UPDATE:  April 15, 2024 Amazon finally ceased charging shipping fees to Amazon Prime Members residing in the US Virgin Islands.  On May 14, 2024, Amazon reinstated the discriminatory practice of charging shipping fees to the Prime Members of the USVI.  

Does Amazon discriminate against residents of the US Virgin Islands?

• Amazon Prime Membership recently increased to $14.99/month or $139.00/annually.  According to Amazon's list of Prime Benefits, members receive delivery benefits that include free shipping.
• Amazon Prime charges every US Virgin Islands Resident for shipping, utilizing the US Postal System.
• Per Amazon's explanation of shipping to US Territories no indication is given that Prime Members will be charged additional shipping charges for their purchases.  Details are provided on weight and dimension restrictions of packages, utilizing the US Postal System's same parameters, however.
• Amazon.com's courier of choice is the US Postal Service, whose shipping costs to the Territory are similar to those within the continental United States. Ironically, Puerto Rico and Hawaii residents still qualify for the free shipping option.
• One Prime Member was told by an Amazon representative that we are classified as International for shipping purposes. However, the VI is not now or has ever been a separate country. The shipping system used to mail parcels to the Territory by Amazon is the USPS and the rates charged by simply looking at our packages indicate they are clearly the domestic rate. Additionally, Amazon provides a FREE Subscribe and Save program to the Territory. There is no indication that the shipping process is any different than for Prime Membership.

As residents of the US Virgin Islands, and Amazon Prime Members, I believe Amazon is practicing discrimination, and going against their own stated benefits of membership, by charging shipping fees on all purchases with a shipping address within the US Virgin Islands.
 
We call on Amazon to honor the terms of their Prime Membership, and to provide free shipping utilizing the US Postal System to all  Prime Members located in the US Virgin Islands.