Does Amazon Ship to Puerto Rico in 2023? Yes, Here‘s a Complete Guide on How Shipping to Puerto Rico Works
The quick answer is yes, Amazon ships to Puerto Rico! While it may cost more than domestic shipping, Amazon makes it possible for Puerto Ricans to enjoy the convenience of online shopping.
As an experienced Amazon seller, I‘ve helped many customers in Puerto Rico receive their orders quickly and affordably. In this detailed guide, I‘ll walk through everything you need to know about how Amazon shipping works to Puerto Rico.
How Shipping to Puerto Rico is Different
Amazon leverages its partnerships with USPS, FedEx, and DHL to deliver to Puerto Rico. However, there are some key differences compared to shipping within the continental US:
Delivery Times
- Within continental US: 1-3 days typical
- To Puerto Rico: 5-14 days average without Prime
Shipping Costs
- Within continental US: Free or $3.99+ without Prime
- To Puerto Rico: $7-$12+ without Prime
Prime Benefits
- Within continental US: Free 1-2 day delivery
- To Puerto Rico: Free 3-7 day delivery
So you‘ll need to adjust your expectations around delivery times and costs when shipping to Puerto Rico. Prime helps offset costs, but does not provide true 2-day shipping.
How to Get Amazon Orders Shipped to Puerto Rico
As a seller, I walk customers through these steps to setup smooth delivery of their Amazon orders to Puerto Rico:
1. Add a Puerto Rico address in Your Account
Navigate to ‘Your Account‘ and under ‘Personal information‘ add your Puerto Rico address. This ensures it‘s on file for future orders.
2. Set Puerto Rico address as your Default
Under ‘Manage Addresses‘, click ‘Edit‘ on your Puerto Rico address and check ‘Default shipping address‘. This tells Amazon where to send your stuff.
3. Double check item eligibility for Puerto Rico
During checkout, you‘ll see if any items can‘t ship. Restricted items like certain chemicals, electronics, or weapons will be flagged.
4. Select a shipping method
At checkout, you‘ll be given shipping options with estimated delivery times and costs. Review these carefully.
5. Consider Amazon Prime for faster delivery
Prime provides reliable 3-7 day delivery to Puerto Rico for no added cost. It may be worthwhile for frequent shoppers.
6. Confirm expected shipping fees
Add up item cost + shipping fees shown to confirm your total order cost. Shipping averages $7-$12.
And that‘s it! Amazon will take care of packing and shipping your eligible items to your address in Puerto Rico.
Delivery Timeframes – What to Expect
Once shipped, how long until you receive your Amazon order in Puerto Rico? Here are the typical delivery times:
| Shipping Method | Delivery Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Standard Shipping | 5-14 business days |
| Expedited Shipping | 3-5 business days |
| Prime (Parcel Pool) | 3-7 business days |
However, actual transit time can vary based on:
- Where item ships from
- Destination city in Puerto Rico
- Shipping carrier used
- Item weight and dimensions
- Time of year (holidays may delay)
For example, a 5 lb textbook shipping from California to San Juan will take longer than a 1 lb DVD shipping from Florida to Ponce.
I recommend ordering 12-15 days before you need an item to allow leeway for variability. If you need it sooner, upgrade to expedited.
Seller Tips for Shipping to Puerto Rico with FBA
As an Amazon seller using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), you can easily expand your sales to Puerto Rico.
Here are my top tips for selling to Puerto Rico with FBA:
Enable International Shipping in Seller Central
In your Seller Central account, go to Settings > Account Info and check the box to enable international shipping. This opens up Puerto Rico.
Set Accurate Delivery Times in Listings
Based on item weight and size, set expected shipping times in days. This sets proper expectations for buyers.
Consider FBA Export Fees
FBA charges extra to ship international orders. Factor ~$2-4 per order into your profitability calculations.
Monitor Returns from Puerto Rico
Returns from Puerto Rico can take longer and cost more. Keep an eye on return rates as a sales indicator.
Overall, selling to Puerto Rico through FBA is straightforward. Amazon handles the complexities of international shipping and customs – you simply manage your listings and inventory!
