Global Trade

Welcome to the World's Online Marketplace. With sites in more than 30 countries, eBay is the best place to find interesting and unusual items at competitive prices from sellers around the world.

Including international items in your search will help you find:

• More items that match your specific needs
• More unusual items that you can't find anywhere else

Search and Listings pages on eBay automatically display all items either listed on eBay.co.uk or eBay.ie, or listed anywhere by sellers located in the UK or Ireland. These items will automatically appear when you search or browse items on eBay.

You can also find items in specific countries, or listed in other languages, by using Advanced Search. When performing an Advanced Search, fill out all relevant search fields (such as keywords and category) for the item you are looking for, as well as your preferences. Then scroll down to the "Location" section:

View items from other countries using "Advanced Search"

• To find all items available to the UK or Ireland, select "Items available to" and choose "United Kingdom" or "Ireland" from the drop-down list. This will show you all items being sold by sellers willing to post to the UK or Ireland, including items from other global eBay sites.
• To find items located in a specific country, choose "Items located in" and pick the relevant country from the drop-down list.

Important: Review the item page carefully to make sure that the seller is willing to post to your country before bidding on or buying an item.

You can view a large selection of listings on eBay, but you may also want to visit other eBay sites. To visit other eBay sites directly, select a country from the 'Global Sites' drop down list located on the home page.

Look at the 'item location' box to see the country and town where the item is located, the 'seller information' box to see the seller's country of registration, and the 'post to' box to see where the seller is willing to send their item.

How to tell an item is "International"

Make sure to note the item location and postage costs. You may want to check if there are additional taxes or duties on the item you are purchasing. To find out what duties to expect when purchasing foreign items go to the following sites: HM Revenue and Customs or Irish Revenue.

International postage costs are based on a combination of the following:

• Weight and dimensions of package
• Postage method such as Air, Surface etc.
• The location the seller is posting from (city and country/region)
• The location the seller is posting to (the destination country/region)

Costs may vary significantly depending on what, where and how the seller is posting and can be considerably higher for international destinations.

Generally, buyers pay any additional costs that may apply such as duties, taxes and customs clearance fees. For example, international rates may or may not include pick-up and door-to-door delivery with customs clearance. Your package will arrive at your door, but then you might need to pay extra international fees.

Visit the Royal Mail's website or an An Post to calculate postage costs to and from any country.

Communicating effectively with people is a crucial component to successful trading on eBay.

If you do not speak the same language as the seller, you may want to use translation software to translate key phrases. Some translation services are available free on the Internet, but many are not completely accurate and eBay cannot guarantee their services. If you use such a service, here are some general rules to follow when writing emails:

• Don't use slang, abbreviations or sarcasm
• Keep all communications short and concise
• Use short sentences and simple vocabulary
• Be patient and don't make assumptions. Some ideas get lost in translation!

When paying for an international item:

• Remember that you must pay the seller the amount agreed to with the currency and method specified by the seller.
• If you think there is a better payment alternative available --such as paying in your own currency via PayPal -- contact the seller to discuss it.
• If no electronic payment method exists that both buyer and seller are able to use, an international money order (available at most banks) is a good option to pay sellers safely.
• Don't forget to include postage costs and any additional fees and taxes in your payment.

PayPal's secure global network of more than 56 countries makes sending money internationally quick and easy.

To send a payment, log in to your PayPal account and select the "Send Money" tab. Fill out the payment details and select your desired currency from the "Currency" drop-down menu.

Your payment will automatically be converted to the currency you choose, and your seller will receive an email from PayPal stating the amount and currency of the payment.

If your payment must be converted to another currency, the currency conversion calculation will be displayed to you at the time of payment. Learn more about currency conversion.

Before using an escrow service, consider the value of the item and the possible loss you face compared to the fee the escrow service will charge. Review seller's feedback, and consider the value and nature of the item. Assess your risk and, if uncomfortable, complete the sale through a reputable escrow service such as www.escrow.com.

Postage and packing fees, duties and taxes are often not included in the purchase price on international listings. If you're a buyer purchasing goods outside your home country, you should check with the seller to determine whether the fees, customs and taxes are included in the price. You can research what duties to expect when purchasing foreign items via the HM Revenue & Customs or Irish Revenue.

The time it takes to receive your purchase will depend on where you're located and where your package is coming from. International packages usually take longer than domestic deliveries.

Some carriers automatically protect your package from loss or damage. You should ask sellers to insure international packages if their carrier does not provide automatic coverage. If your item is very valuable you may want the seller to purchase additional insurance on your behalf.

If you have trouble with your purchase, visit our Safety Centre for your options as a buyer.