Check if your items are prohibited or hazardous
It is important to check in advance what you are offering for sale, especially dealing internationally. Find out more about eBay's prohibited and restricted items, they may vary on different eBay sites. You also need to make sure that the sale of your item complies with regional laws.
If you are not ready to ship items to specific countries or regions, you can exclude certain shipping locations from all your active listings or for specific items. This way you won’t have to cancel an order that has already been placed — you won't disappoint the buyer and reduce your performance.
Find out in advance how hazardous materials should be assembled, packaged and labeled (even if they are approved for sale and shipment). For example, almost all rechargeable devices, from cell phones to power tools, contain lithium batteries and may require that you declare the package contains hazardous materials when shipping your item. Other commonly missed items that require special packaging are perfumes, nail polish, hairspray, cleaning supplies, firearm accessories, knives, swords, lighters, auto accessories, and plants or seeds.
Summary
- Check item restrictions for each region
- Follow local laws and eBay rules
- Exclude regions you can’t ship to
- Label and pack hazardous items properly
Choose your shipping type
Free shipping
Boost conversion rates with seller-paid shipping
Buyers often expect free shipping. In fact, they’re more likely to choose an item with free shipping over an item with a shipping fee, even if the total cost is the same. Give your buyers what they want and offer free shipping by adding the shipping cost into your item’s price.
Calculated shipping
Buyer pays low shipping rates with eBay Labels
With this shipping option, the system automatically updates the shipping charge a buyer sees based on their location, the details you provide on your package, and delivery service.
Flat rate shipping
Keep it simple by setting a consistent shipping cost for buyers
If you sell similar items, like t-shirts, you can set the same shipping cost for them all. Then, you don’t have to worry about changing the fee with every item you list.
Summary
- Free shipping attracts buyers’ attention
- Flat rate shipping allows you to keep things simple
Give your buyers choice
Summary
- Offer a variety of shipping services: expedited options in addition to free standard shipping
Help your buyers save on shipping
Combined shipping
Let your buyers activate a shipping discount when they purchase more than one item. You can charge a higher shipping cost for the first item and add a lower cost for each additional item. Then combine items into one shipment. Combined shipping is a great option if you sell items that can be easily merged into one box or envelope, such as books, magazines, CDs, toys and many other small and/or light items.
Shipping discounts
Offering shipping discounts to your buyers when they meet a given threshold, could encourage your buyers to spend more or create urgency to push them to buy. These shipping discounts are prominently displayed in a variety of places on eBay: in the search results, on the view item page, shopping cart and checkout page, your store’s Discount page, and your store’s All Offers page. You can create and edit these shipping discounts on the Seller Hub Marketing tab.
Set thresholds slightly above your average order size or average order volume to encourage buyers to spend more to get upgraded shipping.
Buyers respond to free shipping, so consider offering Economy or Expedited Shipping for free when buyers meet a given threshold.
Additional upgrades to higher classes of service can be a great way to increase order size and order value; these can be offered for free or at a discounted flat rate.
Summary
- Offer combined shipping and set up shipping discounts
Keep your shipping promise and avoid delays
Please note: If you ship a package within your specified handling time period, provide an acceptance scan and upload valid tracking information, late deliveries won’t impact your seller performance.
When you need signature confirmation
Signature confirmation on the buyer’s side is required for high price orders that reach or exceed a certain threshold ($750 on ebay.com). The buyer’s signature on the delivery notification can help you win a payment dispute and avoid paying extra dispute fees.
Summary
- Observe your handling time to avoid delays and keep your seller account healthy
- Request signature confirmation when shipping high price orders
Ship internationally with ease
Selling internationally couldn’t be easier with the eBay International Shipping Program*. It helps you reach buyers across the globe without the need to manage overseas shipping, customs, or returns. eBay will let you know when an item sells to an international buyer and provide you with the domestic shipping hub address. All you need to do is send your sold items to the domestic shipping hub before the estimated delivery date, and the international shipping and customs process will be managed for you.
If you're eligible, you'll be opted into the program. If you have provided self-shipping international options on your current listings and your item is eligible for eBay International Shipping, buyers will be able to choose which service they prefer.
*Applicable to eligible CBT sellers who have the inventory in the US.Summary
- eBay International Shipping Program facilitates delivery across the globe but only eligible sellers can use it
Pack an item securely for shipping
Consider delivery service requirements
Size standards
For safe and efficient use of space during loading and shipping your package, it is advisable (but not necessary) to use boxes and packages of standard sizes. Consult your local postal services for guidelines regarding package size and weight.
