Shopify Payments for non-US resident, don't have SSN but have LLC

[kiraikra]

Hello to everyone! 

I am NOT a US resident, but I obtained LLC in Delaware and I have EIN as well. I enable Shopify Payments and the funds deposits to my US bank account successfully. But I don't have a SSN as I am non-resident of US. Shopify still asks me to provide one, I see the notification that I am not verified on my dashboard. What should I do then? I am afraid to be restricted from using the payment system some day and need to know now how to prevent it?

Hope to get any information!

[Trevor]

Hey, @kiraikra.

If you are operating out of the United States and wish to use Shopify Payments, then we would require an SSN to be added to the account to continue using our in house payment processor. The requirement for an SSN isn't something we are able to bypass and is outlined in our Shopify Payments Terms of Service Section B-3. In the event that you don't have an SSN, then it will require using an alternative payment processor for your store. Thankfully, the United States offers a wide variety of third-party payment providers that you can add to your store which are listed on our payment processor page.

[kiraikra]

Thank you,

But in B-3 section it says that "To verify your identity, we will require additional information including your business EIN OR Tax ID, social security number, and date of birth"

Does that mean either EIN OR something else? I have EIN.

[Trevor]

To clarify that section, you would need to supply either an EIN or a Tax ID alongside an SSN, and your date of birth. 

[kiraikra]

Oh, all right! Thank you,

Hope to find the solution for me!

[Libs20]

Hello Kiraikra
We are in the same situation as you and was wondering if you could tell me which third party payment provider you managed to use. Perhaps you could email me on sales.kphoto@gmail.com. Thank you so much!

[jrfcve]

Hey, @Trevor 

I'm working on a project for a client. This client is a U.S based corporation. The corporation is owned 100% by a non-us resident which has no SSN, neither ITIN. 

Nevertheless, the business operates from the U.S, all suppliers are from the U.S and all items are fulfilled by U.S warehouses and sent with USPS. 

In that case, would I be able to set up a Shopify Payments account for them? 

Thank you.

[Trevor]

Hey, @jrfcve!

If the account owner is residing in the United States then we will require an SSN as there is no way to bypass this requirement. In the event that the owner is based in a different country, but operating their business in the United States then we may be able to offer Shopify Payments, however, a variety of documents will be required to get this setup. 

Let me know if you have any questions.

[jrfcve]

Thank you for your answer, @Trevor 

Yes, the business is operated 100% from the United States, specifically from Miami, Florida. 

May I ask you which documents will be required to get the account settled up? 

[Trevor]

@jrfcve 

If the business owner is based outside of the United States, but their business is located in the United States then we may be able to provide Shopify Payments. To have this reviewed the account owner would need to provide all of the following documents: 

• Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, etc. - non-US ID may be accepted)
• A Tax ID in the United States:
  1. EIN if the merchant is LLC/Corp
  2. SSN if the merchant is Sole Proprietor
• Business registration document (Registered in the US with the government)
• Proof that the business is operating from the US. This can include tracking showing they are shipping from the US or proof of a physical US address (not a forwarding address).
• A USD checking account, opened with a real US banking institution, located on US soil. Virtual banks and currency services will not work for this, it has to be a real US bank.

[Vaibhav_Mehta]

Hi,

Does a Mobile Bill or an Internet bill work as proof of address for the business? 

Also, do the utility bills need to be on the name of the LLC or it can be on the name of the director.

[Trevor]

Mobile/internet bills would not be eligible as they don't confirm an address and could be managed without a physical presence. The utility bills would also need to be in the name of the LLC and not the director. 

Let me know if you have any other questions! 

[philerup]

Peter,

I am a US citizen with a SSN but live overseas.

Shopify Payments requested the following but I can only provide Photo ID front and back. I use my permanent address in the US (my parents home) so I don't have a utility bill with my address and of course I don't have a business license or inventory. What should I do? My credit card and bank account for PayPal are linked to my US address.

[Trevor]

@philerup 

To clarify, have you been contacted via email to provide this information?

[philerup]

Peter, Yes they emailed me.

