In today’s global ecommerce landscape, reaching international buyers can unlock significant revenue potential. For eBay sellers, expanding beyond domestic borders used to mean juggling customs forms, international postage, and complex global logistics on their own. That all changed with the eBay International Shipping Program — a streamlined service designed to simplify cross-border selling while protecting sellers from many of the traditional headaches of international fulfillment.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down what the eBay International Shipping Program is, how it works, who can use it, the costs involved, best practices, common pitfalls, and whether this program is the right fit for your selling strategy in 2026. Whether you’re a new eBay seller exploring international markets or an experienced merchant seeking to optimize your global selling operations, this guide gives you actionable insights backed by official eBay resources.
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What Is the eBay International Shipping Program?
The eBay International Shipping Program (sometimes called eBay International Shipping or EIS) is a service designed to help eBay sellers reach buyers in other countries without having to manage complex global logistics themselves. Instead of arranging international postage, customs paperwork, and multi-leg delivery on your own, you simply ship the item to an eBay domestic Shipping hub. From there, eBay and its contracted shipping partners handle the rest — including export documentation, customs clearance, international transport, tracking, and even returns.
In essence, the program transforms international fulfillment into a simplified two-step process for sellers:
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Ship the sold item domestically to an eBay-designated hub.
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Let eBay manage overseas logistics, from customs to final delivery.
This approach eliminates many traditional barriers to global selling — such as customs forms, carrier selection for multiple countries, and overseas return handling — making it far easier for sellers to expand their market beyond their home country.
According to eBay, the program is being rolled out gradually to eligible sellers, replacing the older Global Shipping Program and offering broader international access over time. This shift helps sellers tap into demand from buyers in more than 200 countries and regions, all while reducing their operational burden.
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How Does the eBay International Shipping Program Work?
eBay’s International Shipping Program (eIS) allows U.S.-based sellers to easily ship products worldwide while minimizing the complexities that come with international shipping. This program is designed to simplify the process of selling internationally by handling customs, international shipping logistics, and language barriers. Sellers don’t need to worry about how to calculate shipping fees or deal with complicated customs documentation. Instead, eBay takes care of most of the heavy lifting.
Let’s break down every step of how the eBay International Shipping Program works, including eligibility, how to enroll, how to fulfill an international order, and the benefits for sellers.
Eligibility Requirements for Sellers
Before you can participate in the eBay International Shipping Program, you must meet certain eligibility criteria. These requirements ensure that only high-quality sellers are able to participate, providing a better experience for buyers and sellers alike.
Seller Performance Requirements
eBay maintains high standards for sellers in the program. You must maintain an Above Standard or Top Rated Seller status to be eligible. This status is determined by several metrics:
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Transaction Defect Rate: A low defect rate means that a seller’s transactions result in fewer complaints, returns, or buyer disputes.
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Late Shipment Rate: Sellers should ensure that they ship orders on time. Failure to do so can result in penalties or removal from the program.
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Cases Closed Without Seller Resolution: eBay measures how many cases were opened by buyers and closed without satisfactory resolution from the seller. A higher rate of unresolved cases could disqualify you from the program.
Geographic Requirements
At the moment, the eBay International Shipping Program is only available to U.S.-based sellers. The program aims to simplify shipping from the United States to global destinations. Although this restriction currently applies only to U.S. sellers, eBay has plans to expand the program to other regions in the future.
Item Requirements
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Location: The item must be physically located in the U.S. before it can be shipped through the program.
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Value: The item must be worth up to $2,500 (excluding taxes and duties). This price point is designed to keep shipping manageable and secure, ensuring that both the seller and the buyer are protected.
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Compliance: The item must comply with U.S. export laws, and you cannot list items that are prohibited for international shipping (e.g., hazardous materials, counterfeit products, or certain electronics).
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eBay.com Listings: Items must be listed on the U.S. eBay marketplace (eBay.com). Listings on international eBay sites won’t be eligible for the program.
