Is it possible to use ebay standard envelope to ship seeds?

[wiseoakservices]

It looks like the "ebay standard envelope" (as described at https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/shipping/ebay-labels-services/ebay-domestic-shipping-services/ebay...) was created to be able to ship certain categories of goods (stamps, coins, currency, and trading cards). I sell plant seeds that I ship in a normal USPS stamped envelope.  Is it possible to use ebay standard envelopes to ship these seeds? How do I set this up?

[sapphire_studio]

No it's only approved for certain categories and you're not allowed to ship with this program outside those categories. It's important to research what those categories are because sometimes it allows you to list with an eBay standard envelope but when you go to ship it will not let you. Mostly you'll probably find in the seed category it's not even going to let you select it as an option whrn listing. You have to either keep using untracked stamps with the risk of INR or first class.

It's unfortunate they don't offer it for more categories but I think it might be expensive for them and they choose the categories they think are the most profitable that will bring people here to eBay. They plan on eventually rolling out into other categories but I really don't see seeds coming in the foreseeable future before categories like greeting cards or even coupons, etc.

[wiseoakservices]

Thanks for the help sapphire studio. It's a shame because I want to be able to become a top-rated seller. That would require timely carrier tracking validation for 95% of my orders. My current practice of mailing seeds with a normal stamped envelope has no tracking, and is keeping me from hitting that 95%. The closest alternative would be to pay much more for shipping to get tracking.

If anyone knows a way out of that situation for me I'd appreciate it.

[aelanna]

Same here, almost 90% of my orders go out in standard envelopes, which are available on Etsy but not Ebay. It's one of many reasons I don't list as many items on here as I do on Etsy.

[caracy]

And the funny thing is, ebay's standard envelope is NOT an ebay "invention". Its metered first class. It has nothing to do with "up to 15" trading cards. It actually has a 3 and a half ounce weight limit. And the post office doesn't care what category it is as long as it fits their criteria for "not too rigid". (insert groan and eye roll here).  

[cupercakies]

Nov 2023 Ebay updated their list of eligible items to include seeds, so yes you can ship seeds now.