Industry Guide
EIN for Walmart Marketplace Sellers Guide
Walmart requires a US tax ID for seller registration. An EIN through a US LLC unlocks marketplace access for non-US sellers. ein.so files Form SS-4 with the IRS. $49 Standard. $97 Express.
Walmart Marketplace sellers operating through a US LLC or corporation need an EIN to register and pass the tax interview. Non-US sellers get one by faxing IRS Form SS-4 with a passport number on Line 7b. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so non-residents use the fax method. ein.so prepares your SS-4, faxes it to the IRS at 855-215-1627, and delivers your EIN by email. Standard costs $49 (4-7 business days). Express costs $97 (2-3 business days).
Walmart Marketplace is the second-largest US online marketplace and a primary expansion target for sellers who already operate on Amazon, eBay, and Shopify. Walmart sets a US tax identification number as a registration requirement, which sends most non-US sellers down the same path: form a US LLC, get an EIN, and register through that entity. This guide explains when a Walmart seller needs an EIN, how a non-resident gets one without an SSN, how the EIN feeds the Walmart tax interview and your payout bank account, and what a foreign-owned LLC files with the IRS each year.
| Factor | Walmart Marketplace Seller | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| US tax ID required | Yes | EIN for LLC/corporation sellers |
| Non-resident path | Form SS-4 by fax | Passport number on Line 7b |
| IRS fax number | 855-215-1627 | EIN by fax |
| EIN cost (IRS) | $0 | ein.so files for $49 |
| Standard turnaround | 4-7 business days | $49 |
| Express turnaround | 2-3 business days | $97 |
Do You Need
Do Walmart Marketplace Sellers Need an EIN?
Walmart Marketplace sellers who operate through a US LLC or corporation need an EIN to complete seller registration and the tax interview. Walmart requires a US tax identification number for the selling entity. An EIN identifies that entity to the IRS.
The answer depends on your business structure. The table below maps the common Walmart seller situations to the EIN requirement.
| Situation | EIN Needed? |
|---|---|
| Walmart seller operating as a US LLC | Yes (required) |
| Walmart seller operating as a corporation | Yes (required) |
| Non-US Walmart seller with a US LLC | Yes (required) |
| Walmart seller with employees | Yes (required) |
| US sole proprietor selling on Walmart | Recommended |
| Hobby/one-off sales only | No |
Why Walmart Marketplace Sellers Get an EIN
- Seller registration — Walmart ties your account to a US tax ID
- Tax interview (W-9) — The EIN matches your LLC name to the IRS
- Business banking — Open a US business bank account for payouts
- SSN privacy — Keep your personal SSN off marketplace and W-9 records
- Professional identity — A US entity and EIN signal a credible seller
- Hiring — Required before you run employee payroll
A non-US seller almost always needs an EIN because the US LLC, not the individual, registers as the Walmart seller. See who needs an EIN for full eligibility details.
Use Cases
Why Do Non-US Walmart Sellers Need a US EIN?
Non-US Walmart sellers need a US EIN because the US LLC that registers as the seller cannot pass the tax interview, open a bank account, or accept Walmart payouts without one. The EIN links your foreign-owned company to the US financial system.
Walmart Marketplace draws international sellers expanding beyond their home platforms and beyond Amazon. Here are the most common reasons non-US sellers come to ein.so for a Walmart EIN.
Amazon Sellers Expanding to Walmart
Private-Label and Wholesale Brands
Dropshippers and Reseller Accounts
Shopify and Multi-Channel Sellers
Step-by-Step
How Do Non-US Walmart Sellers Apply for a US EIN?
Non-US Walmart sellers submit IRS Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627, using a passport number in place of an SSN. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so the fax method is the path for non-residents. The IRS issues most correctly filed EINs within 4-7 business days.
