Retail and tech behemoth Amazon will block Aussie shoppers from its international websites in response to the federal government’s new laws on online purchases.
Under new GST regulations coming into effect for the beginning of July, offshore retailers will have to apply a 10 per cent GST on any goods they sell.
As a result, local shoppers who try to access Amazon’s international websites will be redirected to the Australian site.
Amazon said in a statement that it regretted any inconvenience caused to customers, and “had to assess the workability of the legislation as a global business with multiple international sites”.
However, rival online retailers eBay and Alibaba have both said they won’t be blocking Aussies from using their global sites.