[Trevor]

@philerup 

In that case, it would be best to follow up on the email, outlining what you can provide. For the documents that you're not able to provide, you'll need to provide as much information as possible as to why you can't offer them. From there, our teams will be able to decide on whether we can provide Shopify Payments for your store. 

[Pabloinkosi]

Hi Peter,

I’m in this exact situation, based in Australia but have a US Corp, EIN, US bank account, state sales tax licenses, and shipping from the US though a fulfilment company etc. I received an email today about providing my SSN - but I’m yet to get this as waiting for my Visa to come through. How do I need to provide this? Do I just reply to the email asking for SSN explaining our setup and providing those documents, or is there another way to do it that is preferred?

thanks 

---

@Trevor wrote:

@jrfcve 

If the business owner is based outside of the United States, but their business is located in the United States then we may be able to provide Shopify Payments. To have this reviewed the account owner would need to provide all of the following documents: 

• Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, etc. - non-US ID may be accepted)
• A Tax ID in the United States:
  1. EIN if the merchant is LLC/Corp
  2. SSN if the merchant is Sole Proprietor
• Business registration document (Registered in the US with the government)
• Proof that the business is operating from the US. This can include tracking showing they are shipping from the US or proof of a physical US address (not a forwarding address).
• A USD checking account, opened with a real US banking institution, located on US soil. Virtual banks and currency services will not work for this, it has to be a real US bank.

---

[Trevor]

@Pabloinkosi 

If you've received an email, then replying would be your best route as you'd be in direct contact with the team that can provide insight into what we can and can't accept for your specific case. 

[mattzima]

Hi everyone!

@Trevor, does Shopify accept ITIN instead of SSN? Assuming that:

- I do not live in the US and I operate from Europe

- I have a single-member LLC in the US and I'm considered as a disregarded entity

- I dropship items from China to customers in the US

[Trevor]

@mattzima 

Our teams may be able to accept an ITIN instead of an SSN, however; we would require that all other information be provided as well. I can't guarantee that we'll be able to make this exception as it will require further review. If you do have all other required documents, then let me know as I can reach out to you via email to get this escalated up. 

[Vaibhav_Mehta]

Hi Peter,

I had a conversation with someone from Shopify team here in India and he told that if we sign up as a C Corp, Shopify Payments wouldn't require an address verification ?

Can you please verify

[jagudelo]

Hi Peter @Trevor 

A few weeks ago we didn´t have a utility bill but now we have it. 

Can I contact you via email so we can provide the documentation and re-enable Shopify payments on our Shopify plus account?

This is our store: https://maaji-co.myshopify.com/ 

Thanks for your support.

Regards,

[Trevor]

@jagudelo 

Sure thing! Happy to take a look. I've sent you an email. 

[mattzima]

Hi, 

Thank you for clearing that up. I don’t have all the documents yet, I want to make sure I have everything sorted out before applying.

I will have an ITIN number and all the other documents I suppose but I’m still not sure how to deal with proving that the business is being operated from the U.S. since it’s not (as I mentioned in my previous reply, I operate from Europe and dropship from China to the U.S.). Does this make me not eligible or there’s some other way or documents to provide that can be sufficient in this matter?

Thank you for your support @Trevor!

[Trevor]

@mattzima 

My apologies for missing that in my previous reply. If you're operating from Europe, and not within the United States (i.e. you don't have the required documents), then you would be ineligible for Shopify Payments US. Shopify Payments is offered in other countries, so if you're operating from one of the eligible countries within Europe, then you could still utilize Shopify Payments for your store. A full list of supported countries can be seen here. 

If Shopify Payments is not available in your country, then it would require using a third-payment provider to accept payments. You'll still be able to sell in USD using a third-party payment gateway, however; your account will be subject to transactions fees vs credit card fees per order. 

[mattzima]

Thank you, this explains everything.

[aolg479]

Hello @Peter,

I am currently in the process of setting up my store and was about to register for the shopify payments services. Here I am asked for my EIN and SSN. I do not have an EIN because I will be a sole proprietor and it asked me for a SSN in this case I do not have one because I am not a US citizen however I do have an ITIN and was wondering if I can use this instead of SSN to register for shopify payments services? Hope I can get this question answered.

