eBay & DHL ally in Asia-Pacific region
The alliance is expected to increase competition between eBay and its archrival Taobao.com.
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eBay focused on reducing shipping & handling charges
eBay updated two listing tools so sellers can update the shipping details on all of their listings at once as part of the new requirement that sellers specify at least one domestic shipping service when listing an item. eBay said it has added new bulk-edit functionality, available on Friday, to its Selling Manager and Turbo Lister listing tools.
To comply with eBay’s new rule, sellers must either select a flat-rate shipping rate, or they must use eBay’s shipping calculator that displays actual charges in their listings based on the shopper’s zip code. The calculator supports USPS and UPS, but it does not support other carriers, such as FedEx and DHL.
eBay has been focused on getting sellers to reduce shipping & handling fees and make it clearer in search results and in listings what those charges are. In an unprecedented move, eBay recently announced limits on shipping and handling charges in the media category (Books, DVDs & Movies, Music and Video Games). Beginning next month, media sellers must offer at least one shipping option within the specified limits. Maximum shipping & handling costs vary by subcategory.
Read MoreGeneral debate sets tone for UPU Congress
Decision-makers from the international community today participated in a high-level general debate during the 24th Universal Postal Congress. Themed “The postal sector, an essential component of the global economy”, the debate gathered stakeholders from the larger postal sector.
The World Trade Organization stressed the crucial role infrastructures such as postal services play in international trade. For the International Monetary Fund, the postal sector has a considerable impact on the reduction of trade costs. For its part, the World Bank noted the importance of money transfer services for migrants, adding that postal operators were in a unique position to offer such services so essential to development. The Russian Post said postal networks could work with banks to offer additional services and increase their revenues.
eBay International noted the role of postal services in the distribution of millions of items bought online annually. However, many online shoppers still hesitate to order goods from abroad. Only 20 pct of goods purchased on eBay sites cross borders. Citing high shipment costs and a need for improved quality of service, eBay urged postal operators to find solutions to these issues.
The Tunisian Post showed how the Government has made postal services part of a national policy to promote the information society by using the Post as a trusted intermediary in the electronic world and as a facilitator of e-commerce. On a regional level, the African Union expressed its desire to integrate postal services in its regional infrastructure development plan, as it does with water, electricity, telecommunications and transportation.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) finally invited the postal sector to take part in a worldwide awareness campaign on environment challenges. Thanks to an agreement signed in April between the UPU and UNEP, postal operators will work together on greening the postal sector.
Read MoreeBay and La Poste France offer e-postage
La Poste and eBay have signed a partnership that will enable French Internet vendors to purchase their postage online. The new service, in the pipeline since December 2007, allows eBay users to print out their own postage labels for letters and parcels direct from the auction site. The sender simply enters the weight, the destination and the required service (standard or registered post). Once payment has been received via PayPal, the label is simply printed out and attached to the packet to be sent.
Read MoreCanada Post Proposed Changes Impact eBay Media Sellers
eBay Canada posted an announcement to let sellers know about proposed new specifications and pricing for Oversize Lettermail from Canada Post. The changes could spell significantly higher costs for media sellers and others who ship within Canada.
The Canadian postal service is proposing significant price increase for “Irregular” Oversize Lettermail, a new designation for items that are thick and rigid, or thick and have box-like edges. The effective date of the proposed changes is January 12, 2009. Items that would be defined as Irregular Oversize Lettermail include media discs sent in standard CD, DVD or Blu-ray cases; hard cover books; or trading cards in protective plastic casings.
The proposal would split existing Oversize Lettermail into two categories. “Regular” Oversize Lettermail items would include items that are between 0.18 mm and 10 mm thick, regardless of flexibility; and items that are between 10 mm and 20 mm thick that meet the new flexibility requirement and do not have box-like edges. “Irregular” Oversize Lettermail items would include items that are between 10 mm and 20 mm thick that do not meet the new flexibility requirement and/or have box-like edges. All other existing specifications for oversize mail – including the maximum size and weight – will remain the same.
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