Amazon Global Store Launched in India for Easy Purchase of Goods From Abroad

Amazon India aims to make purchasing of goods sold abroad easier for customers in the country with the launch of the Amazon Global Store.

While you could technically order items from Amazon’s US portal to India, provided the seller shipped them, Amazon Global Store makes the process more reliable. A dedicated page showcases all eligible products that will ship to India. Amazon claims genuineness of products sold and a facility to return the item if there are any issues. Amazon says purchased products can be expected to arrive in 10 to 15 days after placing the order. At this time, you can only order items via prepayment using credit or debit cards, as well as netbanking (you can’t avail cash on delivery). Products in the Amazon Global Store are shown in the Indian currency, based on currency conversion done by Amazon from the listing price of the corresponding item on Amazon’s US portal. Prices shown also include import duty and tax deposits, which vary depending on the category of item ordered.

Patrons wanting to purchase goods from international shopping sites are typically concerned about the items successfully being cleared by the local customs authorities. Amazon suggests that they will manage the customs process and even refund money if the actual import fees turn out to be less than the import deposit a customer is charged. Amazon warns that buyers will need to verify themselves with an ID proof upon delivery of items being shipped from the USA.

At this point, a variety of categories such as Clothing, Watches, Books, Electronics, Shoes, and Office Supplies appear to be listed on the Amazon Global Store in India. Amazon has also made it easy to distinguish if a listing falls under the Global Store section by placing the namesake tag next to the product listing. The product listing page also shows a breakup of the total cost including the currency-converted price, the import duty deposit, and delivery charges. You can read the Terms and Conditions of the Global Store here. It covers aspects like warranty support, which is dependent upon the manufacturer, and is also clearly stated on each product listing page. Another noteworthy mention in the T&Cs is the returns process, which suggests returns are honoured with only a refund, not a replacement.