How to Shop on Amazon in the U.S.｜Prime, Free Shipping, Payments, Delivery & Returns
New to shopping on Amazon in the United States? This guide explains how to create an Amazon.com account, enter a U.S. address, add payment methods, check Sold by and Ships from, use Prime, understand free shipping and sales tax, use Amazon Locker, track packages, and handle returns and refunds.
If you live in the United States, Amazon is one of the easiest online shopping platforms to use for everyday life.
You can order almost anything, including:
Household essentials
Small appliances
Electronics
Kitchen supplies
Furniture
Beauty products
Baby products
Pet supplies
Books
School supplies
Office supplies.
For most people living in the U.S., the main site to use is:
Amazon.com.
The basic shopping process is simple:
Create an Amazon account
→ Add your U.S. shipping address
→ Add a payment method
→ Search for a product
→ Check the seller
→ Add to Cart
→ Checkout
→ Choose a delivery option
→ Review sales tax and total cost
→ Place Your Order
→ Track the package in Your Orders.
Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
This article contains Amazon affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Amazon Shopping Process at a Glance
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Create an Amazon account |
| 2 | Add a U.S. shipping address |
| 3 | Add a Credit / Debit Card |
| 4 | Search for products |
| 5 | Check Sold by / Ships from |
| 6 | Add to Cart |
| 7 | Choose delivery speed |
| 8 | Review tax and Order Total |
| 9 | Place Your Order |
| 10 | Track delivery in Your Orders |
| 11 | Return or request a refund if needed |
The most important parts are not simply knowing where the Buy button is.
What really matters is understanding:
How to enter your address
How to evaluate the seller
How Prime works
Why tax appears at checkout
How apartment delivery works
How returns work.
Step 1｜Create an Amazon Account
Start by creating an account on Amazon.com.
A regular Amazon shopping account itself does not require a membership fee.
Once your account is created, you can use:
Your Account
to manage:
Your Orders
Your Addresses
Your Payments
Prime Membership
Gift Cards
Returns & Refunds.
You do not need Amazon Prime to shop on Amazon.
👉 Start shopping on Amazon.com
Step 2｜Add Your U.S. Shipping Address
Go to:
Your Account → Your Addresses
to add your:
Home
Apartment
Dorm
Office
Amazon Locker.
Make sure the address is complete.
For example:
John Smith
123 Main Street
Apt 405
Los Angeles, CA 90001
Phone Number
Always Include Your Apartment or Unit Number
If you live in an:
Apartment
Condo
Dorm,
do not enter only:
123 Main Street.
Always include:
Apt 405
Unit B
Room 210
or whatever applies to your building.
If the apartment number is missing, a package may:
Go to the wrong door
End up at the leasing office
Be returned
Be delivered incorrectly.
What Information Goes Into a U.S. Address?
A typical U.S. shipping address includes:
Full Name
The name of the person receiving the package.
Street Address
House number and street.
Apartment / Suite / Unit
Apartment or unit number.
City
City name.
State
State abbreviation.
ZIP Code
Postal code.
Phone Number
A contact number.
Step 3｜Add Delivery Instructions
If you live in an apartment building or gated community:
This is especially useful.
You may be able to add:
Gate Code
Building Number
Call Box
Front Desk
Package Room
Side Entrance
to your delivery instructions.
For example:
“Please leave packages in the package room.”
or:
“Use gate code XXXX.”
If your building has a designated package room:
Add that information clearly.
Step 4｜Add a Payment Method
Go to:
Your Payments
to add your preferred payment method.
Common payment methods in the U.S. include:
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
Discover
Debit Card.
You may also be able to use:
Amazon Gift Card Balance.
Shipping Address vs. Billing Address
These are not always the same.
Shipping Address
Where the order will be delivered.
Billing Address
The address associated with your credit or debit card.
For example:
You may be living in an apartment now,
while your credit card billing address is still your previous home address.
That can be completely normal.
Use the billing address your bank or card issuer has on file.
Step 5｜Search for Products
Use the Amazon search bar to search by:
Brand
Product Name
Model
Category
Use Case.
Examples:
Air Fryer
Coffee Maker
Desk Chair
iPhone Charger
Laundry Detergent
Baby Monitor.
Amazon may show many similar products.
Do not choose only based on the lowest price.
Step 6｜Always Check “Sold by” and “Ships from”
This is one of the most important Amazon shopping habits.
The same product page may include offers from different sellers.
