eBay

bigskysell · ‎10-04-2023

I had a customer contact me who wants to purchase from me, but EIS is not providing an option to the United Kingdom. And they are a previous customer of mine. Who previously purchased product through the same listing. Using EIS.

The business policy used by the listing was modified in the past to define shipping to only the US and Canada. Other countries, those not specified, were supposed to be shipped via EIS, but while most display, none of them now work (it says to contact me). And in the case of United Kingdom it doesn't show at all.

In an attempt to get EIS working, I changed the business policy so that it says I only ship to the US, no international, so EIS would kick in. It may have. I'm not sure. However, the United Kingdom is still completely missing.

And, also, the link that Ebay sometimes shows to the customer to "Contact the seller" for shipping costs does not work either. It goes to an error page. "Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again later."

In any case, this is what my listing currently shows for shipping information:

Ships to:

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan Republic, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde Islands, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon Republic, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Croatia, Republic of the Congo, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United States, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City State, Vietnam, Wallis and Futuna, Western Samoa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Excludes:

Barbados, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Guadeloupe, Libya, Martinique, New Caledonia, Reunion, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Venezuela

Notice that the United Kingdom is completely missing. Not sure what I'm supposed to do here.

mokelbe · ‎10-18-2023

But I fear the real issue is that they are blocking categories that shouldn't be impacted by CE/UKCA issues like antique and vintage items and collectibles. There is no way they will ever have those markings. Can you ask this Elizabeth person about that since you have a direct connection to them??? Thanks.

stephenmorgan · ‎10-18-2023

Selling products with a CE symbol into the EU

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/selling/selling-products-ce-symbol-eu?id=5225&st=12&pos=3&query=Se...

wastingtime101 · ‎10-18-2023

@mokelbe wrote:
But I fear the real issue is that they are blocking categories that shouldn't be impacted by CE/UKCA issues like antique and vintage items and collectibles. There is no way they will ever have those markings. Can you ask this Elizabeth person about that since you have a direct connection to them??? Thanks.

Anybody can tag a member of the eBay Community team. Just type the @ symbol followed by their userid @mokelbe and pick their name from the list that appears. elizabeth@ebay

GLORIOUS!

mokelbe · ‎10-18-2023

OK, I'm not real bright on technical stuff, can you tell me how to type something so it goes directly to Elizabeth@ebay

I hoping somebody will look into exactly what type of listings the CE/UKCA codes apply because I just don't think they apply to used goods.

bennotbill · ‎10-18-2023

There's similar on the UK forum with some sellers complaining sales to the US have dropped because a lot of items are not accepted by eBay shipping.

A rep "explained" that there are a lot of restrictions on items that can be shipped. The general feeling was there's a lot more restrictions compared to the old Global.

stephenmorgan · ‎10-18-2023

I had an email conversation with eBay Shipping a coupe of years ago (7/14/2021) about the CE symbols and requirements to follow the new regulations with toys.

The best I understood is that if the Package has the CE Symbol then it requires the new information. If the item is out of the package but would of had the CE Symbol when it was packaged then I am not sure.

I have many old toys tat do have the CE Symbol and there is no way I could comply with the new regulations so I guess when the policy actually takes effect I will not be able to sell many items to the EU. As I recalled reading the regulations, the new information was required even if it was only one item and there was no mention of an individual selling personal stuff being excluded.

Germany had a new rule about packing materials a while ago and it seemed to apply to everyone also. I understand that if eBay allows you to use their International Shipping that they will fulfill the requirements under their license.

I do not think eBay could possibly fulfill the requirements of the new EU package documentation.

Assistance with Global Shipping Program and International Shipping. SR# 1-349457188754

Hello Stephen,

This is XXXXXXXXXXXXXX, I am another specialist with eBay's Global Shipping Program (GSP). Thank you for your resonse, and providing this clarification on your exact question.

I have researched your concerns regarding this updated legislation in the EU, and I am happy to provide clarification from the information we have available.

