Global Trade

Welcome to the World's Online Marketplace! With users in 150+ countries, eBay is a great way to access the world market of international buyers. Items sold internationally with PayPal receive an average of 16% higher prices.

The tastes of buyers around the world vary depending on local culture and item availability. In general, items which have a high dollar value relative to their weight are those most likely to be sold internationally. Items that fit these criteria include collectables (such as coins and stamps), jewelry, electronics (such as PDA's & MP3 players), auto parts and sporting goods. From India Products like Jewelry, Apparel, Accessories, Handicrafts and Ethnic Indian items are in demand worldwide. Products which are unique in nature, hard to find and collectibles are also quite popular.

You can do an advanced search of "completed listings" to get an idea of average selling prices on other eBay sites.This will help you determine what items are selling and the prices that you can get for them.

It's important to make sure that you do not export items to countries where they are prohibited.

Additionally, eBay has eBay has a list of prohibited items that cannot be traded on the site.

Customs is a government agency responsible for regulating shipments entering a country. All shipments being sent to and from a country must clear relevant customs regulations.

To sell internationally you will require some import export documentation. Some of the documentation includes:

• An invoice for shipping anything other than letters and documents.
• An Importer-Exporter (I.E.) Code. This will be required for regular sellers. For more information on Import Export Code please visit www.dgft.nic.in
• To Tie up with courier companies who provide international shipping

List on eBay.com or other eBay international sites using your ebay.in User ID. Learn more about listing your products on other eBay sites.

It is important to read the eBay Policies applicable on the International site before you start listing on that site. Visit the Policies page on the international eBay site.

List on eBay.in and offer to ship the product world wide or to specific regions. Learn more about listing on eBay.in and offering International Shipping.

*** It is important to know all the eBay policies for international trade before you start selling on the site. Read the eBay policies.

• Visit that countries homepage. Example: www.eBay.co.uk
• Click on the Sell link and fill in the SYI form. Click here for a step by step guide on how to fill the SYI form.

Note: The fee structure for listing will be applicable as on other eBay sites.

Visit the International Discussion Board to connect with other eBay members selling internationally.

Visit the Workshop Discussion Board to see the workshops conducted on International Selling and shipping

1. Enter the shipping type and the shipping charges for the destinations
2. You can add up to 3 shipping services such as International Standard or International Expedited and enter the charges for the same.

• You will be charged an international listing fee if you offer your products to buyers outside India.

If you are targeting a specific audience be aware of the language(s) spoken in that country or region. If there is a need to translate a description, go to the international boards where eBay users have volunteered to provide free translation services .You can also use free online translation tool such as Bablefish or Google.

The easiest way to attract buyers is to write in simple, clear language. In general, avoid using colloquialisms or abbreviations that may not be understood an international audience. You can enhance the quality of your listings with good images and by promoting them.

You can help international buyers by writing a listing that gives a clear understanding of what will happen after they purchase your item:

• Delivery Time: Be sure to include an estimate of delivery time and specify if additional costs will be involved to expedite delivery. You may also want to tell potential buyers how to research customs fees before they place a bid.



• Taxes & Duties: Many countries have a Value Added Sales Tax (VAT), which is charged when an item crosses into their border. VAT is charged in addition to applicable duties. It's the buyer's responsibility to know how much tax and duties will be charged, but you can provide good customer service by giving a rough estimate of how much tax and duties to expect.

As the seller, you decide what payment methods you'll accept. However it is very important to include payment options international buyers can use to maximise the appeal of your item.

Some of the payment terms used by sellers are PaisaPay, Swift transfer, PayPal for online payments and international money order or Bank Draft (available at most banks) in case of offline payments.

The best way to avoid fraud is to refuse invitations to transact "off-eBay", and use PayPal as your only payment method. Let common sense and instinct be your guide -- if it seems "too good to be true" it probably is. In general, here are some tips to remain safe while transacting internationally:

• Complete transactions with the winning bidder or fixed price buyer only after the completion of the eBay listing.
• Review the member's contact information to verify that the information corresponds with the shipping address provided by the buyer.
• For high-priced items, you may also want to consider using escrow.
• Make sure that payment has been received and confirmed before you ship the item. If the buyer is using a credit card, contact the card issuer and verify that the name on the card matches both shipping and contact information.

Visit the eBay Security Center for more information.

Shipping costs are typically higher for international destinations and can vary greatly based on a number of factors. Some International courier companies have built shipping calculators on their websites which can be referred to while determining costs.

Shipping costs are based on a combination of the following:

• Weight and dimensions of package
• Method of shipment such as Ground, Next Day Air, etc.
• The location you're shipping from
• The location you're shipping to (also called as the destination country)

Item Value Declaration - when declaring the value of the item on the customs form, you should use the auction closing price for your item. Do not include shipping & handling costs, so that the buyer does not overpay in duties and taxes.

Invoice Inclusion - Include an invoice in your package as evidence of the value of the item in case customs officials open the package.