How to Enroll Your Listings
eBay automatically enrolls sellers who meet the program’s eligibility criteria. There is no need for you to manually opt in, but you can always check your status and opt out if you prefer.
Enrollment Process
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Automatic Evaluation: eBay continuously evaluates sellers’ performance and account activity. If your account is eligible based on the above criteria, you will be automatically enrolled in the eBay International Shipping Program.
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Enrollment Notification: Once enrolled, you will receive a notification via email and My eBay messages. The email will confirm that your listings are now eligible for international shipping through eBay.
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No Action Required: If you’re enrolled, there’s no need to change your listing settings. eBay will automatically add International Shipping as an option to your existing listings.
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Check Your Enrollment Status: You can always check if you’re enrolled by visiting Account Settings > Shipping Preferences. If you see “Enrolled” next to eBay International Shipping, you’re ready to sell internationally.
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Opting Out: If for any reason you decide to opt out of the program, you can easily do so by going to Shipping Preferences in your eBay settings and selecting “Opt Out“ next to eBay International Shipping. It’s important to note that once you opt out, it may take up to 24 hours before you can opt back in.
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How to Fulfill an International Order with eBay International Shipping Program
Once your listings are enrolled and you receive an international order, the fulfillment process is quick, easy, and nearly identical to shipping within the U.S. Here is a breakdown of how the process works:
Step 1: Receive an International Order
When a buyer from another country places an order for your item, you will receive the order notification just like a domestic sale. The key difference is that the shipping address will be eBay’s domestic shipping hub in the U.S., not the buyer’s international address.
Key Points:
The buyer’s shipping address will be the address of the nearest eBay hub.
You will still see the international buyer’s name and contact information for reference.
You do not need to deal directly with international shipping costs or buyer concerns – eBay handles all of that.
Step 2: Ship the Item to eBay’s Domestic Hub
Once you have packaged the item securely, the next step is shipping it to eBay’s designated hub. The shipping hub is a U.S.-based location where eBay takes care of international shipping and customs.
Key Points:
Shipping Carrier: You can use any domestic carrier (USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc.). The most important thing is that you include tracking and ensure the order reference number is clearly visible on the shipping label.
Packaging: Ensure your item is well-packaged to avoid damage during transit. If the item is damaged while shipping to eBay’s hub, eBay may not accept the item, and the sale could be canceled.
Tracking Number: Always include tracking information to allow eBay and the buyer to monitor the shipment.
Step 3: eBay Handles Everything Else
Once your package reaches eBay’s hub, your responsibility is fulfilled and the sale is considered complete. eBay will inspect the item, take care of all customs documentation, manage international shipping, and supply tracking information to the buyer. Any issues that arise during international transit are handled by eBay on your behalf. This includes:
Customs Documentation: eBay will handle all the necessary paperwork for customs clearance, ensuring that the item meets export regulations.
International Shipping: eBay arranges for the item to be shipped to the buyer’s international address using its network of international couriers.
Buyer Tracking: eBay will provide the international buyer with tracking information, allowing them to track the item as it moves through customs and international shipping.
Returns: If the buyer wants to return the item, eBay manages the return process as well. Sellers are not responsible for handling international returns directly.
For each destination country, customs requirements differ. eBay’s system automatically determines whether the shipment will be Duties Delivered Paid (DDP) or Duties Delivered Unpaid (DDU) and includes the relevant charges at the time of buyer checkout, or arranges for buyer payment upon delivery.
This means your buyers won’t be surprised by hidden customs fees, and you don’t need to prepare export documentation manually — eBay handles it based on each country’s rules.
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Pros and Cons of eBay International Shipping Program
The eBay International Shipping Program (eIS) offers a powerful way for sellers to expand globally without dealing with the traditional complexities of cross-border logistics. However, like any fulfillment solution, it comes with both advantages and limitations. Understanding these pros and cons helps sellers decide whether eBay International Shipping aligns with their business model, product types, and growth goals.
