Shopping on Amazon Portugal

While the phrase “Amazon Portugal” might not direct you to a dedicated Amazon website specifically for Portugal. Through Amazon Spain (Amazon.es) and other European counterparts, shopping on Amazon becomes a breeze, offering access to a global catalog right from the comfort of your Portuguese home. Let’s unpack how to seamlessly shop on Amazon, ensuring you’re getting the best deals and fastest deliveries, even without an Amazon warehouse on Portuguese soil.

Embracing Amazon.es for Shopping in Portugal

This is really easy, at the top of the Amazon.es page you will see a language selector ES = Spanish and PT = Portuguese

Amazon.es offers a fully localized experience for Portuguese shoppers. From product discovery through to payment, the entire shopping journey can be conducted in Portuguese, ensuring a comfortable and intuitive experience for users who may not be fluent in Spanish.

The Perks of Free Shipping

One of the significant advantages of using Amazon.es is its free shipping policy usually on orders over 29 euros, with an even lower threshold usually for books at just 19 euros. This policy is a game-changer for Portuguese consumers, making Amazon Spain the preferred portal due to its proximity and shipping policies favorable to Portugal.

Amazon Prime: More Than Just Shipping

Amazon Prime through Amazon Spain not only offers expedited shipping to Portugal but also opens up a world of entertainment with Prime Video, exclusive deals, and much more.

What you get with Prime:

• Fast, Free, and Unlimited Shipping: Prime members enjoy unlimited fast shipping on millions of items without any additional costs or minimum purchase requirements, along with flexible delivery options to suit different lifestyles.
• Exclusive Entertainment Content: Members have exclusive access to Amazon Original series on Prime Video, such as “The Grand Tour” and “The Man in the High Castle.” Additionally, Prime provides the option to stream or download popular movies and TV shows, with a catalog that varies by country.
• Amazon Music Unlimited at a Discount (Spain): Available in Spain, Prime members can access Amazon Music Unlimited at a reduced price, offering ad-free music, personalized playlists, and more across devices.
• Prime Reading: Members gain monthly access to a rotating selection of eBooks, magazines, and comics at no extra cost, broadening the range of entertainment and reading options.
• Early Access to Deals: Prime members enjoy early access to flash deals, exclusive brands, and special promotions, enhancing their shopping experience with savings and exclusives.

The additional perks of Amazon Prime make the subscription a valuable asset for any Portuguese household.

Solving the Delivery Puzzle in Portugal

Despite the absence of an Amazon Portugal distribution center, clever solutions and workarounds exist for the common delivery challenges faced by residents. From apartment buildings without elevators to rural homes with inaccessible mailboxes, adding detailed delivery instructions or opting for alternative delivery points can ensure your parcels arrive without a hitch.

Amazon have also started to roll out Amazon Lockers in Portugal but this is a slow process. You can check if there are any in your area when you order, I know that there are some in Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra.

From personal experience the best delivery companies in Portugal are CTT (Portuguese Postal Service), DPD, and DHL. I haven’t had any issues with them.

However Paack has been a nightmare for me, on several occasions they claimed to have attempted delivery when they haven’t. On one occasion they delivered my parcel in a different town with the same road name, I had to open a case with the Policia Judiciaria to get a refund back from Amazon.

Comparing Amazon.es with Amazon.de With Amazon.Fr

While Amazon.es often comes out on top for Portuguese customers due to its shipping policies and language options, Amazon Germany (Amazon.de), Amazon France (Amazon.fr) can sometimes offer more competitive pricing. However, this might come at the cost of added shipping fees and slightly longer delivery times. It’s always a good idea to compare the three, especially for higher-priced items, to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible.

You can use the website tropical price to compare the price of product across Amazon sites.

The Pitfalls of Shopping from Amazon UK and US

With the allure of a broader product range, shopping from Amazon UK or US might seem tempting. However, the added import fees and longer shipping times due to their locations outside the EU make these options less appealing. Sticking to European Amazon sites is generally the best practice for those in Portugal.

Customer Service For Portuguese Shoppers

If you run into an issue with Amazon, I’ve found that reaching out to their customer service is a straightforward process. Let me walk you through how I do it, starting from the bottom right of the website where the customer service link is typically located (image below).

You will then be taken to their FAQs and help articles which are incredibly detailed and cover a wide array of topics.

Call-Back Feature

If your issue is regarding a product then you can contact them via email or request to speak with an agent. If you choose to speak with an agent they will call you back. When they call you always ask to speak to someone who speaks Portuguese.

Keep Records

Whenever I’m dealing with a more complex issue, I keep a log of all my communications with Amazon’s customer service, including the date, the name of the representative, and the advice or solution they offered. This has been invaluable for follow-ups and ensuring my issue gets resolved.

Navigating customer service can sometimes be daunting, but my experiences with Amazon.es Portugal have been largely positive. By knowing how to effectively engage with their support team and utilizing the resources available, I’ve managed to resolve my issues efficiently and with minimal fuss.

Beyond Amazon: Exploring Local Alternatives

For those concerned with supporting local businesses or seeking alternatives to Amazon for ethical reasons, Portugal offers a variety of options. Retailers like Fnac and Worten, as well as specialized stores like PCDiga.com , provide excellent alternatives for electronics, while Staples.pt is a go-to for office supplies. Although these may not always match Amazon’s pricing or selection, they offer valuable alternatives for certain product categories.

Addressing Ethical Shopping Concerns

The convenience of Amazon is undeniable, but it’s also important to consider the ethical implications of your shopping habits. Supporting local businesses when possible not only helps the local economy but also reduces environmental impact due to shorter shipping distances. Additionally, considering the working conditions in large distribution centers and the broader impact of global corporations can guide more conscious shopping decisions.

The Future of Amazon in Portugal

Rumors have swirled about Amazon opening a warehouse in Portugal, particularly near Porto. While official announcements have been sparse, the potential for a local distribution center could drastically change the shopping landscape, offering faster deliveries and possibly even more localized services.

Tips for Maximizing Your Amazon Shopping Experience

• Price Comparison Tools: Utilize websites and browser extensions that compare prices across different Amazon sites to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
• Watch for Sales and Deals: Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday are excellent opportunities to snag deals, even from Portugal.
• Use Amazon Locker or Alternative Delivery Points: In areas where delivery is problematic, look into services that offer alternative collection points.
• Consider the Environment: Opt for consolidated shipments to reduce the carbon footprint of your orders.
• Keep an Eye on Import Taxes: When ordering from outside the EU, be mindful of potential import taxes that can significantly increase the total cost of your purchase.

While the direct presence of Amazon in Portugal may still be on the horizon, Portuguese shoppers are far from disadvantaged. By leveraging Amazon.es for its favorable shipping policies and Prime benefits, and keeping an eye on Amazon.de for potential savings, the Portuguese market has adapted well to the global shopping landscape. Incorporating strategies to deal with delivery challenges and exploring local alternatives for certain purchases, Portugal’s shoppers can enjoy a vast selection of products at competitive prices. As the digital shopping world continues to evolve, so too will the strategies for making the most of Amazon from Portugal. Happy shopping!