Why Shop on Amazon US?

Amazon's US marketplace is the largest e-commerce platform in the world, offering millions of products — many of which are unavailable or significantly more expensive on regional Amazon sites like Amazon UK, Amazon.de, or Amazon.jp. From niche electronics and US-exclusive brands to Amazon's own devices at lower prices, there are compelling reasons for international shoppers to tap into Amazon.com.

The challenge? Amazon US doesn't ship everything internationally, and some third-party sellers on the platform restrict delivery to US addresses only. This is where package forwarding comes in.

What Amazon US Does and Doesn't Ship Internationally

Amazon operates its own international shipping programme for some products, but coverage is limited:

  • Ships internationally directly: A subset of Amazon's own inventory — mostly books, some electronics, and select categories. You can filter for this using Amazon's "Ships internationally" option.
  • Doesn't ship internationally: Most third-party marketplace sellers, many electronics, hazardous goods (batteries, aerosols), and Amazon-exclusive items like certain Alexa devices in some regions.

Using a US forwarding address unlocks the full Amazon US catalogue — any product that ships to a US address can then be forwarded to you.

Step-by-Step: Shopping Amazon US with a Forwarding Address

  1. Sign up for a US package forwarding service and receive your US warehouse address with a unique suite number.
  2. Create or update your Amazon.com account. Go to Account > Manage Addresses and add your forwarding address as a shipping address.
  3. Set your delivery country to "United States" in Amazon's preferences so the full catalogue and correct pricing appear.
  4. Shop normally and ship to your forwarding address at checkout. Check each product page to confirm it ships to your forwarding address — most will.
  5. Wait for delivery confirmation from your forwarding service, then log in to arrange international shipment to your real address.

Saving Money: Tips Specific to Amazon US

  • Use a tax-free state address: Choose a forwarding service with warehouses in Oregon or Delaware to avoid paying US sales tax (which can be 5–10% of your order value).
  • Amazon Prime: Consider subscribing to Amazon Prime for free US shipping to your forwarding address on millions of items. The annual cost often pays off on just a few large orders.
  • Watch for Lightning Deals: Amazon US runs time-sensitive deals that often aren't mirrored on other regional sites. With a forwarding address, you can take advantage of these.
  • Compare with your local Amazon: Always check whether the same item on your regional Amazon (with local shipping) is cheaper once you factor in forwarding costs.

Restricted and Prohibited Items

Not everything can be forwarded internationally. Items to be cautious about include:

  • Products with lithium batteries (airlines restrict these — check your forwarder's policy)
  • Aerosols and flammable liquids
  • Food and perishables
  • Region-locked electronics (check voltage compatibility for your country)

Calculating Your True Cost

Before buying, estimate your total landed cost:

  1. Product price on Amazon US
  2. + US shipping to forwarding warehouse (free with Prime or standard Amazon shipping)
  3. + Forwarding service fee (if any)
  4. + International shipping cost (use the forwarding service's calculator)
  5. + Estimated import duties and taxes in your country

If the total is still lower than what you'd pay locally or on your regional Amazon, it's worth proceeding. For many electronics, apparel, and niche products, the savings are substantial even after all costs are factored in.