How to Buy Amazon Shares from India: Rupee Cost and Tax

Last Updated on Nov 12, 2026 by Loveesha Sharma

Amazon.com, Inc., whose Indian marketplace runs at amazon.com, has no listing on the NSE or BSE; its single class of common stock trades on the Nasdaq. For a resident Indian, owning it means remitting money abroad under the RBI’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) and buying through an overseas account, the same route that governs how Indians can invest in US stocks in general. India taxes any gains on the shares, and remittances above Rs.10 lakh in a financial year attract Tax Collected at Source (TCS). The sections that follow cover each stage of buying Amazon shares from India, along with the price in rupees, the tax treatment, and the risks specific to Amazon.

Table of Contents

About Amazon

Amazon.com, Inc. is a US company that sells goods online and in physical stores, runs a marketplace for third-party sellers, offers subscriptions such as Prime, sells advertising and provides cloud computing through Amazon Web Services (AWS). Jeff Bezos founded the company in 1994 and is its executive chair; Andy Jassy has been president and chief executive officer since July 2021, and the company is based in Seattle, Washington. Amazon belongs to the internet retail industry within the consumer cyclical sector.

The business runs in three segments:

North America covers retail sales, seller services, advertising and subscriptions through North America-focused stores. Its sales rose 6% to $112.9 bn in the quarter ended 30th September 2026.
International covers the same activities in other countries, including India. Its sales rose 5% to $43.1 bn in the same quarter.
AWS covers cloud computing, storage, databases and AI services for businesses and governments. Its sales rose 39% to $46.0 bn, and it produced $17.8 bn of the company’s $28.1 bn operating income.

Can Indian Residents Invest in Amazon?

Yes. Resident individuals can buy US stocks from India, including Amazon, under the LRS, within the annual limit and subject to RBI, FEMA and tax requirements.

There are two broad routes. In the direct route, an investor buys Amazon shares through a platform that offers US stocks, and the shares are held in the investor’s name. In the indirect route, an investor buys units of Indian funds or US ETFs that hold Amazon as part of a wider portfolio. The indirect route gives exposure through a fund, with fund fees and no direct ownership of Amazon shares.

Amazon shares are bought through a brokerage or investing platform that provides access to the Nasdaq. Amazon’s Indian operating businesses are not separately listed, so the Nasdaq-listed parent is the only way to hold Amazon equity.

How to Buy Amazon Shares from India?

On Tickertape, you buy Amazon shares through a US investing account with ViewTrade International IFSC, an IFSCA-registered Global Access Provider. The process runs in five stages:

Account opening: After logging in to Tickertape, the account is set up by selecting “Get Started” under US Stocks.
Complete the KYC: Identity is verified through DigiLocker or by uploading documents manually, using the investor’s PAN and identity documents.
Link the bank: A supported Indian bank account is connected to transfer funds under the RBI’s LRS.
Add funds: A transfer is initiated from the linked bank account. Funds typically take two to three business days to reflect and can take up to seven, depending on the bank.
Place an order: Amazon (AMZN) is searched for, its financials are reviewed and an investment amount is chosen. Fractional shares allow purchases from $1, and the order screen shows the order details and applicable charges before confirmation.

LRS Limit and TCS on Overseas Transfers

The LRS allows resident individuals, including minors, to remit up to $250,000 per financial year (April to March) for permitted current or capital account transactions, including investment in foreign securities, according to the RBI’s LRS FAQs. A PAN is mandatory for LRS remittances, the limit resets on 1st April, and remittances for margin or margin calls to overseas exchanges are not permitted.

TCS applies to investment remittances above a Rs.10 lakh threshold in a financial year. The threshold is calculated on the investor’s total LRS remittances during the year, not on each transfer separately. Above the threshold, TCS is collected at 20% on the excess. For example, a Rs.12 lakh investment-related remittance attracts TCS on Rs.2 lakh, which is Rs.40,000.

TCS is not an additional tax. The bank deposits it against the investor’s PAN, and it can be adjusted against final tax liability or claimed when the Income Tax Return is filed. Refund timelines vary. Banks typically ask for Form A2 and an LRS declaration for each outward remittance.

Taxes on Amazon Shares for Indian Residents

For Indian residents, gains from selling Amazon shares are taxed in India. The US generally does not tax capital gains for non-US resident investors.

Holding period	Gain type	Tax rate
24 months or less	Short-term (STCG)	Investor’s income-tax slab rate
More than 24 months	Long-term (LTCG)	12.5% without indexation, plus surcharge and cess

Dividends: Amazon does not currently pay a cash dividend, so no US dividend withholding applies to Amazon holdings today. If Amazon introduces a dividend, US tax would generally be withheld at 25% under the India-US Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), and the dividend would also be taxable in India, with a foreign tax credit available through Form 67.
Stock splits: A stock split, such as Amazon’s 20-for-1 split, with split-adjusted trading from 6th June 2022, changes the number of shares held and the price per share but not the total value of the holding.
Schedule FA: Amazon holdings may need to be disclosed in Schedule FA of the Income Tax Return, including small holdings and fractional shares. Investors with foreign assets generally file ITR-2 or ITR-3, depending on their income profile. Non-disclosure may attract penalties, and a tax adviser can confirm the requirements for an individual case.

