Bay today announced the expansion of eBay International Shipping [eIS] to the UK, helping sellers reach more than 136 million buyers across over 195 countries and territories, making it easier than ever for entrepreneurs, side hustlers and small businesses to grow beyond domestic borders.
Building on the success of eBay’s established Global Shipping Programme, eBay International Shipping introduces an enhanced experience for UK sellers, including – for the first time – protection from international buyer returns alongside simplified customs, shipping and post-sale support.
eBay’s UK sellers export millions of items to buyers globally every year, with the top increases in demand over the past 12 months coming from Australia, Germany, and Switzerland. However, despite strong appetite from buyers, many sellers face administrative and regulatory hurdles when selling internationally. For SMEs trading with the EU, 64% reported difficulties with customs documentation, while almost a third (29%) pointed to a lack of information or clear guidance, highlighting the need for simpler cross-border shipping.
Following successful launches in the US and Canada, eBay International Shipping will start to roll out in the UK from August.
How eBay International Shipping works
Sellers simply ship sold items to the UK hub, while eBay manages the rest including customs documentation, tax and duty calculations, international delivery, carrier management and post-sale support. For the first time, when an international buyer requests a return, eBay will manage the process and refund the buyer at no cost to the seller – protecting the seller’s payout and ensuring the item isn’t returned to them.
The programme is open to all sellers, from individuals selling items as a side hustle or just to clear items they no longer want or need, to established businesses looking to reach new customers around the world. Sellers can therefore access international buyers at no additional cost, with international selling fees waived.
Eve Williams, general manager, eBay UK, said: “We’ve listened to sellers’ feedback to make eBay International Shipping our most comprehensive international shipping solution yet, reinforcing eBay as the marketplace of choice for UK sellers. At a time when international trade can feel increasingly complex, we’re making global selling simpler, helping millions of UK sellers spend less time navigating logistics and more time growing their business.”
Michelle O’Beirne, owner of Fox Black on eBay added: “What’s popular in the UK often appeals to shoppers globally, so selling internationally helps me reach more customers and bring in extra sales. International returns used to be the sticking point, as arranging an in‑country return label from abroad can be complicated and expensive. With eBay International Shipping, eBay will be handling international returns on my behalf, which makes overseas selling much easier and cost effective to manage and lets me take on more international orders to support business growth.”
For more information about eBay International Shipping, visit: HERE
