The short answer
eBay international shipping lets US sellers reach 190+ countries. The simplest approach: enable eBay International Shipping (eIS) on your listings. You ship to a domestic eBay hub, and eBay handles international shipping, customs, duties, and returns. It's free for sellers and eliminates the 1.65% international fee. The buyer pays all international shipping costs at checkout.
Calculate your eBay fees
See final value fees, per-order fees, and your actual take-home.
eBay international shipping fees
The 1.65% international fee
US sellers pay an additional 1.65% of the total sale amount on international transactions. This is on top of the standard final value fee (12.7-15.3%).
When it applies:
- Buyer's shipping address is outside the US
- Buyer's eBay registration address is outside the US (even with a US shipping address)
- Sales to freight forwarders with foreign registration
How to avoid it: Use eBay International Shipping (eIS). Sales through eIS are exempt from the 1.65% international fee.
Currency conversion fee: 3%
If eBay converts currencies on your behalf (listing on international eBay sites like eBay.co.uk or receiving payment in foreign currency), they charge 3% on the exchange rate.
Most US sellers listing on eBay.com and receiving USD payments don't encounter this fee.
Fee example: $60 international sale (without eIS)
Item price: $50.00
Shipping: $10.00
Total (fee basis): $60.00
───────────────────────────────────────────────
Final value fee (13.6%): -$8.16
Per-order fee: -$0.40
International fee (1.65%): -$0.99
───────────────────────────────────────────────
Total fees: $9.55
Effective rate: 15.9%
Same sale with eBay International Shipping
Item price: $50.00
Domestic shipping to eIS hub: $8.00
Total (fee basis): $58.00
───────────────────────────────────────────────
Final value fee (13.6%): -$7.89
Per-order fee: -$0.40
International fee: $0.00 (waived)
───────────────────────────────────────────────
Total fees: $8.29
Effective rate: 14.3%
Savings vs direct shipping: $1.26
eBay International Shipping (eIS): How it works
eIS is eBay's managed international shipping program. It removes most of the complexity from international sales — especially compared to the logistics required for standard eBay selling.
How the process works
- Buyer purchases your item — They see a total price at checkout including international shipping, customs duties, and import taxes
- You ship domestically — Send the item to eBay's US shipping hub (currently in Illinois)
- eBay handles the rest — eBay consolidates, ships internationally, handles customs clearance, and delivers to the buyer
- Returns come back to you domestically — If the buyer returns the item, eBay ships it back to you from the US hub
What eIS costs sellers
Nothing extra. You pay:
- Your standard domestic shipping cost to the eBay hub
- Normal eBay selling fees (final value fee + per-order fee)
- No international fee (waived for eIS transactions)
- No customs paperwork fees
What buyers pay
Buyers see a single all-in price at checkout that includes:
- Item price
- International shipping cost (calculated by eBay)
- Import duties and taxes (collected upfront)
- No surprise charges on delivery
This transparency increases buyer confidence and reduces non-delivery disputes.
eIS requirements
- Seller must be US-based
- Item must ship from a US address
- Listing must use calculated or flat-rate domestic shipping
- Most categories eligible (some restrictions on hazmat, batteries, oversized items)
- Maximum item value: $4,000
How to enable eIS
- Go to your listing or bulk edit tool
- Under shipping details, select "eBay International Shipping"
- Set your domestic shipping (this is what you pay to ship to the eBay hub)
- eBay calculates international rates automatically
You can enable eIS on new listings or add it to existing ones through bulk editing.
Direct international shipping (without eIS)
Some sellers prefer to ship internationally themselves — especially for high-value items above eIS's $4,000 limit or for specific destination countries.
Setting up direct international shipping
- Add international shipping options to your listing
- Choose shipping services: USPS First Class International, Priority Mail International, or private carriers
- Set rates: Calculated (based on weight/destination) or flat rate
- Create customs forms: Required for all international shipments
Shipping cost comparison by service
For a 1-lb package to the UK:
| Service | Cost | Delivery time |
|---|---|---|
| USPS First Class International | $15-$20 | 7-21 days |
| USPS Priority Mail International | $30-$40 | 6-10 days |
| UPS Worldwide Expedited | $45-$70 | 3-5 days |
| FedEx International Economy | $40-$60 | 4-6 days |
| eBay International Shipping | Varies (buyer pays) | 5-15 days |
Customs forms and documentation
Every international shipment needs:
- Customs declaration (PS Form 2976 or 2976-A for USPS)
- Item description (specific — "ceramic coffee mug" not "gift")
- Value declaration (sale price)
- HS tariff code (helps clear customs faster)
eBay generates customs forms automatically when you print shipping labels through Seller Hub.
Calculate your eBay fees
See final value fees, per-order fees, and your actual take-home.
