4 min article

eBay International Shipping program

eBay International Shipping helps you to reach buyers across the globe without the need to manage overseas shipping, customs, or returns.

eBay International Shipping is currently available for eligible US sellers only. We'll be expanding the program to more sellers soon.

How it works

If you're eligible, you'll be opted into the program. eBay International Shipping will become your default international shipping option when you don't offer any other international shipping services and we'll automatically add eBay International Shipping to your current listings.

If you have provided self-shipping international options on your current listings and your item is eligible for eBay International Shipping, buyers will be able to choose which service they prefer. If you only want to ship with eBay International Shipping, you may need to manually update your listings to remove the international self-shipping options. For more information on how to update your listings, see our Seller Center - opens in new window or tab page.

We'll let you know when an item sells to an international buyer and provide you with the domestic shipping hub address. All you need to do is send your sold items to the domestic shipping hub before the estimated delivery date, and the international shipping and customs process will be managed for you.

Benefits of eBay International Shipping

As well as making your items available to buyers in almost 200 countries, there are several other benefits to using eBay International Shipping:

  • When you ship internationally using eBay International Shipping, you're responsible for sending the item your buyer purchased safely to the US shipping hub. If a buyer reports that an item was lost or damaged during international shipping or it is damaged at the hub, we'll work with the buyer to resolve the issue. You're protected from:
    • The obligation to refund the buyer
    • eBay Money Back Guarantee cases
    • Payment disputes
    • Open 'Not as described' returns in your service metrics
    • Negative or neutral feedback related to item handling during international shipping
  • Save on selling fees for your international transactions, including no international fee
  • All international returns, refunds, and customs clearance will be handled on your behalf
  • If you schedule Time Away, the estimated delivery date will be updated to reflect this
  • You'll be protected against item not received claims and chargebacks once your item is accepted at the domestic hub

Eligibility

To be eligible for the eBay International Shipping program, you'll need to meet the following requirements:

The following requirements apply to items shipped through eBay International Shipping:

  • Items are physically located in the US and listed on eBay.com
  • Items are eligible for export and the cost doesn't exceed $2500 USD
  • Packages should not exceed:
    • 48 inches in length, 84 inches in length and girth
    • 44 lbs. in billable weight (not actual weight) for all countries except Canada (maximum billable weight for Canada is 66 lbs.)

Transaction limits may apply to some accounts. Read our full list of seller terms and conditions to find out more about eBay International Shipping eligibility and program requirements.

Shipping and tracking your items

When shipping your item to the domestic shipping hub, always add tracking details and include the reference number on the label to ensure it arrives safely. This is done automatically for you if you create the shipping label on eBay. The domestic shipping hubs are in multiple locations so you may see different addresses on your labels.

Once your item is received at the domestic shipping hub, international tracking will be added so that you and your buyer can track the item's progress.

If you'd like to purchase shipping insurance for your item, you'll only need to insure the package for the journey to the domestic hub. If the item is lost during international delivery, we'll refund your buyer and you'll still keep the sale.

Combined shipping

If a buyer purchases multiple items from you, the order will automatically be combined if it's eligible for combined shipping. There are several reasons why shipping can't be combined when sending items through eBay International Shipping. For example, combined shipping won’t be applied if:

  • The order costs more than $1000 USD
  • The listing is in auction-style format
  • The items exceed the program’s package limits

If the buyer is paying import charges at checkout for some items and paying import charges on delivery for other items in the same order, the shipping won’t be combined.

Tip
Each eBay International Shipping order should fit in one package which meets the weight and dimensions allowed.

Shipping exclusions

You can manage your shipping exclusions through your Shipping Preferences - opens in new window or tab, Business Policies, or by revising your listings.

You can apply your exclusions to items shipping with eBay International Shipping by updating your settings at any time. Here's how:

  1. Go to Account Settings - opens in new window or tab and select Shipping Preferences.
  2. Select Edit next to Exclude shipping locations.
  3. Adjust the toggle at the top of the page.
  4. Select Save.

If the toggle is 'On', eligible items will ship to your excluded locations through eBay International Shipping.

If you opt out, your current shipping exclusions will stay the same for items shipped with eBay International Shipping, as well as items you ship internationally outside of this program.

Restricted items and categories

Items included in eBay's hazardous, restricted or regulated materials policy, or that don't follow our International trading policy, can't be shipped using eBay International Shipping.

Items that are shipped to buyers in the UK need to comply with all applicable UK laws and regulations. We have put measures in place to prevent US items that may not comply with UK regulations, such as CE Certification and/or Plugs and Sockets Regulations, from being sold to buyers in the UK.

Due to export limitations and restrictions, items listed in the following categories also can't be shipped with eBay International Shipping. This is not an exhaustive list and it may be updated based on transportation regulations and export laws.

  • Any category or items containing Radium or other radioactive materials
  • Dangerous goods requiring hazardous handling labels & documentation
  • Export-controlled items requiring license > Ex. Military vehicle parts
  • Business & Industrial > Heavy equipment & attachments
  • Collectibles > Knives, swords & blades
  • eBay Motors > Airbags, used parts (containing hazardous residue), AC refrigerant, vehicle paint (flammable)
  • Electronics > Standalone lithium batteries (not inside or with a device)
  • Electronics > High-power lithium battery devices (over 100 watt-hour)
  • Electronics > Drones
  • Health & Beauty > Fragrances (flammable perfumes & cologne)
  • Flammable or otherwise hazardous aerosols
  • Jewelry > High value
  • Personal security > Pepper spray, stun guns, handcuffs
  • Sporting goods > Other (CO2 cartridges, firearms, firearm parts, laser scopes)
  • Replica firearms > Prop guns
  • Stamps, coins & paper money

Returns and refunds

International legal requirements mean that buyers can return items sent by eBay International Shipping up to 30 days from the date the item is delivered to them, so we automatically apply a 30 day return policy for items shipped with eBay International Shipping. All eBay International Shipping returns will be processed on your behalf.

When a buyer opens a return, we'll refund your buyer and you'll keep the sale. When the return is received at the eBay International Shipping inspection hub, it will be inspected to make sure it's in the same condition. We'll then issue the refund to the buyer's original payment method, usually within 5 to 7 business days of the item being received at the hub. Returned items and items that couldn't be delivered to the buyer may not be returned to you.

If you receive negative or neutral feedback related to item handling during international shipping, we'll remove it.

Fees and charges

There's no extra charge to ship your items with eBay International Shipping and you won't be charged an international fee. To find out what fees and selling costs may apply to you, see our article on selling fees.

The buyer will be charged any US domestic shipping and handling costs that you specified, as well as international shipping, and other fees as determined by eBay. Import charges may be collected from the buyer at checkout or on delivery, either through customs or directly by the carrier. These charges include any customs duties, taxes, brokerage, and other fees.

Opting out of eBay International Shipping

You can opt out of eBay International Shipping at any time by updating your Shipping Preferences - opens in new window or tab. If you choose to opt-out, you'll be asked to provide a reason why.

To opt out of eBay International Shipping:

  1. Go to My eBay and select Account.
  2. Select Shipping Preferences.
  3. Select Opt Out on the right-hand side of eBay International Shipping.
  4. Select Done.

If you change your mind, you can opt back in 24 hours after opting out. To opt in again, go to Shipping Preferences - opens in new window or tab and select Enroll next to eBay International Shipping.

With eBay International Shipping, when you sell to an international buyer, all you need to do is ship your sold item to the domestic shipping hub, and the rest will be taken care of for you.

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