No marks of previous use
Make sure that the package is free of extraneous labels, symbols, and signs of previous use such as tape marks. Sometimes you can turn a used package inside out, if the inner side meets the requirements of your local postal service. Completely covering a used package with thick plain paper (but not marked tape) can also be acceptable.
Package integrity
The packaging must ensure the safety of the internal contents and be free from defects and damage. It should protect the contents of the parcel not only from damage, but also from unwarranted entry.
Safety requirements
Your parcel should be safe for other parcels, as well as for the property of the postal service. Send liquids in tightly closed containers with an airtight lid and packed in a box or bag marked “Fragile”.
Different postal services may have their own requirements for packaging items. You can check them on the websites of your country's postal service providers.
Consider transportation risk factors
Even if you assume that the delivery services will handle your package carefully, there’s always a risk that the contents may not transfer well during the transportation process. Here’re six risk factors to consider for safe and secure package delivery.
Getting dropped
Make sure that your package is durable and includes a layer of soft material that can cushion the impact.
Compression
Make sure that your package won't get crushed from the top and sides by other items transported alongside it.
Vibration
Conveyor belts and vehicles moving the package can cause vibrations, which might result in loosened screws, unplugged components, soft material ground to dust and other damage.
Temperature
Heating up and cooling down caused by transportation, climate, and location changes, can damage and destroy items, especially when happening repeatedly.
Moisture
Excessive moisture can weaken the packaging and cause water to condense inside.
Air pressure
Air pressure changes occurring in transit, such as by air or between ground elevations, can make packaging and items inside inflate and burst.
If your items can be damaged by moisture, pressure, or temperature changes, think of a shipping method that avoids these risk factors, such as land transportation instead of by air.
Choose the right packaging material
Outer packaging
Plastic or foiled plastic bag (suitable for light items)
Packaging tube (for drawings, posters, and other large documents)
Small single-layer cardboard box (for small items)
Large two- or three-layer cardboard box (for heavier and larger items)
Wooden box (for heavy and sharp objects)
Damping material
Inserts made of aerated plastics, cardboard, or styrofoam
Granulated styrofoam (packing peanuts)
Bubble wrap
Packaging tissue paper
Airbags
Craft paper or plain crumpled paper
Packaging tape
Brown plastic tape (polypropylene tape)
Electrical tape (vinyl adhesive tape)
Duct tape (paper tape reinforced with fiber)
Remember how to pack extra care items
There are several reliable ways to pack fragile goods, which you may combine to ensure their safety.
Air-bubble packing
A standard and well-proven type of packaging material is bubble wrap, which will reliably preserve your item. There are many varieties of this type of packaging on the market:
- Bubble wrap. It is delivered in rolls ranging in size from 0.4*5 m to 1.5*100 m, which allows you to pack both small items and large ones. Air-bubble wrap can be two-layer or even three-layer, providing your item with safety and protection from moisture and dirt.
- Ready-made film bags. Small packages of standard sizes are ideal for transporting small electronics (phones, tablets, watches, etc.).
- Mail Lite airbag envelopes. Mail Lite envelopes are suitable for mailing small fragile items. These envelopes are made of durable craft paper, covered with a layer of air-bubble film on the inside.
Foam packs
Packages using transformer foam are very convenient for packing valuable fragile items. The package contains a capsule, which fills the internal space with plastic polymer foam when activated; this foam provides shock absorption.
Each item in a separate box
If your parcel contains several separate items, keep in mind that they will move and bump up against each other during transportation. Separate packaging and an additional layer between items minimize the risk of damage.
Items sensitive to moisture or dirt are best additionally packed in a sealed plastic bag inside your package.
Box-in-box method
The box-in-box method provides effective protection for fragile or expensive items.
The outer box must be large enough to provide the necessary cushioning for the inner box. It is better to use 5-6 cm shock absorption. Keep a reasonable balance between shock absorption and box size: you will save money if your parcel takes up less space.
Besides the additional protection, the "box-in-box" method is recommended if your inner box represents your brand and must be delivered undamaged. Putting a branded box in a plain larger box also reduces the likelihood of theft: it will be harder to guess how valuable your parcel is.
