How to buy when online sellers don’t ship internationally

The rise of e-commerce has made shopping more accessible and convenient. But it can be frustrating to find the perfect item online only to discover that the seller or e-commerce doesn’t offer international shipping to your country. Many online stores do not offer international shipping due to increased cost and time, along with customs regulations.

Don’t worry, though, as there are several solutions to this problem. We have gathered 4 simple steps that you can follow in case you wish to buy from e-commerce that doesn’t ship to your country.

How to buy from an e-commerce that doesn’t ship to your country

1. Have someone abroad act as an intermediary

If you have a friend or family member who lives in the country of the online retailer that doesn’t ship to your address, you can ask them to act as an intermediary.

This means you can have the item shipped to their location and then have them ship your purchase to you in your own country.

They can send it by mail or through courier companies. If you have any questions about what courier to choose, feel free to contact our logistics experts, and they will gladly assist you. While this option can be budget-friendly when international shipping is not available, it requires you to have someone you trust and rely on who is living in the country where the seller is based.

Ship with Eurosender

2. Book Eurosender for direct delivery from your chosen seller

Eurosender is a shipping platform that allows you to book a delivery to virtually any country, making it a handy option if you want to buy something from a retailer that doesn’t offer international shipping to your country.

You can place the order and pay for it yourself and then give the seller’s details as the shipper. The courier company will collect the package from the seller directly and deliver it to you. This option is convenient if you are dealing with a private seller or a small e-commerce site.

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3. Use a package forwarding service

Parcel forwarding companies are becoming very popular as online shopping takes off. They offer a digital solution for purchasing from retailers who are not willing to ship abroad. Package forwarding services like MyUS and Shipito provide you with a local address you can use when shopping from an online seller that doesn’t ship to your country. Before buying the item online, you should place a request with the parcel forwarding company describing the contents and destination of the package. The package is delivered to the local address, and the forwarding service sends it directly to your location.

This is a great option if you want to consolidate multiple packages or purchases into one shipment, as parcel forwarding services often offer storage and repacking services.

4. Find a fellow traveller to bring the item to you

There are a few peer-to-peer marketplaces, such as Grabr, Roadie, Golintu and others, that connect international customers with travellers who have extra space in their luggage. You can place an order on the platform and wait for a traveller doing that exact route to make an offer to bring your item to you. Each traveller settles their own transport fees, and custom taxes should be arranged, if applicable.

This is an affordable option that allows you to get your item quickly when international shipping is not available to your location.

FAQ on How to Order Items That Don’t Ship to Your Country

Why some retailers won’t ship abroad?

It can be disheartening to desire a special item, and scour the internet to find it, only to encounter the frustrating message, “Shipping not available to your country.”

Regrettably, international shipping remains unavailable in many cases for online shopping. Local e-commerce platforms often refrain from offering worldwide shipping due to increased costs and longer processing times. Additionally, it’s crucial to acknowledge that shipping items overseas must comply with import laws, potentially leading to customs taxes.

Luckily, there are other delivery alternatives that customers can use when shopping. Read on to discover a few shipping options for when you encounter an Amazon or eBay seller who does not ship to your country.

Can I buy from an eBay seller that won’t ship to my country?

Yes, it’s possible to buy from an eBay seller who doesn’t offer shipping to your country. We would highly recommend that you reach out to the seller and inquire if they are willing to make an exception for your order. Some sellers may be open to accommodating international buyers upon request.

Always communicate with the seller and clarify any additional costs, shipping arrangements, or conditions before making a purchase with e-commerce that doesn’t ship to your address. Additionally, be aware of any customs duties or taxes that may apply when receiving the item in your country.

If an eBay seller refuses to make an exception for shipping an item to your country, you can arrange the shipping service as a consignee with Eurosender, as mentioned above.

How to buy items from Europe online?

Buying items from Europe online can be a straightforward process due to the absence of internal customs within the European Union, which allows for smoother transactions among European countries, but when shipping internationally, sellers might encounter additional challenges.

When buying items from European online shops and retailers, review the seller’s shipping policies for international options, costs, and restrictions and be aware of customs duties and taxes when importing items from Europe. Reach out to sellers who don’t list international shipping options and inquire about alternative shipping arrangements.

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Check our delivery guides for more information.