I’m trying to learn more about the correct format for the fields in GarageSale global shipping options. I am a US based seller and I have had potential buyers ask me to enable them to purchase when I believe I have no restrictions to their country (Germany and the UK mostly). I had one customer recently reach out with an message that goes like this:
BEGINNING OF CUSTOMER MESSAGE - (Currently the auction states that “May not post to United Kingdom. Read item description or contact seller for postage options.”
From my experience this is because the auction hasn’t had internationally shipping enabled or the classification of the item is restricted. Other eBay sellers that I have purchased from relisted the item in a lower classification / enabled the UK as an allowed destination.) - END OF CUSTOMER MESSAGE
Based on what I read, I’m wondering if I need specific information inserted into the Harmonized Code. Currently, I have no listings with the harmonized code box checked, yet I still sell and ship a fair amount of international shipping thru the Ebay Global Shipping program with only (Use Global Shipping Program) checked, and the appropriate country for (Country of manufacture) also checked.
When I check the Harmonized system code box, I get a list of things to select. But there are no numerical codes and no way to enter a specific numerical code. My main inquiry here is to learn all there is to know about how GarageSale handles the Harmonized code and what have other users experienced with or without success in shipping to other (friendly) countries ?
Is there a way to enter a Harmonized Code manually if I know the number?
Endicia made note of this too. Starting Sep 1, shipments are required to have the 6 digit HS code for all international commercial shipments. Failure to do so will result in delays or Customs will reject the shipment.
For eBay, eIS users won’t have to do anything, since the shipments go to Chicago and they take care of all the Customs forms. For the rest, it looks like it is something that one needs to do at the time of shipment. My international shipping for eBay is limited to just using eIS since it is so frictionless; my other marketplaces, I do ship “proper” international, but it looks like, for me, I just have to make adjustments in my shipping software, not with the listings themselves.
Update: you may want to enroll in eIS instead, as the GSP was the old name and I am unsure that is still valid. And using business policies for shipping so you don’t have to go through the headache of doing this on a per listing basis. Shipping templates in the Biz policy section of the eBay site are quite good and very customizable.
In August, because of the weakened USD, I’ve have more sales via eIS than I have had domestically. These are from Japan, UK, Germany, Belgium, Canada, and dozens of others. Also as soon as the item arrives and is marked as delivered to Chicago, the sale is 100% done. If the customer wants to return it, eBay handles all that - if the item is broken, eBay gives them a refund, but does not deduct any money from your account and strictly controls the feedback available to be left. If I could just sell to eIS customers, it would be amazing.
I have been using eIS since the day it was offered. It is the best thing since global shipping program! eIS ships any where and if anything goes wrong after Chicago or Ny gets it, there is no contact or worries for the seller. I had a whole list of blocked countries because of rampant theft in the postal systems in those countries. I get a few complaints a year from buyers because they have to pay customs on every dollar and can’t cheat by undervaluing shipments, I was always was being asked to do this previously, and smaller shipments aren’t being exempted from duties in some countries. The whole thing was simple to set up and GS seamlessly implements it.
I checked my ebay account and it shows I am “Enrolled” in the eIS at the moment. All of my shipments that go international are sent to a hub in Chicago just as they were for Global Shipping Program. I vaguely recall that ebay announced they were going to automatically enroll sellers already in the GSP to the eIS but I had forgotten that.
My main concern is I have had buyers from the UK and Germany as well as a few other countries ask me to add their country as a shipping option. But I have virtually all friendly (with the USA) countries allowed. I’m curious that it seems the items I get asked this the most are over $100 and it is not uncommon to get asked this on an item that is $300 USD. I’m wondering if the value puts the item in a catergory that needs more information in order for VAT/DUTY to apply for customs and this is the reason ebay is blocking them? I really don’t know. Perhaps I need to “revise” a listing on ebay and go look at it manually to see if there are any clues.
