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  • How to Order Google’s Nexus One Smart Phone if You Live Outside the US, UK, HK, or Singapore

    Posted on January 6th, 2010 Matt 58 comments

    Nexus One Order page As we all know, Google launched its first smart phone on January 5th, 2010. Luckily for people living in the US, UK, Hong Kong or Singapore, you can order it directly from Google from their web store. For the rest of us, we are either forced to wait for a change in their shipping policy or work our way around this. In a global Internet world, anything is possible. Here is the easy guide how to get the phone to your own doorsteps within a few days, I’m waiting for mine to arrive as I’m writing this.

    1. Get access to the ordering process by downloading and installing the free Hotspot Shield software (Windows & Mac only). By installing this you protect your location and IP address so that Google’s web store won’t block you out from the ordering process. When installed and activated, proceed to the next step.
    2. Sign up for a US based shipping address at MyUSABox.com. In practice, this is free as the US $5 they charge for registering will be credited to you when you use the service for the first time. They ship products worldwide and even repackage the boxes for an additional fee to help minimize custom declarations in your local country.
    3. Sign up for a Google Checkout account. If you already have a Google / Gmail account, you can add that easily through your Google account settings.Note that you can use any international shipping address and credit card for this purpose, it does not have to be the MyUSABox address you just signed up for
    4. Order your personal Nexus One phone phone by pointing your browser to http://www.google.com/phone. Please make sure you opt for the SIM free phone at $529 + sales tax (a NY based shipping address will add $46.95 sales tax to your order, totalling at $575.95). Also, make sure you enter the MyUSAbox shipping address and Google Account billing address to the order.
    5. Wait for your N1 to arrive to MyUSABox. You should get notified by email as soon as it arrives unless your e-mail spam filters are too tight.
    6. Log in to MyUSABox and forward your box to your home address, it should arrive within a few days.

    This should be simple enough to do in 15 minutes, unfortunately you have to pay the additional shipping cost but it should be reasonable if you really want to try out the new phone from HTC and Google. For me, shipping was a fair overpriced $49 to EU (including re-packaging), giving a total price of $625 (~€435) for the whole adventure.

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    58 responses to “How to Order Google’s Nexus One Smart Phone if You Live Outside the US, UK, HK, or Singapore”

    1. Matthew McDougall January 7th, 2010 at 02:01

      “installing the free Hotspot Shield software (sorry, Windows only)”

      One thing worth noting is that Hotspot Shield IS actually available for Mac as well as for Windows. Otherwise, thanks for the tips! Now I just need a blog post to show me how to get the money to order one ;)

    2. christopher January 7th, 2010 at 10:29

      Is the phone locked to some us operator when it arrives?

    3. Tweets that mention How to Order Google’s Nexus One Smart Phone if You Live Outside the US, UK, HK, or Singapore | Gamaze.com -- Topsy.com January 7th, 2010 at 10:46

      [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by oqןɐq uǝq ʌǝɹ, Tero Ylitalo. Tero Ylitalo said: RT @juhani: [share] How to Order Google’s Nexus One Smart Phone if You Live Outside the US, UK, HK, or Singapore http://j.mp/6dFypn [...]

    4. Matt January 7th, 2010 at 10:54

      No, the phone is not locked to any specific operator if you select the SIM free option costing you $529.

    5. Hi from Germany - Nexus One Forum - Google Phone Forum January 8th, 2010 at 18:06

      [...] out this link http://www.gamaze.com/blog/2010/01/h…-or-singapore/ I tried the ordering part. Works great. You can even user your German Google account, credit card [...]

    6. Mutexx January 10th, 2010 at 15:31

      Do you have to pay additinal fees?
      I think usualy u have to pay 19% tax for importing mobiles to europe, or is this avoided by the repacking?

    7. Michael January 10th, 2010 at 18:24

      In which country did you received it with a total cost of $625?
      There weren’t any import taxes?

    8. Matt January 10th, 2010 at 18:31

      The $625 is before any local import taxes and custom fees. I usually use the re-packaging/invoicing option to speed up the shipment and spare myself from a 2-3 day delivery delay in the receiving end and a required 2h drive to the international airport to pick it up. Of course, this usually saves you some money as well… ;-)

    9. How do you order a Nexus One if you live outside the US, UK, HK, or Singapore? January 11th, 2010 at 00:45

      [...] budiputra.com via: Gamaze] Share [...]

