International vs Domestic

In this modern age, information is easily accessible through the internet and it is limitless. Products that is not intended to be sold in some countries might still be in demand due to the unintended exposure. This creates demand locally as importers will sell at much higher prices. Due to this reason buyers will go to international marketplaces to look for both unique and affordable products.

Even though sometimes the shipping is expensive, they will still make the purchase because that is the cheapest option they have. This can cause the average price of a product to differ from one country to another. Online traders understand this well. This is why they are active on cross border platforms to help make products accessible around the world.

You may not be aware of the potential your product has until you list your first item on eBay (which is free!).

Selling internationally is not going to be the same as locally. It should be seen as complementing local selling as it targets different markets.

  1. Put your products in front of millions of new potential buyers
  2. Tap into new markets that are different from local markets and find hot new products that eBay buyers find unique.
  3. Sales can happen while you sleep as buyers from different regions are shopping around the clock.
  4. Build your international brand presence.
  5. Discover an alternative business model – stock clearance, products with better source ability.
  6. No up front cost for selling on eBay.
  7. eBay local support to help you on your selling journey.
  • Various shipping types from economy to expedited with different costs. You will need to identify which shipping solution is the best for your product.
  • Import tax – Countries like the US and AU have tax exempts for items roughly below US$800. However if you are exploring a new country to sell to, you will need to be aware of the tax rules. Online research or speaking to your logistics provider can get you these answers.
  • International competition – You will also be competing against international sellers. Having a solid strategy is important (such as inventory selection, pricing and shipping).
  • Returns – International returns can be challenging due to needing the item returned to you internationally. This will cost money. Returns are usually caused by buyers that are unhappy with the product. This is why it is important to list your item properly so that buyers know exactly what they are getting.
  • Language barrier – the largest eBay market is the US which not going to be an issue. However, as you expand your market reach, you need to list in the local language such as listing on eBay.de (Germany).

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