How to Create a Shipping Policy on eBay.ca – Save Time and Hassle
Shipping is one of the most important parts of selling on eBay. Get it right, and buyers feel confident hitting that Buy Now button. Get it wrong, and you risk losing sales before they even start. A clear, reliable shipping policy not only saves you time but also reassures buyers that their order will arrive quickly and safely. Here’s exactly how I set mine up:
Step 1: Go to Business Policies
From your Account Settings, click on Business Policies. This is the hub where eBay stores all of your saved policies for payment, returns, and shipping. Think of it like your control center—it lets you create rules once and then apply them across all your listings, instead of starting from scratch every time.
On this page, you’ll see a list of the policies you already have set up (if any). To create or edit a shipping policy, simply click on Shipping. This is where you’ll decide exactly how your items are shipped, what services you’ll offer, and how quickly you’ll get packages out the door.
eBay.ca shipping preferences page
Why it matters: Having a clear shipping policy saves time, keeps your listings consistent, and reassures buyers that you’re reliable. Buyers love knowing upfront how much shipping will cost and how fast they’ll receive their order.
Step 2: Choose Your Shipping Service
Once you’re inside the Shipping section of Business Policies, you’ll set up which carriers and services you want to offer buyers.
For sellers in Canada, the most common choice is Canada Post, since it’s widely available, reliable, and fully integrated into eBay’s system. You can also add courier services or offer local pickup if you sell bulky items like furniture or TVs.
eBay Canada Post Discounts
One of the biggest perks of using eBay labels is the built-in shipping discount. eBay partners with Canada Post, which means you automatically save compared to retail counter prices. These discounts can be significant—sometimes up to 20–30% off regular rates, depending on the service.
Here’s why this matters:
- Lower shipping costs = more sales. Buyers are more likely to purchase when shipping is affordable.
- Faster checkout. Since Canada Post is linked to eBay, buyers see clear shipping options at checkout, and you can print discounted labels directly from your Seller Hub.
- Better tracking. Tracking info uploads automatically to the order, keeping your buyers informed and protecting you as a seller.
Pro Tip 💡: Even if you think another courier might be cheaper, check eBay’s discounted Canada Post rates first. For most small-to-medium parcels, the savings are hard to beat.
Step 3: Set Your Shipping Rates
Now that you’ve chosen your carrier, it’s time to decide how you’ll charge for shipping. On eBay.ca, you have two main options:
Option 1: Flat Rate
You set a single price for shipping, no matter where the buyer lives. This works best for items that are all about the same size and weight (like DVDs, video games, or clothing).
Example:
“Flat $12.99 shipping across Canada” – buyers like the simplicity, and you always know what to expect.
Option 2: Calculated Shipping
Here, eBay calculates the cost automatically based on the buyer’s postal code, plus your package’s weight and dimensions. This works well if you sell a variety of items in different sizes or if you’re shipping heavier products.
Example:
A buyer in Ontario might pay $10 for the same package that would cost $18 to ship to BC. eBay does the math for you.
Pro Tip 💡: If you’re unsure which option to use, start with calculated for small, common items (like games, books, and clothing) Till you get to know the price. You can always create multiple policies for different item categories.
Step 4: Set Your Handling Time (and Combined Shipping)
Handling time tells buyers how quickly you’ll ship after payment is received. On eBay.ca, you can set this anywhere from same day up to 30 business days—but most sellers choose between 1–3 business days.
Why it matters:
- Buyers look for fast handling. A short handling time can make your listings more competitive.
- eBay tracks this metric. If you consistently ship within your stated timeframe, it helps your seller performance and can lead to better visibility in search results.
What I Recommend
- 1 business day: Great if you can ship quickly and want to attract more buyers.
- 2–3 business days: A safe middle ground if you can’t always ship next day.
- Longer than 3 days: Only if you sell made-to-order items or need extra time.
Combined Shipping
Another great way to improve your shipping policy is by offering combined shipping discounts. This means if a buyer purchases multiple items from you, they save on shipping. Not only does this make buyers happy, but it also encourages them to buy more from your store in one go.
Example:
- First item: $12.99 shipping
- Each additional item: +$2.00
This setup makes it affordable for buyers to add extra items to their cart, and you move more inventory with one shipment.
Combined shipping settings in Business Policies
Pro Tip 💡: Always mention in your description or policy that you offer combined shipping. It’s a small detail that can make a big difference in repeat sales.
Step 5: Consider Free Shipping
Free shipping is one of the strongest incentives for buyers. eBay even boosts listings with free shipping in search results. If you can work it into your pricing, it can give you an edge over competitors.
How to make it work:
- Build the shipping cost into your item price.
Example: Instead of $20 item + $5 shipping, list at $25 with free shipping. - Offer free shipping only within Canada, and keep calculated rates for international buyers.
- Use free shipping for lighter items (clothing, DVDs, games) where the shipping cost is predictable.
Free shipping toggle in shipping policy
Packaging Best Practices
Your shipping policy is only as good as your packaging. Buyers expect items to arrive safely, and poor packaging can lead to returns or bad feedback.
- Use bubble wrap or kraft paper for fragile items.
- Boxes over envelopes for collectibles, electronics, or anything with sharp corners.
- Tape all seams to prevent the box from popping open in transit.
- Re-use shipping supplies (clean boxes, bubble wrap) to cut costs.
Pro Tip 💡: A little extra care in packaging goes a long way. Buyers often mention “well-packaged” in feedback, which builds trust and encourages repeat business.
Pro Tip 2 💡: Create a shipping template that you can apply across all your listings. For example: “Canada Post Expedited, 1–2 business day handling, flat $12.99.” This saves time and ensures consistency across your store.
Final Thoughts
Setting up your shipping policy once makes listing faster and smoother every time after. Buyers know exactly what to expect, and you won’t be stuck retyping details.
💬 Question for you: Do you prefer using flat-rate shipping or calculated shipping? Drop your answer in the comments—I’d love to hear what works best for you!