Form Your US LLC
Gather Your Documents
Complete Form SS-4
Submit by Fax and Receive Your EIN
Walmart Seller SS-4 Field Guide
| SS-4 Field | Walmart Seller Entry |
|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Your US LLC name (must match the Walmart tax interview) |
| Line 4 (Address) | Your home-country mailing address |
| Line 7a (Responsible party) | Your full name as it appears on your passport |
| Line 7b (SSN/ITIN/EIN) | Your passport number |
| Line 10 (Reason) | Started new business |
| Line 16 (Principal activity) | "Retail" or "e-commerce" |
The Line 1 LLC name must match the entity name you enter in the Walmart tax interview exactly. A mismatch between the EIN name and the W-9 name causes TIN verification failures. ein.so checks this alignment before filing. See the full SS-4 form guide and the complete EIN application process.
Comparison
How Do Walmart Sellers Get an EIN?
Walmart sellers get an EIN by IRS online tool, by fax, or through ein.so. Non-US sellers cannot use the online tool because it requires an SSN. The fax method works for everyone and costs $0 at the IRS, or $49 through ein.so with error checking.
| Method | Who Can Use It | Speed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRS online tool | SSN/ITIN holders only | Instant | $0 |
| Fax (DIY) | Anyone, incl. non-residents | 4-7 business days | $0 |
| ein.so Standard | Non-residents, no SSN | 4-7 business days | $49 |
| ein.so Express | Non-residents, no SSN | 2-3 business days | $97 |
The choice is structural, not just about speed. A non-US seller without an SSN is blocked from the IRS online tool entirely. The DIY fax route is free but silently rejects malformed addresses and name mismatches, which sends you back to the start after a wait. ein.so checks the SS-4 against your LLC formation documents, formats the address to an IRS-accepted style, and faxes it once correctly.
See EIN cost for a full price breakdown and EIN processing time for timelines. Compare paths in EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents.
Banking & Payouts
How Do Walmart Sellers Use Their EIN for Banking and Payouts?
Walmart sellers use their EIN to open a US business bank account that receives marketplace payouts in dollars. Walmart pays sellers to a linked US bank account. Mercury, Relay, and Wise approve most non-resident LLC owners remotely within a few business days.
US Business Bank Account
The Walmart Tax Interview
Currency and Repatriation
Together, a US LLC, an EIN, and a US bank account let you register on Walmart, accept payouts in dollars, and move profits home on your own schedule.
Tax Considerations
What US Taxes Apply to a Foreign-Owned Walmart LLC?
A single-member US LLC owned by a non-resident is usually a disregarded entity for US federal income tax, which means the LLC files information returns rather than paying entity-level income tax on non-US-sourced income. Foreign-owned LLCs still carry strict annual filing duties with the IRS.
Form 5472 + Pro-Forma 1120
US Sales Tax Nexus
BOI Report to FinCEN
When You May Need an ITIN
ein.so handles the EIN application and does not provide tax advice. Work with a US CPA familiar with non-resident e-commerce sellers to confirm your Form 5472, sales tax, and BOI obligations. Your EIN is the starting point for US tax compliance, not the end of it. See EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents.
Watch Out
What Mistakes Do Walmart Sellers Make With the EIN?
The most common Walmart seller EIN mistake is a name mismatch between the SS-4 Line 1, the LLC documents, and the Walmart tax interview, which fails TIN verification. The second most common is using the IRS online tool without an SSN, which non-residents cannot complete.
Errors that delay your Walmart account
- Entity name on the W-9 does not match the EIN name on Line 1 of the SS-4.
- Attempting the IRS online tool without an SSN, which the tool requires.
- Malformed international address on Line 4, which the IRS silently rejects.
- Applying for a second EIN when the existing LLC already has one.
- Registering on Walmart before the EIN assignment letter (CP 575) arrives.
How to avoid rejection
- Use the exact LLC legal name across the SS-4, bank account, and Walmart.
- File by fax to 855-215-1627 if you have no SSN, not the online tool.
