eBay Global Shipping Program vs Direct Shipping: Save 30% on International Fees

The International eBay Dilemma

eBay offers two paths for international sales:

Global Shipping Program (GSP) - Ship to Kentucky, eBay handles the rest

Direct International - You ship directly to buyer's country

Which is better? Let's compare.

How Global Shipping Program Works

The GSP Process:

Buyer purchases your item (sees total with duties)

You ship to GSP center in Erlanger, Kentucky

eBay consolidates and ships internationally

Buyer receives package (duties prepaid)

GSP Fees:

• You pay: Domestic shipping to Kentucky
• Buyer pays: International shipping + duties/taxes + GSP handling fee

The GSP Handling Fee: This is where it gets expensive. GSP adds a markup that can significantly increase buyer's total.

How Direct International Works

Direct Shipping Process:

Buyer purchases (you set international shipping rate)

You ship directly to buyer's country

Package goes through customs

Buyer may pay duties on delivery (DDU)

Direct Shipping Costs:

• You pay: Full international shipping
• Buyer pays: Duties/taxes at delivery (unless you use DDP)

Real Cost Comparison

Example: T-shirt ($20) to United Kingdom

The catch: GSP is easier for you, but buyers pay significantly more.

When GSP Makes Sense

Use GSP When:

• You don't want to handle customs forms
• Low international volume (<5/month)
• Risk-averse about international issues
• Buyer is willing to pay premium

GSP Advantages: ✅ No customs forms for you ✅ Buyer protection (eBay handles claims) ✅ No international returns to you ✅ Simple domestic shipping

When Direct Shipping Wins

Go Direct When:

• You want maximum sales/conversions
• You ship international regularly
• You're comfortable with customs
• You want competitive pricing

Direct Shipping Advantages: ✅ Lower buyer costs (more sales) ✅ Higher profit potential ✅ Better buyer experience ✅ You control shipping speed

Setting Up Direct International on eBay

Step 1: Enable International Shipping

Seller Hub → Listings

Edit shipping settings

Add international shipping options

Step 2: Choose Countries Start with easy countries:

• Canada
• United Kingdom
• Australia
• Germany
• Japan

Step 3: Set Rates

Option A: Calculated Rates Let eBay calculate based on package weight/destination.

Option B: Flat Rates by Region

International Shipping Rates Comparison

USPS First Class International (8 oz):

USPS Priority Mail International (1 lb):

Customs Forms Made Easy

Required Information:

• Item description (detailed)
• HS code (product classification)
• Value in USD
• Quantity
• Country of origin

With Atoship:

• Customs forms auto-generated
• HS code lookup tool
• Electronic submission to USPS
• No handwritten forms

Handling International Returns

GSP Returns:

• Return goes to GSP center
• eBay refunds buyer
• You refund domestic shipping

Direct Shipping Returns:

• You provide return instructions
• Often cheaper to refund without return
• International return = expensive

Pro Tip: For items under $30, refund without requiring return. It's cheaper than paying for international return shipping.

Duties and Taxes Guide

De Minimis Thresholds (No Duties Below):

For items below threshold: Often duty-free—direct shipping is clearly better.

Conversion Rate Impact

GSP vs Direct: Buyer Behavior

Studies show:

• Buyers filter for "price + shipping"
• High GSP fees deter purchases
• Direct shipping listings get 20-40% more international sales

Hybrid Strategy

Best of Both Worlds:

Direct for top countries:

• Canada (easy, fast)
• UK (large market)
• Australia (good infrastructure)
• Germany (biggest EU market)

GSP for rest of world:

• Less common destinations
• Higher-risk countries
• Low volume markets

Setting Up in eBay

To Use Both:

Seller Hub → Shipping preferences

Set direct shipping for specific countries

Enable GSP for remaining countries

Buyers see best option for their location

International Shipping Checklist

Before Listing: ☐ Research target countries ☐ Calculate shipping costs ☐ Check duty thresholds ☐ Set pricing strategy

In Listing: ☐ Enable international shipping ☐ Set accurate weight ☐ Write customs-friendly descriptions ☐ Include country of origin

When Shipping: ☐ Generate customs form (Atoship) ☐ Declare accurate value ☐ Use tracking (required!) ☐ Keep shipping receipt

Savings Calculator

Monthly International Sales: 50 packages

Annual Buyer Savings (passed on or kept): 50 × 12 × $6 = $3,600/year

Start Shipping International Direct

Skip the GSP fees and ship internationally yourself:

• Lower buyer costs = more sales
• Better control over experience
• Competitive advantage

Use Atoship for discounted international rates and simplified customs forms. Create your free account today.