Sellers may charge reasonable postage and handling fees to cover the costs for mailing, packaging, and handling the items they are selling. While eBay can not prescribe exactly what a seller may or may not charge for their listings, eBay will rely on member reports and other resources to determine whether or not a seller’s postage, handling, packaging, and/or insurance charges are excessive, unreasonable or unnecessary. Sellers must charge only actual postage and actual packaging costs (or less) in order to be in compliance with this policy. Postage and handling fees must not be listed as a percentage of the final sale price. More details are set out below.
In addition to the final listing price, sellers are permitted to charge any of the following additional costs:
Actual Postage cost: This must be limited to the actual cost (i.e. postage) for posting the item.
Packaging cost: This must be limited to the actual cost of packaging materials used for the item, such as bubble wrap, tape, box and mailing label and must not be excessive or unnecessary.
Handling cost: This must be limited to the reasonable costs for selecting and preparing the item for shipping and must not be excessive or unnecessary.
Insurance: Sellers offering insurance must only charge the actual fee for insurance relating to the item (or less). No additional amount may be added, such as “self-insurance”. Sellers must only offer postal insurance provided by a licensed 3rd party insurance provider.
Note: Postage and Handling costs must not include storage costs, employee costs (except for the reasonable cost of selecting and preparing the item for shipping), business overhead expenses, or any other general business cost.
For cross border transactions, sellers may not collect tariffs and duties. However, buyers may be responsible for actual, applicable tariffs, and duties as required by respective country laws.
Violations 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
Examples of violating listings:
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (2001, DVD)
BIN: AU $1
Postage: AU $22 Registered Mail via Australia Post Explanation: The actual cost to post this DVD would be less than $6 using Registered Mail as stated in the listing. This seller is charging all costs for this item in the postage price thus hiding the “true” cost for this item from buyers.
New Pink Motorola L6 L 6 Unlocked Slvr GSM World Phone
BIN: AU $98.95
Postage: AU $64.84 Courier Firm surface mail
Explanation: The seller has clearly stated that Courier Firm surface mail will be used to post this item, thus overall postage charges are inflated.
Sony 2 GB Memory Stick Pro Card
BIN: AU $37.35
Postage: AU $26.99 Standard Post
Explanation: The seller states that the item will be posted “Standard Post” and not overnight or private courier company. Given the small size/weight of this item, overall postage charges are inflated.
Examples of Listings in Compliance:
NEW SONY ERICSSON T237 GSM UNLOCKED COLOR PHONE * FEDEX
BIN: AU $36.95
Postage: AU $18.95 Standard Flat Rate Postage for Courier Company
Explanation: The seller is posting this item via Courier Company and states the actual flat rate cost in the listing.
Creative Labs Zen Micro Photo 8GB Pink MP3 Player
BIN: AU $195
Postage: AU $11.99 Courier Company Surface Mail
Explanation: The seller is posting the item via Courier Company Surface Mail and is charging actual postage prices plus a reasonable fee.
SOLID STATE Abstract Art Painting Taylor HUGE
Painting measures 36” x 24” / canvas supported by panel
Starting bid: AU $20
Postage: AU $40 Courier Company Surface Mail
Explanation: The postage charge is greater due to the size/bulk of the item being posted and custom 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 postage fees lead to a poor buying experience and un-level the playing field by putting sellers who charge reasonable postage charges at a disadvantage. These listings undermine the trust and legitimacy of eBay’s marketplace.
