There is an issue with the listing forms and the shipping calculator for FedEx Smartpost when the package dimensions trigger an unmachinable condition and surcharge. @hotspotauctions
See here for more info: http://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/quot-shipping-cost-cannot-be-calculated-please-enter-a-valid-zi...
and here for the gory details: http://community.ebay.com/t5/Shipping-Returns/Listing-will-not-accept-Fedex-Smartpost-shipping-optio...
(read the whole thread)
If any of the following apply, the non-machinable thing is your problem, and there is no eBay fix if I understood everything that transpired over the last 6 months - it is intentional and not considered a bug (never got a satisfactory answer about details or why)
Non-Machinable
Defined as:
a) Any item with one dimension measuring more than 34 inches.
b) Any item with any two dimensions each measuring more than 17 inches.
c) Any item weighing over 35 lbs.
d) Any item packaged in a cylindrical shipping tube.
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Non-machinable packages ARE allowed by FedEx Smartpost (with a $2.75 NM Surcharge), and the eBay label flow WILL allow it and calculate the correct shipping charge that YOU pay when you create the label, but the item listing form blows up* for certain conditions, and the calculators the buyer sees in the listing and at checkout blow up with the zip code error and forbid it (or disappear the Smartpost option entirely if other shipping options were offered)
There are 2 ways to deal with it.
Use flat rate FedEx Smartpost shipping if you can make that work for you.
OR
Dimension based Non-Machinable issues:
List the item with dimensions that DO NOT trigger the non-machinable condition, and add $2.75 to a handling charge for that listing to cover the surcharge that will occur when you go to print the label and change the dimensions to the correct ones.
Smartpost doesn't care about dimensional weight at all, only the non-machinable lengths, so as long as you don't exceed the absolute maximums for Smartpost (130" L+G), or balloon (under 20# and L+G>84") or oversize (L+G>108") criteria the fudging described doesn't change the shipping amount.
ie:
List a 37"x20"x9 package as a 34"x17"x9" package and add a $2.75 handling fee. The listing will post without errors*, and the calculator in the listing and at checkout will charge the correct amount for the buyer's zip, and the weight specified, and include the extra $2.75. When you print the label, change the dimensions to the correct ones, the eBay label calculator will ding you for the $2.75 non-machinable surcharge (because actual L>34" and W>17"), and you are good to go.
Note: that the non-machinable surcharge is only incurred once per package, even in the above example where 2 criteria were exceeded.
Weight Based Non-Machinable Issues:
List an item with a weight over 35 pounds as 35 pounds and fudge a handling fee to try to cover worst case upcharge when you ship it with the correct weight (weight DOES affect the shipping amount, and I believe max weight is 70# because USPS Parcel Post limit for last mile)
Ran a test and it looks like over 35 pound Smartpost pkgs are allowed to be listed now and are correctly assessed the $2.75 NMSC in the calculator
Cylindrical Tube Non-Machinable Issues:
This part gets dicey since the eBay calculator has no "cylindrical tube" option, and a workaroung might be to list a cylindrical package with a dimension that makes the surcharge kick in (like L>34" or W>17"), add the $2.75 handling fee to the listing, and print the label with the inflated dimensions that will trigger the surcharge for the cylindrical criterion, BUT IT DOES NOT WORK! Can't inflate the dimensions - see * notes below.
This would be the way to handle it: Add the handling charge to the listing, use the correct dimensions in the listing and on the labels, and pay it after the fact when FedEx adds the surcharge to your eBay invoice.
*listing tool won't allow a Smartpost pkg over 34" long - throws an error.
Will allow listing a pkg 18"x18" x12", but calculator blows up later.
Will allow weights over 35# no problems.
Listing tool and calculator know nothing about cylindrical pkgs (see above)
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In summary, if your package has a second dimension > 17" this is what's happening.
Solution is to fudge the dimensions as described above and add a $2.75 handling fee, or go flat rate.
disneyshopper
