Good news for side hustlers: eBay opens international shipping to private sellers

eBay is opening up international shipping to private sellers in the UK, a move that will let side hustlers and small businesses alike reach more than 136 million buyers across over 195 countries and territories, all without leaving the online marketplace.

For small online sellers in the UK, this is huge. Aside from being more inclusive, the new programme will handle customs documentation, post-sale support, and international returns – a major thorn in the side of most sole-traders and small businesses trying to sell overseas without the resources of a dedicated logistics team. 

Of course, there are things sellers should know before diving in – from understanding how the programme actually works, to knowing which products you’re able to list.

How does eBay International Shipping work?

Global online marketplace eBay has just launched its most comprehensive international shipping programme yet – eBay International Shipping (eIS) – in the UK. 

Following a successful rollout in the US and Canada, the programme builds on its former system, Global Shopping Programme, which let sellers ship items to a UK shipping centre where eBay handled customs clearance, duty payments, and international tracking.

Unlike the former programme, the eIS is open to private sellers, not just registered businesses. This marks a significant shift for side hustlers, or anyone simply interested in selling unwanted items, who were previously blocked out of the international market due to unrealistic logistical challenges and costs.

Another core difference is that the eIS will manage returns. Previously, if an international buyer wanted to send an item back, sellers had to print on-country return labels themselves – a process that would incur extra costs and make sellers more exposed to refund abuse. Now, when an overseas buyer requests a return, eBay takes ownership of the process at no cost to the seller. 

eBay is also waiving the extra fees it previously charged for selling internationally. This new price structure will undoubtedly make a huge difference to smaller online sellers, who are already cripped with fees like seller taxes, postage and packaging costs, and buyer protection fees.

 How to make the most of eBay International Shipping

With eIS making it even easier for micro sellers to tap into the global marketplace, there’s never been a better time to test the waters overseas. 

However, before you decide what to list, we recommend considering where demand is at its strongest. According to data from eBay, the biggest growth in international buyer demand over the past year has been seen in Australia, Germany, and Switzerland, so it’s worth keeping these markers in mind when deciding how to price items for your chosen audience. 

It also pays to be mindful about what sells well overseas. Collectables, retro technology, and unique vintage pieces tend to gather strong demand internationally. On the other hand, some items should be avoided altogether: many toys and games are frequently excluded from eIS due to UK Conformity Assessed  (UKCA) marketing requirements, while many countries restrict the imports of furs. 

Sellers should also be aware that even though international selling fees have been foregone, they’re still responsible for paying domestic postage to get items to eBay’s UK shipping centre. HMRC have also been cracking down on online sellers retailing more than 30 items, or making over £1,700 on marketplace platforms. 

Despite these hurdles, eBay International Shipping is designed to remove a lot of the friction involved with going global. So, with the right selling strategy and financial planning, there’s a good chance the new programme could turn your side hustle into a genuine money maker.