Facebook Marketplace has evolved from a local-only trading space to a platform that facilitates nationwide commerce through an integrated shipping system. This feature allows sellers to reach a much broader audience than local pickup arrangements. The system simplifies the fulfillment process by managing payment and logistics details. Understanding how the platform handles these transactions, from listing creation to receiving payment, is important for maximizing sales.
Seller Eligibility and Setup Requirements
Before offering shipping on listings, sellers must meet platform requirements. The account used must be a verified Facebook profile with established activity and good standing. Sellers must also provide a verified physical address, used for generating accurate shipping estimates and tax purposes.
Identity verification is mandatory to foster trust and security. To receive payment for shipped items, sellers need to connect a valid bank account to their Marketplace profile. Item limitations apply, such as a general weight restriction of 50 pounds. Categories like vehicles or certain types of furniture are ineligible for the integrated shipping option.
Creating a Listing with Shipping Options
Creating a listing with shipping requires accurately describing the item’s physical characteristics to determine the correct postage cost. Sellers must activate the shipping option within the delivery method section, which expands the item’s visibility nationwide.
A precise measurement of the packaged item’s weight and dimensions is necessary, as this input directly calculates the shipping charge presented to the buyer. The seller decides who covers this expense by choosing between “Buyer Pays Shipping” or “Seller Pays Shipping.” Accurate weight entry is important, as discrepancies discovered by the carrier after drop-off could result in unexpected charges to the seller.
The Shipping Label and Fulfillment Process
Once a buyer commits to a purchase and payment is processed, the seller is notified and must initiate fulfillment. Historically, Marketplace offered the convenience of automatically generating a pre-paid shipping label, often through partnerships with carriers like USPS or FedEx. This label included integrated tracking and discounted commercial rates.
For some listings, the platform may require sellers to purchase their own shipping label from a third-party carrier and manually upload the tracking number. Regardless of the label source, the seller typically has three business days to ship the item before the order may be automatically canceled. Adhering to this fulfillment timeline is necessary to maintain account status and complete the sale.
Packaging and Carrier Drop-Off
Properly preparing the merchandise protects the item and prevents damage claims. Sellers should use appropriate packaging materials, such as sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, or packing peanuts, to secure the item during transit. The printed shipping label must be affixed securely and clearly to the largest side of the package, ensuring the barcode is flat and scannable.
The next step is delivering the package to the designated carrier, typically the United States Postal Service or FedEx. Sellers can drop off the package at a post office or authorized drop-off location. Alternatively, sellers may arrange a free carrier pickup through the carrier’s website, but they must retain proof of drop-off, such as a receipt or scan confirmation.
Tracking, Delivery Confirmation, and Payout
The tracking number, whether embedded in the pre-paid label or manually uploaded, monitors the package’s journey. This number provides real-time status updates visible to both the buyer and seller through the Marketplace order page. Tracking data establishes the exact moment of delivery, which confirms the transaction’s finalization.
Delivery confirmation triggers the release of funds to the seller. The platform initiates the payout to the seller’s linked bank account shortly after the carrier confirms delivery. Funds generally appear in the seller’s account around five business days after delivery confirmation, though timing can vary depending on the bank’s processing schedule.
Understanding Shipping Costs and Seller Fees
Financial transparency separates the cost of postage from the platform’s service charge. The primary financial obligation for sellers is the Marketplace selling fee, which is automatically deducted from the final sale price. This fee is currently set at 10% of the total transaction amount, with a minimum charge of $0.80 per order, and it covers integrated services.
This percentage fee applies to the entire sale, including the item’s price and any shipping cost paid by the buyer. The fee helps cover payment processing, customer support, and the Purchase Protection program applied to eligible orders. If the seller offers free shipping, the postage cost is covered by their own funds or deducted from the sale proceeds. The 10% selling fee is still calculated based on the item’s price plus the platform’s calculated shipping rate.