Selling internationally is a great way to grow your business, and it's easy to get started. Simply add international shipping and your listings will become available to millions of eBay buyers worldwide. The basic rules and principles are the same for domestic and cross-border shipping, but these tips and best practices can be useful for both new and experienced sellers.
Check carefully what you plan to deliver
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.
Calculate your item’s shipping costs
Having accurate and competitive shipping costs in your listings can generate more bids and future purchases. Look at similar active listings, search for insight from customers to see what shipping price your potential buyers are expecting. You can use eBay's shipping calculator to easily estimate how much it would cost to ship a certain item.
Choose your shipping settings
The shipping type you choose appears in your listing and determines the shipping fees your buyer will pay. Each of the three options has its own advantages — pick the one that fits your needs best.
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.
Learn more on how to set up international shipping in your listings
Give your buyers choices
Buyers are often willing to pay more for expedited shipping services, especially when they’re shopping at the last minute. By offering a variety of shipping options you not only meet your buyers' needs but also boost your chances of capturing more sales.
For example, offer free standard shipping as your first shipping option and expedited services as additional options for buyers who are in a hurry.
Setting this up is simple. After selecting your primary shipping method, just click Offer additional service and choose the best options for your business.
Make your international shipping easier
Selling internationally couldn’t be easier with the eBay International Shipping Program. eBay International Shipping helps you to 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.
Learn more about the eBay International Shipping Program
Reduce shipping costs with 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.
Learn more on how to offer combined shipping
Use more options for shipping discounts settings
If you are an eBay Store subscriber, you can also set up various shipping discounts using Discounts Manager. It is a simple tool which helps sellers configure different sales and 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.
Examples of shipping offers: Free shipping on orders over $49, Free shipping until Monday etc. So you will increase sales volume and drive more conversions.
You can create and edit these shipping discounts on the Seller Hub Marketing tab.
Prepare your items for a smooth, secure delivery
Packaging can affect both your shipping costs and buyer experience. Optimize your packaging, from how you wrap items to the materials you use. Furthermore, ensure to secure your items with materials that are most effective for long distances but are affordable.
Learn more tips on how to pack an item for shipping and make eco-friendly packaging
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.
See the full list of hazardous items
Keep your shipping service promise
Buyers always expect fast and reliable delivery. Choose the quickest handling time you can consistently meet. This will make your items more attractive to potential customers.
Please remember that the handling time is included in the shipping schedule that’s communicated to your buyer. It’s important to operate based on the handling time you’ve selected, regardless of what it is. Buyers want to receive their item on the estimated delivery date they saw at checkout — no later.
Learn more on how handling time impacts estimated delivery dates
Upload tracking information
Build trust with your buyers by keeping them informed. By uploading your item's tracking information, you can keep your buyer updated on the whereabouts of their order. Buyers feel more confident and at ease when they can see where their package is or when it is expected to arrive.
Additionally, it is important for sellers that adding tracking info may reduce chances of getting “Item not received” requests.
Maintain quality shipping service even with high volumes
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 reliable eBay partner with professional solutions for automating and simplifying your logistics and order processing