eBay has announced significant updates to its seller policies, including a new partial refund fee adjustment system and stricter shipping requirements for Australian sellers. These changes aim to improve seller support while maintaining marketplace standards.
Fee Adjustments for Partial Refunds: A Cost-Saving Measure
In its February seller update, eBay revealed plans to adjust seller fees to better support merchants handling buyer issues. Effective May 23, 2022, sellers issuing partial refunds will automatically receive proportional refunds of their final value fees based on the adjusted sale amount. This means higher refunds will yield greater fee returns, effectively reducing seller losses.
The policy extends beyond basic transaction fees to include:
- Standard Promoted Listings fees for global sellers
- International transaction fees
Non-Refundable Fees to Consider
Certain fees remain non-refundable under the new policy, including:
- The $0.30 per-order fee
- Advanced Promoted Listings fees
- Various other service charges
Australia's New Shipping Policy: Tracking Requirements
Separately, eBay Australia will implement new shipping regulations effective June 1, 2022, introducing payment delays for accounts failing to meet tracking requirements. The policy aims to standardize shipping practices and ensure buyers receive timely package updates.
Payment Delays for Low Tracking Rates
Sellers with valid tracking rates below 95% for Australian-based items shipped with trackable services will face payment delays. Funds will be held until:
- Tracking information syncs with eBay's system, or
- Three days after the estimated delivery date (for untracked shipments)
Untracked shipping methods remain exempt from these payment delays. eBay Australia provides various untracked shipping options for sellers needing flexibility.
Policy Implementation Timeline
The shipping policy takes effect June 1, 2022, with transactions after this date contributing to tracking rate calculations. Enforcement of payment delays begins July 15, 2022, giving sellers time to adjust their shipping practices.
These policy changes represent eBay's dual focus on reducing seller costs through fee adjustments while maintaining marketplace standards through shipping requirements. Sellers should review their operations to optimize these new conditions.