International Selling Toolkit Opens Up a World of Opportunities
by Tim
eBay Staff Member

As the holiday season approaches, more and more sellers are interested in offering their products to a larger, international market. To help sellers understand the complexities of selling and succeeding in international transactions, eBay has developed the International Selling Toolkit, developed using the experiences and success stories of our members who have who have developed international selling strategies.

The toolkit covers four key areas that will help you reach and sell your items to an international audience:

Step 1: Choosing the Right Products and Regions.
Step 2: Listing Your Items for an International Market.
Step 3: Understanding Payment Options.
Step 4: Choosing the Right Shipping Options.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Products and Regions
The first step to being a successful international seller is carefully picking the products you will be selling and identifying the region(s) where you want to sell them. The Toolkit helps you understand what products can be sold on eBay and what products can be shipped internationally. At eBay, we have seen that items with a high dollar value relative to their weight are most likely to be sold well internationally. A small sampling of items that fit these criteria includes collectibles (for example, coins and stamps), jewelry, electronics (for example, PDAs and MP3 players), auto parts and sporting goods. It's also important to be aware that, in addition to eBay's list of prohibited items, each country has a specific list of items that are prohibited from entry. Make sure that your items can be legally sent to the countries you are targeting by going to Country Regulations page at the United States Postal Service website.

Step 2: Listing Your Items for an International Market
Once you have chosen your products and regions, it's time to list your items. Here are some guidelines that help you be more successful:

• Selecting Shipping Regions – Be sure to make your item visible to international buyers. When listing your item through the Sell Your Item (SYI) form, look in the “Ship-to locations” section and select the “Will ship worldwide” radio button. Or if you would like to choose specific regions, use the appropriate checkboxes to indicate the regions that you are willing to ship to.
• International Shipping Calculator – Add a link to an international shipping calculator to your item description. This feature shows you the correct shipping costs for various package options and locations.
• Language Differences – If you are targeting a specific market be aware of the language(s) spoken in that country or region. If you think there is a need to translate a description, you can try going to the International Trading discussion board where eBay members volunteer to provide free translation services. Or you may like to use a free online translation tool, such as Babel Fish. Avoid using colloquialisms or abbreviations in your item descriptions as these may not be understood by international buyers.
• Setting Expectations – Set clear expectations in the item description. Be sure to include an estimate or separate cost for international shipping and be clear about delivery times. You may also want to advise potential buyers to research Customs fees prior to placing a bid.

Step 3: Understanding Payment Options
While listing items for an international market, make sure that you choose a payment option that both you and the buyer are comfortable with.

• Currency Conversion – eBay automatically converts the price of an item to the default currency of the site the buyer is on when viewing it. For example, if a UK buyer is viewing an item listed on the US site, they will see the cost in US dollars and UK pounds. For additional information on the price of your listing in local currency, check out the useful currency converter.
• Receiving Payment – Not being able to accept the local currency is often the biggest obstacle to selling internationally. PayPal helps sellers accept payments in multiple currencies and withdraw funds in US dollars. Take a look at the countries that accept PayPal.

Step 4: Choosing the Right Shipping Options
Once you have received your payment, it is time to ship the product. The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers some of the least expensive international shipping options. USPS also offers many time-saving options for small business owners, such as the ability to print labels and order supplies online. For time-sensitive items, you may want to consider alternatives like United Parcel Service (UPS). Make sure that your packaging is sturdy, well cushioned, and sealed. Shipping internationally can mean more wear and tear on your packages, so make sure your items can arrive safely.

• Brokerage Fees – Be mindful of brokerage fees that may be incurred when a package is handed off to other shippers if the original carrier cannot deliver the package all the way to its final destination.
• Filling Out Customs Forms – It's important to know that duties and tariffs may be charged on certain items. Customs forms help both the US and the importing country understand the contents of the package, as well as its value and purpose. These forms are attached to the outside of the package so that they can be easily examined by Customs officials. You can get information on key Customs forms on the USPS website.
• Item Value Declaration – When declaring the value of the item on the Customs form, use the listing closing price for your item, not including shipping and handling costs. Do not describe the package contents as a gift. It is against the law to misrepresent an item in order to avoid Customs fees.
• Invoice Inclusion – Remember to include an invoice or printout of the closed listing in your package so that there is evidence of how much the buyer paid in case Customs opens the package.

For more detailed information, download a copy of the International Selling Toolkit (in Adobe Acrobat Reader format). You can also find other useful resources on the International Trading page. With these tools and information, you'll be on your way to exploring a whole world of trading opportunities. As you trade internationally, eBay would love to hear about your experiences and any tips or problems that you may experience. You can share these with us at goglobal@ebay.com.