Live Broadcast & Chat, May 16th from 12:30 PDT - How to Start Selling and Shipping Internationally

[alan@ebay]

Join us here from 12:30 PDT tomorrow for a live video broadcast and a chat hour all about selling & shipping internationally. 

First up from 12:30, Bassil Eid (@bassileid5) will be in our studio to chat with Audrey Tracy about "How to Start Selling and Shipping Internationally."

Bassil will then join the Community team from 1-2 pm PDT to answer your questions. He can cover topics like:

• The difference between using GSP and shipping direct
• Do I use USPS or a commercial carrier like FedEx or DHL?
• How do my listings appear worldwide when I sell through eBay?
• How important are tracking and insurance?
• How can a seller mitigate for returns?
• How much do I need to know about customs? 
• How are international cases handled and what about keeping up with standards?

Chat with you then! 

*Keep in mind the Community’s Rules of Engagement when you post. Non-constructive, off-topic & disrespectful posts will be removed by our moderation team so that the thread can focus on a productive discussion. 

[*coins]

Question about GSP vs. direct.

I posted on the Canadian eBay boards regularly a while back, and almost everyone there was encouraging others to not use the GSP because it is much more expensive than direct shipping. Is it true that extra fees are charged when sellers use this?

I really don't see any benefits of using the GSP - I have done direct shipping ever since I heard about this and have had many more intl. sales since.

[dhbookds]

If seller has to provide a return label for an international customer......how can they do it? 

You mentioned using DHL, and other shippers, but are they accessible from the Ebay shipping page or do we have to set up ourselves? 

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

I have ben offering free return shipping for several years now. As you know, there is currently no distinction between domestic and international sales when it comes to free return shipping. However, the Spring Seller Release states that ebay will be providing us with an option to either offer FRS to both or just one. I would like to offer it only to domestic shipping. 

Can you provide a DATE for when this option will be made available?

[mam98031]

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@bassileid5 wrote:

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@vrykalak wrote:

If a package just disappears on its way to another country, 
1. does the seller get a defect for late delivery?

2. does the seller get another defect when the buyer files a SNAD or INR?

3. does the seller lose out by having to refund both the item price and the original shipping cost?

---

Hi Vryklak, 

Thanks for your question. 

The seller would only get 1 defect counted against them. They can however coordinate with our CS org to get it removed and advise that they did everything they could to ship the item but through reasons out of their control there was an issue. If the item did not get to the seller and it gets lost, then the seller would need to refund the buyer. If the item arrived to the buyer and it was a buyer's remorse case, meaning buyer made a mistake at purchase, the buyer would pay return shipping if the seller had clearly listed this in their international returns policy. 

Let me know if that clarifies and if you have a follow up question. Many thanks 

Bassil

---

Just for clarification.  That would be a defect against the Global stats for a seller, NOT the US stats, yes / no??

[bassileid5]

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@carlmarxx wrote:

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@bassileid5 wrote:

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@mg152 wrote:

Ooh I do have a question & May I share the answer on social media?. I know the answer but I need to clarify for others.
If the item arrives at GSP damaged the seller is responsible correct?
If it's damaged after leaving GSP hub it’s on eBay or GSP to refund correct?
Thank you!

---

Hi Mg152, 

Thanks for highliting this. 

Correct if the item arrives at GSP damaged the seller is responsible. If it's damaged after leaving GSP hub it's on ebay to refund. 

Thanks again for raising this, 

Bassil

---

Bassil  that is great , but there are number of threads where GSP had damaged the parcels  and ebay dropped ball on. but didn't get handled right way  .    

---

Hi Mg152, 

hmm, that's interesting. Would be curious to dive deeper into those cases. Under our policy, we should be covering for damages using GSP. Would be curious to see the threads. 

Thanks again, 

Bassil

[carlmarxx]

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@bassileid5 wrote:

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@vrykalak wrote:

There are only a few countries where 1st Class parcels can be tracked.
Is there any chance eBay will implement a switch, where sellers can say: I only want to sell to countries that allow tracking of 1st Class packages?

I haven't sold internationally for years, because of this problem, but the last time I looked, in order to check only those (17 or so) countries, a seller had to:
- search the USPS site to find out when countries currently allow 1st Class tracking
- go to shipping options, and click on all 200+ countries to say NO SELLING
- go back and manually uncheck the trackable countries

---

Hi Vrykalak, 

Thanks for your comment. 

This is a great idea about USPS first class. I totally get it that tracking can be bad to countries when shipping first class. I would advise to pay the extra costs and ship USPS priority as this will ensure you won't get into trouble when any cases get opened against you. You can transfer that extra cost to the buyer and they would usual be happy to pay to be able to track the package ensuring it gets to them. 

Great idea tough and will certainly give it some thought. Thanks Vrykalak, 

Bassil

---

Bassil  I have been shipping international for years here and it was rare for me to have these buyers to want Priority mail  and express   which I always listed as a option .  when USPS had international air parcel post  that used all time by the international buyers that bought a lot of items .  

