What is going on with EIS (EBay International Shipping)???
Summary: theartofserver expressed frustration with increasing restrictions on EIS, which have affected their ability to sell refurbished computer and server parts internationally, notably in the EU, South Africa, and Canada. ryry-jj provided insights into regulatory complications, such as certification requirements, and recommended that buyers inform themselves about import restrictions. jdbelt1960 noted global trade changes, like US tariff increases, impacting exporters and importers. simba6 added that stricter regulations are not solely eBay's doing. theartofserver appreciated the information shared but remains frustrated with EIS's lack of transparency regarding these changes.
Over the last several years, selling through EIS has gotten more and more restrictive. At this point, it is almost completely useless for me. A couple of years ago, my category of items got restricted from the UK by EIS, supposedly due to some UK import law regarding safety labeling on low voltage electronics. Yet, shipping directly to the UK seems to be just fine.
Then Germany was restricted due to some sort of packaging materials certification requirement.
Then for unknown reasons, EIS restricted my items to my South African customers.
Now, it looks like I'm restricted from selling to any EU country. My customers in Sweden, France, Italy, have all reported they can no longer order from me via EIS.
Today, I have a customer in Canada that says EIS will not ship to them.
Looks like I'm now cut off from most of the European market, South Africa, and now Canada. Except for Australia and New Zealand, this basically eliminates most of the international market that I used to sell to.
I sell refurbished computer and server parts. Anyone else in this category experiencing these issues with EIS? I'm wondering if I should start partnering up with some freight forwarding companies instead of EIS? Many of my UK customers are now using freight forwarders and that seems to be working.
tobaccocardyahoo
·3 weeks agoAs well as an interest in consumer protection, many countries are using these restrictions to promote protectionism.
One of the key reasons for EIS was that many sellers did not want to become experts on every country's customs regulations. This service was designed to increase international sales by sellers who were not exporting because it was too much of a commitment for marginal additional revenue and profit.
If International Sales are an important source of profit for you, you either need to live with a constantly changing set of EIS criteria or become an expert in the regulations for every country you ship to.
Should you try to export to these countries by other shipping methods, you will need to follow the same rules, or risk seizures in customs. Plan and budget accordingly. If customs seizes your shipment, you will be funding the buyer's refund.
As a seller who stopped exporting for years because I did not want the hassle, EIS has been a god send. But I view my international sales as pure gravy, not an essential part of my strategy.
theartofserver
OP3 weeks agoUPDATE: well, I guess I'm not surprised anymore... just confirmed with a customer in Australia that EIS is no longer shipping my items to Australia now. So the list of countries I can no longer sell to via EIS is now:
UK, all EU countries, South Africa, Canada, Australia, Kazakhstan.
theartofserver
OP3 weeks ago@simba6 @jdbelt1960 @ryry-jj thank you guys for sharing information and your thoughts. I do realize that there are international trade regulations that are changing and affecting EIS. although I was aware of changes regarding the UK and Germany, some of those EU changes I was not aware of, so thank you for informing me.
I think what frustrates me is that EIS changes without any formal notice or announcement or a status update page. When I check the eBay page regarding EIS (https://pages.ebay.com/international-shipping/#faq-6), there's no update or details on what is going on. It's not like EIS is not aware of these changes, since they are clearly adding and removing restrictions. Or, even better, if eBay can put an explanation in the listing so buyers understand what's going on. Otherwise, I'm left wondering in the dark, and trying to answer all the incoming questions from past customers asking why they can no longer order from me. This is an ongoing challenge... even just the last couple of days, I former customer in Kazakhstan who ordered this past Feb is now no longer able to order again. The list of restricted countries just keeps growing and growing and none of those changes are transparent. Honestly, even the UK issue from a few years back was never formally explained and I had to piece that together based on discussions here and elsewhere with a few insights from eBay employees.
Thanks to you guys, I understand better now the issue with EU countries, and we have our suspicions about what's going on with Canada. But I'm still completely in the dark about South Africa and Kazakhstan.
simba6
·3 weeks agoIt's not eBay that is doing that. Some countries have gone overboard wit the rules. While an item you sent on your own may get through, it could be seized if it does not comply.
jdbelt1960
·3 weeks ago · EditedIt amazes me the people blame international shipping on eBay or the carrier. For example,, the US has just increased tariffs on Canada by 50%. We also are threatening sanctions on any country that deals with Iran. What worked yesterday may not work today when it comes to small business exporters or importers.
ryry-jj
·3 weeks agoHave you read up on this...?
https://community.ebay.com/forum/announcements-57928/topic/eu-right-to-repair-directive-what-business-sellers-need-to-know-463008/
theartofserver
OP3 weeks agoThanks for that informative link. I guess that might explain the EU situation.
Any idea why I can't sell to South Africa now?
Is the restriction to Canada because of the trade dispute between Canada and US right now? Is EIS just blocking all of Canada until the negotiations are settled? Wish EIS would at least announce what changes they made and why so my buyers are not left wondering why suddenly they can no longer order from me.
ryry-jj
·3 weeks agoIt is so complicated right now, as long as you use eIS, they will apply the rules. As a seller, you just need to know the item has restriction entering that buyer's country. Tell buyers to be informed and look up their own countries regulations for importing. Many sellers cant possibly keep track of each country's laws and regulations. That is one of the beauties of eIS right now
If you ship international yourself, most likely when you enter correct info on the form and then ship, you items could be confiscated at customs, you'd lose money and the item
ryry-jj
·3 weeks agoHappens a lot. With electronics to some countries, UK for one, you need certification now to prove your electronic items to not contain any lead or other prohibited materials. You need to show the item meets UK restrictions on hazardous substances. Still a risk using FF. And yes, if shipping on your own to Germany, then you need that LUCID # that states you conform to their packaging regulations