-Thankyou

[Trevor]

@aolg479 

If you're operating from within the United States, then an SSN would be required as an ITIN can not be accepted when registering as a sole proprietor. 

[talitamarinho]

I have a company in Delaware LLC with virtual business address. I do dropshipping in the US and have all the documentation I need to use Shopify payments. My question is whether as my store is dropshipping from US suppliers and I don't need to have a physical, just virtual address that is in my EIN contract, can it be accepted? the company account at the bank has this address as well, all company documentation is at this address.

I use the service of this company: https://www.postscanmail.com/services/virtual-business-address.html

Thanks.

[Victor]

Hi @talitamarinho,

Thank you for asking your question and outlining your situation. It is sometimes possible for merchants living outside of the United States to have a US Shopify Payments account, but it's generally a rare occurrence and there is specific criteria that will need to be met.

In terms of your business, have you registered it with the US government for tax purposes? Do you have a bank account that accept USD with a US banking institution? In terms of you personally, do you reside in another country that Shopify Payments is available in?

If you can answer the above I will be in a better position to let you know if you'll likely be eligible for Shopify Payments or not.

Kind regards,

Victor | Shopify Social Care

[IsaacT]

Hi Peter, Thank you for all the info. I have a doubt.

Is Transferwise in this category?

"A USD checking account opened with a real US banking institution, located on US soil. Virtual banks and currency services will not work for this, it has to be a real US bank."

Best

Isaac

[DH_Master]

Hi Peter,

I have a US entity selling on US mostly through Amazon and operating the business form outside the country, I have all the required documentation to apply to Shopify Payments, please contact me.

[Trevor]

@IsaacT 

Is Transferwise in this category?

Based on the information on Transferwise, it would be an unsupported bank type for Shopify Payments. It would need to be a US-based bank with physical locations. 

________

@DH_Master 

I have sent you an email tilted "Shopify Forum Support." Please respond there with the requested information to continue the review process.

[eykash]

Hello, Peter.

I have foreign owned LLC with all documets  you mentioned necessary for using SHopify payments. Could you please send me email where I should send all these documents

[Trevor]

@eykash 

I have sent you an email titled "Shopify Forum Support." Please reply to the email with the requested information so I can escalate your request. 

[safecupusa]

Hey Peter, 

I fit in your description perfectly. I need to activate Shopify payments, because I already got stripe verified and then found out Shopify doesn't accept Stripe in the USA! 

How can I apply for Shopify payments verification, Using EIN, bank account and proof the goods are delivered from the USA only, but I am situated abroad? 

[Trevor]

@safecupusa 

You will need to verify that you have all of the documents listed below: 

• Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, etc. - non-US ID may be accepted)
• A Tax ID in the United States:
  1. EIN if you are LLC/Corp
  2. SSN if you are Sole Proprietor
• Business registration document (Registered in the US with the government)
• Proof that the business is operating from the US. This can include tracking showing you are shipping from the US or proof of a physical US address (not a forwarding address).
• A USD checking account opened with a real US banking institution, located on US soil. Virtual banks and currency services will not work for this; it has to be a real US bank.

If you have these documents, let me know!

[eykash]

Dear Peter,

Would business licence be accepted as proof of address?

[Trevor]

@eykash 

A business licence would not be accepted as proof of address as it does not sufficiently prove that the business is operating out of the United States. We would require a secondary piece for proof of address. 

[mswim]

Hi @Trevor 

We have all the required documents outlined in your previous post so we can be able to use shopify payments. Could you help us? Thank you!

[TroyBoy]

Hey did you ever get Shopify payments or any other payment provider with your documents? I’m in the same position as you.

[shelikes]

Nothing yet, a support ticket was created, I’m just waiting on the reply.

[TroyBoy]

Can you send me your email, since we’re in the same position we can update each other if a solution is found.

[Trevor]

@TroyBoy @mswim 

I've sent both of you an email. 

