eBay

union-hill · ‎04-27-2023

I am still trying to understand how this program works. I guess I will need to before this Summer. In a news story, I found this blurb describing one aspect of the program:

■ "U.S sellers send items to eBay’s domestic shipping hub, paying attention to proper labels and packaging, and eBay handles the rest."

The bolded section is what puzzles me, prompting some additional questions like:

■ What packaging do I use to get my bulk lot to them? Do they supply it?
■ Do I ship using the regular Priority Mail Flat rate envelope to get my item(s) to eBay or.. ■ Once they get the lot, do they open it and reship in the proper International packaging?

Thank you for your feedback. Your answers with past questions have been uniformly helpful.

slippinjimmy · ‎04-27-2023

@union-hill wrote:

■ What packaging do I use to get my bulk lot to them? Do they supply it?
■ Do I ship using the regular Priority Mail Flat rate envelope to get my item(s) to eBay or.. ■ Once they get the lot, do they open it and reship in the proper International packaging?

eBay doesn't provide packaging, why would they and why would you want them to?

You use the same high quality packing that you would for ANY order (around the block or around the world).

While the hub may repackage items that they think are packed incorrectly (an oversized box filled with air pillows a la Amazon) they are more likely to simply open the package to examine the contents and then reseal when there is a question about eligibility or if the listing doesn't clearly indicate exactly what the item is sufficient for smooth customs clearance.

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep

View Best Answer in original post

kalyoth · ‎04-27-2023

Basically - you need to adequately & appropriately package the item for transit. All shipping materials come from the Seller to get item to ebay. ebay then repacks it for international dispatch. What that involves only ebay can add details to. Don't be surprised if ebay adds a surcharge on top of everything else for that too in the future.

I boxed an item I sold. Then boxed that item inside a second box before sending to ebay for transit. Buyer was very happy with receipt. So just pack it properly. Don't cut corners. International handling is a whole different animal than domestic shipping & extended delivery time is in play.

worldcoinauctions · ‎04-27-2023

I've sold a lot this way (not from this account though) and I just ship it the way I would for a US buyer.

heckofagame · ‎04-27-2023

Do be reminded that this program does not allow the combining of purchases, so it may not work for some sellers.

stephenmorgan · ‎04-27-2023

eBay International Shipping is cheaper than what eBay's Global Shipping Program was however it is more expensive than eBay International Standard Delivery.

Anyway it will be nice to have only one international shipping option that eBay will arrange after they receive the item.

eBay provides you a Shipping Label based on you shipping inputs, could go First Class or Priority to the shipping hub. You are not billed for the shipment until after eBay has sent the item through their shipper. This could be three weeks or longer. If your item is understated with size and weight you will be billed for the correct size and weight. Best to make sure your listings have accurate measurements and weights for your packages to avoid surprise charges.

slippinjimmy · ‎04-27-2023

@union-hill wrote:

■ What packaging do I use to get my bulk lot to them? Do they supply it?
■ Do I ship using the regular Priority Mail Flat rate envelope to get my item(s) to eBay or.. ■ Once they get the lot, do they open it and reship in the proper International packaging?

eBay doesn't provide packaging, why would they and why would you want them to?

You use the same high quality packing that you would for ANY order (around the block or around the world).

While the hub may repackage items that they think are packed incorrectly (an oversized box filled with air pillows a la Amazon) they are more likely to simply open the package to examine the contents and then reseal when there is a question about eligibility or if the listing doesn't clearly indicate exactly what the item is sufficient for smooth customs clearance.

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep

union-hill · ‎04-27-2023

Since nearly all of my shipments would be USPS PRIORITY MAIL FLATE-RATE ENVELOPE (max 4 lbs.), I can continue to use that service, but this time shipping to eBay instead. So if I understand you, I can send the bulk lot to eBay in my own packaging with the label they supply for the overseas buyer and then they reship it?

union-hill · ‎04-27-2023

Thank you. Please understand that I have never used this service. If my questions seem odd, it is because this service is not clear to me....but I am getting there.

mam98031 · ‎04-27-2023

@heckofagame wrote:
Do be reminded that this program does not allow the combining of purchases, so it may not work for some sellers.

True, not yet. It is something they are aware of and hopefully they will have an enhancement SOON. Fingers crossed.

mam98031 • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1999

mam98031 · ‎04-27-2023

@union-hill wrote:
Since nearly all of my shipments would be USPS PRIORITY MAIL FLATE-RATE ENVELOPE (max 4 lbs.), I can continue to use that service, but this time shipping to eBay instead. So if I understand you, I can send the bulk lot to eBay in my own packaging with the label they supply for the overseas buyer and then they reship it?

Yes, you do not need to do anything differently than you have done in the past. When you go to create the label and use EIS, the shipping label will show the address you are shipping to as the Ebay facility for processing our packages.

mam98031 • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1999

mam98031 · ‎04-27-2023

Just to add to this, another savings is that sellers using EIS will NOT be charged the 1.65% FVF for an international sale. So there is another nice little savings.

Once the package leaves the Ebay facility and is off to the buyer, the seller is no longer responsible for the package. If anything happens in transit, Ebay will handle it and pay for anything that needs to be paid.

Once the buyer receives the package, if they want to return the item, Ebay will handle it and process the return and refund at no charge to the seller.

mam98031 • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1999

ogaugeminiaturefigures · ‎04-27-2023

I don't ship internationally, eBay isn't forcing that upon us with this bulk change are they?

heckofagame · ‎04-27-2023

You need to have opted out or have those countries on your exclusion list. What they did recently was ask us to remove the international shipping methods, so that it would default to the new program.

stephenmorgan · ‎04-27-2023

@ogaugeminiaturefigures wrote:
I don't ship internationally, eBay isn't forcing that upon us with this bulk change are they?

That is a good question.

Within the listing to get eBay International Shipping I had to select no International Shipping. Seems backwards to select no International Shipping and this defaults to eBay International Shipping.

If you really wanted no International Shipping then you would have to exclude all the International Shipping locations.

Once all the changes are done maybe there will be some changes to simply turn International Shipping on or off.

I suspect this new shipping service is to increase eBay sales by getting people to ship internationally. I am sure there will be people who will not even know their item is leaving the country. The good thing is eBay is absorbing most all the risks once they accept the item in good condition.