Online retailing giant Amazon has backflipped on its unpopular decision earlier this year to block Australian shoppers from shipping goods traditionally bought from its US store.
The decision, announced on July 1 as a result of the Federal Government's move to charge GST for international online purchases, prompted a major backlash from Australian customers.
However, in response to customer complaints Amazon has backed down on the decision after updating its systems to collect GST for the Australian government on foreign sales.
"As a result of customer feedback, from 22 November Amazon customers will be able to ship eligible items from amazon.com to Australian delivery addresses," an Amazon spokeswoman told the ABC.
"Our teams have continued to focus their efforts on building the complex infrastructure needed to enable exports of low value goods to Australia and remain compliant with GST laws."
The spokeswoman said Amazon would continue to work with the Government to, "ensure it achieves its objective of a level playing field for all retailers and marketplaces".
Before Amazon's backdown, Australian shoppers could browse the retailer's US store but were blocked from shipping to an address in Australia.
The timing is important for Amazon as it will allow Australian shoppers to buy goods during "Black Friday" — a traditional retail frenzy in the United States.
As treasurer, Scott Morrison was highly critical of Amazon's move to block Australians from shopping at its US store, saying the retailer had "taken its bat and ball and gone home".
Mr Morrison estimated at the time that the Government would gain about $300 million in additional revenue by extending GST rules to online sales.
