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

Rules about the kinds of items you can list Rules about specific kinds of items Rules about how you list items Rules about getting paid

When you sell on eBay there are certain rules you need to follow. We have these rules in place to help make eBay a safer place for everyone.

Before you list an item, you should review and understand these rules because we hold all our sellers responsible for following them. If you don't, you may be subject to a range of actions, including limits of your buying and selling privileges and suspension of your account.

Rules about the kinds of items you can list

• Prohibited and restricted items – Find out if the item you want to sell is prohibited or subject to restrictions.

• Rules about intellectual property – Find out how we're protecting copyrights, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights.

• No item listings and inappropriate comments policy – Listings that don't offer anything for sale or those that offer intangible items aren't allowed. A listing also shouldn't include personal opinions, political views, or offensive comments about eBay members.

Rules about specific kinds of items

• Chance listings – We don't allow listings that sell an opportunity to win an item or prize either by chance or in connection with a skill contest.

• Compilation and informational items – When you sell items like e-books or wholesale lists you need to follow certain rules.

• Jewelry, precious metals, and loose beads – There are specific rules for selling jewelry and other valuable items.

• Presale listings – Learn about listing items before they're available to the public.

• Warranties – Find out about listing items with warranties.

Rules about how you list items

• Selling practices policy – Become a better seller by providing excellent customer service and following the guidelines in this policy.

• Policies about avoiding eBay fees – Before listing items, be sure to learn the rules about avoiding eBay fees.

• Threats and offensive language policy – Hateful, offensive, profane, or vulgar language isn't allowed, though there are a few exceptions.

• Search and browse manipulation policy – Find out how to list items in the appropriate category, how describe items accurately, and how to include a keyword or a brand name that doesn't manipulate eBay's search feature.

• Links, logos, and videos policy – Find out the types of links you can—and can't—include in your listing description.

• Rules about offering to buy or sell outside of eBay:

  • Offers to buy or sell outside of eBay

  • Profile policy

• Item location misrepresentation policy – Learn how to accurately describe your item's location.

Rules about getting paid

• Reserve price policy – Find out how you can avoid reserve price violations.

• Accepted payments policy – Find out the payment methods you can and can't offer.

• PaisaPay payments policy – Learn the rules about offering PayPal payments.

• Payment surcharges policy – Find out what kinds of surcharges sellers are and aren't allowed to charge.