Barnes & Noble cuts off online orders for Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. territories

Barnes and Noble has changed its shipping policies, cutting off deliveries to several U.S. regions. Customers in Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories can no longer order products online, including NOOK e-readers. The company now restricts these areas to in-person purchases only. Previously, the bookseller shipped items to non-contiguous U.S. locations. Now, orders to Alaska, Hawaii, and territories like Puerto Rico or Guam are blocked. A help file on the company’s website lists the affected states and regions.

The restrictions extend beyond physical goods. NOOK e-readers and tablets cannot be bought outside the Lower 48, even for international customers. While books can still be ordered abroad, NOOK devices remain unavailable.

Geolocation tools further limit access. Users outside the USA cannot purchase e-books or audiobooks on NOOK devices. Registration itself demands a U.S. credit card and address.

Despite claims of servicing non-contiguous areas, the website often rejects Alaska addresses. Customers there report frequent restriction errors when attempting to place orders. The policy shift leaves residents in Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories with fewer options. Online orders are no longer possible, and NOOK devices cannot be shipped. In-person purchases at physical stores remain the only alternative for these customers.