Global Shipping Programme

Items that qualify for the Global Shipping Programme are available to be delivered to buyers in the following countries from the UK:

Because of export limitations and restrictions, items listed in the following categories can't be sent through the Global Shipping Programme:

• Business & Industrial > Websites & Businesses for Sale
• Cars, Motorcycles & Vehicles
• Coins & Paper Money > Virtual Currency
• Events Tickets
• Health & Beauty > Fragrances
• Holidays & Travel
• Property
• Video Games & Consoles > Gaming & Time Cards

Note: This is not a full list of unsupported categories. If the category you're listing in doesn't support the Global Shipping Programme, you'll see an alert when you create your listing.

As well as Prohibited items, the following items can't be sold through the Global Shipping Programme:

• Obscene material
• Child pornography
• Hate propaganda
• Narcotics (including controlled substances)
• Currency (including bank notes, stocks, bonds, coupons, credit cards, unused travellers cheques, securities, certificates, and other negotiable items)
• Weapons (including firearms, knives, etc.)
• Tobacco
• Medical materials
• Biological specimens
• Perishable items
• Liquids, liquefiable substances, and powders
• Animals
• Human body parts
• Plants
• Batteries (with exception of those that come included with consumer electronics such as AA, C, Li-ion batteries)
• Radiological devices
• Dangerous goods
• Alcohol, including samples
• COD shipments
• Furs, fur clothing, fur-trimmed clothing
• Wool and cashmere (Japan only)
• Jewellery, gold or any other precious metals (whether manufactured or non-manufactured) that are subject to carrier and/or customs restrictions
• Live, replica, or inert munitions
• Fine arts
• Cosmetics (including perfume)
• Parcels that exceed maximum package size and/or weight limits imposed by global service provider
• Any type of air, gas or liquid in a compressed container
• Lasers
• Radar busters
• Bows, crossbows, arrows
• Seeds
• Chemistry sets
• Nutritional supplements, neutraceutical
• Plant fertilisers, nutrients
• Printer toners

How will GSP help me with Brexit?

GSP calculates the international postage as well as the duties and taxes payable for European shipments. Buyers see this and pay for it upfront at checkout. As a seller, you then just send your parcel to the UK Shipping Centre and everything will be taken care of.

Please also note that to move goods between Great Britain and the European Union after 1 January 2021, business sellers are required to obtain an EORI (Economic Operator Registration and Identification) number. You may be requested to provide your EORI number under certain circumstances to facilitate the movement of goods into the European Union.

What will the transaction look like?

Global Shipping Programme transactions are seamlessly integrated with eBay and PayPal. Whether you're a amnaged payments seller or using PayPal, your buyer will go through checkout once and the buyer's payment will be split between you and the global technology and international postage provider. You'll receive the full item price plus the domestic postage charges and the balance will be transmitted to the third party global technology and international postage provider.

How are eBay final value fees (FVFs) calculated?

Final value fees are charged in the same way as a domestic transaction on eBay.co.uk. The FVF charged will be charged at the UK rate on the item price plus the domestic portion of the postage, i.e. the cost of you sending the item to the UK Shipping Centre. You won’t be charged a FVF on the international portion of the postage cost or any import charges.

How are postage charges calculated for the international leg?

The international postage charge your buyer sees is derived from a number of factors, including the buyer's location, package weight and dimensions. A network of postage carriers will be used to provide fast, reliable and trackable services. Carriers will be selected depending on their suitability for sending your item internationally. For more details, see the Global Shipping Programme terms and conditions for sellers.

How do I package a multiple-item order when posting to the same buyer?

If your buyer buys multiple items from you as part of the same transaction, you can package the items together in the same box. However, if the same buyer makes several purchases (multiple transactions), package and post each item separately to avoid customs related complications. Follow best practices when posting multiple items and boxes.

What happens if the item is damaged or lost during transit?

Every parcel shipped through the Global Shipping Programme is insured from the point it is safely received in the UK Shipping Centre. The parcel insurance cost is included in the total price that the buyer paid for shipping through the programme. If the item was damaged in the UK Shipping Centre or in international transit, we’ll cover the loss or damage to the buyer and you’ll keep the money from the sale. All the buyer needs to do is open a case on PayPal to receive their refund. Alternatively, if the purchase was made on an eBay site that supports eBay’s Money Back Guarantee Programme (.com / .co.uk / .au / .de) then the buyer may file a returns case for ‘damaged’ on eBay. Once the returns claim is filed it should be escalated to eBay customer support to take action. Sellers should not refund the buyer proactively. Any defect arising from a resulting buyer claim will be de-scored if it was lost or damaged after arriving safely at the UK Shipping Centre.

