How to Ship on eBay: A Guide for Beginners

eBay is one of the most popular web platforms of the ecommerce industry. With 134 million active buyers around the world, the sales channel mentions a Gross Merchandise Volume of $19.5 billion in Q2 of 2025. Well, if this does not excite you as a buyer, what will! You can also increase your sales and revenue on eBay marketplace. For this shipping and definitely and obviously the title has it in bold letters! And yes, just like the data mentioned above, this blog is going to give some amazing insights into the process of eBay shipping. So stay glued! 

Overview of eBay Shipping 

eBay shipping is the process through which the sellers deliver orders to their customers after approving the same. This process involves multiple steps like order confirmation, packing, labelling and final delivery. The sales platform itself provides multiple options through which the sellers can actually fulfill their orders seamlessly, at their own convenience. The same will be discussed in further sections of this blog. Also, the shipping process needs to be supported by an effective returns management system as returns and refunds might be a heartbreak but it is pretty much the part of the process. 

Explore eBay Shipping Options

eBay Shipping is not a one way road, sellers have ample options on the plate, from which they can choose the most appropriate one for themselves. Here’s the list of options you have: 

1. Local Pickup

Let’s make it clear that this option is only viable for the sellers who are dealing in the local marketplace. Also, this is feasible only if the buyer is ready to pick-up the parcel from the seller. Under this option, the consumer collects their order from the seller themselves, eliminating the need for transit expenses on the seller's end. Don't be lured, it has both advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages

• No shipping cost is implied on the seller
• It is convenient to hand over the goods rather than going over to the customer
• Damage to goods in transit is not possible here, 

Disadvantages 

• Requires a lot of coordination from the seller to the buyer
• It puts limitations on the seller’s reach
• There are definite security risks in this case 

2. Domestic Shipping

This serves the shipping needs of the seller for intra-national sales. It has three options in itself, here’s how they go: 

• Calculated Shipping 

As the name suggests, sellers can calculate the cost of shipping for their orders depending on the size, weight, destination and carrier chosen for the parcel. It allows cost optimization and accuracy of the charges paid for fulfillment. It serves the purpose for transit of heavy or bulky items. But the sellers need to make sure that the measurements are precise for calculations, also distant buyers might have to face higher shipping costs in this case. 

• Flat Rate Shipping

As the name suggests (again!) This pricing scheme charges the seller a fixed amount  irrespective of the package size, weight or the location for that matter. It streamlines the cost for sellers but at the same time, it also leads to an evident increase in expense which might affect the business if there is no uniformity in the size of products that they sell. 

• Freight Shipping 

This is a special kind of shipping type that transits large items like furniture and machinery. It uses certain specified kinds of carriers to handle the package, as the product size under this category is definitely massive. It ensures the sellers of safe delivery of goods and they can finally sell their huge items to distant consumers. It comes with a cost that they cannot ignore. 

3. eBay Global Shipping 

This is the point you might be looking for. Want to earn in dollars right!! No worries, eBay has you back. They provide support for international shipment, given that the platform is present in more than 180 nations around the globe. The store runs a Global Shipping Program (GSP) which is just there to cater to the global shipping needs of the seller. The best part is - it managed the customs clearance and import fees as well. Sigh of relief!

How to Ship on eBay?

The shipping process formulated by eBay is pretty simple. Here’s what you have to do: 

Step 1: Confirm the Order 

Firstly, the fulfillment process needs a kickstart which is done with order confirmation. Sellers need to check their inventory for the availability of the product demanded by the consumer. Once confirmed, the seller needs to fulfill the order within 30 days, as per eBay’s guidelines. Later than that, the platform marks the seller for “Late Shipment” which can lead to penalties for the seller. If the product is not there in the stock, the seller can simply cancel the order under eBay’s cancellation policy. 

Step 2: Pack the Parcel

If the order is confirmed, it needs to be packed properly for safe transit. Sellers need to choose the right packaging material to prevent the items from damage. The material for both outer and internal material needs to be chosen wisely. Apart from this, sellers need to pay special attention to the packaging of goods with irregular shape so that it reaches the destination safely. Special focus has to be placed on products with fragile material. Sellers can opt to add an extra protection layer for easy delivery. 

Step 3: Shipping Preferences

As mentioned above, there are a variety of options for the sellers to choose from for their fulfillment of goods. They can choose any of them and set up the shipping preferences following these steps: 

• Navigate to My eBay and select the Seller Account, and then Shipping Preferences.
• If the shipping services are no longer available, check and click on "Opt out."
• Enter details regarding domestic or international shipment, including costs, rate tables, and services.
• Mention the time to be taken for the items to get ready for shipping.
• After finishing with the setting up, double-check and click Save.

Step 4: Labelling

Next, sellers need to put up labels on the package and mention the required details on the same. Sellers can purchase the labels from eBay and get them printed. The same is compatible for most prominent carriers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx. Sellers even get options for printing of shipping labels: 

• Printing via eBay
• Printing via Seller Hub 
• Reprint shipping label on eBay 

Step 5: Handle Order

Now, finally! The package is ready for delivery. Wait, were you thinking that your job is over, not yet! Now, the seller needs to keep an eye on the successful delivery of the products. They cannot sit back until the consumer confirms that they have received the order. Also, if you (unfortunately) receive a return request, look after the same. Sellers need to make sure that products are back to the inventory and refunds are initiated responsibly. 

eBay Shipping is Simpler with Automation

Oh! You are still here, you want something more? Okay let’s see how you can simplify this process. And yes, obviously, the answer is AUTOMATION. It will automatically confirm your order, take it further for fulfillment and also send the customers notification to track their orders so your message box is not loaded with order status queries. eBay itself does not offer automation, so you can go ahead and look for some kind of ecommerce fulfillment partner like MapMyChannel. Now, this blog ends here so you can go contact the experts of MapMyChannel to help you further.