Amazon.com Inc. is launching its Prime subscription service in Australia as the e-commerce giant continues to expand its retail operations in the country.

The rollout comes as Amazon moves to block Australian shoppers from using its U.S. and other overseas websites due to a new goods and services tax, or GST, regime being implemented in the country. The Seattle-based company said in late May that it would redirect Australian users from other global e-commerce sites to amazon.com.au, effective July 1.

However, Amazon Australia has opened a global store offering more than 4 million items from Amazon's U.S. site.

Prime membership in Australia carries fees of A$6.99 per month or A$59 annually, according to Amazon's Australian site. Services include free two-day domestic delivery and free international standard delivery on eligible Amazon U.S. items, in addition to access to streaming video, music, ebooks and games.

Amazon's Marketplace shopping platform in Australia, which debuted in late 2017, offers 60 million products across 23 categories and is supported by a growing domestic logistics network.

As of June 18, US$1 was equivalent to A$1.35.