Or perhaps, this is just a dead end and I need to focus on making the sales that ebay supports in the eIS. I’m hoping someone can coach me as to how they are making GarageSale listings that reach international customers if there is more too it than just listing the country of origin.
I have made a handful of sales by manually adding international shipping the old way where I take the item to the post office with the customs forms and hopefully the package makes it. Like others have stated the eIS makes it a lot easier for the seller even if it is a bit more expensive for the buyer.
It is entirely a setting on ebay. All international shipping is picked up by them when you turn on EIS. I actually don’t know how to send otherwise because EIS is so simple. It isn’t worth it to me for a few sales. 5% to a max of 10% of my sales is international and the strength or weakness of the dollar I believe drives international sales for me
Okay thank you, your seller page looks identical to mine. It shows I am “Enrolled” in the eIS.
I wonder if I am wasting my time entering information in the Global Shipping? It almost makes sense for me to keep the Global Shipping information for each listing. After all, some items are made in different countries and how would ebay know the origin of the item otherwise? It is not as if I am selling common, brand named items. Many are generic in nature.
In any case, I think I have my answer. I’ll just have to accept I’m losing some international sales due to an issue with ebay and not how the item is listed. Only a few moments ago I had another buyer from Germany inquire about shipping costs. This is the usual format for when they can see the item listed on ebay but have no way to purchase it.
Thank you for your screenshot. It reassuring to know I have eIS enabled and there are no ‘hidden’ selections I have missed.
eIS does ship to Germany and UK so it is weird that you have customers stating that the item you have listed is not showing up as being able to ship overseas. maybe there’s been some changes due to international taxes and such, but just the other day I shipped to 3 European countries via the eIS system. My items are mostly books/media and some light collectables. Unsure if size/weight matters for eIS. But as @rlmartin showed - my settings are the same and eIS is amazing - esp. this month. I wish I could just have 100% eIS orders!
My opinion is it has more to do with undervaluing items to save on import taxes and duties. I used to constantly get the request to put undervalued prices on forms or “gift” on the forms. That has all gone away likely because they have accepted the fact that eIS gets rid of that ability to cut costs of import fees and duties.
Any buyer on eBay can file a claim with eBay and their payment processor, bank or credit card.
If the buyer uses a credit card issued by a bank through PayPal then they can file four separate claims. The last time I checked PayPal allowed a time frame of 180 days.
These third parties will decide the fate of the claim and not eBay.
The buyer’s claim can be based upon anything the buyer wants to make up. There is no actual investigation in 99% of the cases, which are simply rubber stamped by these third parties and then rubber stamped by eBay.
Once a package reaches the freight forwarder this does not any way provide you with protection. The buyer can claim the package has something else in it. They can substitute a broken copy of what you sold them and claim that is what you sent them.
A tracking number does not prove the buyer got the item or that the item was as described. It only proves they got a package.
On the other hand when a buyer runs a return scam by only mailing back a empty envelope with their return label that does prove the buyer returned the item in eBay’s eyes as the tracking number says so. eBay will claim that its your word against the buyer. eBay will claim you could have removed the return label from the package the buyer sent back and put it on a envelope yourself to make it appear the buyer is thief.
Ok, but this is what ebay says. Am I responsible for international returns?
No, eBay handles them for you with eBay International Shipping.
Once your item is received undamaged at the domestic shipping hub, your sale is considered complete. If the buyer opens a return, your item will be returned to a third party service provider or liquidated and you will keep your sale.
For any other shipping method including eBay International Standard Delivery, the seller’s return policies apply and the seller is responsible for managing the return.
What eBay says and what eBay does are two different things.
Plenty of online accounts that say otherwise.
If you get an order from a buyer using private freight forwarder eBay will likewise tell you to go and ship the item as its not covered by Buyer Protection so long as it reaches the hub.
Yet any of these buyers can file a claim with their bank, payment processor or credit card company and eBay has zero control over the process since these third parties will decide your fate.
