As someone from the Caribbean, I’ll be the first to admit — hearing that Amazon has launched free direct shipping to our islands felt like a big win. Quietly rolled out about a month ago, this pilot project covers seven territories: Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, with Panama included as well.

For those of us long accustomed to the hassle of U.S. shipping addresses and costly third-party freight services, this is a major shift. Now, all it takes is updating your delivery address, selecting items eligible for “Free Delivery,” ensuring you meet the minimum order threshold ($35 for Jamaica and Panama, $49 elsewhere), and checking out. No middlemen. No complicated logistics.

A Welcome Convenience

Across the region, the response has been electric. Social media is filled with tutorials and excitement. People are understandably thrilled to finally access a simpler, faster, and more transparent online shopping experience.

It’s hard to understate how much easier this makes life. No more relying on shipping companies charging per pound. No more waiting weeks. No need for a U.S. mailbox just to order basic items.

For consumers, especially in islands where product selection is limited or prices are inflated due to import costs, this feels like a revolution.

But Convenience Comes with Consequences

However, as we celebrate, we must also be clear-eyed. History — particularly in places like New York and Toronto — shows us that the rise of e-commerce giants often comes at a heavy price to local businesses.

The Caribbean is not immune. Our small, independent shops — from craft vendors to bookstores and clothing boutiques — could struggle to survive if consumers overwhelmingly shift to Amazon. We risk hollowing out our local economies and eroding the very community fabric that makes our islands unique.

A Strategic Move by Amazon

Let’s not be naïve. This free delivery is a strategy — not a gift. Today it’s free. Tomorrow, it may well be tied to a paid subscription, just as Amazon Prime dominates in North America. The aim is clear: get Caribbean consumers comfortable, then monetize that access.

The Bigger Picture: Economic Vulnerability

Our economies are already fragile and heavily import-dependent. While easier access to goods and possibly lower prices are positives, there are serious risks:

• Local businesses displaced by foreign competitors
• Job losses in retail and small-scale logistics
• A reduction in money circulating within our islands
• Greater dependence on foreign corporations

Meanwhile, every dollar spent abroad is a dollar not strengthening our local industries.

My View: Progress Must Be Balanced with Protection

This moment demands balance. We cannot resist progress. E-commerce is the future, and Caribbean consumers deserve access to global markets. But governments across the region must act swiftly:

• Ensure fair taxation between local and foreign retailers
• Invest in the digital transformation of Caribbean businesses
• Encourage partnerships where local sellers can benefit from platforms like Amazon rather than being shut out

Caribbean entrepreneurs, too, must adapt. By focusing on unique, locally-made products, personalized service, and community-rooted experiences, they can offer something Amazon never will.

And we, as consumers, have a role: to shop smart. Use Amazon where it makes sense, but continue to support our local businesses that employ our neighbors, sustain our towns, and keep our cultures alive.