Guide to buying mp3, ebooks, videos and downloads from Amazon outside of USA

Submitted by parka on

Update: The success rate for the instructions below is not 100%, strangely.

Ever wanted to buy digital content from Amazon but can't because you're not USA?

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

This guide is for Amazon US. It's not tested for other countries yet. So far, I've successfully bought and downloaded songs and movies, and I live in Singapore.

Here are the steps.

1. Get a new IP address that make you look like you're in US

Amazon uses your computer's IP address to determine your location. So you'll need is a software that hides your IP address, or at least make it appear as if you're from US. I use a software called Hotspot Shield, which works on Windows and Mac. It's free but is supported by ads appearing at the top of your browser windows. You might be able to find other similar software from download.cnet.com.

After installing the software, run it and choose to connect. It will assign you a new IP address, an US IP address.

You'll need to be on this IP address for your purchases.

2. Have a physical US billing address

On your account page, find the link called "Manage Address Book". Enter a new address, an US address. I used my favourite US company's address.

Set that address as your default 1-Click address. That's on Your Account page->Settings->1-Click Settings.

3. Have fun shopping

Those familiar 1-click Buy-Now buttons will now bring you directly to the download page where you can choose how you want to download your purchase. Once you click them, it also means your funds are used.

Do note that Amazon requires you to install their mp3 software for downloading the songs.

Also, while viewing movies or TV shows online, you need a US IP address, even after you have bought the show. If connection gets bad, you can disconnect the US IP address while the movie is still streaming - you will retain the US IP address as long as you don't quit the browser.

Doesn't work?

'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.'

Sometimes you'll see the above message which means your attempt failed. I'm not sure what went wrong. Perhaps you're using a non-US issued credit card, and somehow Amazon used that address to deduce that you're not eligible for purchase.

The workaround is to buy yourself an Amazon gift card. With that, Amazon won't check your credit card (if they are checking). Make sure you hide your IP address first. Optional: Start off with a small amount for the gift card, e.g. $1, to buy yourself an mp3 just to test it out first.

After you're done shopping

This is a highly recommended but optional step: Switch back to your original mailing and billing address after shopping.

This step will prevent future orders from getting shipped to the wrong address, which almost happened to me.

If you have any queries on this guide, or felt that I have left out stuff, do let me know via the comments section. If this guide works for you, do leave a comment as well. Thanks.

Have fun shopping.

--- Update as of 25 Dec 2009 ---

There's no need to create an additional Amazon account if you already have one. In summary, just get a US IP address, and create a new US billing address and you're all set for shopping.

While viewing movies or TV shows online (via streaming), you need a US IP address, even after you have bought the show.

Tags: 

41 Comments

Hi there, If you set your

Submitted by Sherlyn on

Hi there,

If you set your billing/mailing address as your actual address though (say in Singapore), won't Amazon catch on to the fact that you're not actually in the US even though you have a US IP address?

@Sherlyn The terms and

Submitted by parka on

@Sherlyn
The terms and conditions prevent Amazon from selling to customers with non-US IP address, not to those with non-US physical address.

For example, you can be really in US at the moment but actually staying in Singapore, like when you're traveling.

I've tried and it works.

I tried using the same tactic

Submitted by Anonymous on

I tried using the same tactic and succeeded in purchasing from amazon.com but when I tried it on iTunes US store, I can't because it required a credit card with a US billing address. What can I do? Use the PayPal system? Can I fool iTunes Store with that?

Don't know why, but after a

Submitted by Anonymous on

Don't know why, but after a few purchases on Amazon, my latest attempt failed and the error message shown was that I was purchasing from outside the US hence I would not have access. Seems like the trick no longer works.

Hi Parka, I wonder is it

Submitted by Diola on

Hi Parka, I wonder is it legal to download this way? I understand that using this method we did pay for the songs but the terms, condition and restriction have already stated that only for USA. So are we trying to pay money to get a illegal song. I have this issue in mind because i intend to DL a song for my wedding, my hotel allow to play mp3 that is legal purchase. So if i purchase this way is it still a legal purchase (using address that does not belongs to me and the condition is not met).

