Sell international, ship domestic

Sell to millions more potential customers around the globe—now it’s easier than ever.

We’re making selling internationally just as easy as selling domestically by extending the benefits of the Global Shipping Program without needing to enroll.

Buyers can shop with confidence, knowing that they receive end-to-end international tracking on all items. We’re making it easier to sell to millions more potential buyers around the world.

Highlights

  • Starting in late September, buyers in select countries will be shown an international shipping option with end-to-end international tracking on eligible listings. This option will be shown on listings where the seller hasn’t already specified an international shipping service.
  • Note this update does not apply to your listings if you are currently enrolled in the Global Shipping Program or have previously opted out of the program—if so, all of your current preferences will stay the same.
  • Along with the priority international shipping option, buyers will also see import charges. These charges include customs duties for the imported item and brokerage fees used to process the transaction.
  • This international priority shipping option will be automatically applied for countries whose buyers primarily shop on eBay in English: Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Singapore, Ireland, South Africa, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, and Mexico.
  • If your item sells to a buyer in one of these countries, you simply ship it to a processing center in the US. Any import charges are collected from the buyer at checkout, and a global shipping provider ships your item on to the international buyer.
  • You’re not responsible for any loss or damage during the international leg of the shipment.
  • Additional seller protections include:
    • Eligible for 5-star rating for shipping time when you ship with same-day or one-day handling, upload tracking information within one business day of receiving cleared payment, and the item is delivered to the US shipping center within four business days.
    • Protection from negative or neutral feedback and ratings lower than 5 stars due to loss or damage to your item in international transit. See Terms & Conditions for details. This international shipping option will not be added to your listings for buyers in any countries you have currently excluded in your Shipping Preferences.

Take action

  • There’s no action you need to take to benefit from this update. Your eligible items are identified and international shipping and import charges applied for your buyer automatically. There’s no additional charge to you when you list.
  • Check to make sure that your shipping preferences in My eBay are set to include all eligible international shipping locations. Go to My eBay >Site Preferences >Shipping Preferences
  • Visit the Global Shipping Program page for more information

Frequently asked questions

  • What is changing with this update?

    Starting in late September, on eligible listings where the seller has not already specified international shipping, buyers from select countries will be automatically shown an International Priority Shipping option with end-to-end international tracking plus any associated import charges. If a buyer from one of these countries purchases the item, the seller simply ships it to a US shipping center. Once accepted at the US shipping center, a global shipping provider handles the international shipping and customs clearance to get the item to your international buyer. You’re not responsible for any loss or damage during the international leg of the shipment.

  • Why is eBay making this update?

    By automatically showing an international priority shipping option on eligible listings to buyers from countries who shop primarily in English, we’re helping sellers grow their business without having to deal with the hassles of selling—and shipping—across borders.

  • When does this update go into effect?

    Buyers will begin to see the international priority shipping option that was automatically added to eligible listings in late September.

  • Will this update apply to listings from all sellers?

    This update will only apply to eligible listings from sellers who are not already opted in or opted out of the Global Shipping Program. It will not apply to listings where the seller has already specified an international shipping option or where the seller has specifically excluded buyers from these countries.

  • What countries are included in this update?

    Ten countries are included in this update: Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Singapore, Ireland, South Africa, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, and Mexico. Buyers in these locations shop primarily using English.

  • How is this different from the current Global Shipping Program?

    The main difference between this experience and the experience of sellers using the current Global Shipping Program is in the number of applicable countries. With this update, the priority international services will be added automatically for buyers in 10 countries who primarily shop in English. Sellers who are currently enrolled in the Global Shipping Program can choose to make this service available for buyers in up to 60 countries.

    Also, with this update, the international priority shipping option will be added automatically to eligible listings for sellers who are not currently using and have not opted out of the Global Shipping Program. There’s no need to enroll or make any changes to your listings. In both cases sellers ship to the same US shipping center and are covered by the same built-in safeguards. In both situations sellers can choose whether or not to ship to specific countries.

  • What will buyers see on my listings?

    Buyers will see import charges (which include customs services) and charges for international priority shipping with end-to-end international tracking. This is the same thing they see on listings from sellers using the Global Shipping Program. Import charges are confirmed at checkout, and buyers pay no additional fees upon delivery of the item.

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  • If I’m using the Global Shipping Program now will any of my listings be impacted?

    If you are currently using the Global Shipping Program, none of your listings will be impacted. This update only applies to sellers not using the Global Shipping Program.

  • What if I opted out of the current Global Shipping Program—will my listings be included automatically?