Risks of Investing in Amazon

Consumer demand: Amazon’s retail business sits in the consumer cyclical sector, where household spending rises and falls with incomes, interest rates and inflation. Weaker spending can reduce sales in the North America and International segments.
Cloud competition and AI spending: AWS competes with other large cloud providers for business and AI workloads. Amazon’s purchases of property and equipment, net of proceeds and incentives, reached $210.7 bn in the twelve months to 30th September 2026, mainly for AI, and free cash flow was an outflow of $42.4 bn over the same period.
Regulation and legal risk: Amazon is litigating matters alleging price fixing, monopolisation and consumer protection breaches, including cases brought by US state attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission, according to its annual report for 2025. Outcomes are unpredictable and can bring costs or changes to business practices.
International rules: India restricts foreign ownership or control of companies in online multi-brand retail, so on amazon.in. Amazon provides marketing tools and logistics services to third-party sellers rather than selling as a multi-brand retailer. Rules like this in India, China, and other countries can limit how the company operates.
Market and currency risk: Share prices rise and fall with company earnings, interest rates and investor mood, and returns are not guaranteed. Because the shares are priced in dollars, a stronger rupee can reduce returns in rupee terms while a weaker rupee can increase them, even when the dollar share price is unchanged.
Tax and cost risk: TCS rates, remittance limits and reporting rules can change over time. Brokerage, currency conversion and other charges also apply, so the amount an investor finally keeps can differ from the headline return.

Things to Consider Before Buying Amazon Shares

Segment profits: AWS produced 23% of Amazon’s net sales in the quarter ended 30th September 2026 but 63% of its operating income.
Margins: Operating income reached $28.1 bn in the same quarter, an operating margin of 13.9%, which Amazon described as its highest ever.
Advertising and subscriptions: Advertising services brought in $19.6 bn and subscription services $14.0 bn in the quarter, alongside online stores and third-party seller services.
No dividend: Amazon does not currently pay a dividend, so shareholder returns depend on share price movements alone.
Valuation: At the Amazon stock price of $266.11, the trailing P/E was 21.57 on 12th November 2026, according to Tickertape. Valuation ratios are usually read alongside recent results and the company’s plans.
Indian operations: Amazon’s Indian marketplace is part of the International segment, and the company’s results are driven mainly by North America and AWS, so developments in those markets generally carry more weight for the share price.

Conclusion

Amazon’s retail business earns most of its sales, while AWS earns most of its operating profit, and its spending on AI infrastructure has turned free cash flow into an outflow. Retail demand and cloud growth are therefore central to how investors view its shares. For resident Indians, access runs through overseas platforms under the RBI’s framework, with taxes, TCS and currency movements shaping the final return. Current rules, the company’s latest results and individual circumstances are the usual reference points before any decision.

For comparing US-listed companies such as Amazon on valuation, profitability, returns and growth, the Tickertape US Stock Screener provides 60+ built-in filters on a single platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I buy Amazon shares from India?

Yes. Indian residents can hold Amazon shares, which are listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker AMZN. There are two broad routes. In the direct route, shares are bought through a platform that offers US stocks, funded by a remittance under the RBI’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), and the shares are held in the investor’s name. In the indirect route, exposure comes through Indian funds or ETFs that hold Amazon as part of a US-linked portfolio. Platform availability, fees and eligibility vary.

2. Is it legal for Indians to buy Amazon shares?

Yes. Resident Indians can invest in overseas listed shares under the LRS, which operates under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999. The scheme allows up to $250,000 per individual per financial year for permitted purposes, including investment in foreign securities. Remittances are routed through authorised banks, and foreign assets and income are reported in the Income Tax Return.

Disclaimer: Rules and limits can change over time. The latest RBI, FEMA and Income Tax provisions apply.

3. How to buy Amazon shares from India step by step?

On Tickertape, buying Amazon shares from India involves five stages, all completed within the US Stocks section of the platform:
– Account setup: A US investing account is created by selecting “Get Started” under US Stocks after logging in to Tickertape.
– Complete the KYC: Identity is verified digitally through DigiLocker or by uploading documents, using the PAN and identity documents.
– Link your bank: A supported Indian bank account is connected to send funds under the LRS. Supported banks include HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and IDFC Bank.
– Add funds: Money is transferred from the linked bank account to the US wallet.
– Buy an order: Amazon (AMZN) is searched for on the platform, its financials are reviewed and an investment amount is chosen. Fractional investing starts at $1, and the platform shows the order details and applicable charges before you confirm the order.

