Amazon, the global e-commerce powerhouse, has established a vast international footprint, yet a significant portion of the world remains without a dedicated local retail operation. The company’s expansion strategy focuses on markets where it can establish its signature logistics and delivery speeds, leaving numerous countries where consumers must rely on international shipping channels. Understanding where Amazon is not present requires differentiating between the company’s various business units, as its web services or publishing arms frequently operate in regions where its retail arm does not.
Defining Amazon’s Retail Presence
Amazon’s retail presence is defined by the existence of a dedicated, country-specific e-commerce website, such as Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.co.jp, which is fully supported by an integrated local logistics infrastructure. This local infrastructure includes dedicated fulfillment centers (FCs) for inventory storage, localized payment options, and a proprietary last-mile delivery network. The launch of a local site signifies a major investment, allowing for faster shipping times, local currency transactions, and a wider product selection tailored to that market.
This local retail operation must be separated from Amazon’s other global services. Amazon Web Services (AWS), for instance, maintains data centers and offers cloud computing services in dozens of countries that lack a local Amazon retail website. Similarly, services like Audible, Kindle, and Prime Video are available in many more territories than the retail marketplace.
Countries Lacking a Dedicated Amazon Retail Store
A substantial number of major global economies and regions still lack a dedicated Amazon retail store and local fulfillment network, forcing consumers to shop cross-border.
Southeast Asia
High-growth markets like Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, and Vietnam do not have their own Amazon websites. Singapore is the only country in the region with a dedicated site, meaning large populations rely on platforms like Lazada and Shopee.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Most of Sub-Saharan Africa continues to operate outside Amazon’s local retail footprint, though a South African site recently launched. Nigeria, a large and rapidly growing economy, and Kenya, a regional hub, still rely on international options.
Europe
Despite the continent’s high e-commerce penetration, several key European markets lack dedicated Amazon domains. These nations generally source goods from neighboring Amazon marketplaces in Germany or Poland.
Norway
Denmark
Finland
Romania
Hungary
Czech Republic
South America
While Brazil and Mexico have local sites, large economies like Colombia, Chile, and Argentina are often underserved by Amazon’s full local service.
Factors Preventing Local Amazon Retail Operations
Amazon’s absence in certain markets is explained by logistical, competitive, and regulatory challenges that undermine the economic viability of a full-scale launch.
Logistical hurdles are particularly pronounced in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and island nations in Southeast Asia. Poor road networks, a lack of standardized national address systems, and inefficient customs processes drastically increase the cost and complexity of last-mile delivery. In some regions, the cost of transportation can account for over 50% of the final retail price of a good.
Strong local competition is another deterrent, as established national e-commerce giants already dominate consumer preferences and logistics. In Southeast Asia, the entrenched positions of Shopee and Lazada make it difficult for an outside player to gain market share. Similarly, in Latin America, Mercado Libre holds a significant lead, having built a proprietary logistics network over decades.
Regulatory and political complexities also pose a barrier. These include foreign ownership restrictions, data localization laws that mandate data storage within national borders, and complex import tariff regimes. High import duties, such as those in Brazil, can significantly inflate the final price for consumers, negating Amazon’s low-price advantage.
International Shopping Options for Consumers
Consumers in countries without a local Amazon site can still purchase goods through the company’s global shipping mechanisms. The AmazonGlobal program facilitates cross-border purchases, typically from major hubs like Amazon.com (the U.S. site) or Amazon.de (the German site). Shoppers must change their default shipping address to their international location to see which items are eligible for shipment.
This cross-border purchasing involves additional costs and complexities that local sites eliminate. Customers are responsible for paying international shipping fees, import taxes, customs duties, and brokerage fees levied by the destination country. Amazon often simplifies this process by estimating the Import Fees Deposit at checkout, which covers all duties and taxes, ensuring the package is not delayed at customs. Delivery times are significantly longer, often ranging from one to several weeks, contrasting sharply with the one- or two-day delivery standards set in local markets.
Amazon’s Future Global Expansion Strategy
Amazon’s future expansion centers on a calculated approach that tests the market before committing to the massive investment required for a full retail launch. The presence of Amazon Web Services (AWS) often serves as an early indicator, establishing a technological and physical foothold in the country.
The company has also shown a willingness to acquire existing local e-commerce players, such as Souq.com, which became Amazon UAE and Saudi Arabia. Recent strategic moves indicate a focus on emerging markets with high populations and growing digital economies. For example, Amazon recently launched a dedicated store in South Africa and plans to launch a full local retail site in Ireland in 2025, following the prior establishment of a fulfillment center in Dublin.
A lighter-touch approach is being tested in markets like Nigeria and Argentina through new, ultra-affordable mobile-first platforms focused on low-cost goods. Analysts view this as a template for entering price-sensitive markets without the full logistical commitment of its flagship service. Large Latin American and Southeast Asian markets, such as Chile, Colombia, and Indonesia, are frequently cited as the next logical targets for a full retail launch.