Buy on Amazon from a foreign country?

6 things to make your life easier

Buying from Amazon in a different country can be a solution if your local country doesn't have what you're looking for – or if your country doesn't have a local one at all..

If you're buying a gift for someone who lives abroad, it may be more appropriate to use their local Amazon site.

You may have discovered that something is cheaper in an Amazon store in another country than your store.

Whatever the reason, take a look at this guide before making your payment. There are a few things worth knowing, such as shipping costs and international fees.

❗️ Before you start shopping on Amazon from a foreign country, make sure you're aware of the charges. The Amazon exchange rate includes all fees related to using Amazon Currency Converter. ¹ With a Wise account, you can avoid bad exchange rates and hidden fees!

The contents of the article

Amazon in different countries, buy from them

Create an Amazon account for a country where you don't live

Tips for Shopping Across Borders at Amazon

Fees you'll want to pay attention to when buying internationally

Pay Amazon from a different country

International Shipping Tips

Can I buy from Amazon in another country?

The short answer is yes. You can. But that doesn't mean every item can go anywhere in the world – there's no guarantee the item you want is available for shipping to your location.

The best thing to do is check the item itself. On its page, there'll be a note next to where it says "in stock" or "Out of stock" saying whether it ships to your location. Be sure to log in first, so Amazon knows where you are.

Amazon locations in each country and their languages

It can be confusing to try to navigate Amazon -- that is, Amazon -- in a foreign language. Below is a list of each Amazon national site, and the languages available on it.

If more than one language is displayed, you can switch between them to the top left of the page. There is a small picture of a globe and a two-letter language code. Hover over it to see your options.

You can also read the guide on how to change the country or language on Amazon for more information.

Country or region	Language(s)	URL
Australia	English	amazon.com.au
Austria	German, English	amazon.at
Brazil	Portuguese	amazon.com.br
Canada	English, French	amazon.ca
China	Standard Chinese	amazon.cn
Czech Republic	Czech	amazon.cz
Urban Zone	English	amazon.eu
Egypt	English, Arabic	egypt.souq.com
France	French	amazon.fr
Germany	German, English	amazon.de
Global	English, Spanish	amazon.com/global
India	English	amazon.in
Italy	Italian	amazon.it
Japan	Japanese, English, Chinese	amazon.co.jp
Kuwait	English, Arabic	uae.souq.com/kw-en/
Mexico	Spanish	amazon.com.mx
Netherlands	Dutch	amazon.nl
Poland	Polish	amazon.pl (amazon.de)
Saudi Arabia	English, Arabic	saudi.souq.com
Singapore	English	Amazon.com.sg (prime only)
Spain	Spanish	amazon.es
Turkey	Turkish	amazon.de/tr
UAE	English, Arabic	uae.souq.com
United Kingdom	English	amazon.co.uk
United States	English, Spanish	amazon.com

Souq, in case you're wondering, is a subsidiary of Amazon often called "Amazon in the Middle East." Amazon Global is really part of Amazon US, but with a focus on shipping abroad.

How to create and use my Amazon account in other countries

If you are already registered with Amazon in one country, you should be able to use the same login details for Amazon in other countries as well. For example, if you're registered in the United States but moved to amazon.co.uk, you'll be able to use .com details to sign in.²

Even for a marketplace, you can use Amazon logins from a different country – just choose "Sign in with Amazon." There are two exceptions at the moment, the Japanese and Chinese sites: you will need to register again to use those.²

So, you'll only need to create a new account if you don't have an Amazon account at all, or if you're trying to use Amazon Japan or China. ² If that applies to you, here's what to do:

Step 1: Head to the Amazon site you need

Type the URL directly to the browser's address bar at the top of the screen, using the appropriate country code: amazon.com amazon.cn etc.

Step 2: Find your preferred language

If you have no idea what's going on, look for the little globe symbol and switch to a language that's easier to understand, if one is available.

Step 3: Sign in to create an Amazon account

Along the top of Amazon's homepage – next to the language ball, if there is one – there will be a "Sign in" button. Select this, then you'll see an option to create your own account.

As with a general note, although it may seem like you're going to create a new account, if you use the same email and password as the other Amazon account, your account information will be transferred to the new Amazon account. Very neat.

The only exception is Japan and China. For those, even your old email and password will create an all-new account from scratch.

Step 4: Provide your details

Fill in the information Amazon asks for – it's just basic information like your email address and password – then your account will be created.

Amazon Cross-border shopping tips

Here are some pointers on how to navigate the muddy waters of the multi-international Amazon.

Shopping Tip 1: Try Amazon Global to Find Items with International Shipping

As mentioned above, Amazon Global is a convenient way to filter the US version of Amazon so that it only displays items shipped internationally.

Be careful, though, because Amazon Global may not be smart enough to show you only items that can be shipped to you.

