Amazon is a global shopping behemoth, and for many of us, it’s the go-to platform for all things shopping—whether we’re ordering books, gadgets, or even groceries. But what if you find yourself moving to a new country, or simply want to change your shopping experience to another region? It’s not as tricky as you might think, and today I’m going to walk you through exactly how to change your country on Amazon. This can make all the difference when you want to access different product selections, enjoy regional deals, or use a different currency.
Whether you’re relocating or just want to experience Amazon in a different country, this guide will give you the tools you need. Let’s dive in!
Why Would You Want to Change Your Country on Amazon?
Before we get into the steps, let’s take a moment to understand why you might want to change your country settings on Amazon.
- Moving to a New Country: This is probably the most common reason people need to update their Amazon settings. If you’ve recently moved abroad, you might find yourself stuck with the wrong regional settings for your shopping preferences.
- Regional Pricing and Offers: Different countries have different prices for the same products. For example, a brand-new iPhone might cost less in the US than in Europe. If you can shop from a country with better prices, why not?
- Access to Different Product Selections: Some items are only available in specific countries. For example, Amazon US might offer more tech gadgets, while Amazon UK might have a wider selection of fashion items.
- Shipping & Delivery Options: If you’re in a different country, your Amazon account may have difficulty shipping items from other regions. Changing the country allows you to adjust your shipping address to ensure your orders can be delivered to your new home.
- Regional Content: Services like Amazon Prime Video offer different libraries based on the country you’re in. Changing your region will give you access to the content available in that particular country’s Prime Video catalog.
Now that you know why you might want to change your country on Amazon, let’s break down the steps.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Change Country on Amazon
Changing your country on Amazon is fairly simple. Just follow these easy steps:
Step 1: Log into Your Amazon Account
Head over to the Amazon website for the country you’re currently using, and log into your account. Whether it’s Amazon US, UK, or another region, make sure you’re logged into the right account before making any changes.
Step 2: Go to Your Account Settings
On the homepage, find the “Account & Lists” dropdown menu in the top right corner. Click on it, and from the options presented, select Your Account. This will take you to a page with all of your account-related settings.
Step 3: Update Your Country/Region Settings
Once you’re in the “Your Account” page, scroll down to the Settings section and click on Your Addresses or Country Settings (it can vary slightly depending on your Amazon version).
From here, you’ll see an option to Change Country/Region. Click that, and Amazon will ask you to choose a new country or region from a list.
Step 4: Choose Your New Country
You’ll now be prompted to select your new country or region. Here, you can pick the location where you want to shop. Amazon will also update the regional settings for products, pricing, and shipping options based on the country you choose.
Let’s say, for example, you’re an American who just moved to Germany. You’d pick Germany from the list, and your experience will now reflect German pricing, shipping policies, and product selections.
Step 5: Update Payment Information (If Needed)
Depending on the country you choose, you might need to update your payment information. Some countries may have different payment options available, such as local credit cards or even other methods like PayPal.
Amazon will notify you if you need to update your credit card or other payment methods before you can complete the switch.
Step 6: Save Changes
Once you’ve selected your country and updated any payment details, click Save Changes. Congratulations, you’ve successfully changed your country on Amazon!
Things to Keep in Mind When Changing Country on Amazon
While changing your country is relatively straightforward, there are a few things you should keep in mind before making the switch:
1. Account-Specific Changes:
Changing your country on Amazon will alter more than just the location of your shopping experience. It may also impact the products you can purchase, how they are shipped, and your Prime Video content. For example, if you’ve got an active Amazon Prime subscription, you might notice that your streaming options change once you switch countries.
2. Gift Cards and Balances:
If you have any remaining Amazon gift card balances, they may not carry over when you switch regions. Make sure to use any gift card balance before changing your country settings to avoid losing funds.
3. Shipping Addresses:
Changing your country settings will also change the available shipping addresses. If you’re moving to a different country, be sure to update your address with the new one in the new region’s format.
4. Different Storefronts:
Amazon operates separate storefronts for different countries, so once you change your region, you’ll be browsing and purchasing from that country’s dedicated Amazon website. For example, if you switch to Amazon UK, you’ll be shopping on Amazon.co.uk, which might have different inventory than Amazon US.
Real-Life Example: My Move from the US to Spain
When I moved to Spain a few years ago, I was faced with a dilemma: should I continue shopping on Amazon US, where I had my preferences and credit card information saved, or should I switch to Amazon Spain?
At first, I kept shopping on Amazon US, but the shipping fees and delivery times were getting ridiculous. I found that I could order most of the items I wanted directly from Amazon Spain, where shipping was faster and cheaper. Plus, the local catalog featured more items that I could use, like home goods, electronics, and local Spanish brands that weren’t available in the US.
After a few weeks of juggling between accounts, I decided to update my country settings to Spain. The process was smooth and quick, and I soon found myself exploring a whole new world of Amazon listings that were better suited to my new home.
Other Ways to Access Amazon in Different Countries
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of changing your entire Amazon account, there are other ways to access items from other countries. For example:
- Use Amazon Global: Amazon offers a Global Shipping service, which allows you to shop on international Amazon websites and have items shipped to your country. This can be especially useful if you’re eyeing products that aren’t available locally.
- Create Multiple Accounts: Some people prefer to keep their accounts for each country separate, especially if they want to shop in different regions frequently. You can use different email addresses to set up accounts on various Amazon stores, but keep in mind this could be more difficult to manage.
- Amazon Prime Video: If you’re primarily interested in streaming, you can use services like VPNs (virtual private networks) to change your location and access different regional libraries on Amazon Prime Video without changing your account country.
Conclusion
Changing your country on Amazon is a straightforward process that opens up a world of new shopping possibilities. Whether you’re moving abroad or just want access to different product offerings, understanding how to change your country settings on Amazon can save you time and money.
So, the next time you move, want to access better deals, or simply feel like exploring a new region’s Amazon offerings, remember these simple steps. Happy shopping!
