Recognizing that sellers who might be interested in its Global Shipping Program (GSP) may want more flexibility in the program than it currently offers, eBay has added some flexibility to the program. It now allows sellers to use their own shipping service for up to four locations, and use the GSP program for all other countries.
eBay’s GSP is a customized freight forwarding program. For listings of sellers who opt in to the program, international shoppers see the cost of the item plus the full domestic and international shipping charges as well as taxes, duties and custom charges. When buyers purchase a GSP item, the seller sends the item to a domestic location and eBay’s proxy, Pitney Bowes, is then responsible for international delivery to the buyer.
Announcing the new feature, eBay explained, “For example, you can set your preferences to ship to Canada through a standard carrier that provides international service, but still use the Global Shipping Program for the remaining eligible countries.”
eBay’s head of GSP, Manish Joneja, was quoted on the eBay blog, “We know that over the years, many of our sellers have become comfortable shipping to selected countries using their own shipping methods. But we also know how much they’d love to find a way to open their listings up to more buyers in other countries around the world.”
Sellers can add up to four international shipping options in addition to the Global Shipping Program. And, eBay explains, “For items that aren’t eligible for the Global Shipping Program, or items that are offered to buyers in countries not supported by the Global Shipping Program, you can set up additional international shipping services.”
Be sure to read all the details – for example, eBay states:
- If you have a listing outside of the Global Shipping Program with five international shipping services, and your listing is converted to a Global Shipping Program listing, your fifth international shipping service isn’t included in your listing.
- If you accept returns and your return policy specifies that the cost of return shipping will be paid by the seller, you’re responsible for all costs associated with shipping the item back to you.
More information is available on the eBay help page under, “Alternative international shipping options.”
