As an eBay seller, entering a new market and selling overseas might come to mind when you want to increase your eBay sales and grow your business. However, international selling usually comes with a lot of hassle and risks. That’s where eBay Global Shipping Program comes into play. It simplifies your international selling journey and helps your product reach millions of active buyers from over 200 markets worldwide.
In this article, we will walk you through everything you need to know about eBay Global Shipping Program by answering the following questions:
- What is eBay Global Shipping Program?
- What are the requirements and limitations of the GSP?
- How to track items shipped and handle returns under GSP?
- How to use eBay Global Shipping Program to sell internationally?
- 4 tips on how to sell internationally on eBay
Without any ado, let’s get started!
What is eBay Global Shipping Program?
When you start selling on eBay, one of the first things you learn is how to ship on eBay. However, international shipping is more complex than domestic shipping. That’s where the eBay Global Shipping Program steps in.
The eBay Global Shipping Program (GSP), or the Global Shipping Programme in the UK, is an international shipping service that eBay provides to help sellers sell internationally more easily. Under this program, once an international buyer makes a purchase, you only have to send your products to eBay Global Shipping Center in your country. Then, eBay will take care of the rest and handle international delivery to the buyer’s door.
Moreover, if you wonder if eBay combined shipping applies to GSP, the answer is NO. This international shipping service does not offer combined shipping for multiple items. Each item is shipped individually to a shipping center in the seller’s country, where they are consolidated into a single package and sent to the buyer’s address.
How much does eBay Global Shipping Program cost?
Good news: Besides eBay selling fees, there is no eBay shipping fees for Global Shipping Program. The buyer is responsible for paying the costs for all the GSP services.
However, it’s noticeable that if you are selling internationally and not using the international shipping service of eBay, this marketplace will charge 1.65% of the amount of an overseas sale for the international fee.
The overseas sale is counted under the 2 scenarios below:
- The delivery address provided by the buyer during checkout is outside the US or UK.
- The buyer’s registered address is outside the US or UK, irrespective of the delivery address for the item.
What are the benefits of using eBay GSP?
As one of the world-leading marketplaces, eBay offers the Global Shipping Program with many benefits that encourage sellers to sell their products worldwide.
First of all, it’s undeniable that eBay GSP helps you to expand your market, which can boost your sales.
- Customer reach: With the GSP, you can sell your products to buyers from over 200 countries and territories worldwide. This means more potential customers and more chances to increase your sales.
- Buyer trust: GSP provides tracking information to buyers, giving them peace of mind about their purchase. Knowing where their package is and when it will arrive makes them feel more confident and satisfied with their buying experience. The better the buying experience is, the more customers will buy your products.
Besides the selling opportunities, you can enjoy various shipping advantages related to shipping rates and protection when using this global shipping on eBay:
- Global shipping protection: In case of lost or damaged items during international shipping, eBay Money Back Guarantee ensures that cases are resolved in your favor. Hence, there won’t be any impact on your seller performance standards.
- Shipping performance: For example, in your detailed seller rating, you can quickly get 5 stars for shipping costs when you offer free domestic shipping to the shipping center.
- International transit feedback protection: eBay will remove any negative or neutral feedback attributed to the Global Shipping Program during international transit. This ensures a representation of your seller’s performance.
Are there any disadvantages when using eBay GSP?
The Global Shipping Program provided by eBay offers numerous advantages in encouraging sellers to expand their international sales. It is difficult to identify any significant disadvantages of this international shipping method. However, using the GSP to sell internationally is still challenging:
- High shipping fee: The biggest challenge is the high international shipping cost associated with buyers residing far from your country. Additionally, import taxes can increase the final sale price, serving as barriers that may deter buyers from completing the purchase.
- Long delivery time: Due to the involvement of an additional party in the form of the GSP, the delivery time may be longer. This extended timeline might discourage potential buyers who prefer quicker shipping.
Is eBay Global Shipping Program worth it?
When faced with the abovementioned challenges, you might question, “Is eBay Global Shipping Program worth it?”
The worth of this overseas shipping program depends on your specific business needs and your product characteristics. Nevertheless, it’s undeniable that the eBay GSP offers a great chance to unlock international sales opportunities, which can help you to scale up your business.
With support for shipping to numerous countries and the ability to customize your shipping destinations, eBay offers the flexibility you need. The best approach is to test your target market to determine if the GSP helps your business grow.
Next, let’s find out if your target market is eligible for the eBay Global Shipping Program.
What Are the Requirements and Limitations of eBay GSP?
Although the GSP is an excellent solution for worldwide sellers, it is limited to sellers in the US and UK and only available for buyers residing in eBay Global Shipping Program countries. Additionally, there are specific limitations on the items that can be sold internationally through this program. We will step by step go into more detail.
Eligible eBay sellers for GSP
To be eligible for the Global Shipping Program (GSP) on eBay, you must meet the following criteria:
- Seller rating: You must have a seller rating of Above Standard or higher. eBay implements this requirement to maintain the credibility and reputation of their marketplace and provide buyers with a reliable and trustworthy experience.