    10. Google Nexus One Phone a SOLI 435 €, COME Averlo Direttamente in Italia [GUIDA] - 3sulBlog January 11th, 2010 at 10:06

      [...] [gamaze] Ti piace questo post? Allora [...]

    11. li January 11th, 2010 at 20:13

      I could proceed till google checkout, then all I get is a message “..encountered unexpected error processing your request. Please try again in a few minutes.” I’m using a PPTP VPN. Has anyone a problem at checkiing out?

    12. Comment acheter un Nexus One si vous n'habitez pas aux US, Angleterre, Hong Kong ou Singapour | WebActus January 11th, 2010 at 21:42

      [...] Source: Gamaze [...]

    13. Matt January 12th, 2010 at 09:33

      @li

      I ended up using Hotspot Shield due to checkout and other problems during the order process when I initially tried quite a few Web based proxy solutions (I first wanted to avoid installing a software on my computer). All other tried solutions encountered problems when hitting Java script and/or HTTPS connections at some point (checkout switches to from HTTP => HTTPS, i.e. a secure connection).

      Hotspot Shield was the first proxy solution that actually took me through the whole process.

    14. 如何自助购买Nexus One(以及从美国网站购买其他东西) | 地瓜网 January 12th, 2010 at 12:35

      [...] 发布于: 2010年01月12日 地瓜 没有评论 来源：http://www.gamaze.com/blog/2010/ … uk-hk-or-singapore/ 这篇文章告诉你如何在目前GOOGLE不支持的国家或地区购买Nexus [...]

    15. How To Order A Nexus One/Google Phone If You Live Outside The US or UK | Post | How to hide your ip January 12th, 2010 at 14:02

      [...] in your country“. The good news is that there is still hope to get your Nexus One, thanks to Gamaze. However, you have to pay the additional shipping cost for [...]

    16. Jim January 12th, 2010 at 14:56

      I want to do this (I live in South Africa), however I’m a little concerned about having to “activate the phone”.

      On the http://www.google.com/phone/ it has a section that reads:

      “Already have one?”

      with the following links below it:

      “Activate my Phone”
      “Track Order”
      “Get Help”

      If I need to activate it, will I have to get someone to do it in the US with their Sim card?

      Will the phone be locked when I get it? (the “Activate my Phone” link doesn’t take me anywhere – just refreshes page).

      Really worried that I’ll be ordering a rather expensive brick.

      Has anyone had any luck with their phone activation? Or is the activation not required?

      Jim

    17. Matt January 12th, 2010 at 15:19

      @Jim,

      No need to worry, the activation is only for the T-Mobile N1 phone. The SIM free is completely open, I’m using it in Finland right now and it did not require any kind of activation.

    18. Jim January 12th, 2010 at 15:51

      @Matt,

      Thanks mate!

      I’ve got a family member bringing mine in for me (using a different process that hopefully will aviod a few extra charges).

      Holding Thumbs

      Jim

    19. Order Nexus One Outside US From Anywhere in the World | Redmond Pie January 13th, 2010 at 12:05

      [...] of Gamaze.com has shared his nice little adventure where he successfully ordered Nexus One from Google in US via MyUSABox [...]

    20. Hakan January 14th, 2010 at 05:10

      Thank you for the tips, I got mine yesterday.
      Loved Myusabox service.
      Hakan

    21. PaulsNZ January 14th, 2010 at 12:12

      I note with some concern that the “Hot Spot Shield” contains a “openvpnas.exe – probably a variant of Win32/Genetik trojan” TROJAN?

    22. Josh January 14th, 2010 at 19:32

      Do we have to pay customs fees from MyusaBox to Europe? If so, that amount should be add to total price…

    23. Kevin January 14th, 2010 at 22:31

      Thanks for your help. My phone arrive today to myusabox addres just selected to be ship to my country very excited thanks again

    24. Matt January 14th, 2010 at 23:49

      @Josh,

      depends on how you do it, there is an option to re-invoice, use at your own risk but can definitely limit expenses. Unfortunately, customs fees are usually country specific so I’m not able to give any specifics regarding this…

    25. confiq January 16th, 2010 at 13:43

      But what with warranty? :(
      Or damaged on arrive?