[Trevor · Accepted solution]

Hello, Future Viewers!

To apply for Shopify Payments US when you are not based in the United States, but your company is operating out of the United States, then you will need all of the required documents below: 

• Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, etc. - non-US ID may be accepted)
• An SSN will be required 
• Business registration document (Registered in the US with the government)
• Proof that the business is operating from the US. This can include tracking showing you are shipping from the US or proof of a physical US address (not a forwarding address).
• A USD checking account opened with a real US banking institution, located on US soil. Virtual banks and currency services will not work for this; it has to be a real US bank.

If you have the required documents, then it would be best to reach out to our support as the forums community is not a regularly monitored area. For a quicker response, resolution, and better user experience, you'll want to reach out to us via phone, chat, or email. Due to this, I will be closing this forum for all future replies. 

[shelikes]

What's the best way to submit this information, as I too received this information only a few days ago. I the owner, am not residing in the US but all business opeartions functions in the US.

[Trevor]

@shelikes 

Can you confirm that you have all the required documents outlined in my previous post? If yes, then I can verify the account to send your request up for review. 

[shelikes]

Yes I do.

[Trevor]

@shelikes 

Great, thanks! I have sent you an email. 

[shelikes]

Yes I can, please advise me. As my deadline is May 2 9:05 am for submitting the SSN.

[alonsin07]

Hey Peter, 

Maybe you have some advice as my situation is very similar. 

Shopify is currently asking for a Photo ID (USA) but I have some concerns.

I live in the USA, have been since i was 5, and am a DACA recipient. 

My DACA has not been renewed yet, and both DACA and DL expired last month. I understand it is a difficult situation because of the politics situations occurring in our country at the moment.

I have a VALID SNN, a valid business bank account, an LCC. I have also provided Shopify proof of where I live, bank statements, etc. 

But they are asking for a PHOTO ID (USA). Both of the ID's I could use expired last month. 

Do you think this would cause any issues? Should I submit my DL? My SNN card? 

Thanks in advance

[Trevor]

@alonsin07 

I wouldn't be able to give a concrete answer on what we can and can't allow as each case is unique. Have you received an email in regards to this, or are you only seeing a red banner in your admin? If you've received an email, then following up there will be your best approach. If you only see a red banner, then uploading the requested documents, then explaining why the ID is expired in the notes section will be the best steps you can take to finding out if we're able to make an exception. 

[Cevdet]

Hey @Trevor 

Maybe you can give me some advice as well since I am searching for the right answer.

I am non US citizen and I have LLC company, EIN, bank account, address but I don't have a SSN.

Our business is fully operating, manufacturing and shipping from the USA. We sell worldwide but all products are made in USA. And I am not living in USA I am living in Turkey.

I was wondering If I can use shopify payments for our business. We want to integrate it into our website.

Thank you @Trevor 

[Trevor]

If you are the business owner and you're based outside of the United States, but your business is located in the United States, then we may be able to provide Shopify Payments. To have this reviewed, the account owner would need to provide all of the following documents: 

• Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, etc. - non-US ID may be accepted)
• A Tax ID in the United States:
  1. EIN if you are LLC/Corp
  2. SSN if you are Sole Proprietor
• Business registration document (Registered in the US with the government)
• Proof that the business is operating from the US. This can include tracking showing you are shipping from the US or proof of a physical US address (not a forwarding address).
• A USD checking account opened with a real US banking institution, located on US soil. Virtual banks and currency services will not work for this; it has to be a real US bank.

If the required documents can't be provided, or if the account is not eligible to use Shopify Payments after the review, then your best option would be to utilize one of the payment providers available to you in Turkey. You'll still be able to sell in USD while using one of these payment processors; however, it is essential to note that when using a third-party payment provider, you are subject to transaction fees per order. 

[kaanfurrier]

Hello, @Trevor

 My situation is almost the same as Mr. Cevdet however, I am based in New York.  I will obtain LLC company very soon and every document required by you except SSN.  So I want to make sure that I can use Shopify Payment before establishing the website. 

