eBay

clarastyle · ‎30-11-2025

Hi

I'm selling a small parcel size item which weighs 300g.

Ebay recommended up to 2kg but I changed it to 'up to 1kg' as I didn't want to appear to be overcharging a buyer and put them off buying.

Someone ordered 3 of this item and the packing puts it exactly on 1kg, but I only have simple kitchen scales and I'm concerned that the Post Office might find the weight to be over.

I have some questions around this:
1) I'm aware that if it goes over the 1kg and it's not the "recommended" option, I will be "charged for any surcharge for the under-declaration with an additional admin fee".
Can anyone tell me what the admin fee figure is - cannot find it anywhere?

2) I'm considering not using ebay's prepaid label and just pay for the postage myself, that way I only pay for exactly what I need - it's dependent on the admin fee which may or may not be charged - is there a way I can do this - ie cancel the prepaid label and personally pay the correct postage with Royal Mail, or do I just accept the postage charge? Is it possible to set postage prices in line with quantities?

3) If 1 item is 300g and I'm offering up to 10 of that item but the postage is set at 2kg, a purchase of 10 plus packaging will put the weight at 3.2kg approximately so it's quite a bit over the recommended. How can this be accommodated so it's correct and above all - fair?

I've been selling and buying since 2005 and I cannot figure out these new charges for the postage when there are multiple quantities, it's extremely confusing and a bit unfair. I'll most likely close my account which means I'll also stop buying - pity, because I've always preferred ebay over any other platform.

Any advice much appreciated with thanks.

subminman · ‎30-11-2025

Royal Mail small parcel is the same cost for up to 2 kilo to the buyer so there is no point in reducing to 1 kilo.

If you pay for the postage yourself you won't get the money refunded I believe the buyer will get the refund as they actually paid for it. You may also have problems with adding your tracking number to the order which will delay you getting paid as there will not be a record of the parcel being delivered.

Personally I have had issues in the recent past with combining postage with simple delivery but maybe Ebay have resolved the problems.

sml192 · ‎30-11-2025

If you select a different size to that recommended when listing and it ends up exceeding that size when sent then eBay states that you may be responsible for covering the additional costs plus an administration fee of £1 including VAT.

If eBay combined the postage for the 3 items and provided a single label then that should overide the size you selected during listing meaning there shouldn't be any additional charge if the size ends up exceeding the label size. In addition, due to the way business contracts with carriers work (flat rate regardless of weight/size) it is pretty unlikely that you would be charged anyway.

You have selected 'Buyer pays postage' on all your listings so if you didn't use the Simple Delivery label your buyer would be automatically refunded for the unused label meaning you would be paying for the new label out of your own pocket.

Can I change the recommended parcel size?

Yes. If you think our recommended parcel size is incorrect, you can select a different size when listing your item.

If you don’t use the recommended parcel size, and your item ends up exceeding the maximum size and weight of the label, you may be responsible for covering the additional costs to send your item. This includes the difference between the parcel size and an administration fee of £1 including VAT.

If you use the recommended parcel size and your item exceeds the maximum size and weight of the label, you won’t be charged any additional costs. Just go ahead and use the Simple Delivery postage label. The courier will accept your package providing it remains within the maximum weight and dimensions for the service.