When listing an item using eBay’s shipping calculator, or specifying a shipping cost in categories for which eBay does not set maximum shipping and handling charges, sellers may charge reasonable shipping and handling fees to cover the costs of mailing, packaging, and handling. eBay will rely on member reports and its own discretion to determine whether or not a seller’s shipping, handling, packaging, and/or insurance charges are excessive. Shipping and handling fees may not be listed as a percentage of the final sale price.

Shipping and handling charges may include:

• Actual Shipping cost: This is the actual cost paid to the carrier (i.e. postage) for shipping the item.

• Handling Fee: Actual packaging material costs may be charged. A handling fee in addition to actual shipping cost may be charged if it is not excessive.

Insurance: Sellers may offer buyers insurance and extra services provided through the carrier at actual cost. These services include, but are not limited to: Certificate of Mailing, Certified Mail, Collect on Delivery, Delivery Confirmation, Insured Mail, Registered Mail, Restricted Delivery, Return Receipt, Signature Confirmation and Special Handling.

Charges not allowed in Shipping & Handling:

• Tax: Only actual applicable federal, state, country, city, VAT, and equivalent taxes may be charged.

• Additional insurance protection: No additional amount such as “self insurance” may be added. Sellers who do not use a licensed 3rd party insurance company may not require buyers to purchase insurance. This is a violation of state law.

• Tariffs and duties: For cross border transactions, sellers may not collect tariffs and duties. However, buyer may be responsible for actual tariffs and duties as required by country laws.

• Fees related to Shipping & Handling: Gasoline, mileage, time spent at a carrier, time spent packaging the item, eBay and PayPal fees may not be added.

Categories with maximum shipping charges:
In some categories, eBay sets maximum shipping and handling charges. When listing in these categories, the only time when sellers are allowed to charge more than the maximum is when using the shipping calculator to set the actual size and weight of the item, including packing materials. When using the shipping calculator, sellers should make sure the calculated cost isn’t higher than the actual shipping cost or it will be considered excessive shipping.

Free shipping:
Sellers may offer free shipping to select or all destinations.  For a destination denoted as free shipping, no others fees related to shipping, handling, or packaging may be charged.

Violations of this policy may result in a range of actions, including:

• Listing cancellation

• Limits on account privileges

• Account suspension

• Forfeiture of eBay fees on cancelled listings

• Loss of PowerSeller status

Please see the Search and Browse Manipulation policy for further information.