When you purchase an item on eBay, you can feel confident about postage and packaging by knowing what to expect:

• Before you purchase your item

• When you purchase your item

• After you purchase your item

Before you purchase your item

Postage & packaging costs

As a buyer, to avoid possible problems or misunderstandings, you should consider the postage & packaging (P&P) costs and postage services before you bid on or buy an item. Make sure you review the item description carefully for any additional information. If you have any questions about P&P, please contact the seller before you bid on or buy the item.

Important factors to consider include:

• How much does P&P cost?

• Does the seller post to my country?

• Can I get the item when I need it?

• Can I track my package?

• Can I get a P&P discount for buying more than one item?

When you view an item, you can see if the seller posts to your area, the P&P services available and the cost of P&P.

Sellers can use flat cost P&P, which is the same price to all buyers. Or the seller can use calculated cost P&P, which is based on your location. Sellers will sometimes list two or more P&P services.

Your postal address

Make sure that your postal address is accurate. You can change or add a postal address when you pay for an item using the Pay Now button.

Some sellers may ask you to use a "confirmed" postal address when you purchase items with PayPal. Your confirmed postal address is the same as the credit card billing address that you have on file for PayPal. If you've already set this up, you just need to make sure that this address is linked to your eBay address book. Then, select this as your postal address when you make your purchase using the Pay Now button.

When you purchase your item

Pay for your P&P costs at the same time that you pay for your item. If you have questions about the total cost of your item including P&P, you can request the total from the seller. To do so, click the "Request total from seller" link on the Review Your Item page when you use the Pay Now button to purchase your item on eBay.

You can select your postage method in the Order Details section on the Review Your Item page. Click the "Show all postage options" link next to the Postage heading. Up to three different postage options may be available for each item. The cost and estimated delivery times are displayed for each postage option.

Postage discounts

Some sellers offer to combine items into one package and offer a postage discount. You'll see your postage discounts when you purchase your item using the Pay Now button. If you have any questions about the amount, contact the seller.

After you purchase your item

Depending on the postage service, you may be able to track your item. If the seller prints the postage label using PayPal, you can see the tracking number and tracking status of your item on your Order Details page from My eBay.

Some sellers may include tracking information in their email to you.

Problems with postage & packaging

If you have a problem with postage, we recommend that you contact the seller and the postal service. If you still don’t receive the item, our Resolution Centre can help you work out the problem with the seller. See what to do if you don't receive your item. If you used PayPal, you'll open a case in the PayPal Resolution Centre and your purchase may be covered by PayPal Buyer Protection.

In specified categories, eBay has set limits on postage & packaging costs. In other categories, sellers can charge reasonable P&P fees to cover the costs for mailing, packaging, and handling the items that they sell. However, charging excessive fees for P&P breaches our selling practices policy. Review the item description carefully to make sure you understand what the P&P costs are.