Does Amazon Ship Internationally? Truth, Restrictions, and Workarounds

If you’ve ever browsed Amazon from outside the U.S., you’ve probably wondered if your order will actually make it past customs and show up at your place. The short answer? Sometimes yes, sometimes no—it really depends on where you live and what you’re trying to buy.

Amazon has international sites like Amazon UK, Germany, Japan, and a few others. That helps, but not everything from those stores is up for grabs worldwide. A lot of products are locked behind restrictions—think batteries, some electronics, and anything flammable. Even books or clothes can get weirdly “not available” messages depending on your location.

Before hitting the buy button, always check the shipping options in your cart. There’s usually an estimate right on the checkout page, showing if Amazon will deliver to your country. If it gives you a red warning or no shipping price, that’s Amazon’s way of saying, “Not this time.”

• Which Countries Get Amazon Deliveries
• What Products Will Amazon Ship Internationally
• Common Issues and Restrictions
• Smart Tips for Ordering from Abroad

Which Countries Get Amazon Deliveries

Amazon isn’t shy about selling to the world, but their Amazon international shipping reach isn’t total. The big sites (Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.co.jp) send packages to over 100 countries. Still, there are plenty of areas where you’re out of luck unless you use workarounds or third-party freight forwarders.

Here’s a quick breakdown of where Amazon delivery usually works:

• North America: U.S., Canada, Mexico (with Mexican site)
• Europe: UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, and more via regional Amazon stores
• Asia: Japan, India, Singapore, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and a few more
• Australia: Has its own Amazon (amazon.com.au)
• South America: Brazil is the main site; other countries often have to rely on shipping from the U.S.
• Middle East & Africa: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey—other countries have spotty or no direct service

But here’s what most folks don’t realize: just because Amazon says they ship to your country, it doesn’t mean every product will make it to your door. Items like electronics or certain toys get blocked from international shipping because of rules, safety, or local distributors.

If you want to see exactly which countries Amazon.com ships to, here’s a slice of real data:

Your best bet? Before you shop, set your shipping address on Amazon. Hit the little flag icon—usually up top—and it’ll filter out whatever can’t be delivered. That way you know what’s actually fair game for Amazon worldwide shipping before you fall in love with that fancy gadget.

What Products Will Amazon Ship Internationally

If you’re outside the U.S. and hoping to score a deal on Amazon, you need to know not everything actually leaves the warehouse for overseas shipment. Even if a product looks perfect, Amazon might block it from being shipped to your country—and it's not always obvious until checkout.

First off, the basics: Amazon will usually ship books, DVDs, clothes, and non-perishable items to most of the countries it supports. But when you get to electronics, beauty products, toys with batteries, or anything containing liquids, things get tricky fast. Local import rules and Amazon’s own policies both play a part. Sometimes the reason is something as simple as a product that uses a different power plug, or a liquid that can’t go on a plane.

Amazon clearly states on their help page:

“Product availability and shipping eligibility can vary from item to item. Not every product offered on Amazon.com or any other Amazon marketplace site can be shipped to all international locations.”

Certain product types almost never ship abroad, including:

• Phones, tablets, and other tech with lithium batteries
• Big appliances (fridges, washing machines, ovens, etc.)
• Liquids and flammables (paint, cologne, some beauty products)
• Sharp objects or items restricted by local law
• Food (mostly fresh, but also anything perishable)

Some categories have exceptions, so it’s always smart to check item-by-item, even for products you think should be simple. Here’s a quick look at common stuff people shop for and if Amazon typically ships it outside the U.S.:

Want to save time? There’s a handy filter called “Amazon Global Eligible” or “Ships internationally” you can tick while searching. It narrows things to what Amazon international shipping actually allows. If you’re using Amazon.com, you can also set your delivery address at the top of the page—then Amazon hides most stuff you can’t get shipped to you anyway.

Bottom line: don’t count on every product making it. Use the Amazon filters, always double-check before you hit buy, and know the most common blocks are batteries, liquids, big items, and food.

Common Issues and Restrictions

Ordering from Amazon to another country can get tricky fast. One of the biggest headaches? Not every product ships outside its home country. Amazon actually blocks a lot of listings from crossing borders. The reasons range from local laws to deals with brand owners. For instance, you might spot a cool laptop bag in the U.S. store, but poof—no shipping to Brazil, India, or Australia.

Even if something is marked as eligible for Amazon international shipping, some surprise hurdles can pop up. Electronics, for example, often get shut down by different voltage and plug types, strict certification rules, or local customs. Another big one is anything containing lithium batteries—think phones, laptops, wireless earbuds. These can be labeled as hazardous, so Amazon or the carrier will refuse to ship them internationally.

Here are the most common roadblocks you’ll run into:

• Customs Restrictions: Countries have their own rules on what comes in. Books that look innocent might trigger censorship, or vitamin supplements might get confiscated by customs agents.
• Brand or Seller Restrictions: Some brands block international sales—Adidas and Nike are classic offenders. A third-party seller might also refuse to ship outside their region.
• Item Type: Batteries, aerosols, liquids, and even certain electronics are treated as hazardous or require special paperwork Amazon rarely does.
• Size and Weight Limits: Big stuff like bulky furniture or gym gear is almost never approved for overseas delivery.

It’s also worth pointing out that Amazon delivery times can be unpredictable for international shipments. Items can get caught in customs for days or even weeks. Some countries tack on surprise import taxes, making your deal from Amazon a lot pricier than you expected.

Last quick tip: Always double-check the final shipping price and possible taxes before placing an order from a Amazon worldwide store. Surprises can show up at your door—in the form of customs bills you didn’t plan for.

Smart Tips for Ordering from Abroad

Shopping on Amazon from outside your home country can be a bit of a minefield, but it’s not impossible. Here’s the good news: with some quick checks and small adjustments, you can boost your chances of snagging what you want and having it actually show up at your door.

First up, always set your shipping address before you start loading your cart. This lets Amazon filter your search results to only show what’s deliverable to you. No one likes falling for a cool gadget, only to find out it can’t leave the US warehouse.

• Amazon Global: Check if your item is sold by Amazon Global. These listings are way more likely to ship almost anywhere. You’ll spot an “Amazon Global Eligible” tag near the price.
• Third-Party Sellers: Some third-party sellers offer their own Amazon international shipping options, even if Amazon itself won’t. Sometimes, messaging the seller gets the ball rolling.
• Package Forwarding Services: When Amazon says no, package forwarders say yes. Companies like Shipito and Stackry give you a US (or UK/EU) address where your stuff arrives first, then they ship it to your door—often for a fee that beats international rates. Remember: this works best for smaller, non-restricted items.
• Customs and Fees: Always check if Amazon adds prepaid customs fees at checkout. If they don’t, get ready for a call from local customs—or a surprise bill. For many countries, Amazon handles the paperwork and charges you upfront if needed.
• Compare Regional Amazon Sites: Check your country’s version of Amazon. Sometimes you’ll find the same product in your local store, with less hassle and local shipping rates. Amazon Japan, for example, is famous for making it easy to ship books and gadgets worldwide.

You’d be surprised, but a third of items listed on Amazon.com are available through Amazon Global. Just don’t expect huge TVs or anything that uses certain lithium batteries—it’s mostly clothes, books, accessories, and tech smaller than a soccer ball.

If you really want to see how the options stack up, here’s a quick table comparing a few popular forwarding services (as of April 2025):

Try these tweaks next time you’re feeling that Amazon international shipping itch. Get creative with your approach and you’ll have way more success—and fewer disappointments.