Amazon is a global retail giant that has transformed the way we shop online, offering an almost endless variety of products. But what if you’re located in a country like Iceland, where Amazon doesn’t have a dedicated local website? Can you still shop from Amazon and have products delivered to your doorstep? Here’s what you need to know about shopping at Amazon from Iceland.
Amazon’s International Shipping to Iceland
While Amazon doesn’t have a dedicated site for Iceland, shoppers can still access Amazon’s products through their international websites like Amazon UK, Amazon Germany, or Amazon US. Many items are available for international shipping, including to Iceland, although some restrictions and additional charges might apply.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of Amazon sellers that won’t ship to Iceland or that charge exorbitant delivery costs for doing so (and that excludes any import charges). To get around this, the best thing you can do is use a package forwarding company such as Forward2me in the UK or Stackry in the US.
Using a Package Forwarding Company
Package forwarding companies provide you with an address in another country (for example, Forward2me provides addresses in the UK and Stackry provides addresses in the US). You simply send your order there and they ‘forward’ your order onto you in Iceland or wherever you are in the world.
This way you can purchase just about anything that a shopper in the UK or US would be able to purchase.
How to Shop on Amazon from Iceland
- Choose the Right Amazon Website: Select the Amazon site that offers shipping to Iceland and has the product you want. Often, European Amazon sites such as Amazon UK or Amazon Germany, might have better shipping rates and quicker delivery times to Iceland.
- Check Shipping Availability: Before making a purchase, verify that the seller ships to Iceland. This information is usually listed on the product page. If they don’t, consider using a package forwarding company.
- Understand Import Fees and Taxes: Iceland has import rules that might affect your purchase. Amazon’s Global Shipping program often calculates these costs at checkout, giving you a clear understanding of the total price.
- Choose a Shipping Method: Depending on urgency, you can choose from various shipping options with different delivery times and costs.
- Payment Methods: Most international credit or debit cards should work on Amazon’s site. Just make sure your card supports international transactions.
Alternatives and Local Options
If you find that the product you want doesn’t ship to Iceland, or if the shipping fees are prohibitive, there are other options:
- Package Forwarding Services: These services provide a shipping address in a country where Amazon operates, and they will forward your package to Iceland. This can sometimes be a more affordable or convenient way to get items that aren’t directly shipped to Iceland.
- Local Retailers: Don’t forget to explore Icelandic online retailers, as they might offer similar products at competitive prices, without the need for international shipping.
Conclusion
Shopping at Amazon from Iceland is entirely feasible, although it requires a bit of understanding of the international shipping process and potential import fees. By following the above guide, you can enjoy a vast selection of products from Amazon without leaving the stunning shores of Iceland. With the right planning and consideration of local alternatives, the world of Amazon shopping is open to you, even from the land of fire and ice! Happy shopping!