Send a gift using GSP

[hummercalendar]

I'd like to purchase a gift from an Ebay seller and send it to a friend in Germany.  Can I use the Global Shipping Program for that?

[lamber9347]

@hummercalendar Whatever the item is, you first need to make certain the seller ships internationally. Many sellers only ship to USA. Once you confirm the seller will ship Int'l, then you need to change your shipping address to the new address. Sellers cannot change the ship to address, the buyer needs to do that before purchasing. Once you've verified the seller will ship Int'l and you have made the change in shipping address, then you are free to make your purchase. Best of luck to you.... 

[ittybitnot]

@hummercalendar 

I am not sure that eBay will let you change the shipping address to another country before you pay.  If you are going to try it, find a seller who will ship with the GSP to Germany.  Many have decided NOT to ship to Germany anymore either directly or through the GSP due to the new requirements of LUCID and the fees involved, and may already have removed Germany as a "ship to" country. 

[hummercalendar]

I did ask the seller who says Global Shipping Program is on with no restrictions as to country.

I did try to purchase the item and filled in the shipping address, but did not see an option to use GSP.  Did I miss it?  Should it be there?

[dhbookds]

The buyer doesn't have the GSP option...........the seller puts it on the listing and then it's used for international shipping automatically..........you shouldn't see it in checkout.....unless they tell you there would be customs due for the item. 

[hummercalendar]

When I went to purchase the item I changed the shipping address to that of my friend in Germany.  It gave me a very high shipping charge.  My question is, can the Global Shipping Program be used for that?  It would save me a lot of money.  I'm in the USA.   Is the GSP only an option if the buyer is outside the USA?

[dhbookds]

There have been alot of gripes because GSP adds in any import duties to the shipping cost.........I don't know what Germany's taxes are......I guess it would be a VAT tax..........

If a seller doesn't use GSP, the shipping charges are high and in addition, the recipient is charged the tax upon receipt.

From what you are saying, I can't tell how your seller is shipping........whether he's using GSP or mailing directly and frankly, don't know how to compare the prices.......if you knew the weight/size you could find out the direct mailing cost but don't know how to figure the tax .............

I guess you could write the seller and ask that he add the GSP option to the shipping choices, but that won't work if you've already purchased the item........

Sorry I can't help more, but we rarely see this question ........lol

Another thought does occur to me.....  You might be better off delivering the item to you.....and then you mail it personally.....at one time "gifts" were not taxed........whether that's true or not today, I don't know. 

[hummercalendar]

I did mention earlier that I contacted the seller who confirmed GSP is on with no restrictions for Germany.

It was just a high shipping charge.  I would have had to pay that, which is why I did not complete the transaction.

[wrong66]

There are restrictions to Germany. Read reply #3 above. One actually has to sign up and pay a fee to ship to Germany. The packing materials have to be just so and I believe there may be other restrictions, as well. I'd research it before you make another move.

[hummercalendar]

Reply #3 implies that a seller might not ship to Germany.  It does not say that Germany is an exception to the GSP.  Is it?  The seller I contacted says he/she ships to Germany.

[hummercalendar]

I tried it with one of my wife's listings.  I changed the shipping address to that of my friend in Germany.  The shipping charge was $18.87 with import charges of $8.82 for a total of $34.69 for a $7 item.  No option to use GSP.  I guess I'll wire my friend some cash for his birthday.  Ebay lost a sale.

[wrong66]

I'd research it. Also ask the seller if he's sent anything to Germany since early in the year. 

[hummercalendar · Accepted solution]

From my experiment detailed above, I have concluded that the GSP cannot be used to send a gift to someone overseas.  No one really answered my question.  It turns out the answer is "no".

[ittybitnot]

@hummercalendar 

I don't think the "restriction" for sellers to send parcels to Germany without signing up and paying for the license goes into effect until next week or so, but that calculation may be off a bit.  What you are seeing as the high shipping costs are the GSP charges.  The taxes, import fees, customs duty, along with any brokerage fees along with overseas shipping charges are paid in advance to eBay by the buyer.  If you sent a parcel directly without using the GSP none of that is included and it would be the recipient's costs once the parcel arrives.  Use of  Global Shipping Program does not allow that to happen. 

Perhaps you can find a seller who will ship to Germany and NOT use the GSP. 

[slippinjimmy]

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@hummercalendar wrote:

I tried it with one of my wife's listings.  I changed the shipping address to that of my friend in Germany.  The shipping charge was $18.87 with import charges of $8.82 for a total of $34.69 for a $7 item.  No option to use GSP.  I guess I'll wire my friend some cash for his birthday.  Ebay lost a sale.

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If there was a shipping charge and an import charge then it's IS a GSP shipment.