?
To sign up, go to Amazon.ca/business and click on “Create a free account.” You’ll be prompted to enter your business details including name, address, phone number, and business email.
Ensure you use an email that isn’t already linked to a personal Amazon account. After submission, Amazon will review and verify your information, which may take a couple of business days.
You can follow along with this step-by-step tutorial on YouTube for visual guidance.
4. What documents are required to verify my Amazon Business account?
Amazon may request several documents to confirm the legitimacy of your business. These could include a business license, recent utility bills with your business name and address, a GST/HST registration number, or other official government-issued documentation.
It’s important to submit clear and accurate documents to avoid delays in the approval process.
Learn more by watching this helpful YouTube video guide on verification requirements.
5. Can I use a personal email to register an Amazon Business account?
While technically possible, it’s strongly recommended to use a business email (e.g., yourname@companyname.com). This not only makes the verification process smoother but also keeps your professional and personal transactions separate.
A business email adds credibility and makes it easier to manage communications with Amazon and team members.
If you’re still building your business foundation, this guide on small business ideas could help you define your niche.
6. Can I upgrade my existing Amazon account to a business account?
Yes, if you already have an Amazon account and want to convert it to a business account, you can do so during the sign-up process at Amazon Business.
Just enter your existing login credentials when prompted, and Amazon will guide you through the upgrade process. However, it’s important to note that if your account is used for personal purchases, separating business and personal use is still advised.
For a walkthrough, check out this Amazon Business upgrade tutorial.
7. Is Amazon Business free in Canada?
Yes, creating and maintaining an Amazon Business account is free. There are no subscription fees. However, if you choose to link your account to Amazon Prime Business, which provides additional perks like free shipping and exclusive business deals, there may be an added cost. Keep in mind, business purchases may be eligible for tax exemptions, depending on your status.
8. Can I add team members to my Amazon Business account?
Absolutely. One of the core features of Amazon Business is the ability to add multiple users under a single account. You can assign different roles, such as administrators, requisitioners, and finance officers.
This allows your team to place orders, track expenses, and streamline procurement—without sharing one login.
To see how user roles work in practice, this detailed video on managing your Amazon Business account is helpful.
9. What payment methods are supported by Amazon Business in Canada?
Amazon Business in Canada accepts major credit cards, corporate cards, and Pay by Invoice (for qualified accounts). You can also set up purchasing cards (P-Cards) and manage multiple payment methods across departments.
If you use Payoneer for international transactions, it’s worth understanding the difference between personal and business accounts — this guide on Payoneer accounts breaks it down clearly.
Read also: How to Create an Amazon Business Account in Pakistan
10. Why should Canadian businesses use Amazon Business instead of regular Amazon?
Using Amazon Business gives Canadian businesses access to tools that enhance efficiency, budgeting, and scalability. These include custom purchasing policies, analytics dashboards, tax exemption options, and business-only pricing on millions of products.
It’s built to support the way organizations buy, unlike the consumer-oriented Amazon platform. Whether you’re a startup or a growing SME, Amazon Business offers flexibility and savings.
If you’re just starting your business journey, explore these 20 best small business ideas with pros and cons to find your fit.
Conclusion
Creating an Amazon Business account in Canada is a straightforward process that can bring numerous benefits to your business. From access to exclusive pricing and discounts to advanced procurement tools, an Amazon Business account can help streamline your purchasing process and improve efficiency. Follow the steps outlined above to set up your account and start taking advantage of the features and benefits offered by Amazon Business.
