first class international ship no longer available for items except for paper

[Tina F]

I wasnt able to print my first class international shipping labels last night or today. I called ebay and they said the post office no longer allows items other than paper to be shipped first class! I just started using this service and my international sales shot up 6x my normal global shipping. Ebay gave me credits for the extra money I had to pay to ship priority. Just wanted to give you guys a heads up to change your shipping method if you normally ship this way.

[Ryanne]

what? how is that even possible?

[Tina F]

The rep said ebay just found out yesterday about it and the calls are pouring in from sellers. I think ebay is going to lose aaaaaalot of money by USPS doing this.

[Jay]

Not sure if this is new or they are just now enforcing it.
https://www.usps.com/international/first-class-mail-international.htm

Restrictions
****All postcards, envelopes, and flats must be rectangular. Letters and flats may contain only documents, no goods.******

• This reply was modified 8 years, 3 months ago by Jay.

[Ryanne]

WHAT, i wonder when this started as a rule??

[Retro Treasures WV]

Whoah this is a really big deal. I wonder how this will even affect GSP? I have to assume ebay was using 1st class international for tons of items.

[Ryanne]

i dont think they were using 1st class. they usually had more than full tracking on international items and they were usually sent via the origin country’s postal service. like canada, they would send it Canada Post, UK had some UK carrier. i guess pitney bowes had the ability to create those labels/services from the US.

[Ryanne]

i still see rules for Int’l First Class packages here, with items up to 64oz (4lbs)

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm#_c391

[T-Satt]

Wow. It may be REALLY good that we just went to GSP last week. That is crazy…

[Margana]

EBay finally posted a seller announcement about this:

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Announcements/Issues-with-eBay-Labels-Impacting-Some-Domestic-and/ba-p/28023207

The new document-only policy involves only letters and flats — First Class International packages can still ship just like before (though they’re a little more expensive now). But the change messed up eBay’s shipping label system, probably because they didn’t have a way to make the new policy apply only to letters/flats and not packages. They’re going to have to get two different hamsters running in two separate wheels now. They said it should be resolved “shortly” and that they will automatically adjust our seller metrics, which is at least better than having to call to have them adjusted.

[Tina F]

I spoke with the post office this morning and they said they would check with the postmaster for clarification. I will update you guys once I hear back.

[Tina F]

USPS said there is no restriction. As long as the item is under 4 pounds it can ship first class no matter the content. Ebay better get the glitch fixed soon. I changed all my international listings to priority yesterday. I am super annoyed it was unnecessary.

[MyCottage]

I sent a first class international package earlier today (Jan 23, Tuesday), no trouble printing the ebay label.

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