Planned letter postage: which eBay policies to check

Announced postage is not yet a final rate

In its announcement of October 20, 2026, Deutsche Post gives a planned price of 1.15 euros for a domestic standard letter, up from 95 cents. The difference is 20 cents. The announced start date is January 1, 2027; final approval by the Federal Network Agency remains expressly reserved.

The Federal Network Agency distinguishes between the permitted scope for price adjustments and approval of specific product prices. A general allowance for increases therefore does not determine the price of every shipping service.

Use the announcement to prepare, but check Deutsche Post's current terms before treating a new rate as a binding basis for your calculation.

Find the eBay policies that are actually affected

On eBay, shipping business policies let you set delivery options, shipping costs and handling times for your listings. These policies are therefore a useful starting point for your check.

Open your shipping business policies and compare the shipping service stored there with your actual shipping process. Do not rely only on a policy name you chose yourself. Also note which listings use each policy.

eBay also describes business policies as a way to update existing listings. Check eBay's current terms and review the affected listings after making a change.

• Find policies in which you use domestic standard letters.
• Compare the stored shipping service with the product you actually buy when paying for postage.
• Separate affected letter listings from listings using other shipping products.
• Record changes as preparation while the final rate remains unconfirmed.

Calculate your shipping costs instead of adding a flat surcharge

The announced postage increase is a reason to check your calculation, not a ready-made new shipping price for your eBay listing. Compare your budgeted postage with the costs of the envelope, packaging material and your handling work.

Then decide whether to adjust the shipping costs in the listing or cover part of the costs through the item price. This also applies if you offer free shipping: check your internal calculation.

Do not apply the standard letter increase to parcels without checking. Deutsche Post announces information about new private-customer parcel prices separately. Check the current DHL or Deutsche Post terms for the product you actually use.

• Record existing postage and announced postage separately in your calculation.
• Add your actual packaging and handling costs.
• Decide which listings you want to change after final price confirmation.
• Then check the shipping service and displayed shipping costs in each listing.

Keep the postal rate, eBay listing and Shipnovo separate

The postal rate applies to the shipping product. The eBay business policy, by contrast, describes matters such as the shipping options and shipping costs of your listing. Check these details separately so your calculation matches the product you actually use.

If you use Shipnovo, also include the shipping process you set up there in your check. Do not rely on unverified automatic adoption of announced prices or automatic changes to your eBay listings.

For setup instructions, you can also use the Deutsche Post INTERNETMARKE guide and the help on shipping rules. Check with Deutsche Post whether a product suits your shipment and which rate applies.