Shopping on Amazon in Croatia may sound complicated, but with the right approach, it becomes doable and often cheaper than you think. Since Amazon does not have its own local Croatian branch, customers in Croatia must use Amazon’s foreign sites and pay attention to shipping and customs. Find out below which Amazon services are best for Croatia, how to open an account and order, how shipping and tax collection work, and how to take advantage of benefits like Amazon Prime subscription. This guide explains step by step how to shop on Amazon from Croatia.
Registering and using Amazon from Croatia
Amazon does not have a dedicated Croatian website , so the first step is to choose a suitable foreign store. It is recommended to use Amazon.de (the German version) as it offers good product availability, clear translations and reasonable shipping costs. An alternative is Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.it, which also deliver to Croatia, but you should be aware of possible additional costs due to Brexit or other customs regulations. Once you have decided on a version of Amazon (e.g. the German Amazon), open a new account there:
- Visit Amazon.de (or selected countries) and select the option to create an account (most often under “Konto und Listen”).
- Enter your name, email and password and confirm your account.
- Confirm the registration by clicking on the link in the email from Amazon.
- In your account settings, add a payment method (credit or debit card) and billing address.
Amazon accepts most international credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex), and gift cards are also available that you can purchase online or in-store. Please note that Amazon generally does not support PayPal for online payments, so it is safest to use a card or an Amazon gift card for full transactions. Also, set Croatia as your shipping country in your account settings. On many Amazon sites, when selecting a delivery location (e.g. by clicking “Deliver to” or the flag icon), select Croatia; this will only show you products that can be shipped to Croatia. This saves time and avoids situations where the product is not available for our country.
Before placing any order, check the shipping details for the product: on the product page, there is usually a note “Shipping: Croatia” next to the price or a sign that the product can / cannot be shipped to Croatia. Keep in mind that the price of the order will be calculated in euros (if you are buying from the European version of Amazon) or in the local currency of that site, and that Amazon often uses its own exchange rate for conversion (which can be slightly less favorable than the mid-rate). To avoid additional currency conversion fees, you can use sites like Wise (which offers multi-currency cards) to reduce the cost of conversion at checkout.
Delivery to Croatia and possible customs duties
Shipping from Amazon to Croatia can be fast and reliable, but it requires a bit of planning. Most sellers and Amazon itself ship packages to Croatia, often partnering with domestic couriers like Croatian Post and DHL. After you place an order, you can track the status of your order through your Amazon account; you will usually receive a tracking number once it has shipped. Packages are most often shipped via Croatian Post , which partners with Amazon and can expedite the delivery process. In some cases, a private courier (DHL, UPS) may also pick up the package, depending on the type and size of the shipment.
Since Croatia is a member of the EU, you do not pay customs for goods ordered from European Amazon websites (Amazon.de, .it, .fr, .es) – only VAT is charged, which is already included in the price. For example, Jutarnji list states that goods purchased through Amazon in the EU “are repackaged and sent to your home address in Croatia. Given that we are in the European Union, you do not pay customs but only postage”. Shipping costs usually range from 5 to 15 euros (depending on the weight and value of the order), and you can often get free shipping if the total value of the order exceeds a certain threshold (eg around 30–50 €). So, check the shipping cost carefully before confirming the order. If you are ordering from outside the EU (eg from Amazon.com in the US or Amazon.co.uk after Brexit), expect additional VAT and customs charges. In the billing process, Amazon often automatically adds an estimate of these costs (“Import Fees Deposit”) that will be shown at checkout. For example, when shopping on Amazon.co.uk, UK VAT and customs charges are already automatically charged for delivery outside the UK. On the other hand, shopping within the EU is usually simpler: there are no additional customs duties, you just pay for standard delivery to the post office or courier.
Tips for more affordable delivery
- Bulk orders : Combine multiple items into one order to save on shipping. Amazon often charges a lower shipping rate for larger, consolidated shipments. Instead of multiple smaller orders, try adding all the items you want to your cart and shipping them all at once.
- Using Amazon Prime Subscription : Amazon Prime offers unlimited fast or free shipping on selected products (depending on subscription terms). Although Amazon Prime does not offer special benefits for Croatia, Croatian customers can take advantage of the Prime subscription by registering for Prime on the European Amazon site (e.g. German or British). This provides free shipping benefits (e.g. fast two-day delivery for EU addresses) in addition to using the service via a virtual address . For example, a Croatian customer with a German address from Mailbox.de can order with free shipping via the Prime service on Amazon.de. The Amazon Prime subscription also includes access to the Prime Video service (films and series) and Prime Music (music), which can further justify the cost of the subscription.
- Filtering the Amazon Global Store offer : The Amazon Global Store is a part of Amazon that enables the purchase of products from different countries through the local site. When searching for products, use the ” Available from Global Store ” filter. Such products often come from EU warehouses and have a more favorable delivery to Croatia. In this way, you can find items with lower shipping costs compared to goods that come directly from the USA or Asia.
- Using parcel delivery : When ordering through Amazon.com or other versions that do not ship directly to Croatia, consider using parcel services with a virtual address . Such services (e.g. Mailboxde) give you an address in Germany or the US to which Amazon sends the package, and then they forward the package to you in Croatia. This way, you can buy products that are not otherwise available for direct delivery. Mailboxde is the best-known example of such a service in Germany and makes it easy to order from sites like Amazon.de – after registering, you get a German address, so you can order from Amazon.de and then pay by online mail for the package to arrive in Croatia.
