Must-Read: Complete Guide to KYC Requirements Across Different Platforms (Updated May 2025)
What is KYC? Why is it critical for cross-border e-commerce?
KYC (Know Your Customer) refers to the compliance requirements that financial institutions and businesses must follow to verify the authenticity of customer identities through real-name authentication and identity verification processes. In cross-border e-commerce and overseas marketing, as global regulations tighten, KYC has become a fundamental requirement for platform onboarding, payment settlements, and ad placements.
For overseas marketing professionals, understanding the KYC requirements of major platforms in advance helps:
- Avoid account suspensions due to security and compliance issues
- Shorten review cycles and accelerate business launch
- Reduce risks of fund freezes caused by mismatched identity information
In-Depth Comparison of KYC Requirements Across Major Platforms (2025 Latest Edition)
I. E-Commerce Platform KYC Requirements
1. Amazon Seller Central
- Basic requirements: Business license + legal representative ID (color scanned copies)
- Special requirements: Added facial recognition liveness detection starting 2025
- Review time: 3-5 business days
- Notes: Corporate bank account must match the registered entity
2. Shopify Payments
- Verification tiers:
- Basic: Personal ID + address proof (utility bill) - Advanced: Business documents + legal representative passport copy
- Technical feature: AI-powered document authenticity detection system
- Common rejection reason: Address proof exceeding 3-month validity
3. Alibaba International
- Chinese sellers: Enterprise Alipay verification + business registration check
- Overseas sellers:
- Passport/driver's license as identity proof - VAT number (for European stations)
- Update frequency: Annual re-verification required
II. Advertising Platform KYC Standards
1. Google Ads
- Policy change: Starting Q2 2025, country/region-specific management
- EU/US markets: Tax identification number required - Emerging markets: Stricter address proof checks
- Verification methods: Mailed verification code + micro-deposit bank verification
2. Meta Business Manager
- Three-stage verification:
1. Basic info (name, address) 2. Legal representative ID (photo ID) 3. Business credentials (business license registration number)
- Common issue: Distinction between personal and business account documents
3. TikTok For Business
- Unique requirements:
- Store URL mandatory (for e-commerce clients) - Verification of advertiser industry qualifications
- AI review: May require supplementary short video explanations of business models
III. Payment System KYC Processes
1. PayPal
- Personal accounts: SSN/passport + linked credit card
- Business accounts:
- Corporate bylaws - Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) declaration
- Trigger condition: Transactions over $1,000 automatically trigger enhanced verification
2. Stripe
- Document checklist:
- Front/back copies of legal representative ID - Business registration proof - Bank account verification documents
- Real-time verification: 85% of users complete activation within 2 hours
3. WorldFirst
- Features for Chinese users:
- Individual businesses must provide photos of business premises - Import/export qualification filings
- Rejection handling: Supports online appeals with supplementary materials
5 Key Success Factors for KYC Verification
1. Golden rules for document preparation
- Ensure all documents are within validity period
- Scanned copies must be at least 300dpi resolution
- Bilingual documents require certified translations
2. Consistency is critical
- Registered names must exactly match ID documents
- Uniform address formats across business documents
- Bank account holder must match registration entity
3. Handling technical failures
- If facial recognition fails:
- Ensure adequate lighting - Avoid beauty filters - Try switching devices
4. Special preparations for sensitive industries
- Health/financial clients need additional documents:
- Industry licenses - Product compliance certificates - Privacy policy documents
5. Audit tracking tips
- Keep copies of all submissions
- Check spam folders for platform notifications
- Note Case IDs for follow-ups
Latest Trends & Future Predictions
Three major developments in KYC for 2025: 1. Blockchain verification: Some platforms now accept digital identity credentials 2. Global standardization: ISO will release a KYC mutual recognition framework in Q4 3. Biometric adoption: Vein recognition and other new technologies enter commercial use
According to Quark Hub's cross-border compliance data, 2025 account freezes due to KYC issues stem from:
- 58% inconsistent information
- 23% unclear documents
- 12% interrupted verification processes
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Ready to act? Quark Hub’s expert team offers: ✅ Pre-audit KYC services for all platforms ✅ Expedited processing for complex cases ✅ Custom compliance consulting
[Contact our KYC specialists](https://www.quark-hub.com/contact) or visit [www.quark-hub.com](https://www.quark-hub.com/) to download the "2025 Global KYC Compliance Whitepaper"