Mailing an item without using Ebay postage

Question

Can I mail the item without using the eBay postage and still get paid by the buyer?

mr_lincoln · Answer

Hi @nelsonn111

You need to ship with tracking and if you purchase labels outside eBay then you have to manually add the tracking number to the sold item for YOUR protection.

You get a discount purchasing your labels through eBay plus they launched a new Seller protection late last year as described below when you buy your labels through eBay.

If the following criteria is met eBay will reimburse you if the package is eventually delivered after you have refunded a Buyer through an eBay claim that they did not receive their package AND delivery is confirmed through tracking on eBay. eBay launched this new Seller protection in late 2025.

Seller prints the shipping label through eBay
Seller ships and gets a carrier scan within their Handling time
Buyer files a claim through eBay that they did not receive their package AND the Seller refunds the Buyer through the eBay claim
The package is delivered later and after the Buyer has been refunded, eBay tracking confirms the delivery

As a new Seller, regardless of the shipping status of the item your funds will be on hold for up to 31 days: Transaction holds | eBay

disneyshopper · Answer

The buyer pays first. Then you can use whatever carrier you wish to ship. If you use ebay shipping, you get a discount, paying the commercial rate instead of the full retail rate at the counter. Just make sure you ship with tracking and upload the tracking number into the transaction.

golfingaddict · Answer

Yes, you can use other services.

The important thing is to immediately add tracking details to the order.

Tracking items you've sold | eBay

Then a buyer and eBay can see the status of the package and be notified that it was delivered.

comics-scifi-collectibles · Answer

@nelsonn111 Yes, but shipping costs more at the post office.

You should ship with tracking so you have proof delivery.

If you use eBay labels tracking is automatically uploaded. If you buy your labels elsewhere then be sure to manually upload the tracking VERY carefully because once you submit it there's no way to edit it. You just have to add it again on the same item which will confuse the system a bit.