Shipping Requirements for a China-Based Business Seller Shipping to the UK and Europe
Summary: xin-4800 is planning to start selling on eBay from China to the UK and Europe and seeks clarification on shipping requirements. sml192 explains that it's not mandatory to use eBay’s SpeedPAK or other integrated services, although they can offer benefits like handling customs paperwork. gpsr72 adds that selling to the EU requires a 'responsible person' in the EU for each product, with the necessary details displayed on packaging and listings. They highlight the importance of sorting compliance issues before purchasing stock.
Hello,
I am currently preparing to start selling on eBay and would like to confirm the shipping requirements before registering my business seller account.
I am planning to register a business in mainland China and use the Chinese business entity to open an eBay business seller account. My products will be sourced from suppliers in China, and I plan to sell mainly to customers in the UK and other European countries.
Before I proceed, I would like to clarify the following questions:
For a business seller registered in mainland China and shipping products from China to customers in the UK and Europe, is it mandatory to use eBay-supported or eBay-integrated shipping services?
Am I required to use SpeedPAK / Orange Connex or another eBay-designated shipping service for orders from China to the UK or Europe?
Can I use my own third-party cross-border logistics provider instead?
For example, I am currently considering using a Chinese cross-border logistics company called Diyi International Logistics (递一国际物流), which can collect parcels in China and deliver them directly to customers in the UK and Europe.If third-party logistics providers are allowed, what requirements must they meet?
For example:
Does the tracking number have to be recognised by eBay?
Does the logistics provider need to be integrated with eBay?
Do I need to upload tracking information within a certain period?
Are there any specific delivery-time or tracking requirements for shipments from China to the UK and Europe?
If eBay requires sellers to use online shipping services, under what circumstances can a seller use an offline or independent logistics provider instead?
Does the shipping policy differ depending on the destination country?
For example, are the requirements different for shipments from China to the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain or other European countries?If SpeedPAK or another eBay-designated logistics service is mandatory, how does the shipping process work?
Would I send my parcels from my supplier or warehouse in China to a designated SpeedPAK/eBay logistics warehouse in China, and then have the logistics provider handle international delivery to the customer?Are there any restrictions on using a Chinese domestic fulfilment warehouse or third-party warehouse to fulfil my eBay orders?
I do not plan to keep inventory at my personal address. My products may be sent directly from Chinese suppliers to a fulfilment/logistics warehouse in China, which would then ship individual orders to customers.
I have not started selling yet because I would like to understand the shipping rules and costs before purchasing inventory and registering my seller account.
My main concern is whether I am free to choose a suitable third-party logistics provider, or whether a mainland China business seller must use SpeedPAK / Orange Connex or another eBay-designated online shipping service for UK and European orders.
I would greatly appreciate it if you could clarify the current eBay policy for mainland China business sellers.
Thank you very much for your help.
gpsr72
·8 hours ago · EditedHi xin-48000, adding to sml192's point about GPSR, since it affects you directly as a seller based in China.
For the EU (Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the rest), every product you sell to consumers needs a "responsible person" established in the EU. As your business and suppliers are in China, that can't be you. It is usually an authorised representative under a written agreement. Their name, postal address and email must appear on the product or its packaging and in your eBay listing (eBay has GPSR fields for this). Without it, eBay can block or remove EU listings.
Worth sorting before you buy stock:
Decide your product categories. Toys, electronics and cosmetics have extra rules and cost more to cover.
Check your suppliers can give you basic safety documents: a risk assessment, test reports where needed, and warnings and instructions in the buyer's language.
Appoint an EU responsible person and put their details on labels and listings.
The UK has its own separate rules, so check those as well.
sml192
·1 week ago · EditedIf you are going to be selling using the eBay UK site then you aren't required to use Orange Connex fulfilment or eBay’s international shipping programme (SpeedPAK in this instance) and it isn't essential to use an integrated or approved carrier but would be preferable in terms of uploading tracking. Other eBay sites may have different requirements.
Diyi International Logistics (also known as CNE Express) doesn't appear to be on eBay's approved list for API Upload tracking but not sure how up to date that list is. They do appear to work with eBay though.
Using SpeedPAK would have the additional benefit of all customs paperwork being dealt with for you and you would only need to ship to the international hub. You would need to check the terms for SpeedPAK to see what your exact responsibilities are though.
If you are shipping to EU countries such as Germany, France, Italy, and Spain then you would need to make sure that you are compliant with the PPWR and GPSR regulations.