International purchases and postage for buyers

When purchasing items located overseas, keep in mind that international delivery can sometimes take longer and cost more than buying from a seller in your own country. In most cases, you'll also have to pay GST on your purchase. If you need to return an item, this may also involve international postage.

If you have any questions about postage or returns, contact the seller before you go to checkout.

Either your seller or their international postage service will manage the customs forms.

Tip
International purchases are covered by eBay Money Back Guarantee as long as all other eligibility requirements are met. Learn more about eBay Money Back Guarantee.

Where to find the cost of international postage

You'll find the estimated cost of postage in the Postage and payments section of every eBay listing. You'll also see the postage service the seller offers and where the item will be sent from, as well as a list of countries the seller posts to.

The final postage cost will be confirmed at checkout, once you confirm your delivery address.

GST and import charges

Import charges (customs duties, taxes or other fees) may apply to items being sent from overseas. Charges are generally based on the item's price, weight, dimensions and country of origin, as well as any taxes, duties and fees added by your country.

For orders up to $1,000 being imported to Australia or New Zealand, any applicable GST will be added at checkout, once you've confirmed your delivery details. You'll see the charges and the final total before you pay for your order.

If your order is over $1,000 or if additional duties apply to your order, you may still have to pay customs duty or import taxes when your item arrives. Check the Australian Border Force - opens in new window or tab or New Zealand Customs Service - opens in new window or tab website for more specific details.

If your delivery address is in a different country, different taxes or other charges may apply.

Some eBay listings may indicate that an item will be sent with import charges pre-paid. If you have questions about potential import charges, you can ask the seller or check with your country's customs office before you bid on or buy an item.

Buying from sellers using eBay International Shipping

If your seller is sending your item through eBay International Shipping, you'll pay for postage charges at checkout, as well as any GST or other applicable taxes that eBay is required to collect.

If any other customs duties, taxes or import fees apply to your purchase, you can choose to pay these either at checkout or when your item arrives. You'll see the following options at checkout:

• Pay import charges now – select this option to pay all taxes and duties at checkout
• Defer import charges until delivery – select this option to pay applicable taxes and duties when your item arrives

If you're buying more than one item from the same seller, the postage will automatically be combined at checkout if the items are eligible. If you choose to pay import charges at checkout for some items in your order and defer them until delivery for other items, your postage won't be combined. Combined postage is also not available for auction-style listings.

Once you've completed checkout, the seller will send your package to the shipping hub, and from there it's posted internationally to you. Tracking is automatically added so you can track your order from the hub to your door.

If you're returning an item sent by eBay International Shipping, you'll receive a return postage label to send the item back to the shipping hub.

Buying from sellers using the Global Shipping Program

If your seller is sending the item through the Global Shipping Program, you'll pay all postage and import charges (including processing charges and any applicable GST at checkout, and you won't have to pay any extra charges when your item is delivered.

Once you've paid for your item, the seller sends it to the global shipping provider. From there, it's sent to you. Tracking is always included so you can track your item right to your door. International deliveries through the Global Shipping Program include customs clearance so you don't need to handle any extra paperwork.

When you pay, your payment will be split into two transactions:

• The first payment goes to the seller to cover the item price and any domestic postage costs to send the item to the global shipping provider
• The second payment covers the international postage cost, processing charges and any import charges (including any applicable GST, customs duties or other fees)

After you've completed payment, you'll be able to see both the total cost and the amounts paid to the seller and the global shipping provider on the Order details page.

If you're returning an item sent through the Global Shipping Program, you'll need to arrange postage back to the seller yourself.

Buying from sellers using eBay SpeedPAK

If your seller is sending the item with eBay SpeedPAK, how you pay import charges depends where the seller is located.

For items sent with eBay SpeedPAK from sellers in Germany:

• You'll see estimated import fees alongside the postage charges on the listing
• At checkout, you'll pay final charges, including item price, postage and import fees (including any applicable GST)
• Customs forms and declarations will be taken care of by eBay SpeedPAK

For all other items sent with eBay SpeedPAK:

• At checkout, you'll pay for the item price and postage costs, as well as any GST or other applicable taxes that eBay is required to collect
• If the order total is over AU $1,000, eBay SpeedPAK won't be available

Tracking is always included on eBay SpeedPAK items so you can track your item right to your door. If you're returning an item sent with SpeedPAK, you'll generally need to arrange postage back to the seller yourself.