4. Is there a limit on how much can be invested in Amazon from India?

The LRS limit of $250,000 per individual per financial year covers all permitted overseas remittances combined, not only Amazon purchases. It resets on 1st April. At $266.11 per share on 12th November 2026, 1,000 Amazon shares would cost $266,110, just above one person’s yearly limit. Remittances above Rs.10 lakh in a financial year also attract TCS.

5. How much do Amazon shares cost in rupees?

One Amazon share cost about Rs.24,937 at $266.11 and $1 = Rs.93.71 on 12th November 2026, and 100 shares would cost $26,611, or about Rs.24,93,717. Platforms that offer fractional investing allow purchases from $1, so an investor can buy part of a share at the prevailing price and exchange rate.

Disclaimer: Share prices and exchange rates change through the day, and minimums vary by platform.

6. Do I need a US bank account to buy Amazon shares?

No. Platforms that serve Indian residents accept funds from an Indian bank account, and the money is sent abroad under the LRS. A US bank account or a US address is not generally required.

7. What documents are required to invest in Amazon from India?

KYC typically needs a PAN and an identity proof such as Aadhaar or a passport, along with an address proof. Many platforms support digital verification through DigiLocker. For each outward remittance, banks generally ask for Form A2 and an LRS declaration. Requirements differ by platform and bank.

8. How long does it take for money to reach the account?

Transfers typically take two to three business days to reflect and can take up to seven, depending on the bank and the remittance route. The time depends on bank processing, currency conversion and the platform’s funding method.

Disclaimer: Timelines are indicative and may differ from case to case.

9. What is TCS and can it be claimed back?

Tax Collected at Source (TCS) is tax that the bank collects at the time of an overseas remittance. For investment remittances, it applies at 20% on the amount above Rs.10 lakh in a financial year, calculated on total LRS remittances for the year. TCS is not an additional tax. You can adjust it against your tax liability or claim it as a refund when you file your Income Tax Return, and refund timelines vary.

Disclaimer: TCS rates and thresholds can change. The rules in force at the time of remittance apply.

10. Does Amazon pay a dividend?

No. Amazon does not currently pay a cash dividend, so no US dividend withholding tax applies to Amazon holdings. If a company starts paying dividends, the US generally withholds tax before crediting the amount, and the dividend is also taxable in India.

Disclaimer: Dividend policy can change. This answer reflects the position at the time of writing.

11. Has Amazon split its stock?

Yes. Amazon’s most recent split was a 20-for-1 split, with shares trading on a split-adjusted basis from 6th June 2022. In a split, a shareholder receives more shares and the price per share falls in proportion, so the total value of the holding does not change.

12. Is Amazon listed on the NSE or BSE?

No. Amazon Inc. is listed only on the Nasdaq, under the ticker AMZN, and its Indian businesses are not listed separately. Indian residents therefore hold Amazon shares through an overseas account funded under the LRS, or gain indirect exposure through Indian funds or US ETFs that include Amazon among their holdings.

13. How does the dollar-rupee exchange rate affect returns?

Amazon trades in dollars, so rupees are converted into dollars when buying and dollars are converted back into rupees when selling. If the rupee is weaker at the time of sale than at the time of purchase, the rupee value of the holding is higher, and if it is stronger, the value is lower. This can happen even when the share price in dollars has not moved.

Disclaimer: Exchange rates move unpredictably and can increase or reduce returns in rupee terms.

14. When can I trade Amazon shares from India?

US markets are open from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm Eastern Time on weekdays, which is 7:00 pm to 1:30 am IST during US daylight saving time and 8:00 pm to 2:30 am IST outside it. Standard time runs from 1st November 2026 to 14th March 2027. Markets are closed on weekends and US market holidays.

Disclaimer: Timings shift by an hour when US daylight saving time starts or ends, and extended-hours availability varies by platform.

15. How are Amazon gains taxed in India?

Gains from selling Amazon shares are taxed in India. Holdings of more than 24 months are long-term and taxed at 12.5% without indexation, plus surcharge and cess. Holdings of 24 months or less are short-term and taxed at the investor’s income-tax slab rate. The US generally does not tax capital gains of non-US residents. Foreign holdings must be reported in Schedule FA of the Income Tax Return, which generally means filing ITR-2 or ITR-3.

Disclaimer: Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and can change. This is general information and not tax advice.

16. Is Amazon a good stock to buy?

Amazon’s financials, valuation and business outlook are published in the company’s filings and on stock research pages, and whether any stock fits a portfolio depends on an individual’s goals, risk appetite and time horizon.

Disclaimer: This is not investment advice. Share prices can fall as well as rise, and past performance does not indicate future returns.

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, tax or legal advice. Rules, limits and tax treatment may change over time. Refer to the latest RBI, FEMA and Income Tax regulations or consult a qualified professional before making overseas investments.