Can a person in Pakistan publish a real book on Amazon, available for buyers around the world? Yes — and I am not guessing. I set up my KDP account in October 2026 from Gujrat, Pakistan, and my colouring book, Cozy Mushroom Coloring Book, went live on Amazon on 1 November 2026, priced at $11.
Here is the whole journey in the order I did it: account, tax and payment details, book details, upload, AI disclosure, pricing, and review.
Step 1: Create Your KDP Account
Go to Amazon's KDP website and sign in. You can create a new Amazon account for KDP, so publishing stays separate from personal shopping.
KDP asks whether you are publishing as an Individual or a business. I chose Individual, under my own name. Also set up two-step verification — this account will hold your books and earnings.
Step 2: Complete the Tax Interview and Identity Verification
KDP will not consider your account complete until you finish the tax interview — a short questionnaire about who you are, where you are tax resident, and your tax identification number. I completed mine from Pakistan using my CNIC as my TIN, and it was accepted in October 2026. Forms can change, so follow KDP's current screens.
Amazon also requires identity verification. I completed this as part of my setup. Keep your name consistent everywhere — account, tax interview, and bank account — or you will create delays.
The tax interview in full detail: KDP Tax Interview from Pakistan: CNIC or NTN? (What Actually Worked for Me)
Step 3: Add Your Bank Account for Royalties
In the Getting Paid section, add your Pakistani bank account by IBAN for direct deposit. I added my MCB Current account. One detail catches people out: KDP's form uses the American term "Checking" — a Pakistani Current account is entered as "Checking." The account holder name must match your bank account name exactly.
Royalties are paid around 60 days after the end of the sales month. My complete payment guide: How to Receive Amazon KDP Royalties in Pakistan (Direct IBAN Method)
Step 4: Create Your Book and Enter the Details
From your KDP Bookshelf, create a new paperback and complete three sections:
| Book details | Title, subtitle, author name, description, keywords, categories |
| Content | Interior file, cover, trim size, paper and print options |
| Pricing | List price and distribution choices |
My colouring book is an 8.5 × 11 inch paperback — a standard, comfortable size for colouring pages. Set your trim size before finalising your files, because your interior and cover must be built to that exact size.
Write your description like a sales page: who is it for, and what makes yours different? Choose keywords a real buyer would search.
Step 5: Upload Your Content — and Answer the AI Question Honestly
Upload your print-ready interior PDF and your full cover (front, spine, and back as one file, built to KDP's size requirements). Then use KDP's previewer to check every page: margins, page order, and cover alignment. Do not approve a book you have not previewed.
During setup, KDP also asks about AI-generated content. If parts of your book — text or images — were generated with AI tools, you must disclose that in the KDP setup when asked. Disclosure is not shown to buyers on your book's page, and disclosing does not ban your book. What puts accounts at risk is hiding AI use. Answer truthfully, as I did.
Step 6: Set Your Price
KDP shows the printing cost and calculates your royalty as you type a price. At the standard 60% royalty, printing cost is deducted first; the remainder is yours per sale. My colouring book is priced at $11. Too low, and you earn almost nothing; too high for your category, and buyers choose a competitor.
Step 7: Publish — and Wait for Review
When everything is complete, press publish. Your book does not go live instantly. Amazon reviews the files and details first; this commonly takes up to 72 hours, and can take longer if something is flagged. If there is an issue, you will be told what to fix — fix it calmly and resubmit.
When approval comes through, your book gets its product page and its ASIN, the unique Amazon identifier for your book. Mine is B0HPYS1RB8. That is the moment you are officially a published author.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is KDP available to authors in Pakistan?
Yes. I opened my account from Pakistan as an Individual, completed tax and identity verification, added a Pakistani bank account by IBAN, and published successfully in 2026.
How much does it cost to publish on KDP?
Creating an account and publishing a paperback costs nothing upfront. The printing cost and Amazon's share are deducted from each sale before your royalty is calculated. Ordering a proof copy is optional and paid at cost.
How long does it take from publishing to a live book?
Setup can be done in days if your files are ready. After you press publish, allow for Amazon's review — commonly up to 72 hours — before your book appears live.
Conclusion
Publishing on KDP from Pakistan is a process, not a puzzle: one account, honestly completed — tax interview, identity verification, bank details — then careful book setup, a truthful AI disclosure, a sensible price, and patience during review. I did every step from Gujrat, and on 1 November 2026 my book was live.
If you have a book idea sitting in a drawer, start with Step 1 today. Create the account — the rest follows, one step at a time.
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