Seller Central

eBay Shipping Center
Save time, effort and money with eBay’s Shipping Tools.
The eBay Shipping Center  gives you all of the information you need to accomplish the essential aspects of shipping – right from eBay and PayPal! There are no extra fees and no special printers or equipment needed.

Shipping Calculator
Specifying shipping costs in your listing attracts more buyers. And there's no easier or better way to specify costs than with eBay's FREE Shipping Calculator. You can include the Shipping Calculator in your listings so that buyers can automatically view the correct shipping cost for their specific location! Just describe your package (size, weight) and the shipping services you want to use, and the Shipping Calculator will present the right shipping cost to each buyer.

Print Shipping Labels
Reduce the amount of time you spend shipping your items when you purchase and print shipping labels at home through eBay or PayPal. Look for the "Print Shipping Label" link on the Item Page or in the drop down menu in My eBay (to the right of the item you've sold), or look for the "Ship" button on the PayPal account overview page. Best of all, you can print your shipping label right to your standard home printer!

Package Your Item
Follow these simple steps for successful packaging:

1.	Wrap It: Individually wrap items and provide lots of cushioning (bubble wrap, peanuts, foam, corrugated dividers, or crumpled paper). Foam peanuts may shift in transit, so overfill your box-you don't want to hear any rattle.
2.	Box It: Use a new, corrugated box with rigid sides, intact flaps and plenty of room for cushioning on all sides. Don't exceed the maximum gross weight of the box (usually printed on bottom flap). If you must use an old box, remove labels and shipment markings and keep in mind the maximum gross weight may have been diminished by wear and tear.
3.	Seal It: Use strong tape designed for shipping rather than masking tape, cellophane tape, string or paper over-wrap. Experts suggest pressure-sensitive plastic, nylon-reinforced, or water-activated paper tape (60-pound grade at least three inches wide).

Some items require special packaging consideration, including:

• Antiques & Art: Remove any glass and cover with "glassmask" or "glass-skin" and package separately (note: do not use on non-glare glass as it will damage the surface). Do not let artwork contact paper, hardboard or corrugate. If declaring a value, be sure to have a current bill of sale, invoice, or a statement from a certified appraiser in case you need to file a claim with your carrier.
• Coins, Stamps, or Jewelry: Be discreet. Use a larger box that will travel easily and insure your shipment appropriately. Special limitations may apply for international shipments containing jewelry and gemstones, so check with your carrier.
• Collectibles/Pottery/Glass: For fragile items, the outer box must be large enough to allow at least 3" cushioning all around the item. Wrap and box items individually to protect them from each other. Position items in the center of the box and away from the bottom, sides and top of the box to prevent damage. If the item has a hollow center (a vase), fill the area with paper to make the item more solid.
• Photo/Electronics/Computers: Original factory packaging is preferred. If electronic components are exposed, anti-static materials should be used. Do not use Styrofoam peanuts, Kraft paper, foam in place, blankets, or newspaper. Make sure to insure items appropriately.
• Fabric and Wallpaper: Rolled goods travel best when shipped in corrugated boxes. If a fabric roll is shipped in a bag, make sure the bag is tightly wrapped and taped to reduce the risk of tearing. Place duplicate labels inside core or between top layers of material.

Check with your carrier for specific requirements and special package limitations. Some assess additional handling charges for any article not fully encased in an outside shipping container, encased in a container of metal or wood, or irregularly shaped/oversized items.

Ship Heavy Items
The Freight Resource Center provides tools for US and Canadian eBay buyers and sellers to confirm shipping rates and book shipments online.

Track a Package
Once you print your shipping label and attach it to the package, both you and your buyer can easily monitor the status of the package. Through My eBay, you can track the delivery status for USPS packages, and tracking information from initial scan to final delivery for UPS packages. Note: The aforementioned tips are general guidelines and eBay cannot be held responsible if your item is damaged in transit.

Free Shipping
Grab the attention of buyers by offering Free Shipping. In the Shipping section of Sell Your Item, select "Flat: Same cost to all buyers", select a Shipping Service from the drop down menu and then check the "Free Shipping" check box. This will display "Free" in the shipping section of both your listing and search results pages.


Best Practices for High Shipping Detailed Seller Ratings (DSRs)

Listing your item

Specify shipping details. Include information such as shipping service, cost, and package details in the shipping details section of your listing - not just in the description. Your listing may get better exposure in search results, and buyers will know exactly how much it costs to ship the item. Listings with shipping details are more likely to sell and may also get higher feedback ratings for shipping.