Amazon Prime in Croatia – prices and benefits
Amazon Prime is a subscription that in other countries includes fast delivery, exclusive discounts and streaming services. In Croatia, it is most often used for Prime Video (movies and series) and occasionally for cheaper delivery. There are two ways to pay for Prime services in Croatia:
- Prime Video subscription (standalone subscription for video content only) – around €6.99 per month .
- Amazon Prime membership – around €8.99 per month (previously it was an annual subscription of ~€70). This membership includes Prime Video, Amazon Music and other benefits like discounted shipping.
So, the price of a full Prime subscription in Croatia is around €8–9 per month , with more affordable annual subscriptions possible (often €70–90 per year, depending on promotions). Also, some users can pay for a Prime video subscription separately for €6.99/month, but then they do not receive additional Amazon benefits (delivery, music, etc.). With Prime membership, Croatian customers get access to the Prime Video library and can often get faster or free delivery on products marked “Prime” on certain Amazon sites. For example, if you are subscribed to German Amazon Prime, products marked Prime on Amazon.de arrive in Croatia faster without additional delivery charges (via your virtual address).
Amazon Prime is not that popular in Croatia due to the limited number of titles and the fact that it is a platform in foreign markets, so many people opt for only the basic Prime Video subscription or avoid it if they are not interested in additional content. However, for those who frequently order from Amazon, Amazon Prime can significantly save on shipping and provide exclusive discounts during Prime Day events and similar promotions.
Returns and complaints
One of the advantages of shopping on Amazon is the well-known A-to-Z guarantee : if the product does not match the description or is damaged, the buyer can request a refund or replacement with minimal complications. To return a product through Amazon, the procedure is standardized and simple: in your user account, select the order and the desired product and request a return through the system. Amazon will inform you about further steps, and will often offer you a free return label (especially if the product is defective). Return costs are generally not paid if the reason is damage or malfunction. The same process applies in Croatia, because the product is returned to the country of purchase (e.g. Germany) – so the postage will be on you if the reason is your own change of mind. Croatian users usually return goods through Croatian Post, using Amazon’s guidelines, or use the options notified by the Amazon seller.
Before purchasing, also check product reviews and ratings on Amazon to ensure the quality and authenticity of the goods. Amazon’s policy is to ensure 100% customer satisfaction, so take advantage of the review options and “customer images” which often help in evaluating the product. If you have specific questions about the product or need guarantees, you can also contact the seller through Amazon before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Amazon available in Croatia?
Yes. Although it does not have a local website, purchases are possible on international Amazon platforms that deliver to Croatia (e.g. Amazon.de, .it, .co.uk).
How to set Croatia as a shipping address?
Before ordering, select “Croatia” as your shipping country in your account settings. On Amazon.de, click on the country flag (top left) and select Croatia – this will only show you items that can be shipped to Croatia.
Which version of Amazon has free shipping?
Amazon.de often offers fast shipping and free shipping above a certain amount. Amazon.co.uk offers free shipping for UK customers, but for Croatia, customs and VAT are charged. So, for free shipping to the EU, it is best to find items on Amazon.de above the free shipping threshold.
How much does Amazon Prime cost in Croatia?
The standard Amazon Prime membership in Croatia is around €8.99 per month , which includes Prime Video and other benefits. Alternatively, you can subscribe to Prime Video only for ~ €6.99 per month , but then you don’t get any other Prime benefits. Note that Amazon often offers an annual subscription option at a discount (typically around €90-100 per year instead of €8-9 per month).
How to pay for the order?
The most common way is by credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex). You can also use an Amazon Gift Card in euros. Amazon sometimes accepts payment methods specific to local markets, but as a rule, cards are safer. Some customers also use services such as Wise multi-currency cards for more favorable currency conversion.
What if the product is not available for Croatia?
If you see that an Amazon product is not available for delivery to Croatia, you can either look for a similar product that can be shipped or use a virtual address (e.g. Mailboxde) in an EU country. Then you buy as if you had an address in Germany, and Mailboxde will forward your package to Croatia for an additional postage fee.
Can I track the package?
That. After your order is shipped, Amazon sends you a tracking number. You can track the package on Amazon’s website or directly on the website of the delivery company (e.g. Croatian Post). That way, you know when the package has been delivered to the courier and when it arrives at your address.
What are the most common problems?
Some customers report that shipping costs may be high for some products or that additional customs duties may apply if they purchase from outside the EU. Also, Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday events attract the lowest prices, so it pays to wait for big deals if the product is not urgently needed. If you encounter difficulties (card declined, address or customs issues), please contact Amazon Support or use the help option in your Amazon account.
Conclusion
Shopping on Amazon from Croatia requires a little planning, but offers huge opportunities from a wider selection of products to great prices. The key is to choose the right version of Amazon (e.g. German), set up your address and payment correctly, and track shipping costs. With Amazon Prime and smart tips (like bundling orders or using the Amazon Global Store), you can reduce costs and enjoy fast delivery service. For the most important instructions, it is always recommended to check directly with Amazon’s customer service center or the guide on their website.
Cover photo: Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash
