Apple on Tuesday opened up its online store just a little bit, enabling customers to buy products and have them delivered to another country.
The company announced its new cross border campaign yesterday as an easy way for customers to buy Apple products as gift and have them delivered to a friend or relative living abroad.
“Now it's easy to give iPod and Mac gifts to friends and family in Mexico, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Simply visit the Apple Online Store of the destination country by clicking on its flag icon below. If you don't speak the language, no problem. Just place your order with an Apple Online Store expert.”
The campaign is being rolled out in the following 20 countries: Mexico, Austria, Belgium (Both Dutch and French), Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland (both French and German), the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.
Unfortunately there’s still no option to ship to Canada. Users will be billed in the currency of the country they’re trying to deliver to. So if you’re shipping to the UK you’ll pay in British Pounds and if you’re shipping to Ireland you’ll be charged in Euro. Exchange rates are determined by your own bank at time of purchase.
Could this system be taken advantage of by purchasing an Apple product to have shipped to a friend, or even a hotel in advance of a visit, if the exchange were in favor of the buyer? Sure, except that nearly all Apple goods are cheapest in the U.S. At least you'll able to save some luggage space and avoid the hassle of taking out your MacBook Pro for airport security on your way to your destination.
Hit up the cross border part of the Apple Store if you want to send something to your friend or loved one abroad.
