selling (and sending!) perfume on EBay

**professor~yaffle**

Hi,
just a quick question, I'd like to sell some perfume on EBay, but before I list it I wanted to make sure about the logistics of posting it and getting it to the customer intact!

I see that perfume comes up on the Royal Mail website as restricted goods, meaning you can send it but they stipulate that it must be in its original packaging and must be packed well to prevent breakage. Apparently it also needs a special label

http://www.royalmail.com/personal/help-and-support/Tell-me-about-Restricted-Goods

If you scroll down to Perfume and Aftershave it says:
The perfume or aftershave must be within its original retail packaging and then placed in strong outer packaging. The inner packagings must be packed, secured or cushioned to prevent breakage or leakage of their contents into the outer packaging.

An ID8000 label must be applied ( see example ID8000 label Opens in new window ). The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.
These items must be presented at a Post Office® counter.

I have so far only received sample perfumes in the post and they all came via the normal Royal Mail. Has anyone here sold and sent perfume on EBay? How did you send it, please?

soolin

The Royal Mail cannot police every single package that they handle so I am sure you will find many sellers completely unaware of the problem who are sending it without issues. However some people are getting caught, we had a thread on here about 3 weeks ago where someone had their package destroyed.

The restrictions also completely forbid some perfumes and it is not unknown for RM to get it wrong. Personally I would not sell Anything on eBay that I could not be assured of sending without issue, but I'm sure others will be able to advise you further.

**professor~yaffle**

Thanks Soolin, I must admit I hadn't really thought much about it before I considered listing one! I get the impression sellers just put the perfumes in with the normal post.

I wonder if MyHermes would be able to take it. I won't list it unless I know I can send it.

starrybee

If it helps at all, I had a company send me some perfume last week via RM. It was in it's original packaging, wrapped in a bit of bubble wrap, and stuck in a bog-standard jiffy bag, with the ID8000 form stuck on the back.

Although I've also had companies taking their chances and just sticking it in the normal post.

**professor~yaffle**

I've been having a look at the perfume listings on EBay and most people selling used perfumes just seem to send it in the Royal Mail. I don't think I'd chance it, personally, as it'd be just my luck if mine was the parcel they discovered and the package got destroyed and/or I got fined :eek:

Apparently this silly rule about not being able to send perfumes and aftershaves through the post came about because of an incident where some dimwit had packed flammable liquids next to lithium batteries and the whole lot went up. So now we have a blanket ban on sending used fragrances in the mail. Couriers won't take them either.

Shame, as I'm not using the perfume and it's just sitting in the cupboard.. I'd like to have sold it really.

ballisticbrian

The main problem is that everything long distance goes by air even within the UK up and down the country. Would you really feel safe flying a plane knowing that every tom !!!!!! and harry packed it full of flammable liquids in various states of disarray? At least RM have made an allowance for businesses who will repeat the process over and over and can invest in the training and labelling etc.

CouponWoman

Sell your perfume on facebook. the buyer collects, pays cash, no fees and no posting.

xx

mimi1234

**professor~yaffle** wrote: »

I have so far only received sample perfumes in the post and they all came via the normal Royal Mail. Has anyone here sold and sent perfume on EBay? How did you send it, please?

Yes, I have sold some, and they all got posted via Royal Mail and they all went OK. Positive feedback was also received.

The perfume/aftershave has to be in it's original cellophane and has to be less than 100ml as they do check at the PO. I normally wrap it up in bubble wrap (they also do little bubble wrap bags now) after they have checked it and then place it in a bubble wrapped envelope. You also have to make sure you write your name and address on the back.

They scan various barcodes and then stick a large label on it so that the postman etc knows what's in it. I always make sure to send it signed for as well.

No issues for me at all.

yazzine

Hi mimi1234 how much more did it cost for the service (I know it varies due to weight).
tia

Daza

The post office ask you when sending packages if their are any restricted / illegal items in the package (you are being recorded whilst they ask you this)

If you say no - and Royal Mail find out you have lied, they will prosecute you (as well as destroy your package ---- By the way, ALL packages are X-rayed now)