Amazon is the undisputed leader when it comes to online shopping. Originating in the United States, Amazon has expanded to serve customers all over the world through localized sites in various countries. One of these is Amazon.de, which serves customers in Germany. If you are wondering what Amazon.de is all about, this comprehensive guide will provide all the key details you need to know.
Table Of Contents
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1
Overview of Amazon.de
1.1
History and Background
1.2
Interface and Language Options
1.3
Product Selection and Categories
2
Shipping Policies and Options
2.1
Free Shipping Minimums
2.2
Shipping Speeds
2.3
International Shipping
3
Payment Methods
4
Amazon Prime
4.1
Benefits of Prime
4.2
Prime Video
5
Taxes and Import Duties
6
Customer Service
7
ConclusionOverview of Amazon.de
Amazon.de is the German-language website for Amazon, catering specifically to customers in Germany. The domain name amazon.de translates to "Amazon Deutschland", with .de representing the country code top-level domain for Germany.
Amazon launched the German site in 1998, just three years after expanding internationally with the opening of Amazon.co.uk for the UK market. Since then, Amazon.de has become the leading online retailer in Germany.
History and Background
Amazon entered the German market in 1998 by acquiring the online book retailer Telebuch and rebranding it as Amazon.de. At the time, Germany represented Amazon‘s second international market after the UK.
The German site initially focused solely on books before expanding into additional categories like electronics, toys, apparel, and more. Amazon.de opened access to its Marketplace platform for third-party sellers in 2000. This enabled small and medium German businesses to sell new and used products alongside Amazon‘s own retail offerings.
Over the past two decades, Amazon.de has grown to become Germany‘s #1 shopping destination. As of 2022, it carries over 200 million products across 30 categories. Amazon has also made major investments in infrastructure to enable faster and more convenient delivery throughout Germany. This includes over 20 logistics centers with more in development.
Interface and Language Options
The Amazon.de website default displays in German, but shoppers can easily switch to English or 5 other languages:
- English
- Turkish
- Dutch
- Polish
- Czech
- Italian
This language versatility makes Amazon.de accessible to the over 15 million people in Germany with migrant backgrounds. It also opens up Amazon‘s German inventory to international shoppers.
The interface is virtually identical to Amazon sites for other countries. Users can browse by department, search for products, access customer reviews, manage accounts and orders, etc. The only difference is the on-site text and promotions are tailored for German customers.
Product Selection and Categories
Amazon.de carries over 200 million products across the same 30 major retail categories as other Amazon sites:
- Books
- Movies, Music & Games
- Electronics
- Computers
- Home & Kitchen
- Health & Beauty
- Toys & Baby
- Clothing & Shoes
- Sports & Outdoors
- Home Improvement & Tools
- Pet Supplies
- Automotive
- Grocery
- And more
This vast selection includes millions of items shipped and sold directly by Amazon as well as Marketplace listings from German and international sellers. Shoppers can find bestselling German books and media as well as popular international products.
Certain product categories see high demand based on German consumer preferences. For example, coffee machines, baking supplies, and specialty cooking items are popular purchases on Amazon.de.
Shipping Policies and Options
Amazon offers a variety of shipping options for customers of Amazon.de:
Free Shipping Minimums
- €29+ for standard shipping on Amazon retail orders
- No minimum for free shipping on books sold by Amazon
- €20+ for Prime member free one-day delivery
Shipping Speeds
- Standard: 3-5 business days
- Priority: 2-3 business days
- Express: 1-2 business days
- Same-Day: Limited to Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt
International Shipping
- Free shipping to Austria for €29+ orders
- Low-cost shipping to all EU countries
- Worldwide international delivery available
Amazon provides competitive shipping rates for its German customers. Standard delivery is free nationwide on orders above €29. Prime members get unlimited free one-day shipping on eligible items.
Customers can also select faster priority and express delivery speeds for an additional cost. For some addresses, same-day delivery is possible on qualifying orders placed before the cutoff time.
Internationally, Amazon.de ships for free to Austria on orders meeting the minimum. Low-cost shipping rates apply for all other EU nations. Amazon also delivers globally to countries outside Europe at reasonable international rates calculated during checkout.
Payment Methods
Amazon.de accepts the following payment methods:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- Diners Club
- Maestro debit cards
- PayPal
At checkout, customers can pay in Euros as well as a selection of foreign currencies including US Dollars, British Pounds, Australian Dollars, and Japanese Yen. The site converts the order total to the currency of their choosing.
For added security, Amazon offers 2-step verification for credit and debit cards issued in Germany. This requires entering a verification code sent via SMS in addition to the standard card details.
Customers in Germany can also pay upon receipt of their order. Amazon offers payment upon delivery through DHL or payment at pickup lockers and partner retail locations.
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime is available in Germany, granting members access to free fast shipping and other benefits:
Benefits of Prime
- Free unlimited one-day delivery on eligible items
- Free access to Prime Video, Prime Music, and Prime Reading
- Exclusive deals and discounts
- 30-minute early access to Lightning Deals
German Prime costs either €7.99 per month or €69 annually. This is comparable to other countries and provides high value given the typical shipping costs for online orders in Germany.
Besides unlimited free next-day delivery, Prime members can stream movies, TV shows, and music. They also get free access to over 1,000 books, magazines, comics, and more with Prime Reading. Additional Prime benefits include special sales, discounts, and early-access deals.
Prime Video
Prime Video offers a solid selection of content for subscribers in Germany. However, the library is smaller compared to other countries due to licensing restrictions. Available content includes:
- Amazon Originals like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
- Popular US shows and movies
- German films and series
- Children‘s programming
- Select live sports
While sometimes limited for overseas content, Prime Video does provide unlimited on-demand streaming of Amazon originals plus many popular shows, movies, and German programming. Subtitles and dubs are available for most titles.
Taxes and Import Duties
For shoppers in Germany, Amazon charges 19% VAT on all purchases from the site.
Customers may also incur import fees and taxes on items shipped internationally to Germany. This depends on the type of product, its value, and country of origin. Most small, low-value personal shipments from EU sellers shouldn‘t incur additional charges.
Customer Service
Amazon.de provides customer service options tailored for German shoppers:
- All queries handled in German as the default language
- Phone support available 7 days per week
- Online chat accessible 7 days per week
- Extensive self-service help resources
Customers can contact Amazon.de support via email, phone, or online chat. Support hours are Monday to Sunday from 8:00 to 22:00, covering weekends and holidays. This makes it easy and convenient for shoppers to get assistance in German when needed.
Conclusion
In summary, Amazon.de brings the full Amazon shopping experience to customers located in Germany and German speakers worldwide. It provides a vast product catalog spanning every major retail category imaginable. Competitive shipping rates including discounted options for Prime members make Amazon.de accessible and affordable for German consumers.
The site caters directly to German language and culture yet retains Amazon‘s familiar user interface. Multiple language choices also welcome international shoppers from neighboring countries and beyond.
Over 20 years since its founding, Amazon.de remains the premier online shopping destination for German customers thanks to its combination of selection, convenience, and customer care.