    No. If you opted out of the Global Shipping Program, your international buyers will not see the priority international shipping option.

  • If I previously opted out of the Global Shipping Program, is there any way I can take advantage of this update and have the international priority shipping option show up for buyers in these 10 countries?

    If you previously opted out of the Global Shipping Program and would like to add the international priority shipping option to your listings for buyers in these 10 countries, you can re-enroll in the Global Shipping Program (includes 60 countries) from your Shipping Preferences in My eBay. You can then exclude any countries where you do not want to ship.

  • What should I do if I don’t want to sell to buyers in one or all of these ten countries?

    If you prefer not to sell to buyers in one or all of these countries, you can use the exclude shipping location function found in My eBay (My eBay > Account > Selling Preferences > Shipping Preferences > Exclude Shipping Locations). You can choose to exclude specific countries or regions.

  • If my item sells to an international buyer and I get a defect as a result of the transaction, does that defect count toward my seller rating?

    The defect counts toward your global rating but only transactions with US buyers count toward your seller rating on ebay.com. You can view your US and Global seller performance rating on your Seller Dashboard within My eBay.

  • I’m already enrolled in the Global Shipping Program. What changes for me? Do I need to do anything?

    Nothing changes for sellers currently enrolled in the Global Shipping Program; buyers in all 60 countries served by the program will still be able to purchase your items as long as you have not excluded them from your shipping preferences.

  • As a seller, what can I do to make sure my sold item reaches the buyer safely and on time?

    As with any transaction, we recommend that sellers take as much care as possible when packing their items. One thing you can do to help things along is to make sure you indicate the Country of Origin, weight and dimensions in your item specifics. If you don’t include Country of Origin, your package may need to be opened at the US processing center and inspected and repacked. This can sometimes cause a delay in international shipment.

  • What if I want to sell to buyers in more countries?

    If you want to sell using the priority international shipping option to buyers in more countries, you can add countries by visiting the Global Shipping Program Preferences page. Click "Site Preferences" from your Account page. Then click “Show” to the right of the “Shipping Preferences” section. Click “Edit” next to “Offer the Global Shipping Program”.

  • How can this update increase my sales?

    This update makes it possible for buyers from 10 countries to purchase your items with confidence knowing that all international shipping and import charges are confirmed at checkout. An international shipping option gives them end-to-end international tracking for the shipment. eBay research shows that giving international buyers this option can increase sales by up to 15%*.

  • How can I ship to countries that are not one of the 10 countries in this update or one of the 60 countries supported by the Global Shipping Program?

    If you want to sell an item to a buyer in a country that is not one of the 10 countries included in this update and not one of the 60 countries covered by the Global Shipping Program, you can still do so by offering your own international shipping service. You can add up to five international shipping options when you list your item.

  • How is a transaction using this new feature different from a domestic transaction?

    Part of our goal with this change is that sellers can sell internationally and ship domestically. This means that while a much larger customer base is given access to your item vs. simply selling in the US, your job doesn’t change one bit when it comes to order fulfillment. You simply ship your item to the US Shipping Center and the international portion of the transaction is handled from there; customs charges and international shipping charges are calculated, then paid by your buyer at checkout. The global shipping provider takes care of safe handling all the way to your international customer.

  • As a seller, how do I invoice my buyers?

    Your international buyer is invoiced automatically for all applicable fees. When your buyer goes through checkout, PayPal splits their payment between you and the global shipping provider. You receive the full item price plus the domestic shipping charges, with the rest transmitted to the global shipping provider.

  • Once the sold item leaves the US Shipping Center will I still be able to track its progress?

    Yes. All carriers used provide end-to-end international tracking on every transaction. You can track the progress of your item the same way you would in any other transaction: in your eBay account under “My eBay”. Tracking “events” are added during the journey, including receipt at the U.S. shipping center, customs clearance, and delivery to your buyer. Other events are added along the way, letting you know where your item is at any given time. And if your item has a long way to travel remember to check tracking frequently, as new events are added often.

Additional resources—connect & learn more

eBay Radio and Town Hall broadcast with live Q&A

Tune in on August 12, 11am–2pm PST to hear Griff discuss these changes. Also participate in a live Town Hall meeting on August 13, 3:30pm–5:00pm PST and get your questions answered by eBay employees.

Seller checklist and top tips

Keep track of what you need to do—and when—with this helpful list.

Discussion Boards

Join a special Community board and discuss these changes with eBay staff and other sellers.

eBay Webinars with live Q&A

Register now for special online workshops and get your questions answered. Dedicated workshops will dive deep into recent updates, so register for the sessions that interest you the most.