Amazon allows Australians to shop from its US store again

Amazon has announced that it will no longer block Australians from accessing its US and other international websites just in time for its Black Friday sales. The e-commerce giant started redirecting Australian customers trying to access international storefronts back to the local version of the platform back in July. Amazon said it made the change to comply with Australia's GST collection laws that applied a 10 percent tax to imported online goods worth less than A$1,000 (US$726). After getting a lot of flak from the move, though, the company has decided to lift the ban just a few months later.

"As a result of customer feedback," a company spokesperson said, "from [November 22nd] Amazon customers will be able to ship eligible items from amazon.com to Australian delivery addresses."

Vertium Asset Management Daniel Mueller told Reuters that the decision is "probably a reflection on the Amazon Australia website not being great. I think to bolster the Australian website they've had to do this." According to Reuters, the Australian website is only around one-ninth the size of its US counterpart, probably because it only started selling more than Kindles and ebooks on Black Friday last year. Its selection is nowhere near as extensive as the US store, and until Australia's offerings expand, customers will continue buying from its international websites.