How to Set up a Shipping Calculator for an EBay Auction
When setting up your eBay auction, you need to tell potential bidders how much shipping is. If the item you are listing is small, or if you intend to put it into a flat rate Priority Mail box, then you might choose to set a standard shipping cost. However, in most cases, you want to use the shipping calculator so rates can be determined based on where the bidder lives.
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Instructions
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Choose the "Calculated: Cost varies by buyer location" option in the "Give buyers shipping details" section of the "Sell Your Item" form on eBay.
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Indicate the type of package you are shipping. Your choices are letter, large letter, UPS letter, package, large package, very large package and extra large package. In most cases you want to choose package. However, you need to choose large package if the length plus the girth is between 84 and 108 inches, very large package if the length plus the girth is between 109 and 130 inches, and extra large package if the length plus the girth is between 131 and 165 inches.
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Enter the weight of the package. It is important to remember that this is not the weight of the item you are selling, but the weight after it is prepared for shipping. Your shipping weight needs to include your box and any packaging material. Either box your item before you list it, or approximate your shipping weight when listing.
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Select the shipping methods that you want to offer to your customers. Some sellers choose to only offer one shipping method, such as Priority Mail, but many others offer two or three shipping methods to give their customers a choice.
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Type in the dimensions of your package. If you have the item already boxed, measure the box to give accurate dimensions. If you do not want to box the item until it sells, you need to approximate your dimensions based on the size of your item. The US Postal Service recommends you allow for two inches of packaging material on all sides of the item.
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Click on "additional options" and check off if insurance is required, optional, or included in the shipping and handling. If the item you are selling is breakable, it is a good idea to require insurance. Some sellers also put in their auction description that insurance is required on all items that get bid over a certain dollar amount.
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Decide how much of a handling fee you want to charge for that auction and enter that into the "handling cost" box. If the item requires extra packing material, such as bubble wrap and peanuts, include the cost of these items into your handling cost.
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Tips & Warnings
After setting up the shipping calculator for U.S. shipping, you need to repeat the steps for International shipping if you intend to allow International customers to bid on your auction.
If you are approximating the weight of the item packaged, add 1 lb. for a standard sized package. If your package is large, very large or extra large, the weight of the box and the packing material is more likely to be 2 to 3 lbs.
When deciding the type of package you are shipping, length is the longest side of the package. Girth is the distance when you wrap a string around the two smaller sides of the package.
There is also a place on the shipping calculator where you can indicate if your package is classified as an "irregular package." Refer to the page on the eBay website that gives a list of what constitutes an "irregular package."
