With the Apple iPad scheduled to arrive nine new countries within a week, the company has reportedly begun the shipments of some of the international pre-orders for the device. In addition, the international versions of iPad App Store and iBookstore have also been opened; and the European and Australian App Stores are already up and running.

According to AppleInsider’s Friday reports, some of the potential UK buyers of the iPad - who had purchased the device overseas – have confirmed that their order has officially been shipped. While the status of some of the pre-orders has been updated to “shipped”; there is no mention of the iPad’s estimated delivery date.

Apparently, for the delivery of the international iPads, Apple is following a policy similar to the one it followed for the device’s US launch last month; and has probably ensured that the device is not delivered before the international launch date – May 28.

The nine countries in which the iPad will be launched next week include – the UK, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, and Switzerland.
 
While the April 3-launch of the iPad in the US marked the sale of the Wi-Fi version alone, with the 3G version following in April-end, the forthcoming international launch of the device will allow international customers to purchase both the Wi-Fi and the 3G versions.