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Excessive Postage & Packaging Charges Policy

In specified categories, eBay has set limits on postage & packaging (P&P) charges.

Elsewhere, sellers may charge reasonable P&P charges to cover the costs of posting, packaging, and handling the items they are selling.

In such categories, while eBay will not prescribe exactly what a seller may or may not charge, eBay will consider member reports when determining whether or not a seller’s postage, handling, packaging, and/or insurance charges are excessive. P&P and handling charges may not be listed as a percentage of the final sale price.

In addition to the final listing price, sellers are permitted to charge:

Actual Postage cost: This is the actual cost of delivering the item.

Handling Fee: Actual packaging materials costs may be charged. A handling fee in addition to actual postage cost may be charged if it is not excessive. Sellers who want to be sure they are in compliance with this policy may charge actual postage costs plus actual packaging materials cost.

Some specialist couriers may charge extra for delivery to certain parts of the UK, e.g. Northern Ireland and some parts of the Highlands and Islands. If you are using a specialist courier (e.g. for bulky items) and offering UK delivery, you should make buyers aware in your listing that extra delivery charges may apply to certain parts of the UK. You are not allowed to add the surcharge after the listing has completed.

Self insurance protection: No additional amount such as “self insurance” may be added. Sellers who do not use a licensed third party insurance company may not require buyers to purchase insurance.

For cross-border transactions, sellers may not collect tariffs and duties. However, buyers may be responsible for actual, applicable tariffs and duties as requested by respective country laws.

Breaches of this policy may result in a range of actions, including:

  • Listing cancellation

  • Limits on account privileges

  • Account suspension

  • Forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings

  • Loss of PowerSeller status

Some Examples

Examples of offending listings:

  • iPod 4th Generation Battery

    BIN: £14.00

    Domestic Postage: £25 Recorded Signed For

    Explanation: The seller states that the item will be posted via Recorded Signed for which is a premium service but the price is inflated at £25 given the small size/weight of this item.

Examples of Listings that comply:

  • SOLID STATE Abstract Art Painting Taylor HUGE

    Painting measures 36” x 24” / canvas supported by panel

    Starting bid: £20

    Postage: UK £30 ParcelForce 48

    Explanation: The postage charge is greater due to the size/bulk of the item being delivered and special 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 P&P fees lead to a poor buying experience and unlevel the playing field by putting sellers who charge reasonable P&P charges at a disadvantage. These listings undermine the trust and legitimacy of eBay’s marketplace.

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