UK vs. USA Pricing on Alexandria Fragrances: Why European Customers Benefit from Ordering Locally
For fragrance enthusiasts in the UK and across Europe, navigating different pricing structures and shipping costs can be confusing—especially when you’re comparing a US-based site to your local storefront. One prime example is Zion, inspired by Roja’s Elysium—a popular scent from Alexandria Fragrances’ USA website compared to its UK counterpart.
In the two screenshots below, you’ll notice how seemingly competitive discounts on the USA website may still result in higher overall costs for UK and European customers once shipping and potential import fees come into play. Even when the USA site offers a 30% discount code, the final total often isn’t as appealing as it might first appear.
Screenshot 1: Ordering from the USA Website
- Product: Zion 100ml – discounted from £90 to £63 (with BEMINE30).
- Shipping Protection: £4
- Shipping: £33
- Final Total: £100
Although there’s a notable discount on the fragrance itself, the shipping cost to the UK is £33—significantly increasing the final total. What’s more, many customers find that import duties and additional taxes can be levied when receiving parcels from outside the UK or the EU, raising costs even further.
Screenshot 2: Ordering from the UK Website
- Product: Zion 100ml – £99
- ProtectMyOrder: £1.39
- Shipping: Free
- Final Total: £100.39
Here, Zion is listed at £99, and shipping is free within the UK. A small fee for shipping protection is optional. Importantly, no discount code was used for this purchase; if one were applied, the total would be even lower than £100.39.
Comparing the Two Options
-
Base Price vs. Shipping & Fees
While the US store may have a larger advertised discount, the international shipping costs (and possible import charges) quickly negate any initial savings. UK-based customers are generally better off purchasing from the UK site, given the free or lower domestic shipping rates. -
Potential Import Duties
Ordering from outside the UK or EU can incur additional taxes, VAT, or handling fees. These extra charges can appear at customs, creating unpleasant surprises upon delivery. -
Discount Codes at the UK Store
The UK checkout screenshot above shows a final price of £100.39 without any discount applied. If a customer were to use a valid UK discount code, they could bring the cost down further—potentially saving significantly more than what’s shown on the US website. -
Convenience and Speed
Buying from the UK store generally means quicker shipping and simpler returns or exchanges, along with no risk of customs delays.
The Bottom Line
For UK and European customers, ordering from the Alexandria Fragrances UK website typically proves more cost-effective in the long run than purchasing from the USA site—even when the US offers substantial promotional codes. By avoiding high shipping fees and potential import charges, local customers can enjoy the same beloved scents at lower overall prices, with the added convenience of faster shipping and easier customer support.
In short: Don’t be swayed by a big percentage off if the final total ends up costing you more. If you’re in the UK or anywhere in Europe, you’ll likely get the best deal (and the least hassle) by shopping directly from the UK storefront for Alexandria Fragrances.