Pros of eBay International Shipping Program
Significantly Simplifies Global Logistics
One of the biggest benefits of eIS is that sellers only need to ship the item domestically to an eBay hub — eBay manages the rest (customs, international carriers, duties, taxes, and delivery). For many sellers, this removes the need to learn complex cross-border regulations and logistics.
No Customs Paperwork or Export Hassles
Customs documentation, clearance procedures, and import duties can be daunting. Under eIS, eBay handles all international paperwork automatically on behalf of the seller, ensuring compliance with destination-country rules without seller involvement.
Protection Against Shipping-Related Cases
Once your item reaches the domestic hub, responsibility for international transit shifts to eBay. That means claims like “item not received” or delays in destination countries don’t impact your seller performance metrics or standards.
Negative Feedback Removed When Shipping Issues Occur
eBay automatically removes Negative or Neutral Feedback that is related to international transit issues — as long as the problem occurred after the item reached the domestic hub. This helps protect your seller rating and helps you maintain a higher performance score.
Expanded Reach to Millions of International Buyers
eIS exposes your listings to buyers in over 200 countries and regions, helping you tap into new markets without needing to set up separate international shipping options. This broad reach can significantly boost sales potential.
eBay Handles International Returns
If a buyer returns an item internationally, eBay manages that entire process for you. This removes the burden and cost of global returns logistics — a major operational advantage.
No Extra Enrollment Fees for Sellers
Sellers are not charged a separate fee for participating in eBay International Shipping. International shipping costs, duties, and taxes are collected by eBay from the buyer at purchase, not deducted from the seller’s proceeds.
Increased Buyer Confidence and Conversion
Transparent shipping costs and duties at checkout reduce surprises for buyers, which can lower cart abandonment and improve international conversion rates. eBay’s reputation for managing customs and delivery often increases buyer trust.
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Cons of eBay International Shipping Program
Limited Seller Control Over Shipping Routing and Carriers
Once your item reaches the eBay hub, you lose control over how it is shipped internationally — including carriers used, routing, or delivery timing. This can be frustrating if you prefer specific logistics partners or custom delivery options.
Longer Delivery Times Compared to Direct Routes
Because eIS involves an extra leg — from your location to the domestic hub, then overseas transit and customs — international deliveries can take longer than direct shipping options. Longer transit times might hurt buyer satisfaction or conversion.
Not All Items Are Eligible
Like its predecessor (the Global Shipping Program), not all products qualify. Restricted items, large or overweight packages, and goods over certain values may be excluded, limiting the types of inventory you can use the program for.
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Managing Your International Shipping Settings
Once you’re enrolled in the eBay International Shipping Program, you gain flexible control over how international delivery is offered on your listings — helping you balance global reach with your own shipping preferences.
Control Which Countries You Sell To
Even with eBay handling international logistics, you can still exclude certain countries or regions if you don’t want to sell there. Go to:
Account Settings > Shipping Preferences > Exclude Shipping Locations.
Here, you’ll find a toggle under the eBay International Shipping section:
Toggle ON — eligible listings may still be offered to countries you’ve excluded in your preferences because eBay will manage exclusions for you.
Toggle OFF — your manual country exclusions apply to all shipments, including those via eBay International Shipping.
This helps you fine-tune your international visibility while letting eBay handle customs and transit
Exclude Specific Listings from the Program
You don’t have to apply eBay’s international shipping to every item. If a particular listing shouldn’t be sold internationally via the program, you can set country exclusions at the listing level:
Go to your Active Listings and click Edit on the specific listing.
Scroll to the Shipping section and access the Excluded Locations list.
Select all international countries you want to exclude for that listing only.
Save your changes to exclude that item from eBay International Shipping.
This gives you granular control — useful if some products have unique restrictions or higher shipping risk.
Automatic Integration with Your Listings
For most sellers, eBay automatically adds International Shipping as an available option for eligible listings once you’re enrolled. If you already use other international services, buyers might see multiple options at checkout.
You can also manage how and when eBay’s international option appears through:
Business Policies: Set up shipping templates that automatically apply your preferred international settings to new listings.
Listing Revisions: Edit individual items to fine-tune shipping methods and exclusions.
