topic Re: [PSA] Ebay's solution to pre-paying import fees on US orders and why it is terrible in Selling

[PSA] Ebay's solution to pre-paying import fees on US orders and why it is terrible

almats65 — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 04:16:14 GMT

Today I got email from ebay inviting me (seller) to take part in a new "program" that will display my listings to US buyers as Delivery Duty Paid.

Here is a relevant excerpt:

Starting Dec 10, if you're opted in, your listings will clearly show US buyers that the total price includes import fees. We'll also remove the warning that additional import fees may be due after checkout. To participate, please complete this short form by Dec 5.

This is, frankly, the most lazy solution because further down in the message they suggest to include import duty in the shipping price. The same suggestion already has been sent out to sellers a few months ago.

Including import duties in a shipping price means that sellers will be paying final value fees and promotion fees on it as well. That is not even to mention that you will have to use shipping rate tables to do that. You most probably cannot even charge import duty accurately on each individual order (due to how rate tables are set up), unless you have an opportunity to send an invoice to buyer, for example after accepting offers.

What needs to be done. I understand Ebay will probably never see this post, but they need to charge and remit import duty the same way VAT/tax is done, BUT also make sure that the import duty is NOT included in the FVF and promotion fee calculation. I do not see any other viable option, if anyone knows any solution please feel free to share.

Re: [PSA] Ebay's solution to pre-paying import fees on US orders and why it is terrible

twyngwyn — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 04:35:57 GMT

I have no solution……just bizarre!

Re: [PSA] Ebay's solution to pre-paying import fees on US orders and why it is terrible

gutterpunkz05 — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 07:05:04 GMT

As far as I am aware, FVF's apply to all taxes, duties etc. Might have time to double check later.

Re: [PSA] Ebay's solution to pre-paying import fees on US orders and why it is terrible

almats65 — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 09:13:21 GMT

Exactly. FVF applies to item price+shipping+tax and if you include duty in the shipping you are paying fee on it. Even bigger issue is that import duty is calculated not as percentage of the item value but as a flat fee for up to 80$ regardless of value (for countries US has not signed trade deal with). This might be a bit outdated info, but a few months ago that is how it was announced by US government.

For all other countries FVF is not charged on import duties because it is being paid by the buyer AFTER item lands in their country and customs issue some sort of notice to pay duty. I, as a seller, do not even know how much my customers from other countries pay in import charges because it is charged by their government (customs) completely outside of Ebay.

Re: [PSA] Ebay's solution to pre-paying import fees on US orders and why it is terrible

ramcycle2010 — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 14:43:32 GMT

Looking forward to receiving that email, as my US sales have completely dried up.

I wonder how they decide which sellers to send it to?

Re: [PSA] Ebay's solution to pre-paying import fees on US orders and why it is terrible

almats65 — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 15:21:40 GMT

I would stay away from participating because they introduce a new type of account defect that you can get while participating. My understanding is if buyer gets their order delayed in customs or US changes how much of import duties needs to be paid, buyer can report (I assume in INR request) that their item does not have duty prepaid and you (seller) will get account defect.

Relevant part of email:

If a buyer is asked to pay import fees by the shipping carrier on a Delivered Duties Paid-marked item:

The buyer will be refunded.
You’ll lose the sale and Final Value Fee.
You’ll receive a transaction defect and be removed from the pilot.

Without knowing how and when exactly this new defect is applied I will not gamble with my account on that. If all it takes is for buyer to make a claim that Ebay cannot even verify I will never opt in.