Overview

From 27 January 2009, we will be updating the Postage and Packaging (P&P) policies on eBay.co.uk. There are also new changes on this page which come into effect on 19 October 2009.

*Note: these updates do not apply to eBay.ie

The update will consist of the following: 

• Requirement to specify at least one P&P service and cost for deliveries within the UK

  Detailed Seller Rating scores are higher when sellers specify their P&P costs. For this reason, we encourage the minority of sellers who don't already specify P&P in the domestic postage details section of their listing to do so as soon as possible.

• Maximum limits set to P&P in select categories

  Excessive P&P costs are cited as a major reason for buyers spending less online. Offering a competitive P&P cost drives higher sales conversion on eBay. As part of our efforts to allow members to trade on the most dynamic marketplace, we’ll be introducing some limits to P&P charges in selected categories. In selected categories sellers are required to offer Free P&P for at least one domestic delivery service.

Sellers are able to revise listings by individually revising them using the Sell Your Item form or bulk-editing them using eBay tools such as Turbo Lister or Selling Manager. Learn how to revise your listings.

Requirement to specify domestic Postage and Packaging details

• Why are you introducing this change?

• Does it apply to all sellers?

• Does this requirement apply to my listings?

• How can I add P&P details to my listing?

• What about existing Good 'Til Cancelled (GTC) and Selling Manager Pro templates?

• What about revising multiple item listings that have a sale?

• What will happen if my listing is blocked?

• How can I add postage details (price and service) for multiple listings?

• Are there any exemptions?

Why are you introducing this change?

Online buyers today expect to know the exact P&P charge for an item before they place an order, and knowing the P&P cost at the time of bidding or purchase on eBay is an important driver of buyer satisfaction.

When sellers specify the P&P price in the Postage Details section of their listing (not just in the description), this information shows up for buyers in key places during the purchasing process -- on the search results page, at the top of the Item page, and in the P&P Details section of the listing. Listings with P&P specified in this way attract better Detailed Seller Rating scores.

Does it apply to all sellers?

Yes, this policy applies to all sellers. The vast majority of listings on eBay already include specified P&P, so we encourage all sellers who haven’t to adopt this best practice right away.

Does this requirement apply to my listings?

This requirement applies to all categories, all sellers and all types of listings. Heavy and bulky items may be exempted.

How can I add P&P details to my listing?

Go to the Domestic postage section within the Sell Your Item form:

• select a Postage service in the Services drop-down menu

• set a cost in the Cost field

• to offer Free P&P, set the cost to £0.00 or check the Free P&P check box

What about existing Good 'Til Cancelled (GTC) and Selling Manager Pro templates?

We recommend that you revise your Good 'Til Cancelled (GTC) listings and Selling Manager Pro templates as soon as possible, so they are not blocked when the requirements go live and so your P&P costs remain competitive.

This can be done one listing at a time with Sell Your Item (SYI) or in bulk using the Bulk Edit tool or Turbo Lister as noted above.

If you don't revise your items or templates and they are not compliant with our policies, they will either not renew on the next renewal cycle (for GTC items) or their automation rules will fail (for Selling Manager Pro templates) until you correct the issue.

What about revising multiple-item listings that have a sale?

At this time, you can add a postage service or lower your postage costs for multiple-item Good 'Til Cancelled listings with a sale. 

What will happen if my listing is blocked?

You'll need to make changes if your listings can't be relisted or renewed. You have three ways to revise ended/blocked listings:

How can I add postage details (price and service) for multiple listings?

We recently improved our bulk editing tools to make it easier to update the shipping details on all of your listings at the same time. Functionality is now available in My eBay, Selling Manager and Turbo Lister.

Are there any exemptions?

P&P costs are not required for items listed in the following categories: Cars, Parts and Vehicles, Businesses for Sale, Residential Property, Containers& Pre-Fab Buildings, Local Services.

In all categories, items which are extremely heavy or bulky and require a specific courier for delivery can be exempted. Sellers should select the option “Courier : Heavy and bulky items” instead of “Flat: same cost to all buyers” in the drop-down menu below the Domestic postage label. This option is relevant to your item if the delivery charge to buyers is dependent on their delivery location. We’ll be monitoring this to ensure proper usage of the option.

 

Maximum limits set to P&P in select categories

• What are the maximum Postage and Packaging charges?

• Why are you establishing maximum Postage and Packaging costs?

• Why were these categories selected?

• How did eBay determine the maximum P&P costs for a category?

• Do the maximum postage costs include packaging costs?

• Why are you setting limits on P&P charges lower than my actual costs to dispatch?

• Why are you requiring free P&P in the DVDs category?

• Are there P&P cost limits for international postage services or expedited postage?

• What can I do if the maximum P&P costs do not cover my expenses for packaging and postage?

• I'm an international seller. Do the P&P cost limits still apply?

• How will limits on P&P charges affect my cross-border sales?

• In categories with maximum P&P costs, why are P&P costs still considered in Detailed Seller Ratings?

