[Q&A] 11st-Amazon, Will Samsung and LG TVs Also Be Available for Direct Purchase?

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] 11st is partnering with Amazon to launch the overseas direct purchase service 'Amazon Global Store' on the 31st. Millions of products from Amazon US in categories such as digital, fashion, living, and books can be ordered directly through the 11st application and website. Subscribers to the subscription service 'Uju Pass' or those who purchase over a certain amount (28,000 KRW) will also enjoy free shipping. Consumers can purchase through 11st Amazon Global Store as easily as buying domestic products, without complicated processes in search, payment, delivery, or customer service.

▲Can domestic home appliances from Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, etc. also be purchased through 11st 'Amazon Global Store'?

=The detailed products sold on 11st 'Amazon Global Store' will be disclosed after the opening on the 31st. However, since 'Amazon Global Store' handles products directly purchased by Amazon US, products with sales restrictions by manufacturers or others per market may be difficult to ship directly. Until now, major domestic manufacturers' home appliances have been difficult to ship directly, so consumers have purchased them via forwarding services.

▲Is it the same for high-priced clothing brands like Polo that have pricing policies in Korea?

=The exact handling status will be known after the opening on the 31st. However, since it deals with products directly purchased by Amazon US (not individual sellers' products), products restricted by brand policies by country are not handled. Products that have no issues with import and can be shipped to Korea can be conveniently searched, ordered, and paid for on 11st.

▲What are the main product categories handled?

=Millions of products are sold in digital, fashion, beauty, living, books, and more. For books, which have many domestic users, over tens of millions of overseas book products are available for order on 11st. Even customers new to Amazon shopping can easily find desired products, with Amazon hot deals and popular purchase items displayed at a glance. A 'Special Selection' of over 160,000 products preferred by Korean direct purchase customers has also been prepared.

▲Are customs duties and taxes included in the payment?

=Products purchased from 'Amazon Global Store' can be paid for all at once including customs duties (customs clearance fees) and shipping fees. At the product payment stage, the estimated customs duties are included in the payment, so there is no need to worry about them separately afterward. However, if additional direct purchases are made through other channels in the US and products arrive at the same time, customs duties may be combined, so caution is advised.

▲Can domestically issued credit cards be used?

=The payment methods provided by 11st are used as is. One-click payment via SK Pay is available, and all domestically issued credit cards and prepaid payment methods such as SK Pay Money can be used even if they are not overseas-use cards. However, real-time account transfer and mobile payment are excluded. To enhance payment convenience, products from other 11st sellers in the shopping cart can be paid for together. 'The selling prices of 'Amazon Global Store' are based on Amazon US prices, converted to Korean won reflecting exchange rates, and price discounts and promotions on Amazon are also offered on 11st.

▲There is a free shipping policy, but how are expensive items like furniture handled?

=Free shipping benefits apply to all products except some items like furniture. As a subscription promotion for 'Uju Pass' (starting at 4,900 KRW/month), newly introduced by SK Telecom, free shipping is provided even when purchasing a single item regardless of purchase amount at Amazon Global Store. Customers can also receive discount coupons worth 10,000 KRW monthly usable at Amazon Global Store (up to 5,000 KRW discount, 2 coupons). To commemorate the launch of Amazon Global Store, 11st is running a 'first month usage fee 100 KRW event' for Uju Pass subscription (Uju Pass-mini 4,900 KRW/month → 100 KRW first month, Uju Pass-all 9,900 KRW/month → 1,000 KRW first month, from launch until November). Even without subscribing to Uju Pass, 11st members can enjoy free shipping on purchases over 28,000 KRW at Amazon Global Store.

▲How long does delivery take?

=The delivery period from Amazon to Korea is on average 6 to 10 business days. 'Special Selection' products are delivered faster, on average within 4 to 6 days. Special Selection products are shipped through a separate logistics center located in the western US, enabling faster delivery.

▲Where can customers inquire about delivery, returns, and refunds?

=11st operates a dedicated customer center with the opening of Amazon Global Store. All customer inquiries regarding orders, payments, delivery, returns, and refunds for Amazon products purchased on 11st are handled exclusively.