Sold something via Global Shipping Program, returned to me due to invalid address

[videogames_wholesale]

I sold an item to a buyer in Australia via the global shipping and after over a month of no delivery it was returned to me with paperwork from DHL stating it could not be delivered due to "inclusion of prohibited individuals or organizations under the U.S., U.N, or E.U sanctions".

Additionally I received paperwork from Ebay stating "The international destination address is either incorrect/incomplete or not supported by the international shipping carriers used in the program"

I then recieved a message from eBay stating: "We are unable to forward the item because the order includes a buyer's address that is invalid. The item is being returned to you. You will not be charged for the return shipping."

 As a seller, all I did was mail to the address to the shipping center in Kentucky. I've seen many posts on here claiming that once an item is mailed off the global shipping program takes care of the rest of the transaction. The email and paperwork don't really align with each other and I believe the best thing for me to do is simply refund the buyer rather than try re-shipping it to him. In this case, is there any way for the shipping program to refund me my shipping costs or is my situation a bit different than the others? 

[stainlessenginecovers]

What was the item? 

[m60driver]

Traditionally, which means some of the time, when an item is undeliverable to the address provided by the buyer, the Ebay MBG is voided and you can refund less your costs.

[jayjaspersgarage]

Add this to the long list of reasons I stopped selling internationally seven years ago.  Kind of busy updating all my listings with fixed rate box shipping costs at the moment.  Some days this selling life feels like a sprint to the starting line.  

[d-k_treasures]

Since it's a GSP error(they should have checked the address), ebay should just 'undo' the transactions and refund everyone in full.

[cstpos]

@videogames_wholesaleI would hold off refunding the buyer. As @d-k_treasures said, ebay should and may have refunded the buyer already. We've only had 2 GSP orders like that, and ebay refunded the buyer and us. It's ebay responsibility to ensure that all the info, customs, and restrictions are verified. That was supposedly one of the perks of using the GSP. If neither ebay nor the customer has asked for a refund, I would wait to see how it plays out. You could also request a refund of your shipping to the Erlanger KY location. We didn't experience that issue as the items were held at customs in a foreign country. I know that ebay does resell these items if the buyer and seller have both been reimbursed. Good Luck!

[mod-designs4u]

Australia has suspended shipments due to their "intense" pandemic shutdown. It would be best for eBay sellers to remove Australia from their international shipping options until Australia opens international shipping again. Hopefully the eBay Global Shipping Program knows this. Not sure if this is the same return reason as stipulated by DHL.  

[femmefan1946]

*Relist and resell the item.

You don't even have to refund the customer :

UNDELIVERABLE ITEMS

https://www.ebay.ca/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy?...
 
This is the part I'm referring to
 
Exclusions and special coverage when the buyer doesn't receive an item


Items collected by a third party on behalf of the buyer


Not covered


The buyer arranged their own shipping method, such as a courier pickup


Not covered
T

he buyer provided an invalid or incorrect address at checkout


Not covered
I don't know how to do screenshots.  There is a LOT of information on that page.

Refund the selling price only . You never touched the GSP charges so no refund there. You paid  for shipping to KY but didn't keep that money.

In rereading that, it sounds as if for some reason the Australian Post Office won't deliver to your customer, nor any courier.

Interesting.

There have been lockdowns to control COVID outbreaks in Australia, but most last only a week or two and then held deliveries resume.

[slippinjimmy]

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@mod-designs4u wrote:

Australia has suspended shipments due to their "intense" pandemic shutdown. It would be best for eBay sellers to remove Australia from their international shipping options until Australia opens international shipping again. Hopefully the eBay Global Shipping Program knows this. Not sure if this is the same return reason as stipulated by DHL.  

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Global Shipping Program does not use USPS to ship to Australia, while there are problems with shipments to Australia no matter how it's getting there only USPS has (or had?) a blanket ban. Other carriers are still able to serve Australia but it can be very slow (personal experience).

That said for the first time ever I have changed my shipping from  Worldwide with no restrictions to blocking all of South America (might be a permanent block) and blocking Australia/New Zealand (on a temporary basis).

[gwzcomps]

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@d-k_treasures wrote:

Since it's a GSP error(they should have checked the address), ebay should just 'undo' the transactions and refund everyone in full.

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I'm just amused eBay is too lazy to verify addresses for GSP sales even.  For domestic stuff it costs us money as sellers.  For GSP though that is an expensive oversight for eBay.

[slippinjimmy]

GSP is NOT an eBay operation, GSP is operated by Pitney-Bowes.

Although Pitney-Bowes is a big name in the postal business and has been around for 101 years they have never been known for their competence.

If you need another example look no further than eBay shipping label system that is also run but Pitney-Bowes.