About Purchasing Overseas.

[SamZ515]

Recently i've been having to send gifts overseas to the USA, and the postage fees start to add up after awhile. So i'm just wondering if it's possible to use my UK Debit Card to purchase directly in the USA to avoid the hassle of posting and packing yourself, If it is possible, are there any exchange fees and so on? Not sure if this is in the correct area, Apologies if it's not.

[bednobs]

if you go to somewhere like amazon's us site, they use your debit card, and charge you on pounds (at their exchange rates)

[dzug2]

Ye it is possible to do this if the US retailer is willing - not all want to deal with overseas cards/customers

There will be exchange fees (typically around 3% though a few cards charge nothing.)

[JoolsTwo]

I have to send to Canada and I use Amazon.ca - I think Amazon.com deliver to USA

[Buenchico]

Many retailers will only despatch items to the cardholders address. However, where such a restriction does not exist there's absolutely no reason why you can't use UK debit card on a US site (provided, of course, that the site accepts your particular type of card, such as Visa).

As others have said, your bank will charge a small amount of commission.

[bednobs]

with amazon it doesn't becaus rthey bill you in pounds

[237SJ]

Easy to do. I quite often buy things on US websites and get them sent to our hotel in New York where I pick them up. For example, my sister wanted a party game that was £50 in this country and I got it for a mere $19.99 from Target. It doesn`t have to just be a retailer that is worldwide.