Top international markets for eBay sellers
Where US sellers ship most
| Country | Key notes |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Largest international market for US eBay sellers. English-speaking, familiar with eBay. |
| Canada | Close proximity, lower shipping costs, cultural similarity. |
| Australia | Strong demand for US brands and collectibles. Long shipping times. |
| Germany | Largest European market. eBay is very popular (eBay.de). |
| Japan | High demand for US vintage, streetwear, and collectibles. |
Best-selling categories internationally
- Collectibles and vintage: US vintage items command premiums overseas
- Clothing and sneakers: US brands and limited releases
- Auto parts: Many international vehicles use US-spec parts
- Electronics accessories: Universal compatibility
- Books and media: English-language demand worldwide
Handling eBay international returns
With eBay International Shipping
Returns ship back to the US hub domestically. eBay handles the international return leg. You receive the item back at your US address — same as a domestic return.
Without eIS (direct shipping)
You're responsible for return shipping logistics. Options:
- Partial refund instead of return — Often cheaper than paying return shipping on low-value items
- Provide a return shipping label — Expensive for international returns ($15-$50+)
- Use a local return address — If you have a return partner in the buyer's country
Most experienced international sellers offer partial refunds rather than full returns on items under $30. The return shipping cost often exceeds the item value.
Common eBay international shipping mistakes
1. Not accounting for the 1.65% fee
If you ship directly (without eIS), the international fee applies to every sale with a non-US buyer. On $10,000 in international sales, that's $165 in extra fees. Use eIS to eliminate this.
2. Underestimating shipping costs
International shipping is 2-5x more expensive than domestic. Always use calculated shipping or research rates before setting flat-rate prices.
3. Ignoring customs restrictions
Some items can't be shipped to certain countries:
- Batteries and electronics with lithium batteries (restricted by many carriers)
- Food items (restricted by most countries)
- Certain textiles and materials
- Items over value thresholds requiring formal customs entry
4. Poor packaging
International shipments go through more handling. Use sturdy boxes, extra padding, and waterproof inner packaging. Customs inspections may open and repackage items.
5. Not setting international shipping policies
Your listing should clearly state:
- Which countries you ship to
- Estimated delivery times
- Who pays customs duties (buyer, typically)
- International return policy
FAQ
Does eBay charge extra for international shipping?
Yes. US sellers pay a 1.65% international fee on sales to non-US buyers, on top of the standard final value fee. You can avoid this fee by using eBay International Shipping (eIS), which handles international logistics and waives the 1.65% charge.
What is eBay International Shipping (eIS)?
eBay International Shipping is a managed program where you ship items domestically to an eBay hub, and eBay handles international shipping, customs, duties, and returns. It's free for sellers (no extra fees), eliminates the 1.65% international fee, and shows buyers an all-in price at checkout.
How much does it cost to sell internationally on eBay?
Total fees for international sales are roughly 16-18% of the transaction: final value fee (12.7-15.3%) + per-order fee ($0.30-$0.40) + international fee (1.65%). Using eBay International Shipping removes the 1.65% fee, reducing total fees to 14-16% — the same as domestic sales.
Do eBay buyers pay customs duties?
With eBay International Shipping, buyers pay all customs duties and import taxes upfront at checkout — no surprise charges on delivery. For direct international shipments (without eIS), the buyer is responsible for duties but may not pay until delivery, which can cause refused packages.
Is eBay International Shipping worth it?
For most US sellers, yes. eIS eliminates the 1.65% international fee, handles all customs paperwork, manages international returns domestically, and shows buyers transparent pricing. The only limitations are the $4,000 value cap and some restricted categories.
How long does eBay international shipping take?
Delivery times vary by destination. eIS typically takes 5-15 business days depending on the country. Direct shipping via USPS First Class International takes 7-21 days, Priority Mail International takes 6-10 days, and private carriers (UPS, FedEx) take 3-6 days.
Can I choose which countries to ship to?
Yes. You can set shipping preferences to include or exclude specific countries. With eIS, eBay automatically handles eligible destinations. For direct shipping, you select which countries appear as shipping options on your listings.
What is eBay Global Shipping Program?
eBay Global Shipping Program (GSP) was eBay's previous international shipping service. It's been replaced by eBay International Shipping (eIS). The two programs work similarly — you ship domestically to an eBay hub — but eIS has a higher value limit ($4,000 vs $2,400) and more destination countries.
How do I set up eBay International Shipping?
Go to your listing or bulk edit tool, select "eBay International Shipping" under shipping details, and set your domestic shipping rate (what you pay to ship to the eBay hub). eBay calculates international rates automatically and shows buyers an all-in price at checkout.
Next steps
- Calculate your fees — eBay Fee Calculator
- Understand all eBay fees — eBay Fees Explained
- Learn how fees work — eBay Fee Calculator Guide
- Evaluate store discounts — eBay Store Subscription Guide
- Optimize listings for more sales — eBay Title Optimization
- Compare selling platforms — Platform Comparison Calculator
- Create optimized listings — AI Listing Generator
Calculate your eBay fees
See final value fees, per-order fees, and your actual take-home.
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