Look for:
Ships from
and:
Sold by.
👉 Search products on Amazon.com
Sold by Amazon / Ships from Amazon
If the listing says:
Sold by Amazon
and:
Ships from Amazon
that generally means:
Amazon is the seller
and:
Amazon handles the fulfillment and delivery.
For first-time shoppers:
This is the easiest setup to understand.
Sold by a Third-Party Seller, Ships from Amazon
For example:
Sold by ABC Store
Ships from Amazon.
That means:
A third-party merchant is selling the product,
but:
Amazon is handling fulfillment and shipping.
This is commonly associated with:
Fulfilled by Amazon.
Sold by a Third Party / Ships from a Third Party
If both fields show a third-party seller:
The seller generally handles:
Selling
Packing
Shipping.
That does not automatically mean you should avoid the item.
But check:
Seller Rating
Seller Reviews
Delivery Estimate
Return Policy.
Be More Careful With Expensive Products
For products such as:
Laptops
Cameras
Phones
Luxury Beauty
Designer Products
Electronics,
do not choose a seller only because the price is:
US$20 cheaper.
Check:
Sold by
Ships from
Seller Rating
Return Policy.
If prices are similar:
Many shoppers prefer Amazon or Amazon-fulfilled listings for convenience.
Step 7｜Read Product Reviews, But Do Not Look Only at the Stars
Amazon reviews can be useful.
But do not buy something just because it has:
4.8 Stars.
Check:
Number of Reviews
Recent Reviews
Verified Purchase
Customer Photos
Low-Rating Reviews.
Negative reviews can sometimes reveal issues such as:
Sizing
Durability
Packaging
Quality
Compatibility.
Step 8｜Add to Cart vs. Buy Now
Amazon commonly shows two buttons:
Add to Cart
Adds the product to your shopping cart.
Best if you:
Want to buy several items
Want to compare products
Want to review everything before paying.
Buy Now
Uses your:
Default Address
Default Payment Method
to speed up the checkout process.
If you are new to Amazon:
I recommend:
Add to Cart.
It gives you another chance to review everything before placing the order.
Step 9｜What Is Amazon Prime?
Amazon Prime is Amazon’s paid membership program.
One of its main shopping benefits is:
Fast, Free Delivery
on eligible products.
Depending on:
Product
ZIP Code
Inventory
Order Time,
you may see:
Same-Day Delivery
One-Day Delivery
Two-Day Delivery.
Prime also includes other membership benefits beyond shipping.
👉 Explore Amazon Prime and Amazon shopping
Can You Shop on Amazon Without Prime?
Absolutely.
Prime is:
Not required.
Without Prime you can still:
Create an account
Buy products
Pay
Receive deliveries
Return items.
The main differences are usually:
Delivery speed
Shipping eligibility
Member-only offers.
Can You Get Free Shipping Without Prime?
Sometimes, yes.
Eligible non-Prime orders may still qualify for:
Free Shipping.
The exact minimum order amount and eligible products can change.
The easiest method is to check whether the product or checkout page says:
FREE Shipping
or:
FREE Delivery.
Is Prime Worth It?
Prime may be useful if you frequently buy:
Household essentials
Last-minute items
Baby products
Pet products
Home supplies
Daily necessities
and value:
Fast delivery.
If you shop on Amazon only a few times per year:
Prime may not be necessary.
Step 10｜Check These 7 Things Before Checkout
Before clicking:
Place Your Order,
review the following.
1. Product
Confirm:
Color
Size
Model.
2. Quantity
Make sure you did not accidentally add two.
3. Seller
Check Sold by / Ships from.
4. Shipping Address
Especially:
Apartment or Unit Number.
5. Payment Method
Confirm the correct card.
6. Delivery Date
Check when the item is expected to arrive.
7. Order Total
Review the final amount you are actually paying.
Why Does a US$29.99 Product Cost More at Checkout?
Because in the U.S.:
The displayed product price often does not include the final:
Sales Tax.
Amazon calculates applicable tax based on factors such as:
Shipping Address
State
County
City
Product Category.
So a product priced at:
US$29.99
may become:
US$31.xx
US$32.xx
at checkout.
That is normal.
Sales Tax Is Not the Same Across the U.S.
Do not think of Amazon tax as:
“Always 8%.”
Tax rates can vary by:
State
County
City.
Different product categories may also be taxed differently.
The easiest approach:
Check:
Estimated Tax
during checkout.
