How to Open an Online Store in the USA as an Arab Entrepreneur

Opening an online store in the United States as an Arab entrepreneur means getting five things right: a legal company, payment processing, sales tax, a store that speaks to your customers in Arabic and English, and reliable shipping and returns. This guide walks through each one in plain language, so you know what to prepare before a single product goes live.

Key takeaways

• US payment accounts such as Shopify Payments or Stripe US usually need a US company, a US tax number (EIN) and a US bank account.
• Sales tax depends on the states you sell into, not only where your company is registered.
• A bilingual store (Arabic and English) helps you reach Arab-American families and the wider market.
• Accessibility (WCAG 2.1 AA) and clear return policies are expected by US shoppers.
• Talk to a US accountant or attorney for company and tax decisions; this guide is not legal advice.

1. Set up the business side first

Many founders form a limited liability company (LLC) in the state where they live or will operate, or in a state they choose for practical reasons. After forming the company you usually need:

• An EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS, which acts as the company's tax number.
• A US business bank account in the company's name.
• A registered agent and address where official mail can be received.

If you live outside the US, the steps are still possible, but they take longer and some banks and processors ask for more documents. Start this early, because the store cannot accept card payments without it.

2. Choose how you will accept payments

US shoppers expect cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Many also use PayPal, and buy-now-pay-later options such as Affirm, Klarna and Afterpay are common for higher-value orders. Your platform (Shopify, WooCommerce or a custom store) decides which processors are easy to connect. Test the full checkout on a real phone before launch.

3. Understand sales tax before you sell

There is no federal sales tax in the United States. Instead, most states and many cities have their own. Five states (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon) have no statewide sales tax, although some Alaskan cities charge a local one. You may need to collect tax in a state if you have a physical presence there, or if your sales into that state pass its "economic nexus" threshold. Thresholds and rates differ by state, so check each state's revenue department or ask a US accountant before launch. Tools such as Shopify Tax, Stripe Tax, TaxJar and Avalara can calculate the right rate at checkout.

4. Build a store for two audiences

Arab-American customers often prefer to read product details, delivery terms and support messages in Arabic, while the wider US market needs clear English. A good bilingual store has:

• A real Arabic version with right-to-left layout, not an automatic translation widget.
• Separate, well-structured pages for each language so Google can index both.
• Product names, sizes and units that make sense to US shoppers (inches, pounds, US sizes).
• Customer support in both languages, including WhatsApp, which many Arab families already use.

5. Plan shipping, returns and trust

US shoppers compare delivery speed and return policies before they buy. Publish a clear shipping page, a simple return process and real contact details. Show honest reviews once you have them. Never invent reviews or badges: it damages trust and can break consumer protection rules.

6. Make the store accessible

Accessibility lawsuits against online stores are common in the US. Aim for WCAG 2.1 AA: readable contrast, alt text on images, keyboard navigation and labelled form fields. It also helps SEO and conversion, because a clear store is easier for everyone.

Common mistakes

• Building the store before the company, bank account and payment processor are ready.
• Ignoring sales tax until a state sends a letter.
• Using machine translation for the Arabic version.
• Copying product descriptions from suppliers, which hurts SEO.
• Launching without testing checkout, emails and returns end to end.

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a US store while living in Jordan or another Arab country?

Yes, many founders do. You will still need the US company, tax number and banking in place, and a reliable way to handle shipping and customer service in US time zones.

Should the store be in Arabic, English or both?

If your customers are mainly Arab-American families, both. If you sell to the general US market, start with English and add Arabic where it brings real customers.

Which platform is best for a US store?

It depends on your products, budget and growth plans. Read our comparison of Shopify, WooCommerce and custom stores.

Next step

We build bilingual Arabic and English stores for Arab-owned businesses in the United States, working through online meetings and regular demos. See our e-commerce service in the USA or contact us to plan your store.