Apple iPad2 became available for pre-order on March 2011. But is it possible to order it in the USA from outside the United States and ship it to Australia, India, Brazil, Mexico, China, Russia or any country in the world? Let’s find out.
Purchasing Apple iPad 2 at Apple Online Store from outside the US using freight forwarders
Note that Apple iPad 2 3G is sold in an AT&T and Verizon versions, non-US customers should go for the AT&T model as it comes unlocked (which enables 3G usage outside the United States).
If you try to purchase Apple iPad 2 at Apple Online Store USA from outsite the U.S., you will get the following message:
Thank you for your recent order with the Apple Online Store. We appreciate your business.
We are unable to complete your order. We do not ship to international, freight forwarder, APO, FPO, or P.O. Box addresses.
We offer the following information:
International Shipping: We are unable to ship to an international address. Therefore your order has been cancelled. Please visit the Apple Store Worldwide for the Apple Store Store in your country of residence.
Freight Forwarders: We do not ship to Freight Forwarders. Therefore your order has been cancelled.
APO, FPO or Post Office Boxes: Our carriers are unable to deliver orders to these addresses. Please visit http://www.apple.com/orderstatus to change your address to a physical address, so that we may continue processing your order. If we do not receive a response from you within one week, your order will be cancelled. You will need to login to your account with your Apple ID to locate this order.
As you can see, you can’t purchase Apple iPad 2 from Apple Online Store even if you use freight forwarders like Shipito and MyUS. For example, shipito customers reported problems with Apple Online Store many times:
So if you plan to use a freight/parcel/package forwarder, you need to find a small one, which is unknown to Apple Online Store yet. Of course it is much more risky to use small freight forwarders instead of a reliable well known one like Shipito, MyUS, BundleBox.
What about other online stores? May be we can find a retail store that sells iPad 2 and offers international shipping?
Purchasing Apple iPad 2 at online stores offering international shipping
Let’s visit B&H Photo Video first. It is a well known US shop that offers international shipping. Searching for iPad 2 gives:
This item is not available for purchase online. Please call us at 800.606.6969, or visit our NY Superstore.
Apple iPad 2 can be bought on Amazon USA. On Amazon iPad 2 is offered not only by Apple, but also by many merchants. Make sure to learn about their rating taking into account the number of ratings before purchasing.
Most Amazon merchants ship to the USA only, so you will need a freight forwarder like Shipito.
Purchasing Apple iPad 2 on eBay
You can find Apple iPad 2 on eBay. Although some sellers may offer international shipping, in many cases it is cheaper to use a freight forwarder like Shipito.
Purchasing Apple iPad 2 using Shipito assisted purchases
Shipito allows you to buy Apple iPad 2 using assisted purchases. They use not the addresses of their warehouses, but other addresses to purchase an iPad 2. To place an order you will need to fill up the balance of your account by bank transfer, to the amount of:
1. $8.5 + cost of goods (with state taxes)*108%
($8.5 and 8% – is a fee for assisted purchase)
2. Cost of delivery to your country.
The good thing about Shipito is that it allows to deliver iPads and other electronics with lithium, Li-Pol, Li-Ion batteries to many countries of the world using Shipito Airmail Priority shipping method. Your package shipped by Shipito Airmail will be delivered using regular postal service, but you will overcome USPS restrictions for shipping lithium betteries and electronics with them. Shipito Airmail Priority packages are insured.
Share your experience about purchasing Apple iPad 2 from outside the US
Have you bought Apple iPad 2 from outside the US? Where did you buy it and how did you ship it to your country?
