Are you a resident of Puerto Rico looking to tap into the enormous selection and convenience of shopping on Amazon? The good news is that the e-commerce giant does ship many of its products to the island commonwealth. However, there are some key differences and restrictions to be aware of compared to ordering within the continental United States.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive deep into everything you need to know to successfully buy on Amazon and get your items delivered to your doorstep in Puerto Rico. We‘ll cover what you can and can‘t have shipped, the exact steps for placing an order, insider tips for saving money and getting your packages faster, and much more. Plus, as an expert in retail and e-commerce with a particularly picky eye, I‘ll provide some extra context and analysis on what Amazon‘s presence means for shoppers and the economy in Puerto Rico.
Whether you‘re an Amazon newbie or a frequent shopper, this guide will help you navigate the process with ease. ¡Vámonos!
Can You Actually Ship Amazon Orders to Puerto Rico?
Let‘s get the most burning question out of the way first: yes, Amazon will indeed ship a large portion of its catalog to Puerto Rico. The company has offered delivery to the island since the mid-2000s and continues to expand its coverage. Much of Amazon‘s selection in categories like:
- Books
- Music & Movies
- Video Games
- Electronics
- Software
- Home & Kitchen
- Office & School Supplies
- Beauty & Personal Care
Can be shipped to anywhere in Puerto Rico, from San Juan to Ponce to Vieques. However, there are some exceptions and limitations to be aware of.
Restricted Product Categories
Due to various shipping regulations, import/export laws, and manufacturer restrictions, certain types of products can‘t be delivered to Puerto Rico from Amazon. While the exact limitations can vary, the following categories are most commonly ineligible for shipping to the island:
- Select apparel, shoes, jewelry, and accessories
- Oversized or extremely heavy/bulky items
- Some health and personal care products
- Flammable or hazardous materials like lighters, battery fluid, and spray paint
- Perishable food and beverages
- Plants, seeds, and soil
- Certain electronics and appliances
- Subscription-based products or services
- Gift cards and some digital goods
- Items from Amazon‘s partner retailers or third-party marketplace sellers
When browsing products on Amazon, always check the "Shipping to Puerto Rico" section on the individual product page. There, Amazon will display one of three messages:
- "This item ships to Puerto Rico" – The product is eligible for standard delivery to the island
- "Shipping restrictions apply" – The item likely can‘t be shipped to Puerto Rico or may require special handling
- "This item does not ship to Puerto Rico" – The product is confirmed ineligible for delivery
If a product‘s listing page doesn‘t have any information about shipping to Puerto Rico, it likely means the item can‘t be delivered to the island.
To save time and streamline your shopping, you can begin your search on Amazon‘s International Shopping page. This automatically filters out products that are ineligible for global shipping and allows you to browse only items that can be delivered abroad. While not specific to Puerto Rico, it‘s a helpful starting point.
How to Place an Amazon Order in Puerto Rico
So you‘ve filled up your cart with Amazon goodies that are eligible for delivery to the island. Here‘s a step-by-step breakdown of how to complete your order:
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Sign into your Amazon account, or create a new one if you don‘t already have one. Make sure your default shipping address is set to your location in Puerto Rico. You can add, edit, or remove shipping addresses under the "Addresses and 1-Click Settings" section of your account.
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Add the items you wish to purchase to your Amazon shopping cart. Be sure to confirm that each product is eligible for shipping to Puerto Rico. You may need to buy certain items as a separate order if some of your cart‘s contents can‘t be shipped together.
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Proceed to checkout and select your desired shipping speed and date. Most items delivered to Puerto Rico are eligible for standard international shipping speeds:
| Shipping Method | Average Transit Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard International | 7-14 business days | $4.99 per item + $4.99 per lb |
| Expedited International | 3-7 business days | $16.95 per item + $6.39 per lb |
| Priority International Courier | 1-5 business days | $28.95 per shipment + $7.79 per lb |
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Choose your payment method at checkout. Amazon accepts most major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, and JCB. Some debit cards can also be used, as well as Amazon.com gift cards and credit. You may be required to enter a U.S. billing address for certain payment methods.
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Review the details of your order, including the total cost with shipping and estimated import fees. Once you‘ve confirmed everything is correct, submit the order.
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After placing your order, you‘ll receive an order confirmation email with your order number and other details. You can view the status of your order and get tracking information from the "Returns & Orders" section of your Amazon account.
Your order will likely be delivered by a major global carrier like UPS, DHL, or FedEx. Note that you may be required to pay customs duties and taxes upon the arrival of your package in Puerto Rico, as determined by local laws. These additional fees are typically charged directly by the carrier and are separate from Amazon‘s costs.
Maximizing Your Amazon Experience in Puerto Rico
Now that you have the basics down, let‘s explore some expert tips for making the most of Amazon‘s offerings in Puerto Rico.
