Shipping tips
Over 80% of buyers look for items with the free shipping option. Add it to your listings to increase their visibility.
Add at least one option for Expedited Shipping at extra cost — for those who need the item urgently,
Offer shipping discounts to win loyalty and make one-time buyers your repeat customers.
Implement our best practices for shipping internationally
What you need to know about shipping
Your handling time should be short but realistic because it factors into the estimated delivery time shown to buyers.
Buyers are more willing to purchase multiple items if you offer combined shipping.
Proper packaging ensures that your item doesn’t get damaged during transportation.
Sustainable packaging attracts eco-conscious buyers and improves visibility.
On listings where you've applied a shipping rate table, buyers will automatically see the shipping cost for their region.
If your buyer hasn’t received their item and the estimated delivery date has passed, they’ll let you know there’s an issue by opening an “item not received” request.
Signature confirmation for high price orders will protect you from losses.
Some goods are considered hazardous materials and require special packaging.
If you don’t ship orders to certain regions, set shipping exclusions.
Drop shipping is allowed, but you’re responsible for safe delivery and buyer satisfaction.
eBay International Shipping Program
The eBay International Shipping Program is a service that makes global shipping a piece of cake. All you need to do is to ship your package to eBay’s domestic shipping hub within the set time. eBay’s employees will manage customs paperwork and send your package to the destination address, saving you time and effort. eBay will also deal with returns and pay for them.
The program was previously available to eligible US-based sellers, but now it is gradually extended to other countries. Please check your email and eBay messages regularly to see if you can participate in the program. You status is also available in Shipping Preferences (My eBay > Account > Selling > Shipping Preferences).
Reach millions of buyers in 200+ countries
Make shipping easier and delegate customs paperwork
Let eBay deal with returns and pay for them
Frequently asked questions
What is domestic shipping and international shipping?
ebay.com is a US e-commerce platform, so “domestic shipping” means shipping options within the United States and to the United States from other countries. “International shipping” implies delivery to all other countries.
Can I set up shipping once for all my listings?
You can do it by creating a shipping policy in the Listings tab of Seller Hub. Learn more about business policies in this article: How to list faster with business policies.
What will happen if my package arrives late?
If your item isn’t delivered within the estimated time, the buyer can open an Item not received case. As a result, you could receive a defect that may affect your seller performance and your Item Not Received rate. Nevertheless, if you ship the item within your specified handling time period and can prove it with an acceptance scan, your seller performance won’t suffer.
How do I know if I’m eligible for eBay International Shipping Program?
Check your status: Account Settings > Shipping Preferences. If you are in the program, you’ll see “Enrolled” next to the program name. You also get a notification via email and Messages in My eBay.
What happens if my item arrives damaged?
If the item condition is Not As Described, you will have to pay for return shipping even if you don’t accept returns. However, if you use eBay International Shipping Program, eBay will be take care of such problems at no cost for you.