As one of the most advanced countries in the region for e-commerce, it might be the next destination to put on your trading list. We’ve put together this fact sheet to help you consider whether Jordan is right for you and your business.
Jordan has a population of over 10 million people and the number is growing rapidly. So is the e-commerce market place with a rapid increase in online shopping trends and an internet penetration rate of 68 percent. 1
Added to this, Jordan has a tech-savvy young population, relatively well-developed ICT and innovation sectors and a mature business environment with a myriad of digital companies and startups supported by local and international partners. 2
Like many countries, Jordan saw a boom in e-commerce trade during the pandemic. E-commerce revenue was estimated to be 739 million USD in 2021 – an increase of 25.5% compared to 2020. The sector is still vastly untapped and poised for exponential growth, as in the rest of the Middle East.3
However, according to the government’s e-commerce strategy, there are several obstacles to market in the country including a lack of legislation which supports e-commerce and protects consumers, arbitrary changes to licenses and taxes that deter e-commerce companies, and a lack of a viable electronic payment systems. 4
The good news is, the majority of Jordanians are online, making it easier for them to purchase products online. With around two thirds of its population (aged 15+) using social media, penetration rate are only set to increase.5
Given that 70% of the population does not have a bank account, cash-on-delivery is still a very popular payment method among Jordanian consumers. However, while that may be an option when buying from local websites, it becomes a hurdle when it comes to making global purchases.6
Working with a global shipping partner will help you to overcome these obstacles – it may even put you at an advantage to local retailers who also experience problems with cash-on-delivery.
Transit Times | 5-7 working days |
Maximum Dimensions | 120cm x 60cm x 60cm |
Maximum Weight | 30kg |
Maximum Content Value | N/A |
Low-Value Limit | 200 JOD |
Duty | Variable based on product; Applicable on orders over 200 JOD |
Shipments under 200 Jordanian Dinars will be subject to customs fees with an amount of 10 percent of the shipment value with a minimum of 5 Jordanian Dinars. Anyone buying from an online store should have their national number for Jordanians and residency number for non-Jordanians on their shipment to be processed by the Jordanian Customs Department.7
“Even with challenges to market, the untapped potential of its e-commerce market and predicted future growth, makes Jordan a country worth trading with”
Ben Bagnulo, CEO, SAMOS.
1 https://www.go-globe.com/ecommerce-in-jordan-infographic/
2 https://unctad.org/publication/jordan-etrade-readiness-assessment
3 https://unctad.org/publication/jordan-etrade-readiness-assessment
4 https://www.lloydsbanktrade.com/en/market-potential/jordan/ecommerce
5 https://www.go-globe.com/ecommerce-in-jordan-infographic/
6 https://www.lloydsbanktrade.com/en/market-potential/jordan/ecommerce
7 https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/jordan-ecommerce