You can sell a few types of animals and wildlife products, though there are some things that can't be listed on eBay because of complex government regulations and various laws both in the United Kingdom and internationally.
Check out the list of items below to find out what you can and can't sell on eBay. If an item is allowed or restricted, be sure to follow our guidelines, shipping restrictions, and applicable laws. You also need to check if selling or shipping these items requires a license, permit, or other paperwork.
Make sure your listing follows our guidelines. If it doesn't, it may be removed, and your buying and selling privileges could be restricted.
What are the guidelines?
Though pets and most other live animals can't be listed, there are few types that you can sell.
Restricted
The sales of the following animals are permitted, provided that the seller guarantees in the listing that the animals will be packaged safely and posted via next day delivery.
Live bait (minnows, shiners, earth worms, and meal worms)
Live insects, crickets used as bait or feeder food for pets
Shellfish, such as crabs and lobsters, that are live when sold but intended for human consumption
Aquarium or pond fish, snails, tadpoles or similar creatures
Hatching eggs for some animals are permitted provided the seller offers domestic-only shipping within the UK. However, hatching eggs from endangered species, migratory or wild birds, snakes, or turtles aren't allowed
Not allowed
Sales of other animals not listed in the exceptions above
Many native animal species are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in the UK and the Wildlife Acts 1976-2000 in Ireland. Some rare native and many non-native species are protected under the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations.
Allowed
Animal pelts from non-endangered species (except cats or dogs) may generally be listed on eBay if not in breach of local laws.
Faux or reproductions of animal products can be sold. State in the title of your listing if you are selling a faux, synthetic or reproduction of an animal product.
Restricted
No animal or part of an animal of a species listed in Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, or the Schedules to the Wildlife Acts 1976-2000, may be listed on eBay unless the seller can produce documentary evidence confirming that they have not been taken from the wild illegally.
No animal or part of an animal of a species listed on Annex A of the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations may be sold on eBay unless accompanied by an Article 10 certificate as issued by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), or the Irish Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
Skins, hides and rugs are generally permitted on eBay, subject to the limitations above.
Not allowed
The sale of pelts or items which include the fur from endangered species, cats or dogs
Internal animal organs (e.g. bear gall bladders)
Any animal bodily fluids or faeces
Most animal traps are okay to sell, although certain types are illegal. Here are some examples:
Allowed
Fish traps
Live traps
Mouse traps
Other humane traps
Restricted
Glue traps intended for insects are allowed to be listed on the site however glue traps intended for animals such as rats or mice are not permitted.
Not allowed
Traps not included in the exceptions above
Snares
Gin traps
Though there are a few exceptions, most ivory products can't be offered on eBay because of various international trade restrictions and treaties banning the sale of these items.
Please note that all types of ivory are affected, including prehistoric ivory as well as ivory products that have been obtained legally through appropriate channels. Some examples include:
Elephant
Hippopotamus
Walrus
Mammoth
Narwhal
Several international organisations also provide information about the trade of ivory products that may be helpful, such as the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and their About Me page, and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Allowed
Items that are ivory in colour are allowed. Please be clear in your title you are referencing the "colour" ivory, and not the material ivory
Restricted
Because many of the species from which ivory is harvested are currently endangered or protected, the sale of ivory is generally prohibited on all EU sites with two exceptions:
A pre-1900 piano with ivory keys
Pre-1900 furniture and other wooden items which include ivory inlays
These listings must include documentary proof from an official antiques expert that the item was created before 1900.
Cultured, man-made, or vegetable ivory as long as the listing description specifies what the item is made of
French Ivory items are allowed on the site, but your listing must clearly state that the item is French Ivory and not actual animal ivory
Bone from non-ivory–producing animals (such as bison, buffalo, and oxen) as long as the species is clearly stated in the listing description
Cultured, man-made, or vegetable ivory as long as the listing description specifies what the item is made of
Not allowed
Items made from actual ivory
Bone from animals that produce ivory, including elephants, mammoths, walruses, and whales
eBay urges its sellers and buyers to comply with all laws and regulations. Since the sale of migratory birds is in most cases prohibited, sellers are restricted in their listing of them on eBay. All native UK birds, along with their nests and eggs, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Similar provisions are to be found in Irish law under the Wildlife Acts, 1976-2000. Many rare native and non-native bird species are also protected under the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations.
Allowed
Stuffed domestic farm birds like chickens or ducks
Restricted
No native birds may be listed on eBay unless members can produce documentary evidence confirming that they have not been taken from the wild illegally, and this evidence is included in the listing. A list of native bird species can be found on the British Ornithologists' Union's website.
No bird species listed on Annex A of the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations may be listed on eBay unless accompanied by an Article 10 certificate issued by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), or the Irish Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. More information on the species listed in the Annexes can be found at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalhealth/CITES/guidance/index.htm.
Not allowed
Any eggs from wild birds cannot be sold, regardless of age or condition.
Restricted
Tortoise shell–colored items (such as combs, eyewear, handbags, and shoes) made of plastic or another man-made material are permitted but the listing must clearly indicate the item is not made of genuine tortoise shell.
Not allowed
Items made, in whole or in part, from any part of sea turtles, regardless of age of the item (e.g., guitar picks, jewellery, jewellery boxes, hair combs)
Items that appear to be made from genuine sea turtle shell are not permitted
Additional information
Sales Abroad
Export restrictions apply to items made from, or containing, the parts of species listed on Annex A or B of the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations. Any such item which is sent to a buyer outside the EU must be accompanied by an export permit as issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), or the Irish Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
Certificates and Permits
Applications for Article 10 certificates should be submitted to Defra, or the Irish Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Export permits can also be obtained from Defra. Information about licensing and application forms for Article 10 certificates and export permits can be found at:
Please state in your item listing whether you are in possession of an Article 10 certificate if it is required.
For information on Ireland's licensing and permit rules, visit www.environ.ie.
Why does eBay have this policy?
We're doing what we can to protect native and endangered species. And we're also following laws, government regulations, and international treaties on animals and wildlife. Be sure to review our guidelines and follow applicable laws before listing these items.
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