Have a nice day

[Trevor]

@kaanfurrier 

If you're in the United States, then we would require an SSN to use Shopify Payments. I'm afraid there is not a way to bypass this requirement. 

@Bora 

Do you also have proof that the business is operating from the United States? If yes, then I can reach out to you via email to send your store up for further review to determine if you're eligible for Shopify payments.

[Bora]

Hi @Trevor 

I'm having the same problem with Mr. Cevdet. I live in Turkey but I have an LLC, real address(not virtual), EIN, ITIN, business registration document, and USD checking account at real US banking institution but I don't have an SSN to set up Shopify Payments. Could you help me set up Shopify payment If I am eligible?

[Cevdet]

Hi @Trevor,

Thank you for your response.

I can provide all of the following documents. Could you please assist me about Shopify Payments and where to send the required documents and about what to do now.

Thanks in advance

[Bora]

Hi @Trevor 

I'm on a 14-day free trial and I'm thinking of doing Oberlo dropshipping but If I have to work with U.S. based suppliers for approved by Shopify payments I can redesign by store and work with U.S. suppliers.

[Trevor]

@Cevdet 

Sure thing! I've shipped you an email.

@Bora 

You would need to ensure that you have proof that the business is operating from the US. Without this, the request can not be reviewed. 

[Bora]

@Trevor 

If you can reach out to me via email, I can provide all of my company documents that prove the business is operating from the US.

[Trevor]

@Bora 

Sure thing! I've shipped you an email. 

[Lucas007]

@Trevor
I have an LLC company in the United States, but I am a non-resident of America. I want to use Shopify Payments, but I have no SSN number.
I can provide all of the following documents, can you contact me by email, then I can provide it to you.

1. Passport
2. IRS EIN document
3. Business registration document in the USA
4. Articles of Organization( can proof the physical address of the office) 
5. Tax License License in the USA

6. Bank of America's account

[Trevor]

@Lucas007 

Taking a look, I can see this has been escalated for you through another forum post. It shouldn't be long before our teams reach out to you via email. 

[canselmo]

@Trevor 

ı ve an LLC company in the United States,  but i am not an american citizen. I want to use Shopify Payments, but I have no SSN number.
I can provide all of the following documents,  can you contact me by email, then I can provide it to you.

1-)EIN

2-)ITIN

3-)LLC COMPANY ARTİCLE 

4-)RENTAL AGREEMENT OF THE COMPANY OFFICE

5-) REEL (BANK OF AMERICA)  STATEMENT ( LLC COMPANY)

6-)COMPANY CERTIFICATES 

CAN I USE SHOPIFY PAYMENTS WITH THIS DOCUMENTS 

THANK YOU

[Trevor]

@canselmo 

Are you based in the United States, or are you living outside of the United States? If it is the latter, then we would require the following: 

• Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, etc. - non-US ID may be accepted)
• A Tax ID in the United States:
  1. EIN if you are LLC/Corp
  2. SSN if you are Sole Proprietor
• Business registration document (Registered in the US with the government)
• Proof that the business is operating from the US. This can include tracking showing you are shipping from the US or proof of a physical US address (not a forwarding address).
• A USD checking account opened with a real US banking institution, located on US soil. Virtual banks and currency services will not work for this; it has to be a real US bank.

If you can confirm that you're living outside of the United States and that you have the documents listed above, then let me know. 

[Gino]

Hi Peter, I am a non-resident but I am the owner of an LLC duly incorporated in the USA:

I live in South America and do dropshipping with Chinese suppliers and the shipments are for everyone but mainly to Europe since online advertising in the USA is more expensive. But I don't have SSN and ITIN either

In the USA I have the following duly established documents:

- Physical address in New Mexico
- LLC in Albuquerque
- EIN for non-residents.
- Business account in a bank within the United States
- Articles organization
.- Statements of the organizer

With these documents can I qualify to have shopify paymentes as a payment gateway?

Or in any case in my situation that the EIN can apply instead of the SSN when shopify asks me for this document number?

I appreciate the answer.

If I have more questions can I write to you by mail?

Best regards.