Frequently Asked Questions about postage and handling charge limits Limits on postage and handling charges apply to some categories
What are the maximum postage and handling charges?eBay is imposing limits on what sellers can charge for flat-rate domestic postage and handling for the following categories: Category |
Sub-category |
First flat-rate postage service limit (domestic only) |
Books, Magazines |
Fiction Books |
no postage cap, removed May 2012 |
Books, Magazines |
Non-Fiction Books |
no postage cap, removed May 2012 |
Books, Magazines |
Comic Books |
no postage cap, removed May 2012 |
Books, Magazines |
Manga |
no postage cap, removed May 2012 |
Books, Magazines |
Reference: Atlases
Reference: Dictionaries
Reference: Encyclopaedias
Reference: Street Directories
Reference: Thesauruses
Reference: Other |
no postage cap, removed May 2012 |
Music |
CDs |
AU $7.20 |
Movies |
DVDs |
AU $11.40 |
There are cases where some sellers have been charging too much for postage which has resulted in the perception that postage costs are expensive on eBay. This is affecting your reputation as a good seller. The above statement is supported by research in which buyers have told us that postage costs on eBay are too high because some sellers are charging excessive postage rates, and this is causing them to make their purchases elsewhere. By setting maximum flat-rate postage and handling costs on categories that have a predictable and well accounted history we will be keeping more buyers satisfied and increasing sales for sellers. We selected categories where the postage cost is generally predictable because most posted items are a standard weight and size. In these categories, buyers also expect a certain postage cost. If the actual postage cost is higher than the limit then we recommend the use of calculated postage. We based our maximum postage and handling costs on recent data regarding what sellers in these categories are charging. What are my options when it comes to specifying postage?When listing an item for sale you have these four domestic postage options available to you.
Calculated – This means you enter the weight and dimensions of the packaged item and specify the type of service (i.e. registered, express, pre-paid) and the cost will be automatically calculated. You can also specify a handling charge when using this option. Buyers will be shown the cost of postage relevant to their location i.e. a WA buyer will see a different postage cost to a NSW buyer (unless you have specified a pre-paid service)
Flat – this means you charge a flat fee to post the item anywhere within Australia. Buyers, no matter where they are located will see the same postage cost.
No Postage – This means you will not post the item but allow local pick up only.
Freight
: Large & bulky items – This means postage may need to be handled on a case by case basis with postage details to be specified in the listing’s item description. We based our maximum postage and handling charges on recent data regarding what sellers are charging. We know that what buyers consider to be reasonable may be less than sellers' actual costs in some cases and believe that by offering buyers at least one postage option that they deem reasonable, sellers will increase their overall sales. Pre-paid satchels can be a convenient way to post items, especially up to 3kg. You can still offer buyers 500g and 3kg Pre-paid satchels using Calculated postage. Just choose the package type, overall packaged dimensions and weight, and select the Pre-paid service you want to offer. Why do I need to enter dimensions and weight even though I’m using a Pre-paid satchel?Many sellers offer more than 1 postage service to their buyers e.g. Express, registered, courier etc. Calculated postage requires the dimensions and weight of a packaged item upfront so it can calculate additional postage services if offered so even though you may only offer a Pre-paid satchel, the calculator needs the dimensions and weight to continue. What can I do if the maximum postage and handling costs do not cover my expenses for packaging and postage?The maximum postage and handling cost in some cases may not cover your postage costs. If that's the case, you can do one of the following: When selling a bundle of items, you can use the postage calculator to charge actual postage costs.
When selling using fixed price, include all or part of the postage cost in the item price.
When selling via auction: - List your item with the same start price and a postage price at or below the maximum postage cost. Many sellers have success with auctions, even at free postage, because their item looks more attractive to their buyers. - If your actual postage costs are higher than the maximum postage and handling cost, use calculated postage to charge the actual postage cost
- Move your item to fixed price and include all or part of the postage cost in the item price.
Are there postage cost limits for international postage services or expedited postage?Maximum postage and handling costs apply only to the first flat rate postage service in Australia. However US and Germany have recently applied their own postage limits to certain categories. Find out more about international postage limits. If you're listing your item on the Australian site, maximum postage costs will apply for sales to Australia regardless of the location of your item. Maximum postage and handling charges should not affect you selling internationally. You'll be required to set at least one domestic postage cost under the limit, and can set alternative options for expedited and/or international postage. International sellers listing directly on the Australian site will be subject to postage cost limits on the first domestic postage cost. We are only setting a maximum postage and handling 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.
We recommend calculated postage be used for items that are being sold in bundles, multiple quantity or if they are large and/or heavy. We will monitor postage costs generated by the calculator to ensure that any difference between the limit and the calculated amount is reasonable. What is calculated postage?Calculated postage costs are based on the seller's and buyer's locations and the dimensions and weight of the package. You can list using calculated postage using the Sell Your Item form, Revise Your Item form, Relist form, and Turbo Lister. Learn about this here. Will this apply to other categories in the future?We currently don't have other categories scheduled but will monitor the impact of these changes. Our goal over time is to bring reasonable postage costs on eBay.com.au and if the impact of these changes is positive for buyers and sellers, we will consider applying limits in other categories. Any change will be communicated well in advance.What if I list an item and it is live while the change is made?Your listing will remain valid until it either expires or you revise your postage details.How does this affect Good ‘Til Cancelled listings?Good 'Til Cancelled listings on eBay.com.au that go live before the limits take effect will remain visible on eBay.com.au until they are revised. If, at that point, you do not apply the correct domestic flat rate, they will be blocked from being relisted. I have to revise a large number of listings. Is there a way to apply the rate to them all at once?Yes you will bes able to revise multiple listings by: Using the Bulk Edit tool, which is available in My eBay and Selling Manager. You can revise 10 listings at a time in My eBay or up to 200 at a time in Selling Manager. Revise them in bulk using Turbo Lister.
If you use a 3rd party tool, check with the application vendor as most support multiple listings. |  |
Get help from other eBay members. Visit the Answer Centre to post a question. |
