Hi everyone! Recently, we've received many messages asking:

• “What do I need to prepare to open an Amazon store and a US PayPal account?”
• “Do I have to register a US company?”
• “Why does PayPal keep limiting my account? How canI fix it?”
• “Why can't I get approved for Shopify Payments? Am I doing something wrong?”

The truth is, these issues are totally solvable. Often they stem from missing documentation. So what exactly is missing? Stick with me as we break it down below~

I.Can’t Register for a PayPal Account?

Everyone knows PayPal's US business accounts offer powerful features:

• Automatic receipt of USD
• Credit card payment support
• Payment link generation
• Subscription billing setup

Sounds amazing, right?

But here’s the problem: if you register PayPal without a U.S. identity, you won’t be able to access these features. Even if you manage to register successfully, as soon as your transaction volume increases, your account is likely to be flagged, frozen, and your funds locked — completely inaccessible.

That's why registering a PayPal Business account with a US company is the most reliable solution.

Several of my peers experienced this firsthand—their account got suspended twice within a month. After switching to a US LLC registration with EIN verification? Zero issues whatsoever.

II.What's Missing for Stripe / Shopify Payments?

Let’s talk about Stripe and Shopify Payments.

When you try registering on Stripe's official site, you’ll immediately face a list of requirements:

• Business identification
• EIN (Employer Identification Number)
• S. address proof
• S. phone number

All of these depend on one thing: a U.S. company. Without the relevant LLC documentation, you simply can’t proceed through the registration forms, let alone complete verification.

Shopify Payments is particularly stringent. If any of your submitted information fails to match — business details, address, banking information — the system will instantly disable the payment function. In some cases, you might not even be able to log in to your dashboard.

III.Why You Need to Register a U.S. Company

If you want to engage in cross-border e-commerce or overseas business, registering a US company is absolutely the first step.

What does it actually do?

• Register a U.S. PayPal business account
• Access Stripe and set up USD payment gateways
• Enable Shopify Payments and boost checkout conversion rates
• Compliantly open Amazon stores or independent e-commerce sites
• Open virtual banking accounts such as Wise, Mercury, Relay, and Payoneer

LLCs are relatively inexpensive, quick to establish, and allow 100% foreign ownership — making them a cost-effective choice for global entrepreneurs.

 IV.What Do You Need to Register a U.S. Company?

• A unique company name in English (be sure to check name availability)
• Company type (LLC is the most common)
• Registration state (Wyoming is recommended)
• Shareholder and director information (passport is sufficient)
• Business description (just a brief overview of your company’s activity)

If you choose a reliable service provider — I personally use IngStart — they’ll assist with everything from address provision to Articles of Organisation, EIN acquisition, and bank account setup. It’s all arranged in one seamless package.

V.DIY or Use a Service Platform?

I’ve previously walked readers through the DIY approach, but here’s the reality — it comes with significant drawbacks:

• Make a single error on a form, and you’ll need to restart
• Contacting the IRS by phone is a major challenge if your English isn’t fluent
• Banks may reject your application if your company address or formation documents don’t meet U.S. standards

When I first tried it myself, it took over a month and my EIN application was rejected. I then switched to a platform and had everything finalised within a week.

Let me walk you through how the IngStart process works:

VI.Step-by-Step Registration Process

Step 1: Create an Account

Go to theIngStart register using your email, and log into the dashboard.

Once logged in, you’ll see that IngStart offers not just company registration, but also bank account opening and EIN/ITIN application — all in one place. If you link your company to the platform, they even provide free renewal reminders. Extremely convenient!

Bonus: They currently have a referral programme — invite others and earn cash rewards after registration.

Step 2: Click “Register Now” and Select the U.S.

The left-hand panel provides a detailed registration guide. Follow the sequence and complete the required fields. If you're looking to register in another country, you can contact their 24/7 customer support team directly via the bottom-right chat.

Step 3: Enter Basic Company Information

• Company name: Choose your own, but ensure it's unique and doesn’t contain restricted words.
• State of registration: I recommend Wyoming — it imposes no state corporate tax and is very business-friendly.
• Address: If you don’t have a U.S. address, IngStart provides one free of charge for the first year.

Step 4: Define Shareholding Structure

Provide the director and shareholder details. Note: you can register with just one individual, but you must not leave these sections blank — failure to do so will complicate EIN applications and tax reporting later.

Ensure all information is genuine and accurate.

SSN vs ITIN

1. SSNis for U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
2. ITINis issued by the IRS to non-residents for tax purposes — e.g., if you (a non-U.S. citizen) earn income in the U.S., you’ll need an ITIN to file taxes.

You’ll then be asked to enter your company’s registered capital. There’s no minimum, so technically $1 is fine — but I recommend entering $50,000 to $150,000. This isn't a paid-in capital figure, but it gives your company more credibility, especially when applying for a bank account.

Specify your business scope. A concise summary is sufficient — no need to provide extensive detail.

If you’re unsure, the IngStart support team is always available to assist. When you reach the “recipient” section, enter your real contact information — this is where important company documents will be delivered.

Step 5: Submit and Select Additional Services

IngStart offers two packages:

• Basic package: Includes name availability check, state filing, registered agent, and business address
• Standard package: Includes all of the above plus EIN application

The “Document Box” is a cloud-based system where you upload identification, shareholder/director information, address verification, etc.

Note: corporate seals have no legal effect in the U.S. — signatures are what matter — so the seal feature is unnecessary. However, the EIN is essential. It’s required for tax filing, opening bank accounts, and receiving payments via PayPal and Stripe. If you apply independently, it can cost $100–$200.

Step 6: Payment

Once everything is completed and confirmed, you can proceed with payment (Alipay is accepted). Typically, the registration is completed within 3 working days. For specific queries, IngStart’s support team is always ready to assist.

VII.Final Thoughts

If you're serious about cross-border trade, not registering a U.S. company will block nearly every path. Yet for just a few thousand RMB, you can unlock access to PayPal, Stripe, Shopify, Amazon, and more.

That’s exceptional value.

That’s it for today’s guide. If you’re interested but unsure what documents or steps are required, feel free to leave a comment — I’ll reply as soon as I can. Thanks for reading! If you found this helpful, I’d appreciate a like or follow.

Here are the key details for your reference. Should you have any further questions, feel free to reach out anytime!

IngStart offers global company registration and international bank account opening services, empowering Chinese sellers to expand overseas. We help the world discover Chinese brands while providing you with top-tier professional support.