[bassileid5]

---

@*coins wrote:

Question about GSP vs. direct.

I posted on the Canadian eBay boards regularly a while back, and almost everyone there was encouraging others to not use the GSP because it is much more expensive than direct shipping. Is it true that extra fees are charged when sellers use this?

I really don't see any benefits of using the GSP - I have done direct shipping ever since I heard about this and have had many more intl. sales since.

---

Hi @coins, 

Thanks for highlighting this point. 

GSP does tend to be more expensive then if you were to ship it directly with additional fees. In addition, buyers have to pay duties and taxes up front which is not preferred in many markets. You are doing well to ship it direct especially to developed countries like Canada, U.K and others. 

Keep going selling direct, it's a great option. Thanks again, 

Bassil

[echo_and_zip]

Greetings,

After a few 'lost' (no delivery scan) parcels, I quit selling Int'l.

When GSP came along, I was hesitant to 'opt in'.

An awesome GSP specialist walked me thru it at the time.

What I have found, as a Seller:

1. As all Customs fees are collected up front, and,

2. If seller completes item specifics (materials, weight, size),

3. the item sails thru Customs, w/ delivery often faster than FCMI, and,

4. tracking showing delivery, plus,

5. large/heavy items are less postage, (due to eBay / PB contract), than

6. shipping myself, direct, via insured mail, and

7. it is less, for a 'priority' type speed, even with the PB 'fee'...

BUT...

BUYERS don't DO those calculations...

there is urban myth that GSP costs MORE.

Of course, any buyer avoiding Customs fees MAy pay less,

but, if caught, then, the late surprise notice collects it.

IS there ANY WAY eBay can somehow COMPARE a 1, 2, 3 lbs parcel,

FOR a user, showing due postage & fees, WITH & WITHOUT GSP,

so a Seller & Buyer could work on best way to get a shipment ?

Right now, the "fake news" anti-GSP is convincing others to:

" Not buy from any seller using GSP ".

Can you help ?

Thx.

[vrykalak]

---

@carlmarxx wrote:

---

@bassileid5 wrote:

---

@vrykalak wrote:

There are only a few countries where 1st Class parcels can be tracked.
Is there any chance eBay will implement a switch, where sellers can say: I only want to sell to countries that allow tracking of 1st Class packages?

I haven't sold internationally for years, because of this problem, but the last time I looked, in order to check only those (17 or so) countries, a seller had to:
- search the USPS site to find out when countries currently allow 1st Class tracking
- go to shipping options, and click on all 200+ countries to say NO SELLING
- go back and manually uncheck the trackable countries

---

Hi Vrykalak, 

Thanks for your comment. 

This is a great idea about USPS first class. I totally get it that tracking can be bad to countries when shipping first class. I would advise to pay the extra costs and ship USPS priority as this will ensure you won't get into trouble when any cases get opened against you. You can transfer that extra cost to the buyer and they would usual be happy to pay to be able to track the package ensuring it gets to them. 

Great idea tough and will certainly give it some thought. Thanks Vrykalak, 

Bassil

---

Bassil  I have been shipping international for years here and it was rare for me to have these buyers to want Priority mail  and express   which I always listed as a option .  when USPS had international air parcel post  that used all time by the international buyers that bought a lot of items .  

---

Yes, I used that, too. It was a little more expensive than domestic Parce Post, but it WORKED! When that went away, and I got socked with a couple of (expensive) items getting lost, I stopped offering to sell internationally.

[bassileid5]

---

@dhbookds wrote:

If seller has to provide a return label for an international customer......how can they do it? 

You mentioned using DHL, and other shippers, but are they accessible from the Ebay shipping page or do we have to set up ourselves? 

---

Hi dgbookds, 

Thanks for your question. My favourite topic returns :). 

There is nothing on our platform unfortunetaly that can help faciltiate returns. You will need coordinate directly with the buyer. Best approach is to send them paypal funds to purchase a return label locally. Be sure to specify you want them to purchase a service with tracking visibility. They will then go and post it and send it back to you. 

Sincerely apologies we have not developed anything for returns yet but it is something we are thinking about. Thanks again, 

Bassil

[bassileid5]

---

@my-cottage-books-and-antiques wrote:

I have ben offering free return shipping for several years now. As you know, there is currently no distinction between domestic and international sales when it comes to free return shipping. However, the Spring Seller Release states that ebay will be providing us with an option to either offer FRS to both or just one. I would like to offer it only to domestic shipping. 

Can you provide a DATE for when this option will be made available?

---

Hi mycottage-books-and-antiques, 

In the next seller release hopefully in June/July, we are aiming to distinguish between international and domestic return policies. You will therefore be able to list free returns for domestic and list buyer pays return shipping for international. This will be displayed directly on your listing. 

