A US LLC unlocks Stripe, US banking, and a professional business address for your Shopify store — without needing to live in America.
Shopify stores can be run from any legal entity, but non-US entities face three practical problems: Stripe and PayPal have lower limits and higher scrutiny for non-US businesses; many US suppliers and dropship networks prefer or require a US entity; and US customers sometimes lose trust when they see a non-US business address. A US LLC solves all three with a structure that is straightforward to form remotely, tax-transparent when structured correctly, and compatible with every major US payment processor.
No state income tax, $60/yr maintenance, strong banking credibility, high privacy. Best for most non-resident Shopify sellers.
Better brand recognition globally, preferred by payment processors that ask for 'registered state'. $300/yr franchise tax. Good choice if you want maximum institutional credibility.
Nomadic Go forms your US LLC, provides a registered agent address, and assists with EIN procurement. Once formed, we connect you with banking support for opening a US business account at Mercury, Relay, or Wise Business. Tax advice is outside our scope; consult a CPA for US tax obligations.
Yes. Stripe accepts US LLCs with non-resident owners, a US EIN, a US bank account (Mercury, Relay, or Wise Business US account number), and a US business address (your registered agent address).
Shopify does not require a US phone number. Stripe requires a phone number for 2FA but accepts non-US numbers. A US virtual number (Google Voice) is also accepted.
Wyoming LLC: ~$60/yr state fee + registered agent ($100-$200/yr). Delaware LLC: $300/yr franchise tax + registered agent. Total annual cost: $160-$500/yr depending on state.
Technically possible, but it is better to wait until the LLC is fully formed and you have an EIN before activating Stripe or Shopify Payments. Setting up payment processing before the legal entity is ready can create verification problems that are slow to resolve.
Sales tax obligations depend on whether your LLC has 'nexus' in a US state, not whether you personally reside in the US. A Wyoming LLC typically has nexus in Wyoming initially. Shopify's Tax settings can automate collection. Consult a US sales tax advisor for your specific situation.