eBay’s International Shipping Program: What It Is and How To Enroll

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Want to know the #1 way to expand your reach and rake in more sales as an e-commerce seller? Going global. Not only will you diversify your customer base (and your risks), you’ll also get a leg-up on your competitors. 

But, the logistics of shipping internationally always gives resellers a pause. You need to think about customs, shipping costs, and much more. 

Luckily, eBay has its very own international shipping program that takes all the hassle out of shipping globally. Let’s look at the program in depth. 

What is eBay’s International Shipping Program?

eBay’s International Shipping (EIS) – previously known as the Global Shipping Program (EGS) – takes care of all the logistics associated with international shipping, making it easy for sellers to sell their products globally. 

Your only job (after selling an item to a buyer from another country) is to send the product to eBay’s local shipping hub. eBay will take care of everything else for you – customs paperwork, import charges, overseas delivery, and even the returns. 

The shipping and import charges are automatically calculated and added to the final price before checkout for the buyers, so you don’t have to figure out how to get courier contracts or do the shipping math!

How does eBay’s International Shipping Program work?

If you’re eligible and want to sell globally, you can opt into the program. If you don’t offer your own international shipping options, EIS will be the default option for your buyers. But, if you do offer your own options, the buyers will get to choose.

📋 Note: Previously, EGS was available only to sellers based in the US. But, the newly repurposed EIS is being rolled out in other countries. 

Once a buyer from another country purchases something from you, eBay will send you a message and give you the address to a shipping hub near you. You have to pack the item and ship it to the local address provided before the estimated delivery date. Aaaaand that’s it! eBay will take care of the rest, so you can sit back and relax. 

Packaging requirements

You need to include all items from a single order within the same package. You can’t combine two different orders. You must also add tracking details and a reference number to the label. This makes sure that your package reaches the local shipping hub safely. Once it does, eBay will add international tracking, allowing you to keep an eye on the package’s journey. 

If you don’t want to lose out on a sale due to unavoidable circumstances (such as your package getting lost in transit), you can insure it for its journey till the local hub. eBay will automatically add international insurance for you for the rest of the journey. So, even if your item’s lost on the way, you won’t have to refund the money as eBay will bear this cost!

Eligibility criteria for eBay’s International Shipping Program

To be able to use EIS, you need:

• A seller performance level of Above Standard or Top Rated
• To be eligible for seller protection
• Low or Average service metrics that prove you provide good customer service
• To comply with eBay’s rules and policies

Additionally, the packages you ship must also:

• Be eligible for exports, meaning the items can’t be hazardous, illegal, or restricted under export limitations (such as knives, money, flammable substances, heavy equipment, etc.)
• Not exceed $2500 per order (including the shipping charges)
• Follow weight and size restrictions. i.e. not exceed:

-48 inches in length, 84 inches in length and girth

-44 lbs. in billable weight (66 lbs. for Canada alone)

Keep in mind that you can only deliver to residential addresses. This means no PO boxes or Fleet/ Army Post Offices!

How do returns and refunds work under eBay’s International Shipping Program?

Before you ask – yes, items purchased under EIS are eligible for returns for up to 30 days (counted from when the package is delivered to the buyers). The best part is that eBay handles the entire returns and refunds process for you, including any communication with the buyers!

When a buyer returns an item, eBay will inspect it before it refunds them. And you? You get to keep the sale! Yes, this means you won’t have to refund the buyer out of your pocket. But, this also means that you may not receive the returned items. 

If a buyer is unsatisfied with how the entire shipping process was handled and leaves you a negative (or neutral) review, eBay will automatically remove it from your profile since you were not involved with that part of things. 

Benefits of using eBay’s International Shipping Program  

Wondering how EIS will benefit you as a seller? In several ways, as it turns out. 

• Expanded reach: You get to sell your items to buyers from 200+ countries without any hassle. 
• Convenience: You don’t need to deal with customs paperwork, calculate international shipping costs, or worry about delivering your items overseas. You only need to deliver sold items to your local eBay hub. You also get to save on international selling fees. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about processing returns or refunds and are protected from negative reviews and disputes.
• Increased sales: A wider customer base leads to an increase in sales for you. 

How to enroll in eBay’s Global Shipping Program

Simply head to Account Settings and choose Shipping Preferences. Click on the edit button next to eBay International Shipping Program and select Enroll.

If you’re already a part of eBay’s Global Shipping Program, all of your listings will be automatically added to the International Shipping Program as soon as your account/ country becomes eligible. 

💡 Expert Tip: For an automatic 5-star rating, pack and dispatch your orders to the domestic shipping hub within 1 day and offer free shipping for this part of the journey!

FAQs

Can you apply shipping exclusions to items sold with eBay’s International Shipping?

Yes, you can exclude your items from being shipped to certain countries or territories! Head to Account Settings → Shipping Preferences. Go to Exclude Shipping Locations, click the edit button, and select whether you want to apply your shipping exclusions to items sold through eBay’s International Shipping or not. 

How much does eBay’s International Shipping cost for sellers?

eBay’s International Shipping Program doesn’t cost anything for sellers. International shipping fees and customs/ duties taxes are all paid for by the buyer. 

Are items sold with eBay’s International Shipping eligible for combined shipping?

While multiple items ordered by the same buyer will typically be combined, not all the products sold under EIS are eligible for combined shipping. Some exclusions include:

• Orders that exceed $1000 
• Orders bought from auction-style listings
• Orders that exceed the package’s weight and size limits