International shipping via Asendia - helpful tips

[geertjan-paypal]

I have bought items from USA using Ebay. I am in the Netherlands and hence sellers use "international shipping" which has some rough edges. Let me document a few, because I would like you sellers to keep selling to me and I think that EBAY, not the seller, EBAY, can and should do a lot better.

In brief, a purchase is sent by a seller to the "Ebay international shipping center", in IL. They do customs formalities and send the package to me. In case of problems, EBAY will say "contact seller" which is wrong - once the package is received in IL it is out of the seller's hands.

Ebay used to use FEDEX and UPS, these days they use ASENDIA as carrier from the IL shipping center to me. And there are new challenges. Once the parcel left the intl shipping center, EBAY will show a tracking number (starting with EEUS) and "Asendia".
Googling asendia tracking yields tracking.asendia.com. But the tracking number does not work on https://tracking.asendia.com . Turns out that asendia has multiple tracking systems and one must use https://a1.asendiausa.com/tracking/ instead.
On this different, not-announced tracking system, one can track progress (reporting is poor still, but at least it's there) and a different tracking number. The new tracking number will work with the carrier that does the delivery (Asendia does not deliver), but it will only activate once customs and all have completed.

Ebay does poorly by selecting a carrier that has multiple, independent tracking systems that don't know about each other, by not providing a link for the correct tracing system, and by referring buyers to the seller for issues with the international leg for which ebay, not the seller, is responsible.

Should you be in this situation, then I hope the info above helps. And I do hope EBAY reads this and cleans up.

[wastingtime101]

For better tracking on EEUS @geertjan-paypal you can use parcelsapp.com whether it's Asendia or any other carrier handling the package.

[bulwiz]

I totally agree with you. Ebay provide the service and they are responsible.

[jimjamcollection]

Thanks for this post.  I am an eBay seller and sell books to international buyers (e.g. Germany, Netherlands, etc.) and they have told me they would not like to use Asendia.  Is it possible to choose a different carrier other than Asendia?

[grancar49]

Son un desastre es método no funciona 

[richard1rst]

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@jimjamcollection wrote:

Thanks for this post.  I am an eBay seller and sell books to international buyers (e.g. Germany, Netherlands, etc.) and they have told me they would not like to use Asendia.  Is it possible to choose a different carrier other than Asendia?

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Well. you could always send it regular USPS international mail.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

Babysitting shipments is not a good practice.

EIS, generally, meets Ebay's delivery time commitments. There are often periods of inactivity, due to shipment consolidation delays.

It is difficult for some people to once they have verified that the order has shipped to await delivery with one's hands folded and in your lap, but sometimes that is the best you can do.

EIS is a great service. It often bypasses the destination Post Office which is highly desirable in many countries.

Some people are not capable of the detachment required to tolerate this service, and should not purchase from US sellers who use the service. Many of us chose not to export our products before Ebay offered Global Shipping which preceded EIS. Some of us would cease to export of major changes to EIS occurred.

[oragex]

Asendia is basically dropping the package at your local Canada Post office - the nearest to your address. The tracking does say "attempted delivery" but there is no delivery whatsoever. That's why you won't find a note at the door. When you see "attempted delivery" on the tracking, wait 2-3 more days and go directly at the post office with an id with your address (driving license). The clerk will check by address and handle you the package without asking for any delivery note.

[rich-crum78]

I turned off International shipping after my first International order showed up damaged. I ended up refunding the customers 290 and he kept it rather than pay to have it returned and ended up with a broken product. I realized too late the difference between "ebay international shipping" and "ebay standard International shipping". Asendia still handled shipping on standard and it still went through a hub but it was classified that I sent it directly.  

[flamingo1027]

Thank you for your post. I'm an Ebay seller and just experienced a problem. Sold shoes to Italy with EBay international Standard Delivery. Customer opened the claim that they never got the package and Ebay rulled to the customers favor because i did't provide new tracking. The tracking is there showing all the steps it went in US right to the "Processing at Consalidation Center" > "Check-in Asendia facility" > "Processed by Asendia", some more info up-to Departure transit Facility. After that no updates for 2 weeks now. I think this is wrong Ebay should do better. Im using ebay platform paying fees and this is ebay responsebility to protect the seller in cases like this. I have lost the product and additional shipping charges fees because of that. Ebay needs to Do Better.

Thank you!

[bajaron]

You are absolutely correct. And here we are, February 2026 and it's the same story. eBay's system creates problems. eBay funnels the problems to the seller. The buyer blames the seller and leaves negative feedback. eBay downgrades the seller's account because of the NF. eBay puts the onus on the only 2 people who are not responsible. The buyer and the seller. While they sit back safe and untouched.

I certainly appreciate the research and post. Maybe now I can help my buyer in solving this eBay created issue. Because you need the Asendia tracking number (which is conveniently hidden in the tracking information) for the buyer to try and retrieve their package before it is returned.

Thank You!

[speddport.ip]

I can totally agree, the Problem is Asendia or Ebay. 

My Packed is send via Asendia to Germany. Asendia has processed the Parcel at Swiss. And since December 2025 it is stuck at International Postal Center in Germany. Now its February 22nt 2026. DHL (Deutsche Post -German Postal Service) says the have the Packed but the Sender (Asendia) has not yet responded and they need a response for the customs authority. And I can not personally retrieve the packed because the legal owner is the Sender (Asendia). Lattly Ebay has contacted the seller. Like it is fault. 

For me it is absolutely impossible to get hold of someone by Asendia. 

These Days a packed from an other seller, whos shipped directly via USPS, the customs clearance has taken 2 business Days. 

For my as a buyer its often a little more expensive, if I get Parcel via USPS international as EIS but much more reliable.