eBay UK Makes Opting Out Of Simple Delivery Harder In Run Up To Q2 Mandate

eBay UK sellers say eBay is making it increasingly difficult to opt out of Simple Delivery as mandated usage of the managed shipping option for private sellers is expected to go into full effect some time in Q2 2025.

Simple Delivery was introduced in the UK in May 2024, initially only available to private clothing sellers before expanding to cover more categories late last year.

With this managed delivery service, eBay decides which shipping options to show to the buyer on the listing, the buyer pays whatever rate is shown (with that money going to eBay), eBay then provides a pre-paid label to the seller and eBay pockets any difference there may be between what the buyer pays and the rates they have negotiated with the shipping carriers.

eBay Simple Delivery Managed Shipping: What Private UK Sellers Need To Know For 2025 Mandate

eBay UK private sellers will be required to use Simple Delivery Managed Shipping in Q1 2025 - here’s what we know so far about the program!

Value Added ResourceLiz Morton

CEO Jamie Iannone had previously said Simple Delivery would be mandated to be used for all "eligible items" sold by private sellers in the UK in Q1 2025, but pushed that mandate back to Q2 during the most recent earnings call after introducing updates to the program including the option to set carrier preferences, use Royal Mail collection, and offer seller-paid "free" shipping to buyers.

eBay has taken a gradual path to eventually making Simple Delivery mandatory, first by changing the listing form to make Simple Delivery the default setting rather than Custom Postage.

Now, according to some sellers in the eBay UK community forum, they've gone a step further and hidden the Custom Postage option behind a "click wall" requiring users to click Advanced Options link in order to opt out of Simple Delivery.

OK. Simple delivery will override your domestic postage policy. It's here

Just tried to list an item. Can't put free postage option. It's simple delivery or nothing. They're just making this even more complicated now.

Some sellers shared some possible workarounds, like using Sell Similar on an old listing with Custom Postage or switching the option to Collection only and then back to postage only, in order to override the apparent forced Simple Delivery.

I found this worked for me , I'm using a laptop and Chrome, no idea if it works on apps or mobile browser.

If confronted with a current compulsory Simple Delivery, no other option, in the Postage section click on Collection, then go back and click on Postage Only, custom option then appears and you cans elect the service and charge you wish to use.

Others say they are still able to access the Custom Postage option - but it's hidden where you have to click on an easy to miss link that says "Switch to advanced options."

While that option does appear to work for now, these workarounds will likely be short lived since eBay has made it very clear the eventual goal is to mandate Simple Delivery usage for all eligible items sold by private sellers in the UK.

What do you think about eBay's plans to make Simple Delivery mandatory for private, consumer to consumer sellers? Let us know in the comments below!