eBay Pack and Ship Guide

Shipping orders quickly and in excellent condition is essential to a successful eBay store. Order fulfillment is one of the top things that can lead to good or bad seller ratings. So, it’s critical to have a plan for eBay pack and ship that works for you and your customers. Here are some of the most common FAQs about eBay pack and ship.

What are the shipping options for eBay sales?

You can use USPS, FedEx, or UPS for eBay pack and ship. USPS is integrated with eBay, so it may be the easiest option, but UPS and FedEx work as well.

How do I ship an item sold on eBay?

When someone purchases an item from your eBay store, the most crucial thing is packing and shipping it right away. A best practice is to put the product in the box or mailing bag before your auction closes so that you can ship immediately. Fast delivery earns high seller ratings.

How do I pack a package on eBay?

eBay pack and ship methods depend on the product. If you’re shipping a fragile item like ceramics, you might want to double-box it to ensure it arrives safely. On the other hand, a piece of clothing could ship in a Tyvek envelope.

You’ll want to have a variety of shipping supplies on hand, including:

Boxes and envelopes in sizes that fit your products well
Infill to put in boxes —Kraft paper, newspaper, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, etc.
Sturdy packing tape
Labels

Can I ship by Priority Mail from my eBay store?

It’s very convenient and cost-effective to use Priority Mail for eBay pack and ship. When you use eBay labels, you get a discount of up to 30% off retail US Postal Service pricing. And USPS provides free boxes and envelopes for Priority Mail, so you also save on shipping supplies. And, when you use eBay Priority Mail, you can drop your package at the Post Office or in a mailbox.

What is the eBay standard envelope?

An eBay standard envelope is a special envelope that you can use to send small items by USPS. eBay sellers get a discounted price, and the sturdy envelopes protect small and flat but valuable items such as stamps, coins, trading cards, or other collectibles. You can use an eBay standard envelope to send items up to 3 oz.

Will UPS package my eBay item?

UPS can package your eBay item for you. However, you’ll have to pay for the packing service, and you’ll be required to use UPS’s packing materials, which is an extra charge. On the upside, you’ll benefit from professional eBay pack and ship.

When you use UPS to ship orders from your eBay store, you can save 50% or more on standard UPS shipping rates. If you package your items yourself, you can drop off orders at many UPS locations, including CVS and Michael’s stores.

Can I use a FedEx Pack and Ship location for eBay?

FedEx can pack and ship items for your eBay store. You can go to a FedEx Pack and Ship location and take advantage of their services. However, you will pay a fee for the packing service and the packing materials, including a box and infill.

FedEx offers shipping discounts of up to 37% for eBay sellers.

Where can I buy packaging for eBay?

You can buy packaging materials for eBay from a variety of sources:

Order online
Office supply store
FedEx or UPS store
Hardware store
eBay sellers

For certain types of shipping, you can get boxes for free. For example, USPS offers free Priority Mail boxes and envelopes and will even deliver them to your home. FedEx and UPS have free shipping envelopes for overnight mail service only.

You can also source empty boxes for free at many retail stores. Be careful with reused boxes. However, if the cardboard is damaged or has a weak spot, it might not hold up in shipping.

Does paying for shipping on eBay include packaging?

You can add a handling charge to your eBay shipping fee to cover the cost of the box, tape, and label. However, you might want to build that expense into the cost of your items rather than charging extra. Unexpectedly high shipping charges can lead to negative reviews.

What if an eBay buyer requests special packaging?

Since you can charge extra for packaging, you can negotiate a charge for special packaging. And factor in the cost of the packaging and your time to source special materials that you might not have on hand when you price special packaging.

Large items might need special packaging to avoid dimensional weight charges, which can significantly increase the cost of shipping.

What are the most common items packed and shipped on eBay?

Here are some of the most common eBay pack and ship items and the best way to send them.

Clothing: Many clothing items can ship in a Tyvek envelope, such as the ones used for Priority Mail.
Books: You have two choices when you’re sending books. You can use a Priority Mail box and pay for shipping by size, not weight. Or you can use USPS Media Mail. Media Mail is charged by weight at a lower rate than first-class packages, and delivery takes longer.
Liquids: It’s critical to make sure liquids are in tightly sealed containers. Use bubble wrap or other sturdy infill to prevent the container from breaking or jostling open during shipping. As extra protection, you might want to place items with liquids inside a plastic bag.
Electronics: When you sell electronics or any high-value item on eBay, buy insurance when you ship it. That protects you and your customer against loss or damage. You can send some electronics in the manufacturer’s packaging, but you might want to put the item inside a second box for extra protection and to deter theft.
Fragile: Use thicker boxes or a double box to protect delicate or breakable products. Sturdy infill, such as bubble wrap, is also an excellent choice for shipping fragile products. If you’re selling something both expensive and fragile, it might be worth the extra cost to have a professional at UPS or FedEx do the packing for you.
Dishware: When you’re selling dishware sets, wrap each item individually in paper or bubble wrap. Make sure to pack your box tight enough so that dishes can’t move around and damage each other. But do leave a little extra room so if the parcel gets compressed during shipping, the dishware won’t break.

What do eBay pack and ship stores charge?

An eBay pack and ship store can help you with everything from photographing your item to packaging and shipping it. The charges will vary depending on the store and the products you sell.

There are pros and cons to using an eBay pack and ship store. On the positive side, pack and ship services free you from the daily grind of managing your eBay sales. On the negative side, you’ll earn less profit because you have to pay an intermediary for their services.

Can I outsource eBay shop by category pack and ship to a 3PL?

Outsourcing your eCommerce fulfillment to a 3PL is an excellent option for many eCommerce businesses. A professional fulfillment warehouse can pack your products carefully, so they arrive without damage, leading to more satisfied customers. Look for a 3PL that has experience working with eBay sellers, like Red Stag Fulfillment.

However, the best candidates for third-party logistics are businesses that sell multiples of the same items. If your eBay store carries a changing assortment of goods, you might be better off doing your own eBay pack and ship or using a pack and ship store.

If you have questions about eCommerce fulfillment for your business, feel free to reach out to Red Stag Fulfillment.

More about shipping options for eBay and other eCommerce marketplaces: