Written by Jenna Burton 4 September 2018 | Updated 30 November 2022
Because we have buyers from all over the world, it’s important to know how and why you need to set appropriate shipping costs as a seller on Catawiki. This will make your selling experience faster and easier, and you’ll be able to attract more bidders with reasonably priced shipping costs.
What are shipping costs?
The shipping cost is the amount of money it will cost to send your object to its new owner. During the lot submission process, you’ll be asked to set the shipping costs of each object. Because we are an international marketplace, shipping costs need to be set for every region where Catawiki has bidders. This includes your current country of residence, regions within Europe as well select areas in the rest of the world.
Not only do shipping costs need to be set, but the policies on selling and trading should also be understood for each country (e.g., the German Packaging Act). Our Customer Support team is here to help you navigate those requirements so that you can focus on running your business. You can always visit our help centre, for more information on the latest shipping and handling requirements.
Who covers the cost of shipping?
The buyer covers the shipping cost of any object they win on Catawiki. Once a buyer wins your object in auction, it is their responsibility to complete the payment, which includes the cost of shipping. However, it’s up to you as the seller to calculate and determine what that cost will be. You will then be requested to ship the lot within 3 working days. You are obliged to always deliver the lot once the buyer has paid for it.
It’s important to note that you cannot add a surcharge to the shipping costs; the amount you charge for shipping must be equal to or less than the amount it costs you to ship your items.
You also have the option of adding an additional packaging charge to cover the cost wrapping materials. This additional charge can be a maximum of €1.50.
Setting your shipping costs: smart shipping
Setting your shipping costs is super easy and efficient with smart shipping. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Pack and weigh your object
Add the weight and dimensions and we’ll calculate the shipping costs for the buyer.
Step 2: Select the shipping companies
Decide which shipping companies you want to deliver your special objects. Be sure to double check the nearest drop-off locations for each company - you don’t want to have to travel very far!
Step 3: Print the prepaid shipping label
Print your label and attach it to the package. Then all you have to do is bring the package to the nearest drop-off location.
Step 4: Automatically track the package
We’ll track the package for you. No need to worry about the tracking number. We can handle that so you can get back to business.
Step 5: Get paid
After delivery is confirmed, you’ll see the payment in your account. Payment will be released according to your payment frequency settings.
Offering free shipping
In order to make your object as attractive as possible to potential buyers, consider offering free shipping. This could increase the number of people interested in your lot by 40% and lead to higher bids. You can offer free shipping to any country you wish. Simply select ‘Free Shipping’ when setting your shipping costs.
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Ready to start offering up your objects for auction? Register as a seller for free and start submitting your lots right away.
Looking for more advice? Check out our Help Centre.
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