    26. Tim de Vallee January 17th, 2010 at 22:55

      You can simply order it from http://www.International-Orders.com
      They stock and ship the Nexus One unlocked to every country. Guaranteed delivery in 48 hours and only $ 49 in Import/Customs and Duties.

    27. lilkrim January 18th, 2010 at 03:58

      For those that are worried about installing the software, just do what i’m about to do and install it into a virtual machine :D

    28. Cum Sa Cumperi Telefonul Google Nexus One Din Romania » Post » Ascunde-IP.ro January 18th, 2010 at 22:44

      [...] din Romania (dupa cum se vede in imaginea de mai jos), dar datorita unui tutorial publicat de Gamaze acest lucru este acum posibil. Dezavantajul e ca trebuie platite in plus taxele de transport [...]

    29. KUNAL AGARWAL January 19th, 2010 at 07:35

      excellent piece of article matt !! keep up the good work bro !!

      in btw are you satisfied with the product ?

    30. KUNAL AGARWAL January 21st, 2010 at 05:05

      matt I have a problem, whenever I click on the GET YOUR PHONE tab, it just refreshes the page !!!

      any comments ??

      I am from India. Any other services I could use ?

    31. Fred January 24th, 2010 at 22:26

      I have same problem as Kunal above. Any solution on this issue?

      Thanks,
      Fred

    32. Matt January 25th, 2010 at 12:15

      This “refresh” issue is new to me as well. The first thing that comes to my mind is that they may have changed something on the page that blocks international traffic even if you use a SW proxy. You could always try to use some of these online proxies to see if it solves the issue: http://www.webproxies.org/

      I tried a couple before using the installable software but the ones I tried did not support both https (SSL) and JavaScript (seemed to be needed by the Google Webshop), but I’m sure some of them do if you only have patience to test them.

    33. Radu January 30th, 2010 at 23:01

      Hei guys.
      I’m interested in doing this think too. I live in EU, Romania. How long does it take from the moment I order the phone till I can pick it up? What’s the total cost(including taxes)?

      Thanks.

    34. Matt February 6th, 2010 at 13:53

      Make sure you click the “Re-invoice” option before shipping it from myUSABox, mine came as a $39.90 phone battery according to my instructions…

    35. Chika February 6th, 2010 at 15:50

      Hi Guys, Am interested in this phone and shall order a large quantity for sale in Nigeria if properly guided.

      Hope to hear from you as soon as possible.

      Thank you.

    36. Herrix February 6th, 2010 at 15:50

      What do you call the “contents” of the package on the shipping lable part of the package to “avoid” taxes to be paid and skip the cutoms ?
      (holland)

    37. Zsolt February 6th, 2010 at 15:50

      hello all,

      works fine for me with Hotspot.
      the only thing is that i don’t know how this myUSAbox works. i don’t know if it can be agreed with them to mark the shipment as a gift and put a symbolic price on it so i can reduce customs as much as possible.

      if you answer to Radu’s post, it would answer another question of mine too, since i am also from Romania :P

    38. Clock February 16th, 2010 at 19:23

      regarding International-Orders website it looks like its a scam, they charge triple the amount for shipping, stay away you’ve been warned.

    39. Lafnear February 17th, 2010 at 00:27

      The Hotspot trick won’t work for me in Safari. It keeps re-directing me back to the same page over and over again.

    40. TJ February 20th, 2010 at 12:06

      I’m trying this at the moment but I’m starting to get worried! Phone arrived to sorting hub in Germany but now it is back in US again, in Cincinnati! And that is disturbingly close to Indianapolis which is from where Google sent it to MyUSABox… Hmz…time will tell.

    41. Mary February 22nd, 2010 at 00:41

      Matt… I love you.

      N1 all ordered and I’m dying to see it! And MUCH cheaper than eBay. I was so happy, I even ordered the dock as well…

    42. John February 22nd, 2010 at 20:45

      if webproxy does not work, try one of the free, US based, vpn solutions… worked for me :-)

    43. enmute February 23rd, 2010 at 20:52

      Dos anyone here know anything about if the phone will operate on the Danish network, and is it only in the US you can buy the Nexus ?