1. Time your orders strategically
If you‘re not in a major rush to receive your items, consider placing your Amazon orders earlier in the week. According to data from the e-commerce logistics firm Parcelhub, Wednesday is the best day of the week to place an order if you want it to be delivered by the weekend. Orders placed on a Friday or over the weekend tend to have the longest average shipping times.
2. Take advantage of Prime, with caveats
In Puerto Rico, an Amazon Prime membership costs $5.99 per month or $59 per year – a significant discount from the $119 annual price on the mainland. Prime offers free international shipping on eligible orders over $49, plus access to Prime Video streaming, unlimited photo storage, and more. However, several key Prime perks like two-day shipping are not available in Puerto Rico due to logistics constraints.
Still, if you frequently shop on Amazon and tend to buy multiple items per order, a Prime subscription can be a smart investment. Just be sure to carefully check the estimated shipping speed for any Prime-eligible items you order, as many will still take a week or more to arrive.
3. Consider alternatives for restricted items
If you‘re unable to find a specific product on Amazon that delivers to Puerto Rico, don‘t give up hope just yet. There are a few solutions to try:
- Freight forwarding services like Planet Express or Stackry can provide you with a U.S. shipping address to deliver your Amazon purchases to. The service will then consolidate your packages and forward them on to you in Puerto Rico. While this adds some extra cost and transit time, it‘s a great way to obtain items that Amazon won‘t ship directly. Just be sure to research each forwarder thoroughly and understand their fee structure before signing up.
- Check if the item is available from Amazon‘s global marketplaces, particularly Amazon Mexico. As a major Spanish-speaking market, Amazon.com.mx may offer a better selection of certain products for Puerto Rican shoppers. However, you‘ll need to carefully compare the total landed costs of ordering from a different Amazon site, including currency conversions and any added taxes and duties.
- If the item you want is sold through Amazon by a third-party marketplace seller, try contacting them directly to ask about international shipping options. While most marketplace sellers rely on Amazon‘s shipping services and restrictions, some may be willing to make special accommodations for Puerto Rican customers.
4. Combine orders to cut down on shipping costs
Since Amazon‘s international shipping fees to Puerto Rico are per item, rather than per order, you can save a significant amount by bundling multiple products into a single purchase. For example, let‘s say you wanted to buy a $20 book and a $30 kitchen gadget, both weighing about 1 lb each. Buying them separately would incur a $9.98 shipping charge ($4.99 per item + $4.99 per lb) on each order, for a total of $19.96. But if you added both items to your cart and placed a single order, your shipping cost would be just $14.97 ($4.99 for the first item, $4.99 for the second item, and $4.99 for the 2 lbs total).
Of course, to take advantage of this tip, you‘ll need to ensure that all of the items in your order are eligible to be shipped together to Puerto Rico. But with a little planning and patience, you can dramatically reduce your shipping spend.
5. Keep a close eye on your order status and tracking info
Once you‘ve placed an Amazon order to Puerto Rico, you‘ll want to regularly check your order status for any updates or issues. In particular, keep an eye out for any alerts about customs holds, missing documentation, or problems with your shipping address. The sooner you identify and resolve any snags, the faster you‘ll get your items.
I also recommend proactively tracking your package‘s progress using the carrier tracking number provided by Amazon. This will give you the most up-to-date information on where your order is and when it‘s slated to be delivered. If you notice any major delays or discrepancies, don‘t hesitate to contact Amazon‘s customer support for assistance.
The Future of Amazon in Puerto Rico
As Amazon continues to invest heavily in its global logistics network, the company‘s coverage and capabilities in Puerto Rico will likely expand in the coming years. In 2019, Amazon announced plans to open three new delivery stations on the island, bringing faster shipping speeds and a wider product selection to customers. And in 2020, the company launched Amazon.es, a dedicated Spanish-language marketplace that should offer greater localization and tailored shopping experiences for Puerto Rican consumers.
Still, some challenges remain for Amazon‘s operations in Puerto Rico. The island‘s unique political status as a U.S. territory, combined with its physical separation from the continental U.S., can create added complexities and costs in shipping and logistics. Limited broadband access and lower rates of credit card and banking access among the Puerto Rican population may also slow the adoption of e-commerce on the island.
But as more Puerto Rican shoppers get comfortable with buying online, Amazon has a huge opportunity to meet that growing demand. A 2021 study by the market research firm Mintel found that over 60% of consumers in Puerto Rico already shop online at least monthly, with Amazon being one of the most frequently used sites. And with the island‘s real GDP projected to grow steadily through 2024 after years of economic hardship, the conditions seem ripe for a surge in online spending.
For now, shoppers in Puerto Rico can absolutely take advantage of the perks of Amazon‘s vast marketplace, with just a few added considerations. We hope this guide has given you the tools and knowledge you need to do exactly that. Happy shopping, and ¡disfruta de las ofertas!
