Torrential rains and severe flooding across parts of Australia have created unprecedented operational challenges for cross-border e-commerce sellers, with many packages delayed or lost in transit. In response, eBay has swiftly introduced seller protection measures to mitigate the impact on businesses affected by the extreme weather conditions.
The platform recently announced that widespread flooding in multiple Australian regions has severely disrupted transportation networks, significantly impacting mail and parcel delivery services. To safeguard seller interests, eBay will implement protective measures until flood conditions subside.
eBay Seller Protection Policy Details
The protection measures primarily apply to parcels traveling to or from affected postal codes in Sydney, with the following effective periods:
- New South Wales: Applies to parcels shipped between October 3, 2022 and October 23, 2022
- Western Australia, Victoria and Tasmania: Covers parcels shipped between October 13, 2022 and October 27, 2022
Key Protection Measures
The platform's protective actions include:
- Late delivery rate exemptions: eBay will automatically remove late delivery rate penalties for affected orders caused by shipping delays.
- Transaction defect removal: Cancellations forced by flood conditions will not count against seller performance metrics.
- Item Not Received claim protection: The platform will shield sellers from liability for flood-related delivery disputes.
- Negative feedback removal: Poor ratings related to shipping delays during the specified periods will be automatically removed.
Seller Requirements
To qualify for protection, sellers must upload valid tracking information before the expected delivery date. Maintaining accurate shipping updates helps buyers track their orders and serves as essential documentation for platform protection claims.
eBay has committed to monitoring the flood situation and may expand protection measures as needed. Sellers are advised to stay informed through official platform announcements to effectively manage disruptions.
The implementation of these protection policies demonstrates eBay's commitment to supporting sellers during natural disasters, fostering resilience in the cross-border e-commerce ecosystem.