International challenges facing eBay UK next year

[bravergrace]

I'd say there are three big challenges coming up:

- new regulations for sending stuff to the EU.

- new regulations for  sending stuff to Northern Ireland.

- a new US president who apparently regards tariffs on imports as some sort of imperial tribute to be imposed at a whim on every country that fails to pay him due obeisance - and who, in his last term of office, contrived to wreck the UPU.

I'd guess that many small British sellers will be reacting to this by not exporting anything - at least, not to the EU, Northern Ireland or (if the tariffs are onerous)  to America.

That could mean a big loss of revenue for eBay - even if total sales stays the same, they'll lose their profit on the international shipping, their double-cut on the international taxes (the % paid by the governments for collecting it, and the % paid by sellers  as fees on the tax) - and a loss in profits from the Global Shipping Programme.

I wonder what they plan to do about it?  Find ways to increase international trade regardless, or find ways to increase the fees paid on UK-to-UK sales to plug the gap?

[ojewellery]

You missed the current frustration in my international trade - the Canadian postal strikes.

I've not given up internationally yet.  I'm still sending to the EU and NI - still talking with responsible persons and trying to make a call, 9 days to get off the fence.  I've got one I think I like 100Euro/ year for low risk products.  I don't see the point in stressing about the US until something happens and would it happen immediately or would there be a phase in?  These things always appear to have a phase in and a few revisions along the way.

Australia is having a nice little floury of sales and NZ has picked up a bit.

If we look back over as many years as I've been trading each one has had its challenges and frustrations (Covid, postal strikes, Brexit to name but a few).  Change is inevitable!

[exponential_developments]

Throughout most of American history, it employed a isolationist mindset, so it's nothing new......if America falls we all do.

[auctiongabble]

May i ask which company you had a quote from for acting as your european responsible person?

I enquired a company and they wanted £780 per year!

[ojewellery]

@auctiongabble the company I'm currently chatting with is VATAI.com

Their published price  is  higher.  I did a web chat with them and we've messaged back and fourth.  They've said they'll act for eBay customers for 100euro/ year up to 10,000 units.  I spoke with Harriet.  They said they'd do the same offer for other eBay sellers so if they look like they might be right for you it's worth using the live chat.

Initial contact and their reviews, albeit for other marketplace services, appear to look reasonably genuine.

They claimed to gave done a deal to partner with eBay in Japan for GPSR.  But I haven't seen anything on eBay to verify that.

[auctiongabble]

Thank you @ojewellery  I will certainly message them to discuss 

[maturin.surprise]

Regarding your 3rd point, from a UK perspective, it's highly unlikely tariffs would affect buying/selling of individual items on places like eBay.

[wyntersemporium]

Interesting . 🤔 

literally just had a order from Belfast. I had quite a few buyers this month from Northern Ireland.