• Will this apply to other categories in the future?

What are maximum Postage and Packaging charges?

In the following categories: Books, Comics and Magazines, DVDs, Film and TV, Music, Video Games and Mobile and Home Phones, eBay will be setting limits on what sellers can charge for postage and packaging. For specific information by category, see maximum limits on P&P costs. In the DVDs category, the maximum will be set to zero and sellers will be required to offer free delivery as their first domestic postage option.

Why are you establishing maximum Postage and Packaging costs?

Feedback from buyers has been that P&P costs on eBay are currently too inconsistent and high, and in a competitive online shopping environment, people are increasingly likely to buy items when the P&P cost is low or even free. 

Setting maximum P&P costs in highly competitive categories will ensure the most amount of buyers continue to shop on eBay and that sellers on eBay continue to offer great value and enjoy stronger sales.

Why were these categories selected?

We are starting with categories where we believe buyer expectations are particularly heightened to free or reasonable P&P. Our goal over time is to bring reasonable P&P cost limits to more categories.

How did eBay determine the maximum P&P costs for a category?

We based our maximum P&P costs on recent transaction data of what sellers are charging, what is competitive in online shopping and what buyers tell us is reasonable.

Do the maximum postage costs include packaging costs?

Yes. Packaging costs are included in the maximum amounts.

Why are you setting limits on P&P charges lower than my actual costs to dispatch?

We based our maximum P&Pcharges on recent transaction data of what sellers are charging , what is competitive in online shopping and what buyers tell us is reasonable. We believe that by offering buyers at least one competitive P&P option, sellers will see an increase in their overall sales and conversion.

Why are you requiring free P&P in certain categories?

Categories which require Free P&P are extremely competitive category in the UK with online retailers increasingly offering free delivery. Our analysis concludes that this is the market price for P&P for such items.

Are there P&P cost limits for international postage services or expedited postage?

No. Maximum P&P costs apply only to the first flat rate postage domestic service within the UK.

What can I do if the maximum P&P costs do not cover my expenses for packaging and postage?

The maximum P&P cost may not cover sellers' P&P costs in some cases. In the event that it does not, you can do one of the following:

• When selling via auction, you can continue to list your item with the same start price and a P&P price at or below the maximum postage cost. Many of our sellers have success with auctions, even when offering free P&P, because their item looks more competitive to their buyers.

• When selling a very heavy and bulky item, choose the option “Courier: heavy and bulky items” instead of “Flat cost for all buyers” in the Sell Your Item form. This will allow you to insert a cost higher than the limit. We will monitor items using this option to make sure that those that are over the limit differ from the assumptions that we used to establish the maximum postage costs.

• When selling via Buy It Now (also known as fixed price), remember that you are free to select an item price, which reflects the true value of the item.

• Consider including all or part of the P&P costs within the item price itself.

I'm an international seller. Do the P&P cost limits still apply?

Yes. If you are listing your item on eBay.co.uk, maximum postage costs will apply for sales to the UK regardless of the location of your item.

How will limits on P&P charges affect my cross-border sales?

Maximum P&P charges should not affect your cross border business. Sellers will be required to set at least one domestic postage cost under limit, and can set alternative options for expedited and/or international postage. International sellers listing directly on eBay.co.uk will be subject to postage cost limits on their first domestic postage cost.

In categories with maximum P&P costs, why are P&P costs still considered in Detailed Seller Ratings?

We are only setting a maximum postage and packaging cost for the first postage option. Sellers can still set their price lower than the maximum postage cost on that option as well as have alternative postage options. Therefore, we will keep the postage cost DSR in place.

Will this apply to other categories in the future?

We currently do not have other categories scheduled. Consistent with any other major change we've made to our policies, we will inform you well in advance so you have time to adjust your listings.

Maximum limits on P&P costs for specific categories

Excessive P&P costs are cited as a major reason for buyers spending less online. Offering a competitive P&P cost drives higher sales conversion on eBay. As part of our efforts to allow members to trade on the most dynamic marketplace, we’ll be introducing some limits to P&P charges in some categories.

From 15 June 2009, limits on P&P charges* will be in effect for the categories below. These maximum limits apply to the first flat-rate postage service within or into the UK. Sellers are required to offer at least one postage option within the maximum limit and may also offer other options above the maximums for courier or international dispatch. Sellers can still use the Courier for bulky items option if they are selling an unusual bulky and heavy item.

• Books, Comics and Magazines

• DVD, Film & TV

• Music

• Video Games

• Mobile and Home phones

* Note: As of 19th October 2009, the maximum P&P costs are as specified below, and are subject to change.

Books, Comics and Magazines

DVDs & Movies

Music

Video Games

Mobile and Home Phones

 Clothes, Shoes & Accessories

Consumer Electronics

Computing

Photography

Insurance: Sellers offering insurance may only charge the actual fee for insurance. No additional amount may be added, such as 'self-insurance.' Sellers who do not use a licensed third-party insurance company may not require buyers to purchase insurance.

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.

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