4 min article

Using shipping rate tables

Shipping rate tables allow you to set your shipping options by domestic or international region.

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

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

Setting up shipping rate tables

You can create up to 60 unique rate tables to specify shipping options and costs for up to 5 regions in the U.S., as well as international regions.

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

  • By item – You'll specify different costs and shipping 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 lb
    • This option works well for heavy and bulky items that are more expensive to ship
  • 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 ship to
    • This option is only available for domestic rate tables
Create shipping rate table - opens in new window or tab

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

Here's how to set up a shipping 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 shipping 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 California for $15, but offer free shipping for standard delivery.)
    • To offer free shipping, enter $0 in the price field (don't leave it blank)
  5. Select Save.

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

Tip
Buyers will just see shipping options and costs based on their shipping 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:
  1. In the Shipping section, select Edit all options.
  2. Under Shipping cost type, select Flat shipping.
  3. Open Domestic (or International) settings.
  4. Select the rate table you want to use from the dropdown.
  5. Select a default shipping 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 shipping policy to which you want to apply a rate table.
  2. Make sure that Domestic shipping (or International shipping) is set to Flat.
  3. Under Shipping rate tables, check the box Apply domestic shipping rate table (and/or Apply international shipping rate table).
  4. Select the rate table you want to use from the dropdown.
  5. Select Save. Your rate table will be applied to this shipping 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" shipping selected (not Calculated or Local pickup).

Updating shipping rate tables

You can rename a table, add or remove regions and update the shipping 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 shipping 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 shipping 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 have reached your limit of 60 rate tables and need to delete some old ones, please contact us for assistance.

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

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