eBay UK Forces More Private Listings Into Simple Delivery Despite Ongoing Collection & Delivery Issues
eBay UK is moving forward with the next phase of mandatory Simple Delivery, advising private sellers that existing eligible listings with custom postage will be moved to managed shipping starting December 26, 2025 - but many sellers say Simple Delivery is still not fit for purpose as collection issues, loss and damage claims, and other problems still linger.
Simple Delivery was introduced in May 2024 and was initially limited only to clothing sales, but eBay quickly expanded the program to include most categories on the platform and announced it would be mandatory for all private sellers of eligible items to use Simple Delivery, starting with a phased rollout in April that was supposed to have been completed in August 2025.
But as sellers have continued to pushback against the mandatory managed shipping service, eBay has been forced to loosen some criteria, allowing items in certain categories priced at £20 or less to opt out.
Liz Morton
It also appears that some existing listings which were originally created with custom postage options had been spared from Simple Delivery - until now, as eBay has recently announced those eligible private seller listings which have not been manually switch to Simple Delivery will be automatically changed starting on December 26.
We’re improving delivery so it’s easier and more secure for you to send your items to buyers.
Starting 26 Dec, we’ll begin updating eligible live listings to Simple Delivery. This means you’ll get automatic tracking, pre-paid labels and QR codes. Plus, you’re fully protected if your item is lost or damaged in transit. The rollout will take place over the coming weeks.
Updates to your listings:
- You may see a change to the courier you selected when you listed your item. With Simple Delivery, you’ll have access to services from Royal Mail, Evri, DHL and InPost. If you have a preferred option, you can easily set your Postage Preferences in your account settings. We recommend enabling them all for the most competitive rates. If you’ve already set your preferences, you’ll receive a label from one of your chosen couriers once your item sells.
- The postage price may change from the price you saw when listing. If you opted for buyer or seller-paid postage, this will stay the same when switched to Simple Delivery. Find out more about the postage costs.
How does Simple Delivery work?
Our all-in-one delivery solution is designed to make your selling experience easier and more secure. Once your item sells:
- You’ll receive both a pre-paid printable label and QR code, which automatically include tracking so you can get paid faster.
- You can then drop off at the nearest courier location, or schedule a home collection.
- We’ll work directly with your buyer if they experience any delivery-related issues or don't receive their item, so you don't have to.
Sellers who were concerned the announcement might mean that eBay was doing away with the Simple Delivery exemption for some small, lower value items sought clarification in this week's community forum chat, with Kat@eBay advising:
The change is that it will be updated to eligible listings so if there is listings that are eligible for SD that do not have SD on it they will now have SD as the postage option.
When asked for specifics about which listings would be considered eligible, Kat referred to the Simple Delivery policy page which still has exemptions for some small and lower value items listed, so presumably those exceptions will still apply.
But Simple Delivery continues to be a contentious topic amongst private sellers in the UK with many complaints about problems at the post office, concerns about insurance coverage, difficulties getting refunds for unused labels, rising postage costs, and increasing instances of loss or damage in transit.
Liz Morton
Sellers have also noted significant issues with DHL service for heavy items in Simple Delivery since it was introduced in August, with many saying the courier is failing to collect items, which is particularly problematic since these labels don't include a QR code to allow the seller to drop the package off themselves.
DHL have not collected a parcel for three days. Has anyone else had this issue?
DHL have not collected a parcel for the purchaser for three days. Their response is non-existant. Has anyone else had this issue and how did you overcome it pleas
imposed Simple delivery by eBay
A simple delivery option made by eBay meant they used DHL to collect parcel to send on to buyer.
On two occasions where collection date and time was sent via phone message, they failed to collect parcel. Never turned up. The parcel is still sitting here waiting to be collected. There has been no further contact from DHL. You phone and just get an automated message.
eBay should stop using this company due to there total lying and in efficiency. Not providing a service paid for by the buyer. This will result in the seller losing money because they will have to sort out alternative delivery method and pay themselves.
The service from DHL is disgraceful and could be regarded as a fraudulent method of illegally obtaining money for a service not provided. I recommend that NOBODY ever use this company.
After weeks of increasing reports of problems with DHL, some sellers say they've seen the option disappear from their listings, with eBay support advising the service has been "temporarily" suspended while they make updates.
Simple delivery NEWS today
From Ebay representative:
Yes, DHL been removed for the moment. The instructions we received are: "We’re currently updating our delivery options for certain categories to ensure sellers have the most suitable shipping choices for their items. As part of this update, DHL may not appear. Clothing categories will not offer a W&D option that allows the seller to select custom shipping."
However, custom shipping is available to give you flexibility in categories where standard carriers aren’t currently shown. This ensures you can still choose the shipping method that best fits your item. If the listing is over that W&D threshold, then custom shipping would be the only way to move forward if you find a suitable category.
Unfortunately, I do not have a list of the categories that will present those bulky options at the moment.
And UK sellers who have long raised concerns about eBay pushing the use of Evri in Simple Delivery have been vindicated by a recent BBC Panorama investigation exposing massive problems at the delivery which has the worst reputation for non-deliveries in the region.
Simple Delivery currently uses Royal Mail, Evri, InPost, and DHL, with sellers automatically opted in to use all couriers but given the option to change their Postage Preferences.
While sellers can technically choose to exclude certain couriers, eBay says those preferences may not be honored if shipments don't meet courier requirements - and choosing to exclude some couriers may result in higher delivery costs being shown to buyers.
What issues are you still seeing with eBay Simple Delivery in the UK and how do you expect the December 26 changes to affect your account? Let us know in the comments below!
