4 min article

Using postage rate tables

Postage rate tables allow you to set your postage options by domestic or international region.

Are you looking to set flat rates or use calculated postage? Read our article on setting up your postage options

On listings where you've applied a postage rate table, buyers will automatically see the postage cost for their region or delivery address (e.g. a buyer from the UK Mainland would see a different rate compared to a buyer from Northern Ireland), as well as more accurate delivery estimates.

Setting up postage rate tables

You can create up to 40 unique rate tables to specify postage options and costs for up to 8 regions in the UK, as well as international regions.

When you create a rate table, you can choose how you'd like to set your postage costs:

  • By item – You'll specify different costs and postage options for different locations
    • This option works well for parcels with the same or similar sizes and weights
  • By weight – You'll specify a fixed base cost + additional amount per kg
    • This option works well for heavy and bulky items that are more expensive to post
  • By surcharge – You'll specify a base cost and add a surcharge by region
    • Many sellers select this option for remote areas that can be more expensive to post to
    • This option is only available for domestic rate tables
Create postage rate table - opens in new window or tab

You can also create postage rate tables when listing your item, from your business policies - opens in new window or tab or from your postage preferences - opens in new window or tab.

Here's how to set up a postage rate table:

  1. Choose whether you're specifying rates by item, weight or surcharge.
  2. Choose a name for your rate table (for example, "rate table for small items" or "Headphones").
  3. Choose your regions and postage service.
  4. For each region, specify how much you want to charge buyers for that destination and service. (For example, you can offer express delivery to Northern Ireland for £15, but offer free postage for standard delivery.)
    • To offer free postage, enter £0 in the price field (don't leave it blank)
  5. Select Save.

If you leave the postage cost blank for a particular region, buyers from that location will see the standard flat rate from your postage policy. If there are certain regions you don't want to post to, you need to set up postage exclusions.

Tip
Buyers will just see postage options and costs based on their delivery address – they won't see your rate table name or whether you set costs by item, weight or surcharge.

Applying rate tables to your listings

Depending on how you manage your listings, you can do this in different ways:

Applying a rate table using the advanced listing tool - opens in new window or tab
  1. In the Postage section, select Edit all options.
  2. Under Postage cost type, select Flat postage.
  3. Open Domestic (or International) settings.
  4. Select the rate table you want to use from the drop-down.
  5. Select a default postage option on the listing page.
  6. Continue with creating or editing your listing.
 
Applying a rate table using business policies - opens in new window or tab:
  1. Select the postage policy to which you want to apply a rate table.
  2. Make sure that Domestic postage (or International postage) is set to Flat.
  3. Under Postage rate tables, tick the box Apply domestic postage rate table (and/or Apply international postage rate table).
  4. Select the rate table you want to use from the drop-down.
  5. Select Save. Your rate table will be applied to this postage policy and all listings which use it.
 
Applying a rate table using the API:

Once you have created your rate table(s), please contact your integration partner to connect them to sync with the eBay API.

 

Tip
You can only apply a rate table if the listing has "Flat" postage selected (not Calculated or Local pickup).

Updating postage rate tables

You can rename a table, add or remove regions and update the postage services and costs. However, you can't change the rate table type (for example, from an item-based rate table to a weight-based one) – you need to create a new table instead.

Once you save your changes, the updated rates will be displayed on any listings which have that rate table applied.

Edit postage rate tables - opens in new window or tab

You can also edit rate tables when creating or editing your listing, from your business policies - opens in new window or tab or from your postage preferences - opens in new window or tab.

Deleting rate tables

We're working on making it possible for sellers to delete rate tables. Where possible, we recommend editing your rate tables rather than creating new ones.

If you've reached your limit of 60 rate tables and need to delete some old ones, please contact us for assistance.

Create postage rate tables to set your postage options and costs by region. On listings where you've applied a rate table, buyers see the postage cost for their address, as well as more accurate delivery estimates.

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