Buying shipping labels on eBay

Once the buyer has paid, you can buy your label on eBay and simply drop off your parcel at a convenient location near you. The postage cost is deducted from your sales proceeds or charged to your on-file payment method.

Because all services are fully tracked and delivery stays visible on eBay, you'll benefit from additional seller protections for eligible delivery issues.

Labels available on eBay

When you buy an Australia Post label - opens in new window or tab on eBay, our negotiated rates let you save money relative to what you would pay at the post office. For domestic parcels, you don't need a printer at all with our digital QR code option.

With eBay's delivery network - opens in new window or tab, you can access lower-cost shipping options across multiple carriers and choose to drop off your parcel or book a pickup from home. We're introducing this option gradually and it will soon be available to all sellers. You may see Orange Connex appear in tracking updates, as they power the delivery network behind the scenes.

For more details, including pricing, please read our Seller Centre article about buying shipping labels on eBay - opens in new window or tab.

How to buy a label on eBay

It's quick and easy to get shipping labels on eBay from your computer or mobile device. Here's how:

1. Go to Orders in My eBay - opens in new window or tab or Seller Hub - opens in new window or tab, find the item and select Get postage label.
2. Review the order details, package details, carrier and delivery service, and edit them if needed.
   • Double-check that the To and From addresses are correct. If you need to edit one of them, select Edit below the address. (Note: If buying a label on eBay is required for your item, you won't be able to edit the buyer's address.)
   • Ensure you declare the package type, weight and dimensions correctly to avoid additional charges.
   • Make sure the QR code option is enabled, if you want to use this label format for an Australia Post label.
   • If you want to schedule a carrier pickup for your parcel, make you select the eBay delivery network pickup option, then choose the date.
3. Review your package protection. Note that signature confirmation is required for orders over $750.
4. Select Buy postage label. You can then either print or download the label, or save the QR code. If you'd like, you can print a packing slip by selecting Print packing slip. You'll also receive the QR code by email for easy access.

If you're printing the label, simply print it onto normal A4 paper and tape it to the package, then take it to your nearest drop-off point for your selected delivery service:

• Australia Post post office or street posting box - opens in new window or tab
• eBay delivery network drop-off locations - opens in new window or tab

If you booked a carrier pickup, have your parcel ready for collection by 8am on the day of pickup.

Tip
We recommend reusing boxes or satchels. Simply cover any old barcodes or addresses, and ensure your item is protected for the journey. Learn more about packing your sold items.

QR code shipping labels

If you don't have a printer, you can generate a QR code and get the label printed at the post office when you drop off the package. QR code shipping labels are currently only available for domestic Australia Post parcels.

When buying your label on eBay, make sure the QR code option is enabled. (If you haven't created a QR code label before, you may need to edit the label details and select QR code as the label format.)

Once you've bought your label, save the QR code on your device and bring it with you when you take the package to the post office. The staff will scan the QR code, print your label and attach it to your package for you.

If you didn't save the QR code after buying your shipping label, don't worry. We'll also send you an email with the QR code, and you can access it at any time from the order details.

Here's how to find your QR code on the eBay app:

1. Tap Selling, then Orders.
2. Tap the order.
3. Tap the arrow or 3 dots to the right of Leave feedback, then tap Manage postage.
4. The QR code will be available for download.

You can also save the QR code, print off the label or print a packing slip from the app.

Tip
It can take about 30 minutes from when you buy a label on eBay for your parcel details to be reflected in the carrier's system. To ensure the QR code can be scanned by post office staff, it's a good idea to allow some time between buying your label and dropping off your parcel.

Reprint a label

You can reprint your shipping label at no extra cost within 7 days of buying it. Simply go to Track and manage your shipments - opens in new window or tab in Seller Hub or Manage postage labels - opens in new window or tab in My eBay.

You can also access a PDF copy of the label or the QR code from the "Your shipping label is ready" email.

Send an order in multiple packages

If you need to split a buyer's items into more than one package, you can print additional labels.

To get labels for a single order in multiple packages:

1. Follow the instructions above to get a label for the first package.
2. Select Print another label for the same order from the label confirmation page.
3. Enter the weight and dimensions for the next package.

Each additional label will have its own tracking number and will be charged separately, based on the package weight and dimensions you entered.

