Introduction
Managing policies manually in eBay can be time-consuming and prone to errors. To sell on eBay, you must have three business policies: payment, return, and shipping.
The Dynamic Policies feature in AutoDS automates this process by creating and applying shipping policies based on real-time supplier delivery data. This ensures buyers always see accurate delivery timeframes without configuring multiple policies yourself.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know how the feature works, when to use it, and how to enable it to streamline your eBay store management.
Benefits
- Accurate shipping policies are automatically applied from supplier delivery estimates
-
Fewer manual tasks – no need to create separate policies for each supplier
-
Error reduction when importing products at scale
-
Compliance with eBay standards, avoiding mismatched delivery times
-
Improved buyer experience through realistic and reliable delivery windows
Quick Jump
How it works
When enabled, AutoDS automatically creates a shipping policy tailored to your supplier’s delivery estimates. This policy is applied to your eBay listing during import.
The feature dynamically adjusts shipping times to reflect supplier handling and shipping speeds, eliminating the need to manually configure different shipping policies.
When to use it
Use the Dynamic Policies feature if:
-
You work with several U.S. suppliers that have different shipping times
-
You want to eliminate the need to create separate shipping policies manually
-
You are importing products in bulk and need a faster setup
-
You encounter delivery errors caused by outdated or mismatched policies
Prerequisites
-
Your eBay store must be connected to AutoDS via API (not MIP).
-
You must opt in to business policies on your eBay account.
-
Ensure both your AutoDS and eBay store settings are configured correctly.
Note:
- If you use a Non-API (MIP) connection, you must create and manage your policies directly in eBay.
- If you are working with Hipshipper, this feature is not recommended.
How to enable it
-
Go to Settings → Supplier Settings → Lister in AutoDS.
-
Enable the Dynamic Policy feature for new product imports.
-
Set the number of handling days for your policies.
-
If desired, enable the eBay Global Shipping Program (GSP). First, opt in directly through your eBay account.
👉 Learn More: How to join the Global Shipping Program -
To apply Dynamic Policies to existing products, either:
-
Edit them individually.
-
Or perform a bulk update from the Products page.
👉 Learn More: How to Change Products in Bulk?
-
Possible Issues & Workarounds
| Issue | Workaround |
|---|---|
| Still asked to select a shipping policy |
This happens if the listing was created before enabling Dynamic Policies. Enable it for existing listings and reimport the product. |
| Shipping time on eBay doesn’t match the supplier's estimate |
AutoDS calculates delivery time as handling time + supplier shipping time. Adjust handling time in your listing settings to better match your delivery window.
If the issue persists or the item isn’t monitored correctly, contact AutoDS support. 👉 Learn More: How to Contact an AutoDS Support Agent |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why are so many new policies being created in my eBay account?
A: AutoDS generates a new shipping policy whenever it detects a change in supplier shipping times. AutoDS also applies default return and payment policies to meet eBay's API requirements. eBay allows unlimited business policies, so the growing number is not a problem.
Q: Can I use Hipshipper’s business policies with this feature?
A: The Dynamic Policies feature works independently and will override Hipshipper’s business policies if both are enabled. For that reason, use either Dynamic Policies or Hipshipper, but not both at the same time.
Q: Can I use Dynamic Policies with all suppliers?
A: As long as the supplier provides accurate delivery estimates, AutoDS can apply them to calculate shipping times.
Q: Why did a buyer see a shorter delivery time than the one available when I fulfilled the order?
A: AutoDS updates product and shipping data every 60 minutes. During that window, delivery times may change on the supplier’s side, causing a temporary mismatch. For example, a listing may have shown a 5-day delivery when the customer purchased it, but the supplier extended it to 10 days shortly before fulfillment.