Postage discounts

When you set up postage discounts, the discount will automatically be applied at checkout or displayed on your listings in Live events.

How combined postage discounts work

To offer combined postage discounts, first you'll need to set up combined postage rules in your Shipping preferences - opens in new window or tab and then apply them to your listings. Once the rules are applied to your listings, the postage cost will automatically be adjusted when a buyer purchases multiple items from you.

eBay Live sellers will see a simplified experience for creating and managing postage discounts. Learn more about selling with eBay Live.

Tip
eBay Live combined postage eligibility is anchored to the event start time. Find out more in our article about Offering combined postage.

Flat rate postage rules

With flat rate postage costs, all buyers pay the same amount. You can set up your rule to either add or subtract from the postage cost for each additional purchase:

• Add a fixed amount for each additional item purchased. For example, if the postage cost on the first item is $5 you could choose to charge just $2 in postage for each additional purchase
• Subtract an amount from the postage charge for each additional item purchased. In the same example as above you could choose to charge $1 less than the initial postage (i.e. $4) for each additional purchase. If you're an eBay Live seller, this option isn't available for new flat rate postage rules

Here's how to create a flat postage rule:

1. In your Shipping preferences - opens in new window or tab, select Edit next to Combined postage rules.
2. Select Flat postage rule.
3. From the dropdown menu, choose whether to add or subtract an amount for each additional item purchased.
4. Enter the amount to add/subtract.
5. Select Save.

To create flat postage rules for eBay Live items:

1. In your Shipping preferences - opens in new window or tab, select Edit next to Combined postage rules.
2. On the 'Create postage rule' page, enter the name of your new rule.
3. Under 'Choose rule type', select Flat cost.
4. Choose the postage cost for additional items, or select Free postage.
5. You can also choose to add a max postage cost under 'Optional rule settings'.

Calculated postage rules

When you offer a calculated postage cost, the amount a buyer pays varies based on their location. You can apply rules for combining items into a single package:

• Automatically combine the weights of all the items in one package. For example, if a buyer purchases 3 items that weigh 500 g each, you can set up a rule that charges postage for a single 1.5 kg package
• Automatically combine the weights of the items in one package and subtract a weight amount (in grams). For example, if a buyer purchases 3 items that weigh 500 g each, you can set up a rule that combines the items in one 1.5 kg package, and automatically deducts 300 g from the total weight. This option isn't available for eBay Live listings

To create calculated postage rules:

1. In your Shipping preferences - opens in new window or tab, select Edit next to Combined postage rules.
2. Select Calculated postage rule.
3. Choose either Combine all item weights, or Combine all item weights and subtract an amount.
4. Select Next, then specify a rule for your handling costs from the dropdown menu.
5. Enter the amount to be added or subtracted for each additional item, then Save.

To create calculated postage rules for eBay Live items:

1. In your Shipping preferences - opens in new window or tab, select Edit next to Combined postage rules.
2. Select Create combined postage rule.
3. On the 'Create postage rule' page, enter the name of your new rule.
4. Select Calculated by total weight as your rule type.
5. Specify your handling costs, if any.
6. You can also choose from extra discount options under 'Optional rule settings'.

Promotional postage discount rules

With promotional postage discounts, you can create a rule that offers your buyers a discount based on the conditions you set. For example:

• You can set a maximum postage cost when someone buys more than one item
• Free postage if buyers spend more than $25

Buyers will see these discounts highlighted in your listings. Promotional postage rules apply to all listings with a combined postage discount, and the promotional rule overrides any existing flat and calculated postage rules.

Promotional postage rules don't apply to items in an eBay Live event, but you can choose to add a 'Max. postage cost' when you're creating a flat postage rule.

To set up a promotional postage discount:

1. In your Shipping preferences - opens in new window or tab, select Edit next to Combined postage rules.
2. Select Promotional postage rule.
3. Fill in your conditions and select Save.

Tip
Make sure you've applied combined postage rules to all listings where you want to offer a discount.

How to apply postage discount rules to your listings

For buyers to receive your postage discounts, you need to apply your rules to the relevant listings. You can do this when creating or editing a listing, or using business policies.

Here's how to apply a postage discount rule when listing an item:

1. On the listing page, scroll down to the Postage section.
2. Select the rule(s) you want to apply.

Here's how to apply a postage discount rule to an existing listing:

1. Go to your Active listings - opens in new window or tab page.
2. Select Revise next to the listing you want to edit.
3. In the Postage section, select the rule(s) you want to apply.

Here's how to apply a postage discount rule to multiple listings:

1. Go to your Business policies - opens in new window or tab.
2. Select the postage policy you want to edit.
3. Select the rule(s) you want to apply under Combined postage discounts.
4. Select Save. The postage discounts will then be applied to all listings with that postage policy.

How to apply postage discount rules to eBay Live listings

Once you've created your postage rules, you can apply them when you're creating eBay Live listings from templates, using bulk listing tools, or by creating and editing individual listings. We recommend applying a single combined postage rule or policy to all Live listings so your buyers can enjoy a seamless experience.

Listing templates
When using templates to create bulk listings, you'll need to first apply the combined postage rule to your postage policy. Once you've added the rule to your policy, here's how to apply it to your listings:

1. Go to Seller Hub and select Listings.
2. Select Listing templates.
3. Select Create or Edit a listing template.
4. Scroll to Postage.
5. Select the postage policy with the correct rule applied.

Bulk listing tools

1. Go to Seller Hub and select Listings.
2. Go to the focused edit view.
3. Select Bulk edit, then Domestic postage.
4. Select your combined postage rule.

Single listing

1. Go to your listing, and scroll to Postage.
2. Select Flat or Calculated.
3. Scroll down to Combined postage and select the rule from the dropdown.

If you are using postage rules, rather than postage policies, the selected postage services will need to match for combined postage discounts to apply. This happens automatically for postage policies.