Amazon US has the largest product selection on the internet — but shopping from it internationally comes with real friction points: not every item ships globally, import taxes can be unpredictable, and the wrong payment method quietly adds 2–3% to every order.
This guide walks through the whole process, from account setup to what to do when your package goes quiet in customs.
Does Amazon US Ship Internationally?
Amazon ships to over 100 countries through its Amazon Global program. But not every product is eligible. You'll see "This item ships internationally" or "Ships to [your country]" on eligible product pages.
For items that don't ship directly, the workaround is a package forwarding service — a US address that receives your package and ships it onward to you.
Best Payment Methods for Amazon US from Abroad
Amazon US charges in USD, so most international credit cards will apply a 2–3% foreign transaction fee on every order. That adds up.
Credit cards with no foreign transaction fees are the right choice:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred (no fee, purchase protection)
- Capital One Venture (no fee, 2x miles)
- Citi Double Cash (no fee, 2% cashback)
Avoid debit cards for international Amazon orders. Chargeback rights are weaker, and if something goes wrong with a high-value shipment, that difference matters.
Setting Up Amazon US for International Shipping
- Go to amazon.com (not your local Amazon storefront)
- Create a new account or use your existing one
- Go to Account > Manage Addresses > Add a new address
- Add your international shipping address (or your forwarder's US address)
- Select your country from the dropdown
- At checkout, eligible items will show "Ships to [country]"
How to Use a Package Forwarder
For products that don't ship internationally, a forwarder gives you a US address, receives your packages, then ships them to you.
Popular options:
- Shipito — widely used, multiple US warehouse locations
- MyUS — good for larger or heavier items
- Planet Express — competitive rates for Asia and Europe
Most forwarders can consolidate multiple packages into one shipment, which reduces the per-item shipping cost if you're buying several things at once.
Import Taxes and Duties
Every country handles this differently. A few things to know:
- Most countries have a de minimis threshold — purchases below this value clear customs without duty
- Above the threshold, you'll pay import duty (varies by product category) plus local VAT or sales tax
- Amazon shows an estimated import fee at checkout for some countries, but not all
Check your country's customs rules before ordering high-value items. Surprises at the border are annoying and sometimes expensive.
Tracking Your Amazon International Package
Amazon provides tracking through its "Track Package" page. For the international leg, tracking often hands off to a local carrier and updates can be sparse.
If your package stops updating, use the carrier tracking number directly — not just Amazon's order number — to check on the carrier's own website. That usually tells you more.
What to Do If Your Package Gets Stuck in Customs
Packages can be held for additional documentation, duties payment, or random inspection.
Customs will usually contact you (or your forwarder) with instructions. If nothing has happened after 2–3 weeks, contact your local customs authority directly with the shipment's tracking number. Don't wait and hope — they won't come to you.
Bottom Line
Buying from Amazon US internationally is straightforward once you know the process. Use a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card, ship eligible items directly, and use a forwarder for everything else.
Save your order confirmation and tracking numbers. You'll need them if anything goes sideways.