Do Amazon Coupons Apply Automatically?
Not always.
Some products display:
Apply Coupon
with offers such as:
5% Off
10% Off
US$5 Coupon.
You may need to manually:
Click or check the coupon.
Do not assume the discount will automatically apply just because you saw it on the product page.
Before ordering:
Check that the discount appears in the final total.
Step 11｜Place Your Order
Once everything looks correct:
Click:
Place Your Order.
Amazon will show:
Order Confirmation
and an:
Estimated Delivery Date.
Step 12｜Learn to Use “Your Orders”
After you place an order:
Go to:
Your Orders.
This is one of the most important areas of Amazon.
You can see:
Order Placed
Shipped
Out for Delivery
Delivered
Return or Replace Items.
If you use Amazon regularly:
You will use Your Orders often.
Why Did My Order Arrive in Several Packages?
This is completely normal.
Products may ship from:
Different Amazon Warehouses
Different Sellers
Different Fulfillment Centers.
So:
One Order
does not necessarily mean:
One Package.
For example, you may order five items and receive:
Two today
One tomorrow
Two the following day.
Check:
Your Orders
before assuming anything is missing.
What if Amazon Says “Delivered” but I Cannot Find the Package?
First:
Check:
Your Orders → Track Package.
Then look at:
Front Door
Back Door
Side Door
Mailbox
Mailroom
Leasing Office
Package Room
Garage.
Some deliveries may include:
Delivery Photo.
If you live in an apartment:
Also check with:
Front Desk
Roommate
Neighbor.
Apartment Residents Should Know About Package Theft
If you live in a building with:
No doorman
No secure package room
Packages left outside the door,
package theft may be a concern.
One useful option is:
Amazon Locker.
What Is Amazon Locker?
Amazon Locker is a self-service pickup location.
Instead of sending a package to your home:
You may be able to send it to a nearby Amazon Locker.
Lockers may be located near:
Whole Foods
Convenience Stores
Shopping Centers
College Campuses.
When the package is ready:
You pick it up yourself.
👉 Shop Amazon and check delivery options
Who Should Consider Amazon Locker?
It can be especially useful for:
Apartment Residents
College Students
Dorm Residents
People who are away from home during the day
People with insecure package rooms
People who do not want valuable items left at the door.
How Does Amazon Locker Work?
At checkout:
Choose or add an eligible:
Amazon Locker Pickup Location.
When the package arrives:
Amazon sends:
Pickup Instructions.
Depending on the location, you may use:
Code
Barcode
Amazon App.
Go to the locker:
Follow the instructions
and retrieve your package.
Amazon Locker Has a Pickup Deadline
Amazon Locker is not long-term storage.
Once the package arrives:
There is a specific pickup window.
If you do not collect it in time:
The package may be:
Returned to Amazon
and refunded according to the applicable process.
So once you receive the pickup notification:
Try to collect it soon.
Can Every Product Be Sent to Amazon Locker?
No.
Eligibility depends on things such as:
Size
Weight
Seller
Fulfillment
Product Type.
If the item is not eligible:
The Locker option usually will not appear during checkout.
Step 14｜Can You Cancel an Amazon Order?
If the item has not yet:
Shipped,
you may be able to go to:
Your Orders
and select:
Cancel Items.
If the item has already entered the shipping process:
Cancellation may no longer be available.
You may need to:
Receive the item
and then:
Return it.
Changing Your Address Does Not Automatically Change Existing Orders
This is very important.
Imagine you place an order and later realize:
Your apartment number is wrong.
If you go to:
Your Account → Addresses
and update your address,
that does not necessarily change an existing order.
For an order already placed:
Go directly to:
Your Orders
and check whether it can still be edited.
Step 15｜How to Return an Amazon Product
The general process is:
Your Orders
→ Find the Item
→ Return or Replace Items
→ Choose a Return Reason
→ Choose Refund Method
→ Choose Return Method
→ Drop Off.
For many items:
The process takes only a few minutes to set up.
How Long Do You Have to Return Amazon Items?
Many items commonly have a return window of around:
30 days after delivery.
But:
Not every product follows the same policy.
Some may have:
Shorter return windows
Longer return windows
No-return rules.
Before buying:
Check the:
Returns
section on the product page.
After ordering:
Your Orders usually shows:
Return Eligibility.
Do You Always Need a Box and Printed Label?
No.
Many eligible returns may offer:
No Box / No Label
options.
