Offering combined shipping (2024)

If you're offering a flat rate shipping cost, where all buyers pay the same amount, you can apply two different types of shipping rules:

• Add a fixed amount for each additional item purchased. For example, if the shipping cost on the first item is $5 you could choose to charge just $2 in shipping for each additional purchase.
• Subtract an amount from the shipping charge for each additional item purchased. In the same example as above you could choose to charge $1 less than the initial cost (i.e., $4) for each additional purchase.

To create a flat shipping rule:

1. On the Shipping Preferences page, select Edit beside Flat shipping rule.

2. From the dropdown menu, choose whether to add or subtract an amount for each additional item purchased.

3. Enter the amount to add/subtract.

4. Select Save.

If you're offering a calculated shipping cost (where the amount a buyer pays varies based on their location), you can apply rules for combining items into a single package*:

• Automatically combine the weights of all the items in one package. For example, if a buyer purchases three items that weigh 2 kg each, you can set up a rule that charges shipping for a single 6 kg package.
• Automatically combine the weights of the items in one package and subtract a weight amount. For example, if a buyer purchases 3 items that weigh 2 kg each, you can set up a rule that combines the items in one 6 kg package, and automatically deducts 450 g from the total weight.

^{* Please note: the weight of items and packages in the examples above is given in kilograms and grams. The weight of the items and packages in the shipping rules settings on the Shipping Preferences page is indicated in pounds and ounces.}

To create calculated shipping rules:

1. On the Shipping Preferences page, select Edit beside Calculated shipping rule.

2. Choose either Combine all item weights, or Combine all item weights and subtract an amount.

3. Select Next, then specify a rule for your handling costs from the dropdown menu.

4. Enter the amount to be added or subtracted for each additional item, then click Save.

Note: calculated shipping rules apply only to listings for which you specify both calculated shipping and combined shipping discounts.

While flat rate and calculated shipping rules are applied when a buyer goes through checkout, you can also use shipping rules as a promotional tool to help attract additional buyers.

With promotional shipping discounts, you can create a rule that offers your buyers a discount based on the conditions you set. For example:

• Buyers will be charged no more than $5 for shipping if they buy more than one item.
• Buyers will qualify for free shipping if they spend more than $25.

Note: when buyers qualify for your promotional shipping discount, the promotional rule takes priority over your existing flat and calculated shipping rules.

Promotional shipping rules apply to all listings which you've specified have a combined shipping discount.

Buyers will be able to see these discounts highlighted in your listings.

To set up a promotional shipping discount:

1. On the Shipping Preferences page, select Edit beside Promotional shipping rule.

2. Fill in your conditions and select Save.

Tip. Make sure you've applied combined shipping rules to all listings in which you want to offer a discount.

Shipping carrier discounts let you pass some or all of your savings along to your buyers. You have two options for offering carrier discounts to your buyers:

• Set up a flat discount off retail or daily rates for domestic and international shipments across all carriers (USPS, FedEx, and UPS)
• Offer eBay-negotiated discount rates with USPS, FedEx, and UPS

In either case, changes you make only apply to new or edited listings where a shipping cost applies.

When you use eBay labels to ship an item, you only need to pay the shipping cost and the cost of any shipping services you choose, such as signature confirmation. As the exact cost of shipping is detailed, you ensure that the full cost is covered in the sale price to your buyer. However, if you enable these discounts but then go to a carrier retail location to purchase labels (instead of using eBay to print labels), you could end up paying more than the shipping costs charged to your buyer.

To set up these discounts:

1. On the Shipping Preferences page, select Edit beside Promotional shipping rule.

2. Click Edit beside Offer carrier-specific discounts to buyers.

3. You have 3 options:

• Offer a discount on standard online and in store rates. Use this if you want to offer shipping discounts as a percentage off the Paid at Store Rates. You can set one discount rate for domestic shipping and a different rate for international shipping.
• Offer eBay-negotiated discounted rates. Use this to offer your customers the online rates for USPS, FedEx, or UPS.
• Don't offer carrier-specific discounts.

4. Click Save. A message will appear at the top of the page letting you know that your shipping preferences have been updated.

Tip. See the Seller Center page Shipping Services and Providers for more information on carrier-specific discounts on eBay.

1. Choose one of the new orders from one buyer, click the button on the right and select Consolidate orders.

2. Tick the orders you would like to merge with the previously selected one.

3. When the parcel is formed, click Consolidate orders.

4. Your orders are now combined and can be shipped as one parcel with one tracking number.

Note: If you have not enabled combined payments, there is no need to complete these steps.

By default, flat rate shipping does not combine because that is one item in one box at a flat rate. However, if you are using calculated shipping and have an item you do not want to combine with other calculated shipping, you need to create a combined shipping rule that states not to combine item weights. Once created, that rule needs to be enabled on any listing that should not be combined.

To create a calculated shipping rule to not combine item weights:

1. On the Shipping Preferences page, select Edit beside Calculated shipping rule.
2. From the dropdown menu select No discount and then hit Next.
3. On the next screen select a handling cost rule, enter the details and click Save.

Then add a new rule to any current listing.

If you're using the business tool, you can apply a shipping rule by selecting Apply my promotional shipping rule (or Apply my calculated shipping rule) when you're creating a listing.

To add a new rule to any current listing:

1. Go to the active listings page.
2. Select Revise/Edit, then Apply my promotional shipping rule (or Apply my calculated shipping rule).
3. Save changes to the listing.

If you don’t see the option Apply my promotional (or calculated) shipping rule:

1. Click on Add or Remove Options.
2. Select Shipping on the left.
3. Enable Show combined shipping discount options.
4. Click Save.