As of July 16, am I no longer allowed to sell these in the EU? Answer: You are still eligible to ship these items to the EU after July 16th.. There is increased regulation, and responsibility for importing/selling in the EU but, you do not have to stop selling to the EU. You will just need to follow the steps in our help pages found HERE. If you follow the steps in that help page, you will be able to verify if your items are compliant with the new regulations, there is also a section in the Frequently Asked Questions to help you find an authorized representative.

What about the toys made prior to the CE Symbol being printed on the package? Answer: From the information I have, these increased regulations are only for items marked with the CE symbol. Items that do not have this symbol should not be affected.

What about the toys that are no longer packaged? Answer: No specific information is provided on this except that items or packages that have the CE symbol. So, if the item is no longer packaged but has or has had the CE symbol, it will be impacted by this new regulation.

Is there a Button on eBay to turn off all sales to the EU? Answer: You can edit where you would prefer to ship items when you create listings. You can also edit your existing listings if you prefer either individually, or using the bulk edit listing tool.

Does eBay advise I should discontinue all sales outside of the United States? Answer: You do not have to stop selling outside of the USA. These new regulations only affect EU imports. You are welcome to ship your items where you prefer but, EU orders will have to follow these new regulations, or they may not be able to be delivered.

What would be my responsibility with a buyer who uses a Shipping Forwarding Company? Answer: Your responsibilities for members who use a forwarding company do not change, this is the same for Global Shipping Program orders. You are responsible to ship to the address the buyer provides at checkout, or the GSP hub. If your buyer uses a forwarding company, that is not your responsibility in any way and you will be covered for Item Not Received claims so long as you ship to the address the buyer provided at checkout.

With Global Shipping Program specifically, you are responsible to ship to our shipping hub. After this, our shipping partners process the international portion of the shipment and forward to the buyer. You are covered for Item Not Received claims so long as we have proof of the delivery to the hub in Kentucky.

I apologize for the misunderstanding, and confusion on the email address you were provided with as well. The only way to contact our support team is through your Help & Contact pages, or by responding to an existing email thread with our team.

I appreciate your patience and trust I have answered your questions fully. I wish you the very best with your future sales.

Thank you,

xxxxxxxxxx
Global Shipping Specialist

[THREAD ID: 1-4GZPQK7U]

clough42 · ‎10-18-2023

@stephenmorgan wrote:
Selling products with a CE symbol into the EU
https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/selling/selling-products-ce-symbol-eu?id=5225&st=12&pos=3&query=Se...

I've read this, along with all of the other linked documentation on the new UK and NI requirements for compliance and product marking, and I still don't understand how the eBay system is supposed to work. Specifically:

If I believe my products are compliant and can be sold in the UK, how do I modify my listing to tell the system this? They can't possibly be examining the product photos looking for the mark. There doesn't seem to be a field to mark that the product is compliant.

Is eBay just going to block everything in the relevant categories, or is there some way to comply?

stephenmorgan · ‎10-18-2023

@clough42 wrote:
@stephenmorgan wrote:
Selling products with a CE symbol into the EU
https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/selling/selling-products-ce-symbol-eu?id=5225&st=12&pos=3&query=Se...

I've read this, along with all of the other linked documentation on the new UK and NI requirements for compliance and product marking, and I still don't understand how the eBay system is supposed to work. Specifically:

If I believe my products are compliant and can be sold in the UK, how do I modify my listing to tell the system this? They can't possibly be examining the product photos looking for the mark. There doesn't seem to be a field to mark that the product is compliant.

Is eBay just going to block everything in the relevant categories, or is there some way to comply?

To be honest I think there are a few shipping issues going on and I am not sure it has anything to do with these new marking requirements plus the requirements were extended to a 2024 start date.

I can offer shipping to the European Union (EU) using eBay International Shipping for Buy it Now listings. I can not however offer eBay International Shipping to the EU for Auctions.

I just sold two Auctioned items this weekend going to the UK. I was able sell with a auction the to the UK by offering USPS First Class Mail International / First Class Package International Service. I did an Invoice to combine the shipping. On the Invoice I offered USPS and Economy International Shipping. The buyer paid and selected Economy International Shipping. The Economy International Shipping defaulted to eBay International Delivery (EID). Supposedly EID ended a while ago but it is still available. I did not know this and had planned on using a different service.

