eBay's policies are rules and guidelines that create a safe and fair trading environment for all eBay members. To promote a safe trading environment, eBay enforces these rules and policies.

Your User Agreement is the most important eBay policy. All members are responsible for reviewing and understanding eBay’s policies and all applicable laws and regulations contained in this legal contract.

Trust and Safety Tutorials help you understand eBay’s rules and policies.

eBay's Rules and Policies are organised in the following categories:

• Rules about Feedback: Rules and guidelines about eBay's system for member reputations.

• Rules for Everyone: General policies applying to all eBay members, eBay employees and eBay. Learn more about issues like the use of profanity, unsolicited email (spam), and how to participate on eBay’s Discussion Boards and Community content areas (blogs, eBay Wiki, Reviews & Guides).

• Rules for Buyers: This section includes rules involving bidding responsibly and always paying for purchases. Learn more about eBay’s Unpaid Item Policy.

• Rules for Sellers: Important listing policies and other rules that apply to selling, such as Seller Non-performance and Shill Bidding.

  • Prohibited and Restricted Items: Can you sell hippopotamus ivory on eBay? What about selling lottery tickets? Find out in our comprehensive list of banned and restricted items.

  • Rules for Listings: Why is a listing title like “MP3 Player, Not Ipod” considered keyword spamming and not allowed?

  • How can a listing that offers an authentic Rolex box be considered encouraging infringement? What is VeRO and why was my item ended because of it? Find out how eBay helps protect intellectual property rights owners against infringement.

eBay’s policies are intended to:

• Support government laws and regulations

• Minimise

• Provide equal opportunity to all buyers and sellers

• Protect intellectual property rights

• Provide an enjoyable buying experience

• Support the values of the eBay Community

Learning about eBay's policies will help you avoid breaking rules (including the law) and aid you in trading with reliable, trustworthy buyers and sellers.

Violations of policy may result in a range of actions including:

• Listing cancellation

• Limits on account privileges

• Account suspension

• Forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings

• Loss of PowerSeller status

Note: You may contact eBay to report policy breaches by using the “Report” or “Contact Us” links found on most policy pages.

If you have received an email about your account being suspended, read the Suspended Account help.

Related Help topics

• Trust and Safety on eBay

• Reporting Inappropriate Trading Behaviour

• How eBay Protects Intellectual Property (VeRO)