Didn't work for me

Submitted by Isi on

Didn't work for me either...
I used a proxy from http://www.hidemyass.com/proxy-list/search-3#browsersettings

I got informations about my IP on the web to verify if it was located in US, and it was.

I keep receiving the same annoying message:
We are sorry...

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.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.

Any suggestions?
Thks!

So I tried all the steps u

Submitted by Rose on

So I tried all the steps u mentioned and I've even gotten myself an Amazon gift card.
I used Hotspot shield, and even made a check on my IP address - which puts me in Chicago.
However Amazon is still telling me that they can't process my order since Im not physically in the US and not "located in the 48 contiguous states, Alaska, Hawaii, and the District of Columbia. "
This is so messed up.
They let me purchase the gift card but won't let me pay for the album that I want.
And yes, my 1-click address is a US address.
Please help, thanks!

I downloaded an MP3 after

Submitted by RobZ on

I downloaded an MP3 after buying a $1.00 gift card successfully, afterwards I disconnected hotspot shield. Later I connected hotspot shield again and bought another giftcard $15.00 from amazon to get a cd, but this time I got the message telling me the mp3 downloads are not available outside the US. Do you have any idea/suggestion why it worked so well the first time and not the second? I will try again later anyway and let you know if it works. Thanks for replying so quickly to my previous message.

@RobZ Same thing happens to

Submitted by parka on

@RobZ
Same thing happens to me sometimes, the you're-not-in-US message.

I've got to investigate some more and see if there are workarounds.

Have you tried updating your address book on Amazon to a US address, and making that your one-click address?

Hi, I just managed to do

Submitted by amazonian on

Hi,
I just managed to do it.
The important thing is to delete any previous credit card records that are non US.
that was the problem for me, and after I did it, the gift card credits became the default and thus the purchase was approved.

So the steps are:
1. create a billing address in the US
2. make it the default for 1 click
3. remove any addresses that are not US
4. remove any credit card/payment method that isn't a 100% US.
5. use a US vpn to get a US IP.
6. purchase mp3

I still can't get it to work.

Submitted by Anonymous on

I still can't get it to work. I've deleted all my billing addresses and the credit information that I used to buy the gift card. The only information I have left is the US address and it can still detect that I am not in US. Sigh.

I downloaded an MP3 after

Submitted by Popup Plugin on

I downloaded an MP3 after buying a $1.00 gift card successfully, afterwards I disconnected hotspot shield. Later I connected hotspot shield again and bought another giftcard $15.00 from amazon to get a cd, but this time I got the message telling me the mp3 downloads are not available outside the US.

This one? "Congratulations on

Submitted by parka on

This one?

"Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to Amazon Kindle. Your Kindle is on its way.

We built Kindle with the goal of creating an exceptional and hassle-free reading experience. As such, we wanted to point out a few details before you get started.

Your Kindle is automatically registered to the same Amazon.com account you used to make your purchase. This enables you to shop, purchase, and download books, newspapers and magazines wirelessly from your Kindle right out of the box.

If you purchased Kindle as a gift for someone else, you should de-register this Kindle from your Amazon.com account. You can de-register Kindle from the Settings page on the device or at Manage Your Kindle on Amazon.com. The gift recipient can then re-register the device to their Amazon.com account right from the Settings page on the Kindle.

Visit the Kindle Accessories Store on Amazon.com to shop for great Kindle covers and accessories.

You can start building your library before your Kindle even arrives by shopping for books, newspapers, magazines and more at the Kindle Store on Amazon.com. Amazon's unique wireless delivery system, Amazon Whispernet, will auto-deliver your purchases directly to your Kindle. Once you receive your Kindle, you can also shop the same great selection directly from your device.

Your Kindle purchases are made using your existing default 1-Click payment method at Amazon.com. To view or change the current payment method associated with your Kindle, please visit Manage Your Kindle on Amazon.com. For general information on 1-Click, please visit the 1-Click section on Amazon.com help.

To get more information about your Kindle before it arrives, please visit Kindle Support to find the Kindle Users Guide and other references.

We hope you enjoy reading on Kindle and look forward to hearing about your experience. Send us your feedback at kindle-feedback@amazon.com.

Sincerely,

The Amazon Kindle Team"

Add new comment