eBay informed sellers this week of several new international shipping regulations, reminding them they were required to comply with the rules. eBay included information about 4 of them and warned, “if not complied with, your item could be held at customs or returned, and you may face fines and other penalties.”
eBay described the regulations as follows:
- Harmonized System (HS) Codes will be required for items being exported to the EU. Customs uses HS Codes to properly identify products for duties and tax. Learn more about Harmonized System codes.
- European Union rules now require detailed product descriptions.
- Increased regulations surrounding HAZMAT goods. Restricted items and hazardous materials aren’t always the same thing. Learn more about restricted items going international.
- One of the requirements of the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) is that sellers must offer a minimum of 14-day returns. The DSA also requires sellers to register and they may be responsible for package recycling fees.
eBay said that using its new eBay International Shipping program (EIS) would take the guesswork out of international shipping. “Simply ship to our domestic hub and eBay will take care of everything (including customs and returns) for you.”
eBay’s EIS program replaced the Global Shipping Program it previously offered to sellers, and in doing so, changed its role from agent to principal, as eBay’s Chief Financial Officer explained in March.
Looks like it’s time to turn international shipping OFF again! I had turned it off last year, then eBay suckered me back in because they said the NEW Hub would handle EVERYTHING. Now they’re saying I have to do all this stuff (which eBay has NOT notified me about!)? I knew at least some of these laws existed but when eBay said the Hub would handle EVERYTHING, I made the mistake of believing eBay. I will deal with international orders on my own if/when I get them.
1) EIS is a profit center for eBay (not a courtesy t sellers). BY DEFAULT – that means eBay is out to screw the seller – better be careful.
2) eBay does NOT have clear rules on what items can be sold overseas. “Are you aware that most common brands of watches cant be sold using EIS due to (%100 fake) manufacturer VERO complaints? Theres no list – but this is eBay – EVERYTHING is 1/2 baked.
3) “Harmonized System (HS) Codes will be required for items being exported to the EU” – no big deal – the info is on USPS.com – even the dolts at eBay can figure it out
4) “European Union rules now require detailed product descriptions.” ok ……. Nintendo Switch, 32mb, included Mario game, complete, new – upc XXXXXXXXX. DONE – was it that hard?
5) “Increased regulations surrounding HAZMAT goods” How many people (show of hands) are sending HAZMAT items? Even pocket knives arent HAZMAT … what on earth are you shipping?
6) “One of the requirements of the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) is that sellers must offer a minimum of 14-day returns.” – Oh Really? Come get “us”. “The EU” cant FORE anyone (except maybe eBay) to do anything about it. Are they going to come to my house from Luxembourg? Are they going to try and DEBIT me for something? (good luck trying THAT – they have no access to anything and EVEN IF eBay (the criminals) give out info – you simply STOP PAYMENT.
EIS is eBays way of trying to increase EU sales – great – but THESE issues are all THEIR problem, not a sellers. “With great profits come great responsibilities”.