Under which circumstances would an item purchased through the Global Shipping Programme be considered 'undeliverable'?
Possible reasons include but are not limited to:

• The item is restricted from export or import.

• The item is overweight or over-sized.

• An incomplete or invalid delivery address.

• Payment from the buyer has not been received.

• The order has been cancelled.

• The item was damaged at the UK Shipping Centre.

• The package doesn’t include the unique code provided to the seller.

What happens with payments for ‘undeliverable’ items?

If a Global Shipping Programme item that has been purchased by a buyer and accepted by the UK Shipping Centre is not eligible for the programme or can’t be sent to the buyer, you may keep the buyer’s payment. eBay will refund the buyer. You don’t have to reimburse the Global Shipping Programme fees for this refund. 

How will my buyer and I know that the item was deemed 'undeliverable'?

If an item sold through the Global Shipping Programme is classified as ‘undeliverable’ after being accepted at the UK Shipping Centre, eBay will send you an email to let you know. We’ll also communicate with your buyer and, subject to any applicable terms between eBay and the buyer, will provide a refund to your buyer. You won’t be responsible for reimbursing eBay for this refund, and the item will be disposed of appropriately as an ‘undeliverable’ item.

How are returns handled for items sent through the Global Shipping Programme?

Your UK returns policy will be displayed and applied to EU buyers. This means that if you offer free returns to UK buyers, this will extend to EU buyers too. Under the EU Consumer Rights Directive (2011) which came into effect in June 2014, EU buyers have 14 calendar days to let you know they want to return an item. If you don’t want to offer free returns, you can specify buyer pays or control which of your listings are available to buyers through the Global Shipping Programme and which aren’t. You can customise your settings to exclude individual listings or countries, or exclude your account from the Global Shipping Programme eBay may also choose not to display your returns policy to non-EU buyers. For non-EU buyers, we encourage you to communicate directly with them to work out a returns arrangement and solution. Read more about managing international returns.

If your buyer asks you for a refund, you’re only expected to refund the cost of the item and what you charged for domestic postage. We’ll take care of refunding the international postage charges. Please handle any return postage costs directly with the buyer, depending on the reason for the return.

What happens if the buyer wants to return an item for an exchange?

All exchanges should be handled by you with your buyers direct.  If you agree to an exchange, you should arrange to send the replacement out using your own international postage provider. Exchange of items are not supported by the Global Shipping Programme. 

How do refunds work in case of returns?

If you accept returns, the way that refunds work depends on the reason for the return:

• Buyer changes their mind – the buyer is responsible for sending the item back to you for a refund or exchange. You may either offer free returns or specify that buyers are responsible for the return postage costs. As for the original transaction, you’re responsible for the refund of the item and domestic postage cost only, i.e. the cost of posting the item to the UK Shipping Centre. For a refund of international postage cost please ask your buyer to contact eBay Customer Support and we will be responsible for refunding the buyers international postage cost, if applicable.

• Item is not as described (seller fault) – you’re responsible for refunding or replacing the item and for refunding the domestic postage costs. eBay is responsible for refunding the buyers international postage costs.

Tracking shows the item as ‘unable to deliver – return to sender’?

If an item is processed through the UK Shipping Centre and the last mile carrier (local carrier in the destination country) cannot deliver the item for any reason and the item is marked ‘unable to deliver - return to sender’ then it will be returned to the last mile carrier or the UK Shipping Centre as appropriate.

How can I update my Global Shipping Programme listings in bulk?

You can use the eBay bulk editing tools or, once you've enrolled in business policies, you can apply the Global Shipping Programme to eligible listings by including it in your postage policies. If you use a third-party listing tool, contact your third-party provider.

Do listings for items that post through the Global Shipping Programme look different to buyers?

Yes. On the search results page, buyers will see additional information including the message “Customs services and international tracking provided.” On the view item page, buyers will see import charges (where applicable for non-EU buyers). On auction listings, the charges will be estimated based on the current highest bid. At checkout, buyers will see the full price, including any import and postage charges. They’ll also be able to read the buyer terms and conditions