Sellers may charge reasonable shipping and handling fees to cover the costs for mailing, packaging, and handling the items they are selling. While eBay will not prescribe exactly what a seller may or may not charge, eBay will rely on member reports and its own discretion to determine whether or not a seller’s shipping and/or handling charges are excessive. Shipping and handling fees may not be listed as a percentage of the final sale price.
Sellers who want to be sure they are in compliance with this policy may charge actual shipping costs plus actual packaging materials cost (or less).
In addition to the final listing price, sellers are permitted to charge:
Actual shipping cost: This is the actual cost (i.e. postage) for shipping the item.
Handling fee: Actual packaging materials costs may be charged. A handling fee in addition to actual shipping cost may be charged if it is not excessive.
Charges not allowed in shipping & handling:
We’ll soon be discontinuing the shipping insurance option.
Tax: Only actual applicable federal, provincial, country, city, VAT, and equivalent taxes may be charged.
“Self insurance” protection: No additional amount such as “self insurance” may be added. Sellers who do not use a licensed 3rd party insurance company may not require buyers to purchase insurance.
Tariffs and duties: For cross border transactions, sellers may not collect tariffs and duties. However, buyer may be responsible for actual tariffs and duties as required by country laws.
Fees related to shipping & handling: Gasoline, mileage, time spent at a carrier, time spent packaging the item, eBay and PayPal fees may not be added.
Free shipping: Sellers may offer free shipping to select or all destinations. For a destination denoted as free shipping, no others fees related to shipping, handling, or packaging may be charged.
Make sure your listing follows our guidelines. If it doesn't, it may be removed, and your buying and selling privileges could be restricted.
Violations of this policy may result in a range of actions, including:
Limits on account privileges
Forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings
Loss of PowerSeller status
Examples of violating listings:
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (2001, DVD)
Buy It Now price: C$1
Shipping: C$11 First Class USPS
Explanation: The actual cost to ship this DVD would be less than $3 using First Class Mail stated in the listing. This seller is charging all costs for this item in the shipping price thus hiding the “true” cost for this item from buyers.
New Pink Motorola L6 L 6 Unlocked Slvr GSM World Phone
Buy It Now price: C$98.95
Shipping: C$64.84 Standard Shipping Services
Explanation: The seller has clearly stated that Standard Shipping Services will be used to ship this item, thus overall shipping charges are inflated.
Sony 2 GB Memory Stick Pro Card
Buy It Now price: C$37.35
Shipping: C$26.99 Standard Shipping Service
Explanation: The seller states that the item will be shipped “Standard Shipping Service” and not an Overnight service. Given the small size/weight of this item, overall shipping charges are inflated.
Examples of Listings in Compliance:
NEW SONY ERICSSON T237 GSM UNLOCKED COLOR PHONE * FEDEX
Buy It Now price: C$36.95
Shipping: C$18.95 Standard Flat Rate Shipping Service
Explanation: The seller is shipping this item via Fed Ex and states the actual flat rate cost in the listing.
Creative Labs Zen Micro Photo 8GB Pink MP3 Player
Buy It Now price: C$195
Shipping C$11.99 UPS ground
Explanation: The seller is sending the item via UPS ground and is charging actual shipping prices plus a reasonable fee.
SOLID STATE Abstract Art Painting Taylor HUGE
Painting measures 36” x 24” / canvas supported by panel
Starting bid: C$20
Shipping: C$40 Canada Post
Explanation: The shipping charge is greater due to the size/bulk of the item being shipped and custom crating.
Why does eBay have this policy?
This policy reduces the potential for confusion among bidders about the full cost of an item. Listings that include excessive shipping fees lead to a poor buying experience and un-level the playing field by putting sellers who charge reasonable shipping charges at a disadvantage. These listings undermine the trust and legitimacy of eBay’s marketplace.
Must use Buy It Now and PayPal.
