eBay

uk-news@ebay · ‎07-10-2025

Big wins, fresh insights and support to keep you growing

With the excitement of the back-to-school rush behind us, I’m pleased to take you through our updates for this month and look ahead at what’s to come for sellers.

We kicked off October with eBay OPEN25 UK, and I want to start by thanking all of you who joined us. This event wouldn’t be what it is without the incredible energy, ideas and stories you bring. My personal highlights included meeting new sellers and hearing their fresh perspectives, as well as catching up with those who’ve been selling on eBay for 20+ years and learning about their stories of growth and ambition. To keep the conversations going, we’ll be sharing key talks and workshops on our Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn channels, so if you weren’t able to attend or want to rewatch your favourite sessions, be sure to subscribe.

Running a business means wearing a lot of hats, and we know how quickly time goes in a working day. So we’re launching eBay AI Activate, a fully funded programme to equip 10,000 UK business sellers with world-class AI tools from OpenAI and the training to unlock them. Think of it as your shortcut to working smarter, not harder. From automating repetitive tasks to delivering AI-powered insights that help you make confident, data-driven decisions, the programme helps you focus on what’s next.

In addition to providing tailored productivity tools, we also want to help you supercharge your business and help get your business plans off the ground. That’s why we’re launching our Up & Running programme for the first time in the UK after six successful years in the US. It’s designed to give sellers the opportunity to apply for a £10,000 cash grant to invest directly in their businesses and communities.

Alongside this, we’re also leading a cross-industry campaign to triple the trading allowance in the UK, giving sellers like you more breathing room to grow and thrive. You can read our letter to the Chancellor here.

And as peak season approaches, we’re sharing practical insights that can help you capture buyers’ attention.

These updates and more are featured throughout the October blog. Read on to see what’s ahead.

As always, thank you for shopping and selling on eBay.

Eve Williams, General Manager, eBay UK

Activate. Automate. Accelerate.

People power businesses, and AI can help you get more done with less effort. So we’re inviting our UK business sellers to join eBay AI Activate, a programme powered by OpenAI and fully funded by eBay, designed to help you save time and work smarter. You’ll access fully-funded Chat GPT Enterprise, plus tailored tools and training to help you make the most of it.

There are 10,000 spaces available to our business sellers this year. Those who came to eBay OPEN25 will get early access. Once we’ve onboarded this initial group of sellers, we’ll start inviting those who have pre-registered in the next cohort. So make sure you pre-register using the link below!

Already enrolled? Let us know how you’re finding it.

1 Stay focused

Automate repetitive tasks, so you can concentrate on what matters most.

2 Grow smarter

Use AI-powered insights to make confident, data-driven decisions.

3 Help boost sales

Create engaging campaigns that reach the right audience and drive growth.

Pre-register now

New seller protections for ‘Item not received’ claims outside of your control

We know it’s frustrating when delivery delays lead to Item Not Received (INR) claims, only for the item to arrive days later. These situations are beyond your control, and we don’t want you to be penalised.

That’s why, starting from November, we’ll be extending INR protections to help reduce any friction felt by premature INR claims.

If you ship on time using a tracked shipping service purchased through eBay labels, you’re covered. We’ll step in if tracking shows the item was delivered after a seller refund was already issued, and you’ll be reimbursed for the item cost. We’ll also remove any negative or neutral feedback tied to the delay.

Learn more

Backing Britain’s small businesses at Westminster

We recently launched a cross-industry campaign to increase the trading allowance, the amount you can earn from casual or self-employed trading before paying tax, from £1000 to £3000. This simple, low-cost change would give sellers like you more breathing room to grow.

Why does it matter? Since 2020, the UK has lost around half a million small businesses. And with small and medium-sized businesses making up 99% of the UK’s economy, employing over 16.6 million people, it’s a decline that we’re determined to do something about.

For those currently claiming the Trading Allowance, this would put an extra £400 back into the pockets of basic rate taxpayers and working families across the country.

That’s why we’ve written to the Chancellor urging this change, and now need your support too. Please write to your MP and ask them to back it, you can find your MP’s contact details by entering your postcode.

Empowering our entrepreneurs: Get a £10,000 Up & Running grant

Small businesses have always been at the heart of our marketplace, and that’s why we’re giving 25 UK sellers the chance to receive a £10,000 cash grant. It’s an opportunity to fund your ambitions, fuel your next stage of growth and empower your local community.

If you’re a business looking to invest in your development, operations or community, tell us how £10,000 could help you fund your next steps.

Here are your need-to-knows:

Applications for the £10,000 cash grant are only open to UK-based business sellers
The closing date for applications is 21 November
Entries will be judged by our very own UK senior leaders, including Eve Williams, with successful applicants announced by 20 December

Good luck!

Apply for the £10,000 grant

Your Global Shipping Programme listings are back in front of US buyers

From 1 October, we’re re-enabling some of your listings for the Global Shipping Programme so they can reach US buyers again.

We’ve added Country of Origin details to select listings where reliable data was available. However, you can always add or update the Country of Origin yourself, and your entry will take priority.

This is just the first step. We’ll be gradually expanding coverage, helping make international selling smoother, so you can focus on your business while we handle the logistics.

If you’re not enrolled in the Global Shipping Programme, now’s a great time to join and get reliable delivery to the US and over 100 other markets worldwide. Using the Global Shipping Programme means we manage the process for you and your buyer, who will see prices that include all tariffs and fees.

To get started, all you need to do is opt in via the Global Shipping Programme preferences page.

Learn how to add Country of Origin to your listings

Bringing more passionate communities together

eBay Live hit a major milestone in September as we expanded into new categories and streamed live from London Fashion Week:

Endless Runway hits London!
We streamed our own Endless Runway live from London Fashion Week, featuring designer pieces shoppable straight from the catwalk.
New category expansion into Refurb and Collectables
Get great value and make a more sustainable choice with refurbished electronics and sporting equipment, or discover coins, toys and sports memorabilia live. Don’t miss the chance to secure your next great find!

From rare finds to smart buys, eBay Live is constantly evolving into a richer, more dynamic way to shop. Live, interactive and always authentic.

Want to take part? Register to sell on eBay Live and connect with your buyers in real time.

Introducing the new Account and Listing Health Centre

We’ve heard from sellers across the globe and the message is clear: you want a straightforward way to resolve listing or account issues, as well as guidance on how to ensure your listings are legal and compliant.

That’s why we’re pleased to announce the launch of the new Account and Listing Health Centre.

How this makes things easy for you:

Quickly spot which listings aren’t reaching your buyers due to policy violations and prioritise them
Get clear guidance on flagged listings and fix issues with confidence
Access helpful information all in one place

Explore the new Account and Listing Health Centre to see how it can help you resolve issues faster. For more details on regulations that may apply to your business, visit our Regulatory Guide.

Catch up with eBay OPEN25

Missed an eBay Open event, or couldn’t tune in virtually? Don’t worry, we’ll be sharing key talks and workshops on our Instagram and YouTube channels next week. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay in the loop.

There are still chances to connect before the year’s out. Register for a 2025 seller meetup to join us at one of our final events of the year.

Three steps to prepare for peak season

Send regular newsletters

Keep your business top-of-mind to build customer loyalty.

Drive sales with offers

Run promotions and send offers directly to buyers.

Reach buyers worldwide

Expand your audience internationally through eBay's Shipping Programme.

As peak season kicks off, keep an eye on our Announcements Board for final carrier postage dates. Follow us on Instagram for even more selling tips.