Barnes & Noble cuts off NOOK shipments to Alaska, Hawaii and beyond

Barnes and Noble has stopped shipping NOOK e-readers and tablets to locations outside the contiguous United States. The restriction applies even to U.S. territories and non-contiguous states like Alaska and Hawaii. Customers in these areas now face limited options for purchasing the devices. The company’s website states that shipments are unavailable for Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. While the site suggests some service for non-contiguous U.S. locations, attempts to order often result in restriction errors—especially for Alaska addresses. The only remaining option for residents in these areas is to buy NOOK devices in person at physical stores.

The main barrier for international and non-contiguous U.S. customers is the requirement for a U.S. credit card and a U.S. billing address. Even with these details, geolocation features block content purchases from outside the Lower 48 states. Barnes and Noble’s shipping policy also lists excluded countries rather than supported ones, making it unclear where orders might be accepted. Despite these limits, the company continues to ship physical books to international destinations like Canada and the UK. However, NOOK e-readers remain unavailable beyond the contiguous U.S., leaving many customers without access to the devices.

The restrictions mean that only those in the Lower 48 states can easily buy NOOK e-readers online. Customers in Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories must visit stores in person, while international buyers have no access at all. The policy remains unchanged, with no indication of future adjustments.