How to use Amazon Prime Video in 🇨🇳 China (2026)
Amazon Prime Video is blocked in China. Here's the exact step-by-step that works in 2026 — what to install, what to pay with, and what order to do it in.
Step 1 — Install a VPN with servers in a supported region
Amazon Prime Video detects your country mainly from your IP address. Connecting through a VPN gives you an IP from somewhere Amazon Prime Video works, and the service responds as if you're physically there.
For China specifically, you want a VPN with strong obfuscation (so the local network can't tell you're using one) and stable servers in nearby supported countries:
- NordVPN — best overall for China. Obfuscated servers + 6,400+ locations + 30-day refund. Get NordVPN →
- Surfshark — cheapest. Unlimited devices.
- ExpressVPN — fastest. Best for streaming-heavy use.
Step 2 — Connect to a country where Amazon Prime Video works
Open the VPN app, search the country list for a region where Amazon Prime Video is fully supported (typically the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, or the Netherlands). One click to connect.
Tip: if Amazon Prime Video has region-specific catalogs (Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+), you can pick the region with the catalog you want. Pick US for the widest catalog.
Step 3 — Open or sign up for Amazon Prime Video
With the VPN active, open the Amazon Prime Video app or website. It should now load past whatever block you were seeing.
If you're creating a new account, use the VPN's country as your account country whenever it asks for region. Some services lock your account to its first detected region.
Step 4 — Pay with a global-friendly card (if it asks)
Many services accept your VPN-faked IP but reject your card because the card's BIN (first 6 digits) reveals it's from China. If you hit this:
- Wise multi-currency card — free virtual card, accepted globally. Open a Wise account →
- Revolut — alternative; some users find their card works on services that reject Wise's BIN, and vice versa.
- Crypto top-up of a virtual card — last resort if both are rejected.
Need a real phone number from the right country?
Some signups require SMS verification from a specific region. An eSIM activates in 5 minutes and gives you a real local number without changing your physical SIM. Airalo has plans in 200+ countries from $3.
The complete Amazon Prime Video-in-China stack
Most "blocked" services need more than just a VPN. Here's the 3-tool stack that actually works for Amazon Prime Video from China:
Some links above are affiliate links. We only recommend tools we'd use ourselves.
What if it still doesn't work?
- Clear cookies + restart the app. Old session data can reveal your real location.
- Try a different VPN server in the same country. Some IPs are flagged.
- Use mobile data + VPN instead of WiFi if the WiFi router has DNS-level blocks.
- Switch to obfuscated servers (NordVPN's "obfuscated" category) if standard servers don't connect.
Compare VPNs for this use case
| # | VPN | Price from | Best for | Refund | Try |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | NordVPNEditor's pick ⭐ 4.8 · 6,400+ in 111 countries | $3.39/mo | Streaming, banking, all-rounder | 30-day money-back | Get NordVPN → |
| #2 | Surfshark ⭐ 4.6 · 3,200+ in 100 countries | $2.19/mo | Unlimited devices, cheap | 30-day money-back | Get Surfshark → |
| #3 | ExpressVPN ⭐ 4.7 · 3,000+ in 105 countries | $6.67/mo | Fastest connections | 30-day money-back | Get ExpressVPN → |
FAQ
Is using a VPN legal in China?
Legal in most countries. A small number (China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, UAE) restrict or technically ban VPNs but enforcement against individuals is rare. Check current local rules.
Will Amazon Prime Video ban my account for using a VPN?
Account bans for VPN use are extremely rare. Services generally just block the connection, not the account. Use a reputable VPN (not a free one), don't switch regions wildly within the same session, and you're fine.
How much does this actually cost?
NordVPN: ~$3.39/month on the long plan. Wise card: free. Airalo eSIM: from $3 if needed. Total stack: under $4/month for a working Amazon Prime Video setup.