- Item location: Your products must be listed on ebay.com and physically in the United States if you are a US-based seller. As a UK eBay seller, you must list your items on ebay.co.uk.
- Eligibility and compliance: Sellers must ensure their item is eligible for international shipping. This means it should not be ineligible, illegal, hazardous, subject to export restrictions, or prohibited by eBay or the Global Shipping Program. We will explore the specific categories and products in detail later.
- Package weight and dimensions: Ensure your package does not exceed the maximum weight or dimensions specified by the GSP. These limits vary depending on your domestic and destination country. For the US sellers, the maximum weight permitted to use the GSP is 150 ibs. Read more about the maximum weight or dimensions of the GSP.
- Sales price: Your item sale price, including shipping and handling, should not exceed the maximum price. The maximum sale price may vary depending on the countries involved, but it typically is at most $2500.
- Delivery address: In most countries, the buyer’s delivery address must be a residence or street address. P.O. Box, FPO (Fleet Post Office), or APO (Army Post Office) addresses are typically unsupported.
Restricted categories and prohibited items
Besides items prohibited on eBay or not complying with our International trading policy due to export limitations and restrictions, the Global Shipping Program doesn’t deliver items listed in the following categories:
- Business & Industrial > Heavy Equipment
- Business & Industrial > Heavy Equipment Attachments
- Business & Industrial > Websites & Business for Sale
- Cell Phones & Accessories > Smart Watches
- Coins & Paper Money > Virtual Currency
- eBay Motors (Note: The Global Shipping Program supports parts & Accessories)
- Gift Cards & Coupons
- Health & Beauty > Fragrances
- Home & Garden > Fresh Cut Flowers & Supplies
- Movies & TV > Video Media Accessories
- Pet Supplies > Backyard Poultry Supplies
- Pet Supplies > Other
- Real Estate
- Specialty Services, except:
- Specialty Services > Custom Clothing & Jewelry > Hats, Handbags & Accessories
- Specialty Services > Custom Clothing & Jewelry > Jewelry
- Specialty Services > Custom Clothing & Jewelry > Other
- Sporting Goods > Other
- Stamps > Other
- Tickets & Experiences
- Travel, except:
- Travel > Luggage
- Travel > Luggage Accessories
- Travel > Maps
- Travel > Travel Accessories
- Video Games & Consoles > Prepaid Gaming Cards
- Wholesale & Bulk Lots
eBay Global Shipping Program countries
When your items and you are qualified for the eBay Global Shipping Program, you can expand your selling opportunities to the following countries of each continent:
eBay Global Shipping Program Countries | |
North America | Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guadeloupe (French), Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique (French), Mexico, Montserrat, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States |
South America | Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay |
Europe | Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom |
Asia | Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam |
Africa | South Africa |
Oceania | Australia, New Zealand |
How to Track Items Shipped and Handle Returns Under the GSP?
While the eBay Global Shipping Program aims to provide a smooth experience, issues can sometimes arise. Here’s how to track the shipping process and handle returns when using this service:
#1. Shipping tracking
Through the eBay GSP, sellers and buyers can track their items throughout the entire shipping process.
When shipping packages to the designated shipping center, sellers must include the standard tracking information. The reference number on the label is crucial for identifying the package upon its arrival at the center.
Once identified, the tracking number is converted into a Global Tracking number, which both the seller and buyer can utilize to monitor the package’s journey until it reaches its final destination. eBay’s international tracking systems facilitate this tracking process. Additionally, eBay protects buyers if the parcel is lost.
#2. Returns
Unfortunately, eBay Global Shipping Program does not handle returns. Sellers are responsible for handling such issues on their own. Therefore, establishing your return policy is crucial to avoid this problem. This ensures that your customers know what to expect in case of an issue.
If your buyers want to return your products, you have 2 options below:
- For inexpensive items, it may be more practical to absorb the cost and offer a refund to the customer without requesting the return of the item.
- If the item is valuable and you wish to retrieve it, you can utilize international parcel carriers such as FedEx, UPS, DHL, or TNT to arrange return shipping. While this method guarantees secure return shipment, it can be pretty expensive.
Now that you understand eBay GSP’s offerings, limitations, and restrictions, let’s explore how to use this international shipping program.
How to Use the Global Shipping Program to Sell Internationally on eBay?
The eBay Global Shipping Program opens your listings to more than 60 million potential buyers worldwide. The first step of selling internationally by using this program on this top online marketplace is to sign up.
How to enroll for the Global Shipping Program?
To participate in the GSP, follow these steps to sign up:
- Log in to your eBay seller account.
- Go to your account settings and select Site Preferences.
- Choose Shipping Preferences.
- Click the Edit option next to the Global Shipping Program and select Add the GSP. The status should change to Enrolled.
- Additionally, allow the GSP in your business policies. Navigate to My eBay > Account > Business policies and check the GSP option.
Following these steps, you’re enrolled in the Global Shipping Program on eBay.
How to customize your GSP?
When selling to one of the leading eCommerce platforms like eBay, you have various choices of countries you want to sell to. The eBay Global Shipping Program allows sellers to customize the countries that they want to use this program.
