eBay sellers have the option of using eBay’s online-postage label program, and the marketplace alerted sellers to several changes coming to USPS this month, including previously announced postage-rate changes.
Highlighting the announcement was news that the USPS would be adding more countries to its Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International program.
The USPS first introduced free tracking on first class international packages going to Canada in January, and in July, it added additional countries (see, Good News from USPS for Online Merchants Shipping Internationally). eBay revealed on Tuesday that the Postal Service will be adding 12 more countries, including Italy, Singapore and Hungary.
eBay explained, “This means that sellers who print and pay for international postage through eBay labels will now get FREE Delivery Confirmation(TM) on all First-Class Package International Service(TM) items and certain Priority Mail International(R) flat rate envelopes and small flat rate boxes shipping to 26 countries worldwide. And remember, all sellers who print USPS postage through eBay labels automatically get Commercial Base(TM) pricing.”
Some countries’ postal systems are better than others – many sellers have expressed hesitation in sending packages to Italy, for example. There’s no guarantee that free international tracking to that country will make a difference in seller behavior, however.
eBay also reminded sellers new rate changes for USPS will go into effect on Sunday, January 26, 2014 (see USPS 2014 Rate Hike to Impact Online Sellers). Included in the rate changes is an increase for Signature Confirmation.
Interestingly the USPS added a storefront on eBay last year to sell postage stamps and collectibles (ironically it earns less than perfect feedback on DSRs for Shipping Time and Shipping and Handling Charges).
See the eBay announcement board for details.