Follow this sequence of packaging steps
- Select a container or a box slightly larger than the item. If the items are durable enough (such as books), you may use a box of their exact size.
- Completely fill the empty space with shock-absorbing material. If you’re packing several large items (vases, plates) in the same box, fill the spaces between them as well. Cutting corners, which is often recommended as a convenient way of packing small boxes into bags, can lead to damage to the item, to customer dissatisfaction and your additional expenses. Do not seal the package yet.
- Take the parcel to the post office. They will check the contents of the shipment and compliance with the packaging rules. If everything is in order, seal the parcel or wrap it with paper if desired. Use transparent, brown, or reinforced packaging tape 5 cm wide. Do not use masking tape, cord, rope, or twine. Tape the lid of the box and reinforce all seams and corners.
- Then you just need to fill out the address form. Clearly sign the package or box, do not forget the return address. Just in case, enclose your business card with the address, as well as information about the recipient.
To send international parcels outside the country, you need to fill out a customs declaration. It specifies the category of shipment, the number and names of items in the parcel, and their value.
Please note: do not stick the label on the folds and edges of the box, as this will prevent the barcode from being scanned.
Summary
- Observe local legislation and delivery service requirements
- Consider transportation risk factors
- Check how to pack extra care items
Choose packaging that promotes your brand
Ipsos, a multinational market and opinion research company, conducted a survey [1] among American consumers and found out that:
72%
of American consumers agree that the design of a product’s packaging often influences their purchase decisions.
81%
of respondents admitted that packaging design can influence their gift selection.
67%
of respondents believe that paper and cardboard packaging makes a product more attractive than other packaging materials.
63%
of survey participants would buy products packaged in paper or cardboard so they can reuse the packaging.
And of course, don't forget about profitability. Sometimes delivering a perfectly designed parcel may not pay off. Your goal is to minimize the risk of damage to the product, to ensure customer satisfaction with the purchase, but not to incur too high shipping costs.
Summary
- Beautiful packaging increases your chances to get a repeat buyer
Upload tracking information
Summary
- Provide valid tracking information to reduce “Item not received” claims
Maintain quality shipping no matter what
As your business grows and the number of orders increases, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain high quality service. In this case, you can:
- Employ other people who help you with the packaging, logistics, tracking of orders etc. Learn more on how to organize teamwork on eBay
- Find a reliable eBay partner with professional solutions for automating and simplifying your logistics and order processing
Summary
- Delegate tasks and use professional solutions to keep on top of things during busy time
Frequently asked questions
Can I offer a combined shipping discount if a buyer has already paid for shipping?
Yes, you can still offer a combined shipping discount by sending a partial refund to the buyer from the Orders tab in Seller Hub or My eBay Sold.
I did not set up combined shipping, why did eBay still combine these orders?
With calculated shipping, the majority of sellers and buyers prefer to ship items in one box to lower costs and make tracking an order simpler with one tracking number. However, if a seller wishes to not combine calculated shipping items there is a way to turn this off for any desired items.
What are the most common types of hazmat?
The most common types seen on eBay are: lithium batteries, perfumes, nail polish, hairspray, cleaning supplies, lighters, and auto parts. That’s not the entire list, you may have a different type of hazmat depending on what you sell.
Please take a look at all eBay prohibited and restricted items policies.
Whose responsibility is it to understand and prepare hazmat shipments?
Governmental agencies consider the seller/shipper of the product responsible for understanding if your products are hazmat, how to prepare, and ship them. One of the best ways to identify if a product is hazardous is to locate its Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and check Section 14 (Transportation). A quick search online typically is able to find the relevant document.
Do I need to follow the Hazmat Policy if shipping internationally?
Yes, sellers still need to follow domestic and international rules and correctly label their packages so eBay can be made aware that the shipment contains hazardous materials.
If I follow all the rules, can a courier service still choose to reject my parcel?
Yes, couriers set their own standards on top of the already strict regulations. Couriers want to protect their employees and physical assets from harm. They may decide to forbid certain types of goods from transport on their aircraft, vessels, or trucks. For example, a few companies will not accept loose lithium batteries for transport because of fire concerns.
Sources:
- Most Americans Say That the Design of a Product’s Packaging Often Influences Their Purchase Decisions | Ipsos. URL: https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/news-polls/Most-Americans-Say-That-the-Design-of-a-Products-Packaging-Often-Influences-Their-Purchase-Decisions (Accessed 06 Apr 2025).