Should US Sellers Expand to Amazon Canada and Mexico?

As 2019 comes to a close, many of the US sellers we talk to are asking the same question. Where does growth come from next year? For some brands, the answer is not a new product. It is a new marketplace. And the easiest new marketplaces for a US seller are right next door: Canada and Mexico.

Here are the pros, the cons and how to get started.

Why Canada and Mexico?

• One account. With the North America unified account, you can list on Amazon.com, Amazon.ca and Amazon.com.mx from the same Seller Central login.
• Close by. Shipping to neighbors is easier and cheaper than shipping overseas.
• Less competition. Many categories have far fewer sellers than the US, which can mean cheaper ads and a faster path to page one.
• Your listings mostly carry over. Amazon’s Build International Listings tool can copy your US offers and keep prices in sync.

Things to plan for

Language

Canada is mostly English, with French speaking shoppers in Quebec. Mexico is Spanish. For Mexico, you need proper Spanish listings, not quick machine translations. Bad translations hurt trust and conversion.

Fulfillment

You can fulfill orders yourself from the US, use FBA Export for some products, or send stock to FBA warehouses in each country. Local FBA gives you the best delivery speed and the Prime badge, but it means handling imports, customs and duties. Amazon will not act as your importer.

Labels and rules

Canada requires most consumer packaging to show key information in English and French. Mexico has its own labeling rules, including Spanish labels for many products. Check your category before you ship.

Taxes

Each country has its own sales tax rules. Talk to an accountant who works with cross-border e-commerce before you scale.

Prices and currency

Do not just convert your US price. Look at local competitors and include your extra costs, such as shipping, duties and currency conversion.

A simple way to start

1. Pick three to five of your best sellers that are light, simple and need no special certifications.
2. Check demand and competition on Amazon.ca or Amazon.com.mx for your main keywords.
3. Use Build International Listings to create the offers, then fix units, spelling and translations.
4. Start by fulfilling orders yourself or with a small test shipment.
5. Run a small Sponsored Products auto campaign in the new market to learn how shoppers search.
6. Move winners to local FBA once you see steady sales.

Canada or Mexico first?

For most US sellers, Canada is the easier first step. The language is mostly the same, shopping habits are similar and listings need fewer changes. Mexico is growing fast and can be a great second market, but it needs more local work.

The bottom line

If your US business is steady, North America expansion is one of the simplest ways to grow in 2020. Start small, test, and scale what works. If you want help planning it, see our full service account management or request a free audit.

FAQs

Can I sell on Amazon Canada with my US account?

Yes. The North America unified account lets you add Amazon.ca and Amazon.com.mx to your existing professional seller account.

Do I need Spanish listings for Amazon Mexico?

Yes. Shoppers on Amazon.com.mx search and buy in Spanish, so you need proper Spanish titles, bullets and descriptions.

Is Amazon Canada worth it for US sellers?

For many brands, yes. It often has less competition and cheaper ads than the US, and listings need only small changes.