International Selling Basics

The Extra Costs You Need to Know

International selling adds fees that don't exist for domestic sales:

• eBay international fee: 1.65% of total sale amount for cross-border transactions
• Currency conversion: eBay charges ~3% margin on conversion. Other platforms have similar surcharges.

On a $100 international eBay sale: 13.6% FVF + $0.40 + 1.65% international fee + ~3% currency conversion = roughly $18.65 in total fees vs $14.00 domestic. That's $4.65 extra. See eBay fee details.

International Shipping

Shipping internationally costs significantly more than domestic:

• USPS First Class International (under 4 lbs): $15–30 depending on destination
• USPS Priority Mail International: $30–60+

Calculate shipping BEFORE listing. Either charge the buyer accurately or build it into your price. Never offer "free international shipping" without doing the math first. Pirate Ship offers discounted international rates through USPS.

Always use tracking — untracked international packages lead to "item not received" claims with no protection.

Customs and Duties

When you ship internationally, the buyer may owe customs duties/taxes on arrival. This is the buyer's responsibility in most cases, but many buyers don't expect it and get upset.

• State clearly in your listing that international buyers are responsible for customs fees
• Include a customs declaration form with every international shipment (required by USPS)
• Accurately declare the item's value — under-declaring is illegal and risks seizure

Which Platforms Support International Sales?

• eBay: Best international infrastructure. Global Shipping Program handles customs for you (ships to eBay's US facility, they forward internationally). Higher fees but less hassle.
• Etsy: Good international support. You handle shipping directly. Popular with EU and UK buyers for handmade goods.
• Depop: International sellers pay 10% commission (vs 0% for US/UK domestic). Shipping is your responsibility.
• StockX/GOAT: Handle authentication and international shipping — fees vary by country ($2–30 flat seller fees).
• Mercari: US-only marketplace. No international sales.
• Poshmark: Primarily US with limited Canada support.

Currency Considerations

Most platforms pay you in your home currency. eBay converts international sales automatically (with their ~3% margin). Etsy lets you set prices in multiple currencies.

If you get paid in a foreign currency, services like Wise (formerly TransferWise) offer better exchange rates than banks. Don't ignore the conversion cost — 3% on a $200 sale is $6.

Is International Selling Worth It?

• For most casual sellers: No. The extra fees, shipping costs, and customs hassle aren't worth it for occasional sales.
• For niche/high-value items: Yes. Vintage Americana, rare sneakers, or items in demand overseas command premiums that more than offset the extra costs.
• For Etsy sellers: Definitely consider it. Handmade items have global appeal, and Etsy makes international sales relatively easy.

Start by enabling international shipping on your top 10–20 listings and see what happens.

Tips for International Sellers

• Use eBay's Global Shipping Program to avoid customs headaches
• Ship with tracking always — no exceptions
• Set clear shipping timeframes (international takes 2–4 weeks)
• State customs responsibility in every listing
• Start with English-speaking countries (UK, Canada, Australia)
• Factor in the extra 3–5% in fees when pricing

Read the pricing strategy guide →

Calculate your international fees with FeePilot →