Amazon has launched its subscription delivery service in Australia, Amazon Prime, at half the price paid in the US.

Amazon is edging ever closer to Jeff Bezos’ utopia of instant consumerism. This morning the ecommerce giant launched its subscription based delivery offering in Australia, promising free two-day delivery, unlimited ebook access, and other perks.

In an initial offer, Australian customers can sign up to Amazon Prime for AU$4.99 per month until 31 January 2019, after which fees will increase to AU$6.99 per month. The Australian Financial Review reports that only recently in the US, Amazon increased its Prime subscription fees from US$10.99 (AU$14.82) to US$12.99 (AU$17.51) – almost double non-promotional Australian fees.

The Prime announcement comes only two weeks after Amazon announced it would no longer be shipping to Australian consumers from overseas sites from 1 July. To the disappointment of many, Amazon suspended its Australian imports because of new goods and services taxes on international goods worth less than AU$1000.

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Related: Why Amazon’s Australian geoblock won’t cramp shoppers’ style »

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Bundled with an Australian Prime subscription comes an ebook service, a movie and television streaming service, access to a library of video games and premium access to Amazon’s live streaming service (acquired in 2014) Twitch Prime.

Additionally, owners of Amazon’s Echo range of home voice assistants will now be able to shop through Alexa.

“We have been working hard to expand selection, ensure customers get great value, and improve the Amazon shopping experience for Australians,” says country manager at Amazon Australia, Rocco Braeuniger.

“With the addition of Prime, customers can now enjoy the most convenient way to shop and take advantage of new and expanding benefits from Amazon.”

Further Reading:

• Opinion: why Amazon’s Australian geoblock won’t cramp shoppers’ style »
• Amazon ships a dinosaur in Jurassic Park and Jeep partnership campaign »
• Will Amazon disrupt finance as well? ‘Banks beware’ warns Forrester»

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