Update 9 Aug 2012: I found out the common problem is caused by associating a payment method with the shipping address.

This guide will help you bypass Amazon.com geographic restrictions to buy the digital content you want. By digital content, I mean mp3, ebooks, digital movies, video games and other downloads.

This guide is written for anyone who uses Amazon.com outside of USA.

There are a few things you need.

1. USA IP address

Amazon uses your computer's IP address to determine your location. You'll need is a software that gives you a new IP address, specifically one that's located in USA. You'll need that for purchases.

Below are three software that can do the job. Most are not free. But some offer trial versions so you can test if they work.

• A combination of AlwaysVPN and Tunnelblick. They offer pre-paid usage plans. A typical 2 hour non-HD movie is about 300mb.
• Hotspot Shield offers yearly/monthly plans, but it's not always USA IP address they assign. So you have to log in and out to check if it's a USA IP address you have.
• Unblock US - I've not use this before so let me know if it works.

After you install and run the software, it will assign you a new USA IP address.

You can test your IP location at IP Location Finder to see if it's working.

2. Shipping address

On your account page, find the link called "Manage Address Book". Enter a new address, an USA address. It might be easier to use the address for a hotel address, or your favourite USA company.

Do not associate a payment method to that address when asked by Amazon. The reason is so that Amazon won't retrieve your non-USA credit card info.

If you have an existing address with Amazon, just create a new one.

On the address book management page, set that address as your default 1-Click address.

3. Credit Card

This is obviously required for online purchases.

But you can't buy digital products directly with a non-USA issued credit card. So to do that indirectly, you have to use Amazon Gift Certificates which you can buy.

Remember you have no associated payment method with your shipping address? That's to make Amazon use the Gift Certificates automatically during your purchase.

Test to see if it's working

To test to see if your setup is working correctly, just go download some free mp3. After which, you can then proceed to buy Amazon Gift Certificates.

Summary

To conclude, you need an USA IP address, shipping address, and Amazon Gift Certificates.

You still need the USA IP address for viewing movies/shows you've bought, but not for downloading mp3.

Doesn't work? Common Problems

'We could not process your order. The sale of MP3 Downloads is currently available only to US customers located in the 48 contiguous states, Alaska, Hawaii, and the District of Columbia.'

Check to see if you have a non-USA credit card as a payment method for your default shipping address. Your shipping address should not have any payment method associated with it.

After you're done shopping

It is highly recommended you switch back to your original shipping address after you've done shopping. This step will prevent future orders from getting shipped to the wrong address.

If you have further questions, let me know. If this guide works for you, let other readers know too.

The first version of this guide was written in Dec 2009.