Shipping to Europe as a Business Seller using the new EIS
Summary: The discussion centers on whether the eBay International Shipping (EIS) service allows small business sellers to bypass the GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation) when shipping to Europe and Northern Ireland. camerapartsuk is concerned about the loss of revenue since these regulations were enforced. miss_simply_crazy clarifies that the EIS service does not provide a solution for GPSR compliance, as sellers are still required to appoint an EU-based representative. Other participants express frustrations with related compliance issues and debate whether eBay might eventually offer more direct support for these challenges. There is confusion and differing opinions about the necessity of having representatives and adhering to packaging regulations, affecting sellers’ decisions on whether to resume shipping internationally.
I know there is another thread but my specific question went unanswered, also I can't find anything specifically on the internet about this.
Most of us small business sellers cut off ties with Europe and Northern Ireland last year due to the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) which meant that because we didn't have a nominated person, we would have broken the rules.
Does the new eBay International Shipping service get round this issue as the returns are handled by eBay, meaning we can once again send to Europe and Northern Ireland using this service?
If so, I'd fully welcome it back as I lose typically about £200-400 per month from non-EU/NI sales.
Equally when the GPSR restrictions came in, my rest of the world sales also nosedived, despite not being affected directly by the GPSR issue.
wheretheloveb
·2 weeks ago · EditedI've always wondered how sellers have coped with GPSR. It seemed to go quiet after all the fuss when it was announced. I lost alot of customers because of having to stop shipping to the EU.
There's talk now of us re joining the EU, or certain parts of it.
Does this mean that GPSR will apply to shipping within the UK ? If it does, I along with many other secondhand dealers will be out of business
the_book_seekers
·2 weeks agoI know the requirements of GPSR and have had a read through of PWWR and there's no way I'll want to sell into the EU. GPSR is bad enough, but PWWR does require a representative in each EU state and that's way too much for me. If ElS doesn't allow me to block the EU then I'll remain UK only. I'll be keeping an eye on my postage preferences as ebay will probably auto enroll everyone until they opt out.
4_bathrooms
·2 weeks agoFrom section 4 of the UK eIS terms and conditions:
"Where necessary, you are responsible for appointing an economic operator in the European Union for product safety obligations."
m-a-photo
·2 weeks agoI would also really like to know if this eliminates the burden of GPSR for business sellers on ebay. I turned off EU/ NI when GPSR came in as the requirements are far too onerous.
To be able to sell internationally again would be hugely welcome, not to mention having the other benefits of EIS.
I recall at the time when GPSR was introduced, there wasn't really acknowledgement from ebay that it wasn't practically possible for most business sellers to comply and they also weren't explicit in describing concequences of not complying.
In conjunction with this EIS roll out not mentioning GPSR at all, it makes me wonder whether they would prefer sellers to just ignore GPSR and get on with selling internationally still.
Personally, I will probably opt out of EIS unless that I know that I can use it without being in breach of GPSR.
technthread
·2 weeks agoI can’t find any reference to EIS dealing with GPSR. It would be great if eBay could deal with it in house and I’m sure a lot of us would turn EU back on.
The situation with GPSR and Northern Ireland is a farce. I sell there on V Pro regularly as I can’t switch NI off, V act like those regulations don’t exist.
miss_simply_crazy
·2 weeks agoNo, eBay International Shipping (EIS) does not act as your nominated Responsible Person. [1]
EIS is strictly a logistics and delivery service; they never assume regulatory, safety, or legal liability for the products you sell. In fact, under the eBay International Shipping Terms and Conditions, the responsibility for ensuring the item complies with all local laws and importing regulations rests squarely on the transaction participants—not eBay.
sml192
·2 weeks agoThose are the US terms that you have linked to. The UK specific terms for eIS are here.
jeffremington
·2 weeks agoIs this for business sellers only? Surely a private seller doesnt need a nominated person for their tat?
wheretheloveb
·2 weeks agoFar as I know, private sellers do not have to comply with GPSR or EU reps.
jonatjonatjonat
·2 weeks agoAnother Private Seller benefit - especially for those who are actually businesses.
miss_simply_crazy
·2 weeks agoHi there,
Can't exactly answer your question, but do you have a nominated person to deal with your GPSR?
Also, as of the 12th August 2026, you will need an authorised representative in each EU state to deal with PWWR (Packaging Regulation). I've asked about that on another topic, but got no response.
As far as I can tell, you need an authorised representative in each EU state (I don't think this is something that ebay deal with, it's down to each seller)
According to Google:
eBay does not deal with or provide an authorised representative (or Responsible Person) for you. As a seller based outside the EU, you must legally appoint your own EU-based representative or economic operator to comply with the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) and other EU laws
camerapartsuk
OP2 weeks agoNo, that's the point of this question, I don't have a representative, but it seems the EIS may be a workaround of this issue.
From what I read about the packaging regulation is that only fits if you manufacturer the packaging itself, not if you buy the end product (box or envelope) to send on to the buyer of your item.
miss_simply_crazy
·2 weeks agoDepends if you are a business seller?
It applies to every single business who sells an item and uses packaging (i.e. a box, a card envelope, etc. etc) to send their items in.
Quote:
As a business selling and shipping directly to private individuals in the EU, you must register for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) under the PPWR framework.
Under EU law, shipping directly to a consumer (B2C) via distance selling is considered "placing packaging on the market" for the first time in that country. Because the private individual cannot be held responsible for commercial waste, the legal and financial obligation falls entirely on you as the business seller.
miss_simply_crazy
·2 weeks agoQuote from Google also!
No, eBay International Shipping (eIS) does not cover you for General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) compliance. You remain legally responsible as the seller for providing all required product safety information, manufacturer details, and responsible person contacts.
camerapartsuk
OP2 weeks agodistance selling is considered "placing packaging on the market"
I'm not selling packaging, I'm selling the item that goes inside the packaging.
miss_simply_crazy
·2 weeks agoI know you are not selling packaging, but you are still responsible for "placing the packaging on the market". It applies to anyone who ships items in packaging.
bojangled
·2 weeks agoI’m assuming Google hasn’t updated the info for EIS for eBay UK .
Also having read the email and seen this ‘By default, eIS will include all countries, even those you’ve previously excluded.’ Which leads me to your question @camerapartsuk I have no intention of getting involved in the rigmarole of the representative, or the packaging, or the extra work involved to send a £10 poster to Germany.
Having had experience of various roll outs on this platform, I’m switching international off until things become clearer.
miss_simply_crazy
·2 weeks agoNo, the PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) applies to you even if you buy ready-made boxes or envelopes to ship your products. The regulation covers anyone who places packaged goods or transport packaging onto the market, not just the physical creator of the packaging material