Amazon may provide:
A QR Code.
You bring the product to an eligible return location:
And the staff handles the packaging or label process.
Common Amazon Return Drop-Off Locations
Options depend on:
ZIP Code
Product
Seller
Return Reason.
You may see locations such as:
The UPS Store
Whole Foods Market
Amazon Locations
Other Partner Drop-Off Points.
Do not assume:
“I have to take it to UPS.”
Start the return process first and let Amazon show you the available options.
Are Amazon Returns Always Free?
No.
Many eligible products offer:
At least one Free Return Option.
But a fee may apply depending on:
Return Method
Large or Heavy Product
Seller
Return Reason
Special Conditions.
Before confirming the return:
Look for whether the option says:
FREE.
How Long Does an Amazon Refund Take?
It depends on the payment method.
After Amazon issues the refund:
Your bank or card company may still need time to process it.
Credit Card:
Usually may take several business days.
Debit Card:
May take longer.
Amazon Gift Card Balance:
Often processes more quickly.
You can track the refund through:
Your Orders / Refund Status.
How Do Returns Work With Third-Party Sellers?
If the order is:
Sold by a Third-Party Seller
and:
Ships from a Third-Party Seller,
the return process may be slightly different.
Before buying expensive products:
Check the seller’s:
Return Policy.
For eligible Marketplace order problems:
Amazon also provides:
A-to-z Guarantee
protection in certain situations.
What I Recommend Setting Up First When You Move to the U.S.
If you are new to the United States, set up:
A U.S. Phone Number
Useful for account and delivery communication.
Correct Shipping Address
Including:
Apt / Unit.
Credit Card
Make sure the Billing Address is correct.
Delivery Instructions
Add your Gate Code if needed.
Amazon Locker
Save a nearby location if one is convenient.
Once these are set:
Amazon shopping becomes much easier.
What Is Good to Buy on Amazon When You First Move to the U.S.?
Common purchases include:
Kitchen Supplies
Small Appliances
Phone Accessories
Computer Accessories
Home Organization
Bedding
Bathroom Supplies
Cleaning Supplies
School Supplies
Office Supplies
Baby Products
Pet Supplies
Beauty Products
Daily Essentials.
If you just moved into a new apartment:
Amazon is especially convenient for those small items you suddenly realize you forgot to buy.
What Products Require More Caution?
Pay extra attention when buying:
Expensive Electronics
Luxury Products
Designer Products
Beauty Products
Supplements
Collector Items.
That does not mean:
Do not buy them on Amazon.
It means:
Seller information becomes more important.
Always check:
Sold by
Ships from
Seller Rating
Return Policy.
How Should You Shop Amazon Deals?
Amazon may show:
Limited Time Deal
Prime Exclusive Deal
Coupon
Lightning Deal
Sale Price.
Do not focus only on:
“XX% Off.”
Compare:
Final Sale Price
Product Specifications
Seller
Reviews.
The biggest percentage discount is not always the best purchase.
10 Common Amazon Shopping Mistakes
-
Forgetting the Apartment or Unit Number.
-
Mixing up Shipping Address and Billing Address.
-
Looking only at price and ignoring the seller.
-
Not checking Sold by / Ships from.
-
Seeing a Coupon but forgetting to Apply it.
-
Assuming Prime means every item arrives tomorrow.
-
Thinking a split shipment means Amazon forgot part of the order.
-
Assuming a package is stolen immediately when tracking says Delivered.
-
Changing the account address and assuming an existing order changed too.
-
Buying an expensive item without checking the Return Policy.
Avoid these mistakes:
And Amazon becomes much easier to use.
First Amazon Purchase Example
Imagine you just moved to California.
You want to buy a:
Coffee Maker.
The process could look like this:
Step 1
Sign in to Amazon.
Step 2
Search:
Coffee Maker.
Step 3
Choose a product.
Step 4
Check:
Reviews
Sold by
Ships from
Return Policy.
Step 5
Confirm:
Color / Model.
Step 6
Add to Cart.
Step 7
Checkout.
Step 8
Choose:
Home Address
or:
Amazon Locker.
Step 9
Confirm:
Credit Card.
Step 10
Review:
Shipping Fee
Delivery Date
Estimated Tax
Order Total.
Step 11
Place Your Order.
Step 12
Track it through:
Your Orders.
Done.
