“Sorry, this item is unavailable in your region”. How often do you read such a phrase when shopping online? How often do you have to turn down an item you want and replace it with another just because the company doesn’t ship to your country?
According to e-commerce statistics, the number of digital buyers is at 2,71 billion in 2024, and it is about to rise to 2,77 billion in 2025. However, even today, you cannot buy all the products you want from some clothing online stores due to various restrictions. Geo-blocking is one of them.
What is Geo-blocking?
It is a restriction used by online shops based on place of residence or place of connection. For example, you found a sweater you like. After you fill your cart, the message appears on your screen that you are being redirected to another website of the online store. When this happens, you notice that the product you selected is not available in your region.
Geo-blocking can also be applied by other means such as not accepting credit cards or other means of payment from a different country, not being able to register on the website just because of the location someone lives or is trying to connect from. Also, getting different prices and conditions depending on country of residence as well as denied shipment abroad.
This is caused by many reasons such as expensive shipping fee, difficult return of goods from another country, inability to ensure the same conditions for purchasing goods in different countries, avoiding competition, etc. The seller calculates what pays him the most and avoids unnecessary risks. Therefore, geo-blocking is often used.
Unlocking E-commerce in the European Union
In 2018, the European Council adopted the regulation to ban unjustified geo-blocking in the internal market. Traders stopped limiting customers’ access to online shopping stores and redirecting customers to a different version of them.
That is how discrimination based on place of residence or establishment and customers’ nationality was removed. After these changes, consumers may access the same prices, sales, or payment conditions as those who live in another EU country. It enlarged the choice availability and provided the best deals within the market.
Is there a Solution?
However, the procedure mentioned above is valid only within the borders of the European Union. This means that sellers can apply geo-blocking to countries that do not belong to it: to offer the same goods at different prices or purchase conditions depending on your country of residence. Atvido offers a great solution for those who want to buy clothes and other goods from the United Kingdom (UK) and Germany online stores at the lowest price and get them as fast as possible.
How does it work? Shipping within Germany or the UK is usually free, while shipping abroad may be quite expensive. In some cases (for example, if you live in a country outside the European Union), it may not be possible for you to purchase the desired goods. In this case, Atvido gives you a hand – it invites you to sign up to receive a UK address and start shopping for your favorite UK brands and websites.
Other services that can help you achieve the same:
- Forward2Me
- Shipito
Why Can’t I Buy Online? Understanding Geo-Blocking
All in all, over the years, more and more people are shopping online. And they are provided with increasingly better conditions for purchasing desired clothes and other products. Although the conditions and prices of the products may be offered the same by the seller, sometimes the shipping fee may be much more expensive to the country of your residence. However, this problem is quickly and easily solved.
Jessi is the creative mind behind The Coffee Mom, a popular blog that combines parenting advice, travel tips, and a love for all things Disney. As a trusted Disney influencer and passionate storyteller, Jessi’s authentic insights and relatable content resonate with readers worldwide.