In other words, using the GSP and other regular international shipping services simultaneously is acceptable. Moreover, if you only use the international shipping provided by eBay, you can select the countries you want to sell and ship to.
If you use the GSP to ship your products, follow these steps to customize your location preferences:
- Go to the Manage Shipping Preferences section.
- Look for the Global Shipping Program option and click Edit.
- Check the box Customize international shipping for some locations.
In another case, if you have items that cannot be shipped through the Global Shipping Program, or you want to offer shipping to countries not covered by the program, you can set up additional international shipping services. Here’s how:
- Go to the International shipping section when creating a listing.
- Choose from the No other international shipping dropdown Menu.
- You can select up to 5 shipping options for international orders.
Customizing your Global Shipping Program preferences and adding extra international shipping choices gives you more control over shipping your items to different countries, ensuring a smooth and tailored shipping experience.
How to Opt-Out of eBay GSP?
If you don’t want to sell internationally using the GSP anymore, you can easily opt out of eBay’s Global Shipping Program by following these steps:
- Access to Manage Shipping Preferences.
- Click Edit beside Global Shipping Program.
- Select Opt Out and Submit.
This opt-out process takes up to 72 hours to address your request. Moreover, please note that you also can remove a single or all active listings from the Global Shipping Program.
4 Tips on How to Sell Internationally on eBay
While enjoying the benefits of an eBay store and the simplicity of the Global Shipping Program eBay provides, it’s crucial to follow these tips below to reach millions of international buyers on this second-biggest marketplace.
Focus first on English eBay sites
It’s no surprise that eBay operates multiple international sites catering to different regions worldwide. However, it’s worth noting that English-speaking markets still hold the majority. By capitalizing on these markets, you can significantly increase your current sales.
Furthermore, expanding to English-speaking international sites is a straightforward approach if you don’t have the resources and time to translate your eBay product listings and information into multiple languages. For instance, U.S. sellers can evaluate the suitability of their products and market demand by selling on eBay international sites in Canada, Australia, or the U.K.
List your items on international eBay sites but step by step
To expand your market and sell on eBay on an international level, consider listing directly on eBay’s international sites. However, consider taking it step-by-step by expanding to one international site at a time. This approach allows you to effectively manage sales volume, delivery requirements, listings, and branding, ensuring quality control across different markets.
Optimize your listings with the local language
Whether you sell best-selling items on eBay or not, it’s always crucial to optimize your listings. When selling on multiple international sites, consider translating your listings into the local language to improve their visibility and match the keywords potential buyers use in their searches.
While free tools like Google Translate can be used, human translation provides greater accuracy. With detailed and accurate descriptions in the language of your potential customers, your products are more likely to match their expectations, which might minimize returns.
Enhance trust through global shipping and returns policies
Implementing buyer-friendly international shipping and returns policies can build trust, which might increase international and overall sales. Regarding shipping policies, eBay offers the Global Shipping Program to ensure the reliability of shipping processes.
As for the return policies, by customizing the duration of your returns policy, such as extending return periods to 30 or 60 days, you can instill greater confidence in international buyers when making purchases from your business. Don’t forget to provide transparent explanations of return conditions, including explicit details on who pays the cost of return international shipping and any necessary documentation.
eBay Global Shipping Program – FAQs
- How does eBay international shipping work?
Regarding eBay international delivery, sellers can use the eBay Global Shipping Program for their international sales. Sellers only have to ship their items to a domestic shipping center using this service. From there, eBay takes over the responsibility of shipping the item internationally. They handle customs clearance, international postage, and package tracking. The buyer is responsible for customs fees or import charges, while the seller benefits from a streamlined international selling process.
- Has eBay International Shipping replaced eBay Global Shipping Program?
Yes, eBay International Shipping has replaced the eBay Global Shipping Program. These are two different services offered by eBay. This eBay International Shipping Program offers a shipping option that sellers can choose to provide on their own, while the eBay Global Shipping Program is a comprehensive service provided by eBay to simplify international shipping for sellers.
- How long does eBay GSP take?
The delivery time for the eBay Global Shipping Program can vary based on several factors, such as the destination country, customs procedures, and the shipping carrier used. Typically, the GSP aims to provide estimated delivery times within 10-20 business days, although it may take longer in some cases due to customs or other unforeseen circumstances.
- Does eBay still have a Global Shipping Program?
No, eBay International Shipping has replaced the Global Shipping Program (in the US) and will replace eBay International standard delivery on September 1, 2023. However, eBay International Shipping has taken over to ensure international delivery to buyers in this program’s eligible countries.
Conclusion
The eBay Global Shipping Program is a convenient solution for eBay sellers looking for a shipping service and expanding their market to the global level. By enrolling in the GSP, sellers can tap into a global customer base and simplify the shipping process.
After this article, we hope you understand all the information about GSP, including signing up, customizing settings, tracking shipments, and managing returns, and then growing your eCommerce business by selling internationally on this marketplace.
If you want to learn more about growing your business by selling your products on marketplaces, feel free to message us or join our community for more insights. Enjoy reading the LitCommerce Retailer Blog!