      Enmute ( Denmark )

    44. Matt February 23rd, 2010 at 21:15

      Yes, the Nexus One will work in Denmark. All orders are shipped from US but you can buy it in US, UK, HK, and SG.

    45. Qee4q February 26th, 2010 at 18:42

      Maybe I’m asking stupid but please help me anyway ;-)

      Do I have to use a special network (in Denmark) to make full use of the N1? Like 3 for instance or can I use my current sim-card from Telmore?

      Or how does it work?

    46. Mary February 26th, 2010 at 23:39

      Just to update the above post – my Nexus One arrived at my house in Ireland today! Thanks for all the advice!

      IT’S GORGEOUS…

    47. Mary February 26th, 2010 at 23:53

      OH, also. The total cost on my credit card statement:

      Phone – €468.39
      USA Box – € 3.74
      Delivery and repackaging – € 39.79

      = €511.92

      Still cheaper than eBay! And no customs.

    48. Mary February 27th, 2010 at 00:03

      (I’ll stop posting right after this)

      Forgot to mention that I also bought the dock, which is included in the price of the phone and the weight of the package. Awesome awesome awesome.

    49. Matt February 27th, 2010 at 20:21

      @Qee4q

      No special networks needed, the N1 works with all European GMS and 3G networks. Just insert your SIM card and you are ready to go. You may have to configure the data connection and MMS Access Points manually, you’ll most likely find instruction on your netowrk operator’s support web site.

    50. Vangelis March 1st, 2010 at 05:00

      Hi there!

      Just gone through the steps of ordering, fingers crossed!

      Matt, thanks a million for posting such an amazing work-around to ordering something that should be available to everyone, everywhere!

      TJ (post above about German hub), I also ordered to Germany, do you have any update?

      And a last question for Mary with the successful purchase: How did you mark your box from MyUSABox to Ireland, any useful tip?

      Sorry for the length & questions..

      Vangelis

    51. Mary March 1st, 2010 at 14:50

      @Vangelis

      I asked them to mark it as gift of a phone battery and dock worth US$100. It came marked as “Phone and Dock”, but I didn’t have any problems or extra payments. And the whole process only took a week. :)

    52. Vangelis March 2nd, 2010 at 00:18

      Cheers Mary! I hope ze German Customs won’t be any more thorough than the Irish.. :) Ah well, I hope the phone is good at least?

    53. chocolin March 3rd, 2010 at 20:13

      Hi…
      I have been trying this for a week almost, and i havent been able to place the order. Google checkout says my VISA card have been declined, but everything is fine with it (amount, international shooping address, unblocked,.. all!) the bank says it too..

      What could be the problem.. ??
      I have to use a myUSAbox address neccesarily?
      or what?

      Plz HELP!!!!!!!

      Im from Dominican Republic!

    54. Eoin March 3rd, 2010 at 23:34

      Anyone else getting this message? “Oops. We encountered unexpected error processing your request. Please try again in a few minutes” When I get through to payment page & fill everything in and click continue it just stays on the same page and displays that up the top in red box :(

      Tried yesterday too, very annoying because I’m going to NY in a week & wanted to order one and have it waiting for me :(

    55. Vangelis March 6th, 2010 at 05:29

      Damn thing got stuck in Frankfurt, aaaaarrrrgghhh.. Should have been delivered today which would have been a world record acquisition of a phone that is not available in Europe.. Hopefully next week now and hopefully without having to pay the VAT!!

    56. Tim March 6th, 2010 at 08:32

      Nice guide – thanks a lot.

      Vangelis and Mary: did you both use MyUSABox for forwarding then? I haven’t found much about them on the web so I had been wondering if their service is legit.

    57. Vangelis March 8th, 2010 at 01:21

      Very fast service! Phone was there and 5 hours later it left!

    58. Vangelis March 10th, 2010 at 13:37

      Phone arrived today, no extra costs at customs (labeled as repaired return)!

      MANY MANY THANKS MATT!!!!

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