The estimated delivery date shown to buyers on your listings is based on various factors. These include the time it takes you to pack and send items (your dispatch or handling time) and the delivery or courier services you offer. It also takes into consideration your past delivery performance (on the aspects of delivery that you can control) and other criteria such as carrier performance, the location of your item and your buyer’s delivery address.
The calculation of the estimated delivery date is dynamic and allows for a more accurate estimate of the delivery date for your buyers. To help manage your buyers' expectations, make sure the handling time and carrier service stated in your listings are accurate. If you need to make changes to your listings, see our page on revising a listing for more information.
Time may be added to the estimated delivery dates to account for any delays in the delivery network due to unexpected disruptions or increased delivery volume (e.g. severe weather, natural disasters, unscheduled events, peak seasons etc).
Tip
When creating the listing, provide the location of your item so postage charges and delivery times can be accurately calculated.
Handling and dispatch time
We define handling time as the time it takes you to hand over the item to the postage provider after the buyer has paid.
Buyers want their purchases to arrive quickly so we recommend setting a dispatch time of no more than 2 days. Shorter dispatch times are always better if you can reliably meet them.
Same working day dispatch cut-off time
You can update your working days in your Postage settings to define the days you work. The default working days are Mon–Fri, but you can change this if you wish, for any day of the week, including weekends.
If you provide a same-day dispatch service, select a cut-off time that gives you sufficient time to hand the item to your courier that same day. The cut-off time is the point in each working day when purchases need to be made for same-day dispatch to apply.
We recommend that you set your same day cut off time no earlier than 2pm to give buyers sufficient time to purchase.
Please remember, we only use the working days you have selected when calculating the delivery estimates shown to your buyer.
If you offer 1-day handling, remember the time frame isn't based on 24 hours: it's the end of the next business day. For example, if a buyer pays for your item on Monday, it needs to be scanned by Tuesday, 11:59pm.
If an item is bought on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, it needs to have tracking added by Monday, 11:59pm.
Use the button below to set working days and dispatch cut-off time.
Manage postage settings - opens in new window or tab
Tip
Always make sure to send your items on time or your late delivery rate may be affected. For more information on how your performance is rated, see our article on Seller levels and performance standards.
Next day delivery on eBay
To appeal to buyers who need items quickly, consider adding express delivery services such as overnight or next-day delivery to your listing.
To offer Next day delivery, go to the Postage details section when creating a listing, and choose your preferred carrier(s) from the Services dropdown menu in the listing.