Amazon KDP Russia/CIS 2025: Registration, Taxes & Payouts Guide
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Amazon KDP Registration from Russia & CIS 2025: Complete Tax & Payout Guide
Amazon KDP is available to authors from most countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and other CIS countries. Registration is free, but there are some special requirements for non-US residents.
In this guide, we'll cover each step: creating an account, filling out tax forms, setting up payment methods, and solving common problems faced by authors in the CIS.
Registration Preparation: Documents Needed for KDP from Russia in 2025
Before you begin registration, please prepare the necessary information and documents.
What you need for registration
A valid email address - preferably Gmail or another international service.
Phone number - to confirm your account.
Residential address - full postal address in Latin.
Bank details - to receive payments.
Passport details – for filling out tax forms.
All data must be entered in English using the Latin alphabet. Please use transliteration for your name and address.
Restrictions for CIS countries
As of 2025, direct bank transfers will be available for Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and most CIS countries. However, due to sanctions and banking restrictions, some payment methods may be unavailable.
It is recommended that you check your country's current status on the KDP website before registering.
Step-by-Step KDP Registration: From Email to Tax Form W-8BEN
Step 1: Create an Amazon account
Go to kdp.amazon.com . Click the "Sign up" button to create a new account.
Enter your email and create a strong password. Amazon will send a confirmation code to the email you provided. Enter the code to activate your account.
If you already have an Amazon account (for example, for shopping), you can use it to sign in to KDP.
Step 2: Fill in the publisher information
After logging into KDP, you'll be taken to the account settings page. Fill out the "Account Information" section.
Select your account type: Individual (individual) or Business (company). Select Individual to start.
Fill in the fields:
Full name — your full name in Latin (as in your passport).
Country/Region — select your country from the list.
Address — full address in Latin characters.
City — city in Latin.
State/Province — area or region.
Postal code — postal code.
Phone number — telephone number with international code.
Step 3: Fill in tax information
A tax interview is a mandatory step for all authors. Amazon is required to collect tax information under US law.
Selecting Form W-8BEN
For non-US residents, use Form W-8BEN (for individuals) or W-8BEN-E (for corporations).
Click "Complete Tax Information" and begin the tax interview. Answer "No" to the question "Are you a US person?"
The system will prompt you to complete form W-8BEN.
Filling out Form W-8BEN step by step
Section 1 — Identification of Beneficial Owner:
Name — full name as in passport, in Latin characters.
Country of citizenship — country of citizenship.
Permanent residence address — address of permanent residence.
Mailing address — postal address (if different).
Date of birth — date of birth.
Foreign tax identifying number — your country's tax identification number (for Russia, the 12-digit individual tax identification number).
Section 2 - Claim of Tax Treaty Benefits:
If your country has a double taxation agreement with the United States, please indicate this. Russia has such an agreement, reducing the tax rate to 0% on royalties.
Select your country and specify the applicable article of the agreement. For Russia, this is usually Article 12 with a 0% rate.
Ukraine also has a tax treaty with the United States. Belarus and Kazakhstan—check their current status.
Signing the form
At the end of the form, provide your electronic signature by entering your name in the signature field. Confirm that the information is correct.
Once submitted, Amazon will review the form. A "Validated" status indicates successful completion of the tax interview.
Setting Up KDP Payments 2025: Bank Transfers & Currency Rules
After your tax interview, set up your royalty payment method.
Available payment methods
Wire Transfer (EFT) is a direct transfer to a bank account. It's the most convenient method and available in most countries.
Check – a paper check sent by mail. It takes a long time (4-6 weeks) and requires cashing at a bank.
For Russia and the CIS, bank transfer is recommended if available through your bank.
Setting up a bank transfer
In the "Getting Paid" section, add a bank account for each marketplace.
You will need the following data:
Account holder name — the name of the account owner (as in a bank).
Bank name — name of the bank.
Account number — account number.
SWIFT/BIC code is an international bank code.
IBAN – for some countries.
Important: The account holder's name must match the name on the KDP account.
Payment currency
Amazon pays royalties in the currency of each marketplace: US dollars ( amazon.com ), euros ( amazon.de , amazon.fr ), pounds ( amazon.co.uk ).
Payouts are converted into your account currency at the bank's exchange rate. Please be aware of conversion fees.
Russian Payout Solutions 2025: Foreign Accounts & Alternatives
Due to sanctions and restrictions, direct bank transfers to Russia may be difficult.
Alternative solutions
Foreign bank account – open an account in a bank in another country (Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan). Enter the details of this account in the KDP.
Payoneer — Some authors use payment systems as intermediaries. Check the current terms of service.
Cryptocurrency solutions – conversion services exist, but they carry additional risks.
Recommendation: Consult with your bank about the possibility of receiving international transfers before setting up payouts in KDP.
For authors from Ukraine
Ukrainian banks continue to accept international transfers. Please provide your details in IBAN format. Payments are received within 5-7 business days after processing.
KDP Account Verification: Documents & Process Timeline
Amazon may request additional identity verification.
When verification is required
When registering a new account, when critical data changes, when suspicious activity occurs, when a certain volume of publications is reached.
Verification process
Amazon requests a scan or photo of an identification document (passport, driver's license). Sometimes, proof of address (utility bill, bank statement) is required.
Upload your documents through the KDP panel. Verification takes 1-5 business days.
Solving KDP Registration Errors: Blocks, Tax Forms, No Payments
Error while filling out the tax form
Check that your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is correct—it should only contain numbers. Make sure the name in the form matches the name on your account. Try a different browser if the form doesn't submit.
The account was blocked after registration.
New accounts are sometimes blocked for verification. Contact KDP support via the feedback form. Provide the requested documents to unblock them.
Payments are not coming
Please verify your bank details are correct. Ensure the amount exceeds the minimum payout threshold ($100 for checks, $10 for EFT). Contact your bank to confirm the transfer status.
After KDP Registration: First Book & Research Strategy
After successful account setup:
Explore the KDP panel interface.
Please read the content publishing rules.
Prepare your first book for publication.
Start researching niches to choose a topic.
Your account is ready to publish books.
Registering for Amazon KDP from Russia and the CIS is a simple process with a few caveats. The main steps are creating an account, completing the W-8BEN tax form, and setting up a payout method.
For authors from Russia in 2025, it is recommended to resolve the issue of receiving payments in advance – consider opening a foreign bank account as an alternative.
Once you set up your account, you gain full access to the platform and can publish books to millions of Amazon readers.
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