Maybe you'll have to look at a large list of everything with international shipping options, but not necessarily international shipping options to your home country. For example, you can set your location to Germany, but not all products listed on Amazon Global will necessarily ship to Germany.

Shopping Tip 2: Pay Attention to Region Codes for DVDs and Blu-rays

There are many types of DVDs, referred to as "area codes", that affect the territory in which they are supposed to be played. Therefore, US DVDs usually have a region code 1, and therefore are intended for American DVD players who play discs with the same code. In Europe, on the other hand, the area code is 2 – so European DVD players may not be able to play American DVDs³.

You need to know the region code for both your DVD player and the DVD you want to buy – otherwise you may not be able to play it at all. Similarly, there are 3 Blu-ray region icons, so the same problem applies.

Here's a quick table to show the different regions of both DVDs and Blu-rays³.

Country or Region	DVD region code
USA and Canada	Region 1
Europe and Japan	Region 2
Southeast Asia	Region 3
Latin America and Australia	Region 4
Russia, rest of Asia, and Africa	Region 5
China	Region 6
International venues, cruise ships, planes, etc.	Region 8

Country or Region	Blu-ray region code
North America, South America, East, and Southeast Asia	Code A
Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, French territories, and Greenland	Code B
Central Asia, South Asia, Mongolia, Russia, and China	Code C

Shopping tip 3: Check the electronics for voltage and types of sockets

There are also a couple of things to keep in mind if you want to buy electronics from abroad. There are many types of sockets all over the world. This means if you buy anything with plug from abroad, you may also want to get hold of the adapter so that it can fit into a foreign socket.

Sadly, the problems don't stop just by buying an adapter. You will also need to check the voltage and frequency, to ensure that your adapter can handle your device, in your country. If the voltages don't match, you risk frying your new electronics long before they usually die.⁴

The following is a sample of different countries and regions, types of sockets and voltage used:

Country/region	Plug Types	Voltage	Frequency
Australia	Type I	230 V	50 Hz
Bahamas	Type AType B	120 V120 V	60 Hz60 Hz
Brazil	Type CType N	120 or 230 V120 or 230 V	60 Hz60 Hz
Canada	Type AType B	120 V120 V	60 Hz60 Hz
Urban Zone	Type CType F	230 V230 V	50 Hz50 Hz
India	Type CType DType M	230 V230 V230 V	50 Hz50 Hz50 Hz
Japan	Type AType B	100 V100 V	50 or 60 Hz50 or 60 Hz
Mexico	Type AType B	127 V127 V	60 Hz60 Hz
United States	Type AType B	120 V120 V	60 Hz60 Hz
United Kingdom	Type G	230 V	50 Hz

Fees when buying from Amazon.com in a different country

You won't be surprised to learn that shopping internationally sometimes comes with restrictions. While you've been geared toward an international version of Amazon trying to get a decent deal, when factoring in shipping costs you may not end up saving after all. So don't just check the price of the item.

You will also need to pay attention to:

Amazon currency conversion rates

Shipping costs (displayed in a smaller font slightly below the item price)

Customs and import taxes

Amazon currency conversion rates

Exchange rates may not be the first cost that comes to mind when buying internationally, but they can quickly be where you may end up paying more for the privilege of buying across borders.

If you buy from the US and use your debit card from your bank account in United Kingdom, you probably only have £ in your bank account in United Kingdom. If you pay for your Amazon merchandise with your bank card in United Kingdom, Amazon will need to convert those pounds into dollars.

This means that when Amazon transfers your money, you are likely to lose. Lot.⁵

Amazon itself even notices that you don't get the same exchange rate you find on Google – the same price offered by providers like Wise.

The exchange rate displayed by Amazon may not match the exchange rates listed in newspapers or other financial databases. *These exchange rates are generally interbank rates and are for wholesale quantities and are not available to retail consumers.*⁵

Amazon says the exchange rates you find online are not available to everyday consumers. But with Wise, they are.

How can you overcome that?

Companies like Wise offer unlimited multi-currency accounts that allow you to keep dozens of different currencies in one account. In any country you live in

In select regions and countries, you can also request a Wise debit card without limits to be used worldwide. Which means you can load your Wise debit card in USD and then pay for your items on Amazon. without losing on bad exchange rates.

If you pay for your Amazon purchase remotely for a bank transfer, you can use your wisely account without limits to pay in US dollars to Amazon just like a local in the United States. And without losing with poor exchange rates and expensive international bank transfer fees.

Join Wise for free

Amazon International Shipping Costs

You'll need to remember that when ordering from Amazon.com, there may be a range of shipping options depending on how fast you want – which can affect the cost as well. Depending on the item, you may feel a sticky shock when you see how much Amazon wants to charge you for shipping.

