Why Don't More Sellers Offer Global Shipping

What is the Reason?

As a seller, I wondered why there are there so few ebay sellers that offer global shipping.  I interviewed many sellers for this guide and the following information is the outcome gathered from those conversations.   

Offering International shipping for all global buyers opens the seller to a whole new world of selling and many would think what a nice option, especially since the dollar difference in some countries is an opportunity for many outside of United States to benefit.

So Why Don't All eBay Sellers Offer Global Shipping?

The sellers that offer global buyers, International USPS Priority mail with insurance or UPS with insurance say the downside is the high cost of shipping.   International buyers are not happy about the high cost of the shipping fees that they pay to ship USPS International Priority mail.  Even though it isn't the sellers fault, it does put a damper on the sale.   Then why not ship cheap with parcel post?  Because you do not get tracking information, no delivery confirmation and the parcel post takes 2-3 weeks to arrive, sometimes badly damages because of the length of time and package is banged around.  If you ship with USPS International priority the shipping boxes supplied by the post office are strongly made and can withstand the distance and handling.   It is illegal to take the USPS priority boxes and turn them inside out to use for parcel post.  

Why Insurance is often required on International shipping?

  The insurance issue is a two way street. Some sellers demand it and it is added to the cost of shipping for the buyer to pay.  Other sellers allow the buyer to choose to add insurance or not. The insurance protects the item if it is loss or damaged.  If a buyer chooses no insurance then they should take responsibility if the item is lost or damaged.   Well, that doesn't normally work because if the item is lost or damaged, the buyer still expects a refund or replacement.  If the seller refuses then the buyer can retaliate and leave negative feedback.  After the ebay sellers experiences this too often, they quit offering global shipping.   For the ebay sellers that have never offered global shipping, they hear the stories and say, no thank you.    

What about Feedback Stars from buyers?

 The sellers can get a a little reduction on their ebay fees if they get high ratings by achieving 5-star feedback based on giving top of the line service in the fields of: 1) Item as described   2) Communication   3) Shipping time   4) Shipping & handling fees.    Well, guess what!  The buyer that is upset about the global shipping fees plus paying their country's "duty fees" sometimes feel upset, so they punish the seller by giving 1 star on the "Shipping & Handling fees" - even if the seller did everything right and earned 5-stars.  Many sellers told me this happened no matter how the seller bent over backwards, even refunding any shipping cost overage if it occured to the buyer. So if the global fees are stated up front, on the listing before any bids are made, then why is it a surprise for the buyer when they win the hat?  Because after they pick up the package and pay the duty fees and any other cost that their country adds, they wonder what made them bid on the item in the first place and many are disgruntled. Others realized it is the cost of shipping and even though it is high, no one could do anything about it.   Another seller told me that they had global buyers not pay, refused to respond to emails and become "non paying bidders".  This cost the seller time and money. 

I interviewed a successful eBay seller that told me he ships all his items with FREE global shipping. This way the high cost doesn't annoy the buyers.  He told me that the cost to global is expensive and even though the buyers know that up front, it is irritating.  He offers FREE shipping which works for him since his product is sought after and in high demand. He told me he has a high percentage of International buyers. I asked him about his feedback regarding the stars and he said they were high.   

You may wonder how the sellers notice it is the international buyers who are reducing the 5-star "feedback" on SHIPPING & HANDLING FEES.  Some sellers check the 5-star feedback everytime the feedback is left and the stars are important because the small discount eBay allows sellers if they receive high ponts on the stars on each field. When the buyer leaves low marks as a 1 or 2 it reduces the the star percentage score immediately.  However if the seller ships a lot of items internationally, it would be hard to track the disguntled buyer.  If a seller notices that it appears one international buyer is the one that consistantly leaves 1 star instead of a higher eared rating on "Shipping & Handling",the seller may block that displeased buyer because that person is costing the seller the discount that eBay would allow for 5 stars.      

Of course not all sellers earn high ratings, it is all about quality of service and honesty. The sellers that do well with 5-stars go the extra mile and describe their items well, even describing a fault. They give gift wrapping for free and a small gratuity gift.  

Extra Paper Work for Global Shipping 

Yes, there is more paper work and time required to ship internationally.  It isn't as easy as regional or shipping within your own country.  You fill out the information on the USPS priority international forms and you use the USPS International  plastic envelope to attached the shipping information to the package.  You can take the global shipping package to the post office and they help you fill out the forms. The form requires the address,  item's value, description, insurance amount,  return address, and your signature.  The forms are free.

Are there good experiences? Yes!

I have had many wonderful experiences shipping hats and vintage items all over the world.  I met many great ebayers that enjoy the same hobby.  Hat and vintage collectors have much in common and many friendships are made. After hearing about so many problems, I wish there was a way to make global shipping better for all.  It is a wonderful feeling to give collectors/buyers from other countries the opportunity to buy hats from United States. 

I will continue to ship to international buyers hoping that everyone will understand the situation about the cost of global shipping and not blame the seller.  And we can not do anything about the duty fees in other countries.

This guide was written to better explain the reason why so many sellers do not offer International shipping to global buyers. If this guide was helpful please click the YES below. Thank you.