Global Trade

Welcome to the World's Online Marketplace! With users in 150+ countries, eBay is a great way to access the world market of international buyers. Items sold internationally with PayPal receive an average of 16% higher prices.

The tastes of buyers around the world vary depending on local culture and item availability. In general, items which have a high dollar value relative to their weight are those most likely to be sold internationally. Items that fit these criteria include collectables (such as coins and stamps), jewelry, electronics (such as PDA's & MP3 players), auto parts and sporting goods.

You can do an advanced search of "completed listings" to get an idea of average selling prices on other eBay sites. You can also do independent market research by country on Export.gov, the US Government Export Portal. Check out their Marketplace Research site.

It's important to make sure that you do not export items to countries where they are prohibited. You can check to see if your item is legal for a specific country by using the United States Postal Service site.

Additionally, eBay has eBay has a list of prohibited items that cannot be traded on the site.

If you are targeting a specific audience be aware of the language(s) spoken in that country or region. If there is a need to translate a description, go to the international boards where eBay users have volunteered to provide free translation services.You can also use free online translation tool such as Bablefish or Google.

The easiest way to attract buyers is to write in simple, clear language. In general, avoid using colloquialisms or abbreviations that may not be understood to an international audience.

You can help international buyers by writing a listing that gives a clear understanding of what will happen after they purchase your item:

• Delivery Time: Be sure to include an estimate of delivery time and specify if additional costs will be involved to expedite delivery. You may also want to tell potential buyers how to research customs fees before they place a bid.UPS Time in Transit.
• Taxes & Duties: Many countries have a Value Added Sales Tax (VAT), which is charged when an item crosses into their border. VAT is charged in addition to applicable duties. It's the buyer's responsibility to know how much tax and duties will be charged, but you can provide good customer service by giving a rough estimate of how much tax and duties to expect. The United Stated Council for International Business has a good site dedicated to this which provides some "ballpark" estimates for international taxes and duties.

Including shipping rates to international destinations is a great way to encourage international bids on your item. Choosing eBay's International Flat Rate or Calculated Shipping options gives you an easy way to include rates in your listing.

As you list your item, select "Add Service" in the International Shipping section and chose your preferred shipping method. You can then either enter your flat rate shipping cost or "Calculated" to have your customers quickly calculate their own shipping charges based on where they live

Selecting an International Shipping rate on the Sell Your Item form

Click here for more information on the eBay Shipping Calculator.

Receiving payment quickly and securely is a key concern with all eBay sales. To facilitate international transactions, PayPal has been aggressively expanding its global reach and the currencies in which users can complete sales.

Use your current PayPal account to receive payments in: Canadian Dollar, Euro, Pound Sterling, U.S. Dollar, Yen and Australian Dollars.

PayPal lets you choose what currencies to accept and how you would like to accept them. When a buyer sends a payment in a currency you hold, the funds will automatically appear in your account in the balance of the given currency. When a buyer sends a payment in a currency you do not hold, you will be asked to Accept or Deny the payment as shown below:

• Accept the payment and open a new currency balance
• Accept the payment and convert it to your primary currency
• Block the payment

You may also set up your Payment Receiving Preferences to indicate how you would like to handle incoming currency payments.

Fees will be assessed in the currency in which the funds were sent. Payments converted to your primary currency will be converted at a competitive exchange rate.

To learn more about receiving money in Multiple Currencies, see the Multiple Currencies FAQ's in our Help Center.

The best way to avoid fraud is to refuse invitations to transact "off-eBay", and use PayPal as your only payment method. Let common sense and instinct be your guide -- if it seems "too good to be true" it probably is. In general, here are some tips to remain safe while transacting internationally:

• Complete transactions with the winning bidder or fixed price buyer only after the completion of the eBay listing.
• Review the member's contact information to verify that the information corresponds with the shipping address provided by the buyer.
• For high-priced items, you may also want to consider using escrow.
• Make sure that payment has been received and confirmed before you ship the item. If the buyer is using a credit card, contact the card issuer and verify that the name on the card matches both shipping and contact information.

Visit the eBay Security Center for more information.

To ensure your package arrives undamaged at its international destination, extra care should be paid to how it is boxed and secured.

For tips on how to properly package your item, visit:

• USPS, where eBay sellers can get free shipping supplies.
• FedEx Ground Packaging
• DHL Packing Tips

Duties and taxes may be charged on certain items and can vary by country. Customs forms help officials in different countries understand the contents of the package, and 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 at USPS.

Sample 2976 UPS Customs Form Created Online

When you declare the value of the item on the customs form, use the auction closing price of the item, not including shipping and handling costs. Don't declare what you originally paid for the item or what you believe it is worth. If you state an amount higher than the final closing price, the buyer may have to overpay duties and taxes in their country.

You should also include a printout of the closed listing in your package. This can be used as a record of how much the buyer paid if customs officials inspect the package.

As a general rule, you should not declare your items contents as a "gift". While buyer may ask seller to do so, it is against the law to misrepresent an item in order to avoid customs fees.

Here are some services that have worked best for eBay sellers who sell internationally:

• USPS Global Shipping
• DHL International Shipping
• FedEx International Shipping
• UPS International

The US Government Portal Export.gov, is an excellent resource for information on International sales. According to their website they provide "online trade resources and one-on-one assistance for your international business - whether you're just starting or expanding your global sales. Call 1-800-USA-TRADE or visit the site to find a trade specialist in your area to get answers to your export questions.

As you trade internationally, we would love to hear about your experiences and any tips or problems that you run into. Tell us your stories at goglobal@ebay.com.