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Rules & policies

Our policies are designed to create a safe and fair environment for all eBay members. Learning what’s allowed can help you avoid unintentionally breaking the rules and helps everyone in working with reliable, trustworthy members.

Top questions

What are the rules and policies for selling items on eBay?

Why did eBay remove my listing?

Can I retract or cancel my bid?

Solve a problem

There are some items that, due to legal restrictions and other considerations, aren't allowed or can only be listed under certain conditions. If you're not sure whether your item is allowed, you can learn why some items are prohibited or restricted and view a detailed list of items you can't sell.
Confirm that the email was sent from eBay by checking your messages in My eBay. This email from eBay explains why your account was suspended and the steps you can take to resolve the problem. Learn more about suspended accounts and recognising spoof emails
If you buy an item and the seller doesn't receive your payment for any reason, the seller can report the failure to pay. If you receive an unpaid item notification, it's important to respond quickly. If you don't address the seller's concerns or don't respond within 7 days, the case is escalated to our Trust and Safety team.

Help topics

Basics

Rules for sellers
Learn what items you can sell, what's allowed in your listing, and other guidelines for selling


Rules for buyers
Buyers have obligations too. Be sure to bid responsibly, always pay for purchases, and follow our buyer guidelines


Rules for everyone
These policies apply to all eBay members

Top 10 policies

Invalid bid retraction policy
Did you bid on an item by mistake? Learn when you're allowed to cancel a bid


Unpaid item policy
We require buyers to pay for items that they commit to purchase


Rules about Feedback
Our guidelines are designed to encourage open and honest Feedback about your experience with a member


Prohibited and restricted items overview
Before listing an item, make sure it's allowed on eBay. Get an overview of items that are prohibited or subject to restrictions, or click a link below to learn about items we're frequently asked about.


Rules for listings
These guidelines cover how you describe your item, what you can include in your listing, and other listing practices


Seller performance
When selling an item, buyer satisfaction is important. Learn about our requirements for seller performance and what you can do to stay in compliance


Rules for accepted payments
Learn which payment methods sellers are allowed to accept


Search and browse manipulation
Make sure your listing is accurate and don't include information that might misrepresent your item


Avoiding eBay fees
Techniques that avoid eBay fees, such as offers to sell items outside eBay, aren't allowed

Mobile Device Policy

If you're accessing eBay from a mobile device using an eBay Mobile Application, the following terms and conditions apply to you in addition to the User Agreement.

 
Links
Learn when it's okay to link to content outside of eBay, such as additional photos or descriptions of your item

How to

Reporting inappropriate trading behavior
Find out what we can investigate and the actions we'll take


Guidelines for creating legally compliant listings
These general guidelines can help you create listings that are legal and don't infringe the intellectual property rights of others


Appealing an unpaid item
Find out how to appeal an unpaid item

Tutorials

Trust and safety tutorials
These interactive tutorials can help you comply with eBay policies, trade safely, and increase your overall knowledge of eBay

Contact Customer Support

If you have an additional question about this subject, please email us at Customer Support.
If you would like to ask a question on another subject, please use the Contact Us page.

Contact us

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Ask eBay members

Get help from other eBay members. Visit the Answer Centre to post a question.

Shortcuts

Report a listing breach