Before I sent the Invoice I tried to create a Buy it Now listing so I could combine the shipping and use eBay International Shipping but now this option is not available to me for a new Buy it Now listings.

I guess some issues are why some shipping services will ship to the EU or the United Kingdom and others will not. Why is eBay International Shipping available on my Buy it Now listings but not available on my Auctions. Why has it changed that making a new listing eBay International Shipping is not available? Seems like features keep getting turned on and off.

mokelbe · ‎10-19-2023

OK, so none of this explanation addresses the random nature of why some of my listings in the Toy category and in Dolls & Bears/Dollhouse Miniatures allow UK shipping and others don't. Is this a totally separate issue and eBay glitch problem? Or is eBay too broadly applying the CE/UKCA requirement withing these categories? And based on the explanation above from the xxxxxGlobal Shipping Specialist it would seem to support the idea that ANY used goods without a CE or UKCA code are exempt from the requirement (especially old vintage and antique goods that pre-date the existence of these codes. Can anyone on the eBay shipping team clarify these specific issues?????

elizabeth@ebay · ‎10-19-2023

@mokelbe wrote:

OK, I'm not real bright on technical stuff, can you tell me how to type something so it goes directly to Elizabeth@ebay

I hoping somebody will look into exactly what type of listings the CE/UKCA codes apply because I just don't think they apply to used goods.

Hi @mokelbe. Let me get this over to the proper team to see if we can gather that answer for you.

Elizabeth,

clough42 · ‎10-19-2023

We'd also appreciate an answer on how to make listings for compliant products visible. If my products do comply, how do I tell the system that so they will be offered in the UK and NI?

bennotbill · ‎10-19-2023

There also seems to be a lot of questions/problems in shipping from the UK to the US using the eBay Shipping option. It's looking almost like they are overwhelmed and can't cope, so are limiting item categories and conditions.

mrfindit · ‎10-19-2023

I am experiencing the same. I had a buyer from the UK wanting to buy some used Rambo action figures. He wanted several and I put together a lot and listed for him. UK shipping did not show up as an option on the new listing.

The figures already had individual listings that I created a couple of months ago, and all the single listings did have UK as an available destination.

I tried doing a sell similar on a single listing, and the new listing created did not have UK.

These were all in Toys>Action Figures.

So it seems like old listings that you relist automatically, still have the UK option for the time being. But new listings or sell similar listings (technically also new) have UK blocked.

I tried updating to some categories in collectibles, which also had a block on the UK. I finally changed to a different category that was still relevant, and there was no block on the UK. So seller can buy the items and I can ship at least.

elizabeth@ebay Hasn't E-Bay really jumped the gun on enforcing this regulation? The new rule doesn't apply for the entirety of 2024 and the remainder of 2023! As people in the UK learn about the effects of this regulation on E-Bay shopping, they will flock here wanting to purchase items they may be able to in 14 more months. Except because E-Bay jumped the gun, they will already be blocked from purchasing!

Please push to get this corrected at E-Bay immediately! We are all missing an opportunity as it stands now.

stephenmorgan · ‎10-19-2023

@mrfindit wrote:

So it seems like old listings that you relist automatically, still have the UK option for the time being. But new listings or sell similar listings (technically also new) have UK blocked.

I am getting this exact same issue offering eBay International Shipping for Buy it Now listings. For listings that were listed a while ago eBay International Shipping is offered. Making a new listing and it is not available. Even using Sell Similar where all I do is change the Title and pictures the shipping is not offered.

For Auctions the shipping has never been available to me.

I do see where eBay International Shipping is allowed it shows shipment to the UK is available on my old listings.

elizabeth@ebay · ‎10-19-2023

@clough42 wrote:

Can you provide a pointer to documentation explaining the rules and how to comply with them?

Right now, I have buyers contacting me daily about why I don't ship my products to the UK, and I have no answers. In my case, I am also the manufacturer, and if there's something I need to do, I'm happy to do so, but I have no idea what that is.

Hi @clough42. The shipping team has provided further clarification:

"We are only blocking for eBay managed programs. Sellers who are self exporting it is still allowed"

I hope this helps.

Elizabeth,