These tools help you maintain consistent control while benefiting from eBay’s logistics support.
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Fees and Costs: What Sellers and Buyers Pay
Understanding the fees and costs associated with the eBay International Shipping Program (eIS) is critical for both sellers and buyers. Below is a clear breakdown of who pays what, how fees are calculated, and what sellers should factor into pricing decisions.
What Sellers Pay Under eBay International Shipping
No Enrollment or Program Fees
eBay does not charge sellers an additional fee to enroll in or use the International Shipping Program. There are:
No activation fees
No monthly subscription costs
No per-order international service fees
Participation is included as part of your standard eBay selling account.
Domestic Shipping Costs Only
As a seller, your only shipping responsibility is getting the item safely to eBay’s domestic shipping hub.
You pay for:
Domestic postage to the hub
Packaging materials
Any optional insurance you choose for the domestic leg
You do not pay for:
International shipping
Customs processing
Duties or import taxes
International carrier surcharges
Once the package is scanned at the hub, your shipping obligation is complete.
No Cost for International Returns
If an international buyer initiates a return, eBay covers the return logistics and costs. Sellers are not charged for:
International return shipping
Customs re-entry fees
Return handling by eBay
This is a major financial advantage compared to self-managed international shipping.
What Buyers Pay Under eBay International Shipping
International Shipping Fees
Buyers pay a fully calculated international shipping fee at checkout. This includes:
Shipping from the eBay hub to the buyer’s country
Carrier handling fees
Any international transit costs
The exact amount varies based on destination, item weight, size, and delivery speed.
Duties, Taxes, and Import Fees
Depending on the destination country, buyers may be charged:
Import duties
Value-added tax (VAT)
Goods and services tax (GST)
Customs processing fees
eBay typically calculates these charges upfront at checkout, reducing surprises at delivery. In some countries, buyers may still pay certain fees upon receipt, depending on local regulations.
Who Collects and Handles These Fees?
Sellers receive payment for the item price and domestic shipping only
eBay collects international shipping fees, duties, and taxes directly from buyers
International costs are not deducted from seller payouts
This separation ensures sellers are insulated from international cost fluctuations.
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Final Thoughts: eBay International Shipping Program
Are you ready to take your eBay business beyond borders and tap into global demand?
If the answer is yes, the eBay International Shipping Program can be a smart next step. For eligible sellers, it removes the biggest barriers to international selling — customs paperwork, complex shipping logistics, international returns, and buyer disputes — while opening your listings to customers in over 200 countries.
Best of luck as you take your eBay store global and unlock new growth opportunities!
For More Information on the eBay International Shipping Program Visit the Official eBay Page.
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FAQs – eBay International Shipping Program
Does eBay still do the Global Shipping Program?
No, eBay is phasing out the Global Shipping Program (GSP) and replacing it with the eBay International Shipping Program (eIS). The new program offers broader international coverage, improved seller protections, better handling of returns, and a more streamlined experience for both buyers and sellers.
Does eBay repack international shipments?
Yes, in many cases eBay may repackage or relabel shipments at its domestic shipping hub. This allows eBay to ensure the package meets international carrier and customs requirements and helps optimize international delivery. Repackaging also enables eBay to consolidate shipments or adjust labeling for destination-country regulations. Sellers are only responsible for secure domestic packaging to the hub.
How does the eBay International Shipping Program work?
The eBay International Shipping Program works by splitting fulfillment into two stages. First, the seller ships the item to an eBay-designated domestic hub. Once the item arrives, eBay takes over, handling customs documentation, international shipping, duties, taxes, delivery, and returns. From the seller’s perspective, the process is nearly identical to a domestic sale, with added protection from international shipping issues.
Does eBay charge for international shipping?
eBay does not charge sellers extra fees to use the International Shipping Program. However, international buyers pay shipping fees, duties, and import taxes at checkout. These costs are calculated and collected by eBay and are not deducted from the seller’s payout. Sellers only pay for domestic shipping to the eBay hub and standard eBay selling fees.
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