2 mins article

Business seller policy

Business sellers are required to follow all government regulations, including registering as a business on eBay, and providing contact information and a return policy.

An eBay seller must register as a business if, for example, they sell items they have bought to resell, they make items in order to sell them, or if they buy items for their business.

What is the policy?

Business sellers can't represent themselves as private individuals and are required to: 

  • Register their business on eBay - opens in new window or tab
  • Provide the following information in the business seller information section in their listings:
    • Full contact details for the business 
    • Any trade organisations they belong to
    • Any authorisation scheme relevant to the online business
    • Clear information about price, including any shipping or delivery charges and tax
    • A VAT number, if the business's online activities are subject to VAT
  • Make sure the listings are not misleading and provide clear and accurate information
  • Create a returns policy including the time period in which buyers can return items and get a full refund
  • Follow all government requirements and regulations including:
    • Informing buyers they have 14 days to withdraw from the transaction for items that fall under the Consumer Contracts Regulations
    • Accept the return of faulty items within 30 days with a full refund for items that fall under the Consumer Rights Act 2015

Additionally, business sellers can't:

  • Charge restocking fees
  • Keep original shipping fees for returns
  • Charge buyers return shipping fees

Listings that don't follow these rules may be removed from the site or from search results. Other actions we may take include lowering a seller's rating, charging additional fees, limiting buying and selling privileges, or suspending an account.

Additional information

For more help, information on customer rights is available on the Gov.uk website - opens in new window or tab. Consumer protection advice leaflets are also available from Trading Standards.

Activity on eBay is required to follow this policy, the eBay User Agreement and all applicable laws, as well as respect the rights of third parties. If it doesn’t, eBay may take action consistent with applicable laws and the eBay User Agreement, and may even be legally required to do so. Such actions may include, as an example only: Removing the listing or other content, issuing a warning, restricting activity or account suspension.

Tip
Visit Seller Help - opens in new window or tab to find details of any policy issues with your account or listings, and get the information you need to quickly resolve them.

Why does eBay have this policy?

This policy helps ensure that important government regulations for business sellers in the UK are followed.

 

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