Use calculated shipping. When you use calculated shipping, you won't need to guess the amount it will cost to ship the item in the U.S. or internationally. eBay will automatically calculate the shipping costs for your buyer based on your ZIP Code, the buyer's ZIP Code, package details, and shipping service. Buyers will know exactly how much it costs to ship the item. Also, buyers who live close to you may see lower shipping costs.

Be specific about the shipping services you offer. You can select the shipping services that you want to offer when you list your item. You may want to select one inexpensive service and one fast service. Use the generic shipping service options (for example, "Standard Flat Rate Shipping Service") only if your preferred shipping service is not an option. This helps buyers evaluate your shipping cost and estimate delivery time.

Specify your handling time. When you list your item with calculated shipping, you can specify the amount of time you will take to ship the item after you receive payment from the buyer. (You don't need to include the amount of time the shipping service takes to deliver the item to the buyer.) This gives the buyer an idea of how long it will take to receive the item.

Provide details about any packaging or handling costs. You may include a reasonable handling cost to cover the cost of mailing, packaging, and handling the items that you sell. If you decide to add a handling cost, let the buyer know what the costs include. In the item description, clearly state how your item will be packaged and what the related costs are. For more information about appropriate handling costs, read the eBay Excessive Shipping Charges policy.

Offer free shipping. You may attract more buyers by offering free shipping . Listings with free shipping may get better exposure in search results.

Offer shipping discounts. Offer buyers savings on shipping when they purchase multiple items from you. Buyers can see the shipping discounts (http://pages.ebay.com/CombinedShipping/) you offer when they view your item, and the discounts may encourage them to buy additional items from you.

Shipping your item

Use PayPal shipping labels. You can pay for shipping and print your U.S. Postal Service or UPS label with PayPal. The service is free, convenient, and easy. PayPal shipping labels provide tracking numbers and help you communicate with your buyers.

Communicate with your buyer. When you pay for shipping and print a label with PayPal, your buyer will automatically receive an email with the date you shipped the item and the tracking number. Let your buyer know that you shipped your item and which shipping service you used. Provide a tracking number so that your buyer can track the package.

Track your package. Consider offering a shipping service that provides tracking numbers. When you use PayPal shipping labels, your buyer receives an email with the tracking number. If you use another label service, you can add the tracking number to the order details. Both you and your buyer can track the package along its route. Buyers like to know that their package is on its way - and you'll be happy knowing when the package has been delivered.

Use U.S. Postal Service Delivery Confirmation. When you pay for shipping and print a U.S. Postal Service label on PayPal you receive free Delivery Confirmation for Priority Mail and Express Mail packages, and lower-cost Delivery Confirmation for First Class, Media Mail, and Parcel Post packages. You and your buyer will have a record of when and where the item was delivered.

Save on UPS shipping costs. Save up to 31% on UPS shipping. The UPS Special Pricing Program is available to qualified eBay sellers when you print your shipping labels with PayPal. You can pass your savings on to your buyers. Learn how to sign up.

Purchase shipping insurance or use a shipping service that offers loss and damage protection. Protect your package against loss or damage during shipping with insurance or a service that offers protection. If an item is lost or damaged, you can file a claim with the shipping carrier.

Package your item carefully. Careful packing will help protect your item and ensure that it is delivered to your buyer safely. If your item is damaged during shipping due to poor packaging, the shipping carrier may not pay an insurance claim.

Ship quickly. Ship the item as soon as possible after the buyer's payment has been deposited into your account. If you specified your handling time in the listing, make sure that you ship your item within that time.

Include a packing slip. You can include details such as the item number, your user ID, your eBay Store name, contact information, shipment date, and return policies. Don't forget to let your buyers know that you appreciate their business. You can create a packing slip in Selling Manager or when you pay for shipping and print a label with PayPal.

Shipping internationally

Let your buyer know they will be responsible for all duties, taxes, and Customs costs. Include this information in your item description. Your buyer won't be surprised by any additional costs when the item arrives.

Help your buyer understand Customs. Provide a link in your item description to a website like the World Customs Organization (WCO). The WCO has a list of international Customs websites where you buyer can learn more about Customs costs. When you include the link in your listing, it will also remind buyers that they may have to pay Customs to receive the item.

Don't mark the item as a gift on the Customs form. Sellers are responsible for accurately representing the value of the item (the amount that the buyer paid for the item). Don't mark the item as a gift on the Customs form-even if the buyer asks you to. It's against the law.

Save on international shipping costs. When you print shipping labels on PayPal, you receive an automatic 5% discount on U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail International and 8% discount on U.S. Postal Service Express Mail International.