eBay International Shipping (eIS) for sellers: how it works and how to opt out
Got an order from another country and a US address to ship to? That’s eBay International Shipping (eIS). You ship domestically to an eBay hub; eBay does the rest. Here’s how it works from the seller’s side.
How it works
- A buyer abroad buys your item.
- You ship it to the domestic eBay International Shipping hub in the US — that’s your only shipping job.
- eBay handles restrictions, customs paperwork and international delivery.
Your sale is complete when the item arrives at the hub undamaged. Package it ready for its final destination — items usually aren’t repackaged at the hub.
Returns are eBay’s problem
If an international buyer opens a return on an eIS order, eBay refunds them at no cost to you, and handles the communication. The item goes to a third-party provider or is liquidated — you keep the sale. If a buyer asks you for a refund, tell them to use the return option in their order history.
This only applies to eIS. For any other international service, including eBay International Standard Delivery, your own return policy applies and you manage the return.
Seller protections
- Lost or damaged in international transit: not your fault.
- Late delivery or Money Back Guarantee claims caused by international shipping don’t affect your seller performance or service metrics.
- Negative or neutral feedback about international transit is removed.
- If a VeRO complaint affects an eIS listing, eBay modifies or removes it from eIS without negative consequences for your account.
Who’s enrolled, and which items qualify
- eBay enrolls eligible sellers automatically and tells you by email and in My eBay Messages. Currently only US sellers are accepted.
- Check: Account Settings → Shipping Preferences — “Enrolled” next to eBay International Shipping means you’re in.
- Items qualify based on category, value up to $2,500 (excluding taxes, duties and delivery fees) and being physically located in the US.
- Combined shipping orders are limited to $1,000 in total. Pack all items in one order together — but never combine separate orders, even for the same buyer.
Controlling where you sell
- Exclude countries: Account Settings → Shipping Preferences → Edit next to excluded shipping locations. Under eBay International Shipping settings, a toggle decides whether your exclusions also apply to eIS: ON means eligible items still ship to excluded locations through eIS; OFF means your exclusions apply everywhere.
- Exclude one listing: edit the listing’s shipping and exclude all international locations.
- Opt out entirely: unenroll from eBay International Shipping. To opt back in, go to Shipping Preferences and select Enroll.
Selling to the EU
If your listings are visible to EU buyers, add your Public Business Information in My Account. It’s required under the EU Digital Services Act; without it, the details you gave at registration are shown instead.
For defects removed because of eIS delays, see eBay defect appeals. For domestic shipping costs, see the eBay shipping calculator guide.