Short answer: you can start buying wholesale without an LLC, and without a resale certificate in hand – but the certificate will save you real money, and there is a point where the LLC becomes worth it. Here is how it actually works in 2026.
Do you need an LLC to buy wholesale?
No. Most distributors care about two things: can you pay, and can you take delivery. Plenty of successful Amazon and Walmart sellers started as sole proprietors buying under their own name. Our own application accepts sole proprietors, partnerships, corporations, LLCs – and plain “personal” buyers who have not formed anything yet.
Where an LLC starts to matter: liability separation once your volume grows, opening business credit, and some brands or marketplaces that require an entity for specific programs. If you are moving a few thousand dollars a month, form it when the volume justifies the paperwork – not before your first order.
What a resale certificate actually does
A resale certificate (sales tax exemption certificate) tells your supplier not to charge you sales tax, because you are buying the goods to resell them. Without one, a distributor in certain states may need to collect sales tax on your order – money you cannot get back at the register.
It is issued by your state, usually free or nearly free, and usually takes minutes to apply for once you have a sales tax permit. Each state has its own form; some accept multi-state certificates.
Our policy for new buyers
We do not make you wait. You can apply for a wholesale account today and upload your resale certificate within 30 days of approval – the application has a checkbox for exactly that. If you already have the certificate, upload it with your application and everything moves faster.
EIN vs SSN
An EIN (federal tax ID) is free from the IRS and takes about ten minutes online. Sole proprietors can technically use their SSN, but an EIN keeps your personal number off supplier paperwork – get one even if you skip the LLC.
What you actually need to open an account with us
- Company or personal name and a working phone number
- Email and billing street address
- What you sell and where (Amazon, Walmart, retail store, export)
- Resale certificate – now, or within 30 days of approval
That is the whole list. The application takes about two minutes.
This article is general information, not tax or legal advice. Sales tax rules vary by state – confirm your situation with your state revenue department or a professional.
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