Buy labels for multiple orders

If you have multiple orders to send, you can create the labels in bulk and print them all at once.

To get labels for multiple orders:

1. Go to Orders in My eBay - opens in new window or tab or Seller Hub - opens in new window or tab and select Get postage label from the actions menu next to one of the items.
2. Select the Get labels in bulk link at the top right side. (If you don't see this option, select the Switch to advanced postage link at the top right side first.)
3. We'll show a list of orders awaiting postage. You can remove any orders for which you don't want to get a label, and combine any orders which you want to send together in one package.
4. For each order, check the order details, package details and delivery service, and edit them if needed.
5. When you're ready, select Review purchase to see a summary of the labels you're buying.
6. Select Confirm and pay to buy your labels.
7. Select Print labels to open and print a PDF that contains all of the labels, or use the drop-down menu next to each order to download the individual labels if you'd prefer to print them separately. You can also print the labels list to help you with picking and packing your orders.

International postage labels

When you use eBay postage labels for international packages, you'll benefit from a discount compared to retail rates for Australia Post International Standard and Express delivery.

To get an international label, simply follow the steps to buy a label on eBay, or buy labels for multiple orders. (Note that the QR code option isn't available for international labels.) You'll be prompted to fill out the customs form online, and this will be part of the label when you print it off.

Where you can drop the parcel off depends on which service you chose:

• Australia Post International Standard delivery: Take the parcel to any post office (You can't drop it into a red Parcel Post street posting box)
• International Express delivery: Take the parcel to any post office or drop it into an Australia Post Express Post yellow street posting box

As with all labels bought on eBay, tracking information for your parcel will be uploaded to the order automatically. For more information, please visit our Seller Centre:

• International Postage Labels on eBay - opens in new window or tab
• International Selling - opens in new window or tab

Tip
Before you get your label, make sure your item can be posted internationally. Australia Post provides more information concerning Dangerous and Prohibited Goods - opens in new window or tab so you can better understand restrictions on import and exports.

Customs

When you're buying your label on eBay, the customs form will be pre-filled with the sender and receiver details, item description, weight, quantity, value and origin country. All you need to do is confirm and add the HS Tariff code - opens in new window or tab to help both Australia and the importing country understand the contents of the package, and its value and purpose.

The AES/ITN/Exemption field is optional, unless the total value of the parcel contents is more than AU $2,000. In that case, you'll need to supply an Export Declaration Number (EDN) to continue.

For more information about customs and export, please visit the following websites:

• Australia Post: International post guide - opens in new window or tab
• Australian Border Force: Export declaration - opens in new window or tab

Tip
When adding the HS Tariff code for your postage label on eBay, remove any full stops from the number. For example, if the code is 3304.10.00, enter 33041000.

Cancel or change a label

If you won't be using your label, you need to cancel it within 5 days of buying the label to receive a credit. Once your cancellation request is approved, it may take up to 60 days for the postage charge to be credited to your account.

You can't edit a shipping label once you've bought it. If you need to update the delivery address, delivery options or package details, you'll need to cancel the label and create a new one.

To cancel a label:

1. Go to Manage postage labels - opens in new window or tab.
2. Find the item and select the Actions dropdown, then select Cancel postage label.
3. Choose your reason for cancelling the label. If you want to, you can add a message for the buyer.
4. Select Cancel postage label.

Remember that you may not use a label after it's been cancelled, or cancel a label after you've dropped the parcel off.

Reschedule or cancel a parcel pickup

If you bought a shipping label with a carrier pickup, you can cancel the label up until midnight (AET) of the day before the scheduled pickup. To change the pickup date, you'll need to cancel the shipping label and create a new booking.

Parcel pickups are generally between 8am–6pm Monday–Friday. In the event that a booked pickup wasn't attempted by the carrier, it will be automatically rescheduled for the next business day.

Print a packing slip and order details

A packing slip is a receipt summarising the details of the sale. You can print one by choosing Print packing slip on the Manage postage labels - opens in new window or tab page.

You can also print out the full order details for the item. Here's how:

1. Go to Orders in My eBay - opens in new window or tab or Seller Hub - opens in new window or tab and find the item.
2. From the actions menu, select View order details.
3. On the Order details page, select the Print option at the top right.