- Format your address to an IRS-accepted style before submitting.
- Keep one EIN per LLC; reuse it across Amazon, Walmart, and Shopify.
- Let ein.so verify name alignment and address formatting before filing.
A wait for an EIN reissue can push your Walmart launch back by weeks. ein.so files the SS-4 correctly the first time so your seller registration is not held up. See EIN processing time for current turnaround.
Next Steps
After Getting Your EIN for Walmart
- Open a US bank account — Mercury, Relay, and Wise accept non-resident LLC owners for Walmart payouts
- Complete the Walmart tax interview — enter your LLC name and EIN, matched to your SS-4 Line 1
- File your BOI report — required for most LLCs at fincen.gov/boi
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- Sell across channels — reuse one EIN on Amazon, Shopify, and eBay
Related industry guides: Upwork Freelancers | Fiverr Sellers | eBay Sellers | Import Export Business. Browse all on Industries and what you can do with an EIN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Walmart Marketplace sellers need an EIN?
Walmart Marketplace sellers who operate through a US LLC or corporation need an EIN to complete seller registration and the tax interview. Walmart requires a US tax identification number tied to the selling entity. An EIN identifies your LLC to the IRS. Sole proprietors can use an SSN, but an EIN keeps your SSN off business records.
Can non-US Walmart sellers get an EIN without an SSN?
Yes. Non-US Walmart sellers get an EIN without an SSN by faxing IRS Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627. You enter your passport number on Line 7b instead of an SSN. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so non-residents use the fax method. ein.so files the SS-4 for $49 Standard or $97 Express.
How long does it take a Walmart seller to get an EIN?
Through ein.so, Standard processing takes 4-7 business days for $49 and Express takes 2-3 business days for $97. The DIY fax method takes 4-7 business days when Form SS-4 is error-free. Errors on the SS-4 cause silent IRS rejection, which adds weeks. The IRS charges $0 for the EIN itself.
How much does an EIN cost for Walmart Marketplace sellers?
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN. ein.so charges $49 for Standard filing (4-7 business days) and $97 for Express (2-3 business days). The price covers SS-4 preparation, fax submission to the IRS at 855-215-1627, and delivery of your EIN by email. The process is identical for every industry, including Walmart sellers.
Does Walmart Marketplace accept international sellers?
Walmart Marketplace approves sellers who present a valid US tax identification number and a US business entity. Many non-US sellers form a US LLC, get an EIN, and register through that entity. Approval criteria, catalog rules, and seller eligibility are set by Walmart and change over time. Confirm current seller requirements directly with Walmart Marketplace.
Do I need a US LLC to sell on Walmart Marketplace?
A US LLC is the common structure non-US sellers use to register on Walmart Marketplace because it provides a US entity, a US business address, and a clean EIN. The LLC also enables a US business bank account and payment processing. Sole proprietors can get an EIN without an LLC, but lose liability protection and US banking access.
What does a foreign-owned LLC Walmart seller file with the IRS each year?
A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 every year. The penalty for not filing Form 5472 is $25,000. This is an information return reporting transactions between the LLC and its foreign owner. Most LLCs also file a BOI report with FinCEN. Confirm your exact filings with a US CPA.
Do I enter my EIN or SSN in the Walmart tax interview?
Walmart sellers operating through an LLC enter the LLC name and its EIN in the tax interview. The EIN matches the legal name the IRS assigned it to, so the entity name on the W-9 must match your SS-4 Line 1 exactly. A mismatch triggers TIN verification failures. Sole proprietors may enter an SSN, but an EIN protects it.
Can I open a US bank account for my Walmart payouts with an EIN?
Yes. Mercury, Relay, and Wise open US business accounts for non-resident LLC owners using an EIN, the LLC formation documents, and a passport. You receive US account and routing numbers to accept Walmart payouts in dollars. Walmart pays sellers to a linked US bank account. See our EIN for a bank account guide for the document checklist.
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