When you purchase an item on eBay, you can feel confident about postage by knowing what to expect:

• Before you purchase your item

• When you purchase your item

• After you purchase your item

Before you purchase your item

Postage costs

As a buyer, to avoid possible problems or misunderstandings, consider the postage costs and postage services before you bid on or buy an item. Be sure to review the item description carefully for any additional information. If you have any questions about postage, contact the seller before you bid on or buy the item.

Important factors to consider include:

• How much do postage and handling cost?

• Does the seller post to my area?

• Can I get the item when I need it?

• Can I track my package?

• Is insurance offered?

• Can I get a postage discount for buying more than one item?

When you view an item, you can see if the seller posts to your area, the postage services available, the cost of postage, and if postage insurance can be added.

The seller can use flat cost postage, which is the same price to all buyers. Or the seller can use calculated cost postage, which is based on your location. Sellers will sometimes list two or more postage services. Expedited postage usually costs more, but can be useful if you need the item right away. If that's not what you need, then see if you can use a less expensive postage service.

Your postage address

Make sure that your postage address is accurate. You can change or add a postage address when you pay for an item using the Pay Now button.

Some sellers may ask you to use a "confirmed" postage address when you purchase items with PayPal. Your confirmed postage address is the same as the credit card billing address you have on file for PayPal. If you've already set this up, you just need to make sure that this address is linked to your eBay address book. Then, select this as your postage address when you make your purchase using the Pay Now button.

When you purchase your item

Pay for your postage costs at the same time that you pay for your item. If you have questions about the total cost of your item including postage, you can request the total from the seller. To do so, click the "Request total from seller" link on the Review Your Item page when you use the Pay Now button to purchase your item on eBay.

You can select your postage method in the Order Details section on the Review Your Item page. Click the "Show all postage options" link next to the Postage heading. Up to three different postage options may be available for each item. The cost and estimated delivery times are displayed for each postage option.

Postage discounts

Some sellers offer to combine items into one package and offer a postage discount. You'll see your postage discounts when you purchase your item using the Pay Now button. If you have any questions about the amount, contact the seller.

After you purchase your item

Depending on the postage service, you may be able to track your item. If the seller prints the postage label using PayPal, you can see the tracking number and tracking status of your item on your Order Details page from My eBay.

Some sellers may include tracking information in their email to you. Also, some sellers may include the option of paying for insurance to protect your item against loss or damage. However, eBay does not require sellers to provide tracking numbers or insurance.

Problems with Postage

If you have a problem with postage, we recommend that you contact the seller and postage company. If you still don't receive the item, our Resolution Centre can help you work out the problem with the seller. See what to do if you don't receive your item.  If you used PayPal, you'll open a case in the PayPal Resolution Centre and your purchase may be covered by PayPal Buyer Protection.

Sellers can charge reasonable postage and handling fees to cover the costs for mailing, packaging, and handling the items that they sell. However, charging excessive fees for postage violates the our Excessive Postage Charges policy. Review the item description carefully to make sure you understand what the postage costs are.