Let me know if that clarifies and thanks again, 

Bassil

[nycfitnessfamilyfinds]

Hi
Following up on Bassil's comment re visibility.
OK- so I list on eBay and I ship everywhere.
1- does my item get more visibility on non US sites with GSP over me shipping international myself?
2- Bassil said I get visibility listing items internationally. How much MORE visibility do I get paying the extra 50 cents? thanks
3- Can eBay do a SIMPLE with PICTURES or video step by step - how to offer shipping options to international shoppers - how can I offer GSP and my international shipping on the same listing? 
Thank you very much. 20-25% of my sales are non-US.
Kathy -

[carlmarxx]

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@bassileid5 wrote:

---

@carlmarxx wrote:

Alan  I have been selling and shipping to international buyers  since 2003  . Currently International sale have dropped to   1  every other   4 to 5 months  in the toys & Hobby's category  I deal in .  I used to have  60 to 70% international  buyers before Ebay came up with GSP .  The high shipping cost for international FCMI are high for items under  8 Oz.'s   . The large flat international envelope  shipping is out do to the international buyers countries customs  not able  to deal the parcels  and  Vat tax if any is required . The U.S.  Shippers  have limited  shipping options  with no E-Packet shipping with tracking   options  the other countries postal services have  at lower prices  .

---

Hi Carlmarx, 

Thanks for your comment and love the name. 

Sorry to hear about the down turn in international sale. Would love to take a deeper look into your account as there could be a number of reasons for a decline in international sales. From our experience, we see better conversion for items in your categories shipped directly then through GSP so it is quite surprising. What shipping service do you use and which countries are you shipping? 

Looking forward to diving deeper and thanks Carl, 

Bassil

---

Hi: Bassil  I ship  first class international for items under 4 pounds .  about 90%  aren't Vat taxed .  I do  have few items that are over 4 pounds  and have to ship prioirty mail.   I do charge a small Handling fee .  used to ship too the UK , AU  . And Canada  where most of my buyers . Will tell they where not happy about GSP.

[bassileid5]

---

@mam98031 wrote:

---

@bassileid5 wrote:

---

@vrykalak wrote:

If a package just disappears on its way to another country, 
1. does the seller get a defect for late delivery?

2. does the seller get another defect when the buyer files a SNAD or INR?

3. does the seller lose out by having to refund both the item price and the original shipping cost?

---

Hi Vryklak, 

Thanks for your question. 

The seller would only get 1 defect counted against them. They can however coordinate with our CS org to get it removed and advise that they did everything they could to ship the item but through reasons out of their control there was an issue. If the item did not get to the seller and it gets lost, then the seller would need to refund the buyer. If the item arrived to the buyer and it was a buyer's remorse case, meaning buyer made a mistake at purchase, the buyer would pay return shipping if the seller had clearly listed this in their international returns policy. 

Let me know if that clarifies and if you have a follow up question. Many thanks 

Bassil

---

Just for clarification.  That would be a defect against the Global stats for a seller, NOT the US stats, yes / no??

---

Hi Mam, 

Yes correct, this would count towards your global standards and would not impact domestic. 

Hope that clarifies. Thanks again, 

Bassil

[bassileid5]

---

@carlmarxx wrote:

---

@bassileid5 wrote:

---

@vrykalak wrote:

There are only a few countries where 1st Class parcels can be tracked.
Is there any chance eBay will implement a switch, where sellers can say: I only want to sell to countries that allow tracking of 1st Class packages?

I haven't sold internationally for years, because of this problem, but the last time I looked, in order to check only those (17 or so) countries, a seller had to:
- search the USPS site to find out when countries currently allow 1st Class tracking
- go to shipping options, and click on all 200+ countries to say NO SELLING
- go back and manually uncheck the trackable countries

---

Hi Vrykalak, 

Thanks for your comment. 

This is a great idea about USPS first class. I totally get it that tracking can be bad to countries when shipping first class. I would advise to pay the extra costs and ship USPS priority as this will ensure you won't get into trouble when any cases get opened against you. You can transfer that extra cost to the buyer and they would usual be happy to pay to be able to track the package ensuring it gets to them. 

Great idea tough and will certainly give it some thought. Thanks Vrykalak, 

Bassil

---

Bassil  I have been shipping international for years here and it was rare for me to have these buyers to want Priority mail  and express   which I always listed as a option .  when USPS had international air parcel post  that used all time by the international buyers that bought a lot of items .  

---

Hi Carlmarxx, 

Great point. USPS air parcel post was great. 

Buyers will typically want the cheapest option which is first class but it's not the best for them or the seller. They typically tend to be inexperienced with the amount of tracking coverage and they usually learn quite fast that this was not the best shipping option. I would stick to your guns and go with priority and inform the buyers why it is a better option. 

I feel your pain though Carlmarxx with the varying postal solution.  Thanks again and feel free to keep your questions and comments coming.  

Bassil