Updated September 2026. This guide was originally published in 2014; eBay’s international shipping options have since changed.

Selling internationally on eBay can bring more buyers to your listings, but the extra reach is useful only when the item, delivery method and total cost work for your business. Start with a small number of suitable products and compare the final profit with a UK-only sale.

What are the advantages?

• A wider audience. Some specialist products may have more demand outside the UK.
• More selling options. Eligible UK sellers may be enrolled in eBay International Shipping. Under that programme, the seller sends an eligible item to a UK shipping hub and eBay manages the international leg. Availability depends on the account and item.
• Useful demand signals. Even before you opt in, research similar sold items and their destinations to see whether the extra market justifies the effort.

What are the risks and costs?

• Self-shipping can mean higher postage, packaging, insurance and returns costs. Check services and tracking for each destination rather than assuming one flat rate will work.
• Some goods are restricted or unsuitable for export. Check the item’s eligibility and the rules that apply to your destination.
• A heavy, fragile or low-margin product may be better sold domestically even if it attracts overseas interest.
• Currency conversion, marketplace fees and possible import charges affect the buyer’s final price and your margin. Check current eBay terms for your chosen delivery option.

A practical checklist before you list

1. Check your account’s international selling and shipping options in eBay’s current selling guide.
2. Confirm that the product is permitted for export and eligible for your chosen programme.
3. Record packed weight and dimensions and obtain an actual shipping quote if you will ship it yourself.
4. Describe condition, faults and measurements clearly, using photos of the real item.
5. Calculate margin after stock cost, marketplace charges, shipping, packaging and expected returns.
6. Test a few listings and review delivery problems and net profit before expanding.

For resale stock, begin with lots that have enough product detail to assess unit costs and condition. Our current one-off wholesale job lots are a starting point, but check each listing individually: not every product will be suitable for international resale.