Sales and import taxes

When goods are imported into a country, they are sometimes subject to additional duties. These may be tariffs, taxes or fees, but collectively Amazon calls them "import duties".

Amazon usually collects 'import deposit fees' from you if you order abroad.⁶ It's an estimate of what it will cost to get the order in the country.

If it ends up costing less, you'll be refunded, and if it costs more, you're not charged extra – Amazon covers the extra cost. If you end up eligible for a refund, hold tight, because Amazon says it takes 60 days to come through.

You'll probably want to check out the local communities of local users in your country to see what their experience was with ordering items from Amazon. The item you have ordered may require further scrutiny or may be prohibited depending on your local customs regulations. Amazon clearly notes that you are responsible for ensuring that the item you order is allowed in your country.⁶

Also, don't be surprised if you end up paying a bit more, too. Amazon does what it can to ensure that taxes are paid for your particular country, but it may not be enough. In this case, you may have to pay a little more to collect the item.⁷

How to pay for your foreign Amazon purchase

If you have already read the section on fees above, and you are ready to go ahead and buy, this is what to do:

Select "Add to cart" on the item page, and it will go to your cart.

Repeat this for each item you want to buy.

Go to your cart via the "Cart" icon at the top right of the screen.

Check the list of items you've added, and the price of each. Make adjustments to your cart as necessary.

Press the "Continue to checkout" button to start payment. You may be prompted to sign in at this point to confirm your identity.

Select a shipping address – You can use an existing address or add a new one.

You may then have the option of delivery options – for example, "standard," "expedited," or "priority" – which will affect how long it will take to arrive. Of course, each of these will cost something different. Don't be surprised if Amazon doesn't show you the cost upfront.

Next, choose your payment option – most likely a credit or debit card, or you'll likely be able to link Amazon to your bank account. As mentioned in the fees section above, using your card abroad can be expensive unless you are using a card like the Wise Debit Card without limits. Otherwise, usage fees and possibly bad exchange rates end up costing you more than you realized. If you're using an international card, try to find a card that replaces money at the average market rate and keeps fees to a minimum.

Don't forget to choose your preferred payment currency too – it might be better to use the destination currency, because otherwise your money may be transferred via an Amazon currency converter – more on that below.

On the next page, you'll see a full breakdown of costs, including shipping cost. If you prefer to explore different shipping options, you should still be able to change them at this point, and see what each costs. Watch out for how it affects the deposit of import duties as well.

If you're happy, place your order and wait for confirmation. You okay

Amazon International Shipping Tips

Here are some tips on how to get the most out of international shipping on Amazon.

How long does Amazon take to ship?

International shipping times on Amazon vary a lot. Some items can get from the US to Germany, for example, within two days – but that's with priority shipping. With standard shipping, it can take weeks for the same item to arrive.

If you're in a hurry and don't mind paying a premium, choose the fastest charge. If you can plan in advance, preferably save money, choose standard shipping and plan on the item arriving sometime within a month.

Of course, the route has a huge impact on how long it takes, too – the longer this item is to travel, the longer it takes. So don't imagine that ordering from Amazon US and Amazon Australia is exactly the same deal.

Check out Amazon shipping options

It's common for Amazon to offer you multiple shipping options, with hefty fees for fast delivery times. So if you can manage to place your order earlier than you plan, you could end up saving a lot of money.

See what affects shipping rates

Amazon writes that shipping rates can be affected by a combination of factors: the number of items, how heavy they are, how much they weigh, and how much space they take. The type of item also affects the cost. ⁸

For example, books cost more to ship to Europe for each item of Blu-ray discs. But if you assemble multiple items, the cost is the same whether you're buying two books, some Blu-rays, or a combination of both.

So if there are any ways for you to reduce any of these factors, you could end up with a lower delivery cost.

Make as few separate requests as possible

Of course, Amazon reduces both cost and waste so you can pack your items together. So don't get a very happy click! Wait before placing your order until you are confident that there is nothing else you want. Ordering one item every few days is expensive, inefficient, and not exactly environmentally friendly either.

Consider forwarding international mail/freight forwarders

If Amazon doesn't offer shipping for a particular item to your country – or even if it is, but the shipping cost is too high – there may be another way. Shipping Services offers what can be an easy solution.

A company like this, perhaps based in the US, can make Amazon orders on your behalf, ship items to their US address, and then forward your purchases to your home with international shipping.

Many companies offer this service - one of the well-known companies is Flycrates, various other companies discuss on the Parcel Forward website. Of course, using a "third party" like this complicates the process a bit.

This will likely mean that the package takes longer to reach you, and of course, you will have to check the cost carefully and make sure that it is good value for money.

Amazon itself is eager to explain that using a "shipping agent" does not affect your ability to return items if you are damaged or defective. But, depending on your location, this may be your only option for getting things through Amazon.⁹