Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (SRL) in Panama — Amazon FBA & E-Commerce Formation Guide
For non-US residents, a US LLC (e.g., Wyoming or Delaware) is highly popular for Amazon FBA because it provides easy access to US payment gateways (Stripe, Mercury) and Amazon US, often with 0% US corporate tax if structured correctly. If selling primarily in Europe, a UK LTD or Estonian OÜ simplifies VAT registration and OSS compliance.
Last verified: June 13, 2026
Corporate Tax
25.0%
State Tax
0.0%
Formation Cost
$250
Annual Fee
$300
Forming a Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (SRL) in Panama as a Amazon FBA & E-Commerce means a total tax burden of 25.0% and an official formation cost of $250. There is no minimum capital requirement. Standard formation takes 5-10 business days, or 2-3 business days expedited. No local director is required; the process can be managed remotely. This guide covers the steps, tax breakdown, banking options, and compliance requirements — all from verified data.
First-year total cost
≈ $950
Ongoing (per year)
≈ $600
Why Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (SRL) for Amazon FBA & E-Commerce?
A business model where you sell physical products on Amazon's marketplace, utilizing their Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) network. Choosing the right jurisdiction is critical for managing inventory taxes, VAT/Sales Tax nexus, and accessing global payment gateways.
Ideal for
- US LLC (Wyoming/Delaware) for the US market
- UK LTD for the European market
- Estonian OÜ for digital nomads
- UAE Free Zone for tax-free scaling
Challenges to watch
- Sales tax and VAT compliance across multiple states/countries
- Strict Amazon seller account verification processes
- Product liability risks requiring corporate shields
- Managing multi-currency cash flows and high conversion fees
Key decision criteria
- Does the jurisdiction support easy Amazon Seller Central registration?
- Can you easily open a business bank account compatible with Amazon disbursements?
- What are the VAT or Sales Tax nexus implications for where your inventory is stored?
- Do you need product liability insurance, and is it available for your entity type?
Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (SRL) formation requirements
Minimum capital
None
Standard timeline
5-10 business days
Expedited timeline
2-3 business days
Local director
Not required
Registered office
Virtual office allowed
Notarization
Required
A Panama SRL requires at least two partners and administrators, who can be of any nationality and reside anywhere in the world.
Estimated breakdown (based on avg. $150,000 revenue)
Simulate with your own revenue →
VAT / Sales Tax
Standard rate 7%. Registration threshold: 36,000 USD. Non-resident B2C providers of digital services are generally not required to register for ITBMS (VAT) in Panama. A reverse charge mechanism may apply for certain B2B transactions.
Banking & payments for Amazon FBA & E-Commerce
Opening a corporate bank account in Panama for an SRL can be challenging and time-consuming, especially for non-resident founders. While some banks allow remote opening via video interviews and apostilled documents, many traditional banks prefer an in-person visit and require extensive KYC, business plans, and proof of economic ties.
Supported payment gateways
Remote-friendly accounts
Towerbank
A crypto-friendly Panamanian bank that is increasingly popular for tech and blockchain businesses, offering remote account opening options.
Payoneer
A global fintech platform that supports Panamanian entities for receiving international B2B payments in multiple currencies.
Facebank
A Puerto Rico-based bank that frequently opens USD accounts remotely for Panamanian offshore companies and Latin American clients.
Panama incentives & advantages
EMMA Regime (Manufacturing Services)
Reduced 5% corporate income tax rate, exemption from dividend tax, ITBMS (VAT) exemption on exported services, and special visas for foreign executives.
SEM Regime (Multinational Headquarters)
Reduced 5% corporate income tax rate, dividend tax exemption, and income tax exemptions for foreign executives.
Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (SRL) formation steps
Step 1: Choose and reserve a unique company name ending in 'S.R.L.', 'S. de R.L.', or 'LLC' with the Public Registry (1-2 days).
Step 2: Appoint a licensed Panamanian attorney or law firm to act as your mandatory Resident Agent.
Step 3: Draft the Articles of Incorporation (Pacto Social) detailing the partners, capital quotas, and appointed administrators.
Step 4: Notarize the Articles of Incorporation before a Panamanian Notary Public.
Step 5: Register the notarized document with the Public Registry of Panama and pay the initial Franchise Tax (Tasa Única).
Step 6: Obtain a Tax Identification Number (RUC) from the Directorate General of Revenue (DGI).
Step 7: If operating locally within Panama, obtain a Notice of Operation (Aviso de Operación) from the Ministry of Commerce.
Step 8: Open a corporate bank account, which requires extensive KYC, business plans, and due diligence (2-4 weeks).
Amazon FBA & E-Commerce FAQ
Can I open a US Amazon FBA account as a non-US resident?
Yes. Forming a US LLC allows you to get an EIN and open a US business bank account, which makes the Amazon Seller Central verification process much smoother and avoids high currency conversion fees.
Do I need to pay US taxes if I sell on Amazon US?
If you are a non-US resident with a single-member LLC and no physical presence (ETBUS) in the US, you may not owe US federal income tax. However, you must still collect and remit Sales Tax in states where you have economic or physical nexus (like storing inventory in an Amazon warehouse).
Which is better for Amazon Europe: UK LTD or US LLC?
A UK LTD is generally better for Amazon Europe as it simplifies obtaining a UK/EU VAT number and EORI number, which are mandatory for importing and storing goods in European fulfillment centers.
Ready to form your Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (SRL)?
Trusted formation partners are coming soon.
Related guides
Complete Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (SRL) guide
Taxes, requirements, banking, compliance
Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (SRL) cost calculator
One-time and annual cost breakdown
🇧🇬 Amazon FBA & E-Commerce — Single-Member Limited Liability Company (EOOD)
Tax 10.0% · formation $30
🇨🇾 Amazon FBA & E-Commerce — Variable Capital Investment Company (VCIC)
Tax 15.0% · formation $180
🇨🇾 Amazon FBA & E-Commerce — Company Limited by Guarantee
Tax 15.0% · formation $265
🇨🇾 Amazon FBA & E-Commerce — Sole Proprietorship
Tax 0.0% · formation $100
🚀 SaaS Startup — Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (SRL)
Same entity, different business model guide
🛒 E-commerce — Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (SRL)
Same entity, different business model guide