Reducing Shipping Costs for Orders to Puerto Rico
Amazon shipping fees can add up when sending frequent or heavy orders to Puerto Rico. Here are some tips sellers share to save customers money:
Group orders – Combine multiple items into one shipment to only pay shipping once
Use coupons – Look for codes offering discounted or free shipping
Choose slower methods – Standard can be 50% cheaper than expedited
Leverage Prime – If eligible, it offers fast delivery at no extra cost
Negotiate discounts – Big sellers can potentially negotiate custom shipping rates
Ship directly – For heavy/costly items, ship directly yourself at lower rates
With some creative strategies, you can minimize the impact of shipping costs when serving customers in Puerto Rico.
Prime Status in Puerto Rico
One of the best ways to save on Puerto Rico shipping is an Amazon Prime membership.
Prime launched in Puerto Rico back in 2015. Members enjoy:
- Free 3-7 day delivery on eligible items
- Free access to Prime Video, Music, Reading, Photos and more
- Exclusive access to Prime Day deals and savings
As of 2023, Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139 annually in Puerto Rico. For frequent Amazon buyers, the free fast shipping alone helps offset the cost.
Prime provides reliable delivery to even remote parts of Puerto Rico. Over 90% of the population is eligible for Prime, with free Parcel Pool shipping from the mainland US.
So the verdict is clear – Prime is a smart investment for regular Amazon shoppers in Puerto Rico! The other entertainment and shopping perks add even more value.
Getting Amazon Packages to Puerto Rico Without Prime
Not ready to commit to a Prime membership? You can still get Amazon packages delivered to Puerto Rico without it:
Pay standard shipping – Accept 5-14 day delivery times for $7-$12 per order
Use coupons – Check for coupons offering discounted or free shipping
Ship to a US address first – Have your items delivered to a friend/family member first, who can then forward to you in Puerto Rico
Consider a package forwarder – Shipping forwarders provide US address and consolidated international shipping
The biggest downsides are the slower delivery times and paying extra fees for every order. Prime provides the most convenience, but weigh the costs against your order frequency.
How Sellers Can Take Advantage of Amazon‘s Puerto Rico Presence
As an experienced Amazon seller, I see huge potential in the Puerto Rico market. Here are some tips on how sellers can better serve and win over local customers:
Offer free shipping – Provide free standard shipping to increase sales. Calculate costs into your pricing.
Highlight fast shipping – Call out expedited shipping options in listings to meet expectations.
Share shipping policies – Clearly explain your returns, exchange, and delivery policies upfront.
Run special promotions – Offer time-limited free or discounted shipping around major holidays and events.
Sell locally relevant items – Tailor offerings towards local purchasing interests and needs in Puerto Rico.
Provide excellent customer support – Help Puerto Rican buyers feel supported in case of any issues.
By really understanding the nuances of shipping to Puerto Rico, you can gain an advantage over competitors. There is huge potential to better cater to this market!
Does Amazon Have Warehouses in Puerto Rico?
As of 2023, Amazon does not have any corporate offices, fulfillment centers, or other facilities directly located in Puerto Rico.
All Amazon order fulfillment still occurs within the continental United States. Packages are then handed off to USPS, FedEx or DHL for shipment to Puerto Rico.
However, Amazon has been posting more job listings for management and facilities roles in Puerto Rico. This suggests they may be exploring plans to expand operations there in the coming years.
Warehouses within Puerto Rico would allow for even faster order processing and delivery times throughout the island. As is, most packages originate from Florida before making the final trip to Puerto Rico.
So for now, Amazon remains a US-based business shipping to Puerto Rico. But in the future, we could see local presence and investment bringing more jobs and faster delivery to Puerto Rico!
Final Thoughts on Amazon Shipping to Puerto Rico
Amazon makes it simple for Puerto Ricans to enjoy the perks and convenience of online shopping. Delivery does cost more than domestic US orders – but is very reasonable considering the distances involved.
Savvy buyers can leverage Prime and package consolidation to minimize shipping expenses. Sellers meanwhile can tailor options and promotions to better cater to Puerto Rican customers.
While there is room for Amazon to improve delivery times and expand local operations, overall they provide reliable services to meet Puerto Rico‘s ecommerce needs.
So in summary – yes Amazon happily ships to Puerto Rico in 2023! I hope this guide gave you a helpful overview of how the shipping process works from start to finish. Let me know if you have any other questions.