Amazon Shopping Checklist
Before placing an order, check:
☑ Correct product model
☑ Correct Size / Color
☑ Correct Quantity
☑ Correct Sold by
☑ Correct Ships from
☑ Seller Rating looks good
☑ Shipping Address is correct
☑ Apartment / Unit included
☑ Payment Method is correct
☑ Coupon applied
☑ Shipping Fee checked
☑ Delivery Date checked
☑ Estimated Tax checked
☑ Return Policy reviewed
☑ Order Total is correct
Once everything looks right:
Place Your Order.
Conclusion｜The Most Important Part of Amazon Shopping Is Not “How to Buy,” but “How to Buy Smoothly”
Amazon itself is easy to use.
What really affects your experience is whether:
Your address is correct
You checked the seller
You reviewed the delivery date
Prime actually fits your needs
The coupon was applied
Your apartment has a safe delivery method
You checked the return policy.
If you recently moved to the U.S., I would start by doing five things:
Set up your full U.S. address
Add your primary credit card
Add delivery instructions
Learn how to use Your Orders
Find a nearby Amazon Locker.
After that:
Shopping for household goods, electronics, school supplies, furniture, and everyday essentials becomes much more convenient.
Disclaimer
This article is based on Amazon U.S. official website information and publicly available Amazon Customer Service information and is intended as a general guide to shopping on Amazon.com in the United States.
Amazon Prime benefits, free shipping requirements, delivery speeds, Same-Day / One-Day / Two-Day Delivery, sales tax, Amazon Locker eligibility, return windows, refund processing times, Marketplace sellers, coupons, promotions, product prices, inventory, and delivery coverage may vary depending on the account, product, ZIP Code, seller, state, city, promotion, and timing.
Always confirm the latest Prime membership terms, shipping options, delivery dates, return policies, refunds, prices, and promotions directly on Amazon.com, the product page, checkout page, and Your Orders.
This article contains Amazon affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
FAQ
How do I shop on Amazon if I live in the U.S.?
Create an Amazon.com account, add your U.S. shipping address and payment method, search for a product, review Sold by and Ships from, add it to your cart, checkout, review tax and Order Total, and then place the order.
Does an Amazon account cost money?
A regular Amazon shopping account is free. Amazon Prime is a separate paid membership program.
Can I buy from Amazon without Prime?
Yes. Prime is not required to shop on Amazon.
Can I get free shipping without Prime?
Some eligible orders may still qualify for free shipping. The current minimum order amount and eligibility are shown on the product page and at checkout.
What does Amazon Prime include?
From a shopping perspective, one of the main benefits is fast free delivery on eligible items, including Same-Day, One-Day, or Two-Day options in some areas.
What do “Sold by” and “Ships from” mean?
Sold by tells you who is selling the product. Ships from tells you who handles fulfillment and shipping. Both are worth checking before purchasing.
Is it safe to buy from third-party Amazon sellers?
Many third-party sellers are legitimate, but you should review Seller Rating, Reviews, Return Policy, and Shipping Information, especially for expensive products.
Does the Amazon product price include sales tax?
Not necessarily. Applicable sales tax is generally calculated during checkout based on the delivery address and other tax rules.
How should I enter an apartment address?
Enter the full street address and include the Apt / Unit Number. You may also add Gate Code, Building Number, Package Room, or other delivery instructions.
What is Amazon Locker?
Amazon Locker is a self-service pickup location that can be selected at checkout for eligible products. It is especially useful for apartment residents, dorm residents, or anyone who does not want a package left outside.
Can every Amazon product be delivered to a Locker?
No. Eligibility depends on the item’s size, weight, seller, fulfillment method, and other conditions.
Can I cancel an Amazon order?
If the order has not yet entered the shipping process, you may be able to cancel it through Your Orders. Once shipped, you may need to receive it and then return it.
Can Amazon products usually be returned?
Many products are returnable, but return windows and policies vary by product type and seller. Always check the product’s Return Policy.
Do I need to print a return label?
Not always. Many eligible returns offer QR Code or No Box / No Label return options.
How long does an Amazon refund take?
It depends on the payment method and bank processing time. Credit cards, debit cards, and Amazon Gift Card balances can all have different refund timelines.
Why did Amazon split my order into several packages?
Products may ship from different warehouses or sellers, so one order can have multiple packages and different delivery dates.
What should I do if tracking says Delivered but I cannot find my package?
Check Your Orders, tracking details, delivery photos, front door, mailbox, package room, leasing office, side door, and ask roommates or neighbors before reporting the package as missing.
