What is Authenticity Guarantee?
eBay's Authenticity Guarantee is a service designed to help buyers shop with confidence. Our authentication team physically inspect all eligible items before they are posted to buyers.
How does Authenticity Guarantee work?
It's easy! Browse and shop eBay's listings with the “Authenticity Guarantee” badge. When you buy an eligible item, the seller sends the item directly to a team of qualified, professional authenticators. The authenticator will thoroughly inspect and verify your item's authenticity and accuracy against the item listing before it is posted to your address at checkout via tracked, next day delivery, paid for by eBay!
Will I be charged a fee for Authenticity Guarantee?
No. Through the Authenticity Guarantee service, eBay covers the cost of authentication, as well as fast, tracked, next day delivery from the authentication facility to the buyer.
What items are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee?
Authenticity Guarantee is available for selected brands, in new or preowned condition, listed under the Women’s Bags & Handbags, Men’s Bags, Women’s Accessories & Men’s Accessories, Women’s Belts & Men’s Belts and Women’s Hats & Men’s Hat categories, and sold for £500 or more via Fixed Price or Auction listings. You can identify eligible listings by looking for the blue Authenticity Guarantee tick in the search results or the top right of the item’s page.
The eligible brands for Authenticity Guarantee are Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Mulberry, Hermes, Yves Saint Laurent, Celine, Dior, Prada, Fendi, Goyard, Burberry, Chloe, Valentino, Givenchy, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, MCM, Salvatore Ferragamo, LOEWE, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Alexander McQueen, The Row, Off-White, Jimmy Choo, Tom Ford, Bvlgari, Stella McCartney, Proenza Schouler, Delvaux, Miu Miu, Mark Cross, Marni, Lanvin, Jil Sander, Judith Leiber, Christian Louboutin, Alexander Wang and Balmain.
Only items purchased on eBay.co.uk are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee. Items that post to a buyer address outside the UK are not eligible for the service at this time. Listings that offer only local pickup or items posted to P.O. Boxes will not be eligible for Authenticity Guarantee. Any item purchased using an offline payment method will not be eligible for Authenticity Guarantee. Items with hot stamping of initials may be accepted for Authenticity Guarantee. However, only the item would be authenticated and not the hot stamping itself.
For further details learn more about Authenticity Guarantee Terms & Conditions here.
What happens at the authentication facility?
Upon receiving the handbag, accessory, hat or belt, the authenticator first confirms that the item and any brand papers are consistent with the listing title, description, and images. Then, they will perform a multi-point physical authentication inspection. Finally, the handbag, accessory, hat or belt will receive a unique Authenticity Guarantee card.
Is there an Authenticity Guarantee card?
Yes, all items verified as authentic come with a card with details about the item, such as brand and model.
How does the QR code work on my Authenticity Guarantee card?
Scan the QR code with a smartphone to view detailed information about your handbag, accessory, hat or belt. Enjoy!
Who is providing the authentication services?
eBay's team of professionally trained authenticators vet and verify each handbag, accessory, hat or belt, using detailed, physical inspection and advanced technical equipment in a state-of-the-art facility.
How long will the authentication process take? How long until I get my item?
After you purchase your eligible handbag, accessory, hat or belt, the seller is required to send the item to the authenticators who will process the item within two business days of receipt. Once authenticity is verified, as well as listing description accuracy, the item will be posted to you as soon as possible via tracked, next day delivery.
How can I track the progress of my purchase?
The order status will be updated in your “My eBay” purchase history and in the View Order Details section. Delivery information can be seen on My eBay Purchase History. The authentication status can be seen on View Order Details. You will also receive an order update email when your item has been inspected as part of the Authenticity Guarantee service.
How does delivery work?
For security reasons, you will need to provide a unique PIN code to the driver on delivery. When you receive your delivery updates, you will be advised of a 4-digit PIN code that you will need to provide to the driver. The PIN code will be clearly displayed in your updates via email, SMS or in the DPD app. Once the PIN code is provided to the driver, they will input it into their handheld device and if correct, the parcel will then be handed over to you. Please ensure that a valid email address and/or telephone number is registered on your eBay account in order to receive the PIN code.
I don't have a PIN code?
If you do not have your PIN code, then the driver can resend it to the email address and mobile number registered on your eBay account whilst at your doorstep, which you can then give to the driver so that the parcel can be handed over to you. If you do not have a device handy to access your PIN via email, SMS or DPD App, then the driver will be unable to hand over the parcel. The delivery will be re-attempted the following day or you will be able to reschedule your delivery to a day that’s more convenient to you. If unsuccessful again the parcel will be returned to us.
Signatures will be required instead of a PIN code for delivery to the following post codes: FK17 - FK21, GY1 - GY10, HS1 - HS9, IM, IV1 - IV63, JE1 - JE5, KA27 - KA28, KW0 - KW17, PA20 - PA38, PA41 - PA49, PA60 - PA78, PA80, PH19 - PH29, PH32 - PH33, PH45 - PH 48, PO30 - PO41 and ZE1 - ZE3.
Will I receive the original packaging with my purchase?
Yes, if the seller has included original packaging as described in the listing, all components will be sent to you.
What if the item does not pass inspection?
If the item's authenticity cannot be verified or the item is not consistent with its listing, you will be notified and will be issued a full refund to your original payment method.
Where is my item being sent, and why is it not my address?
Your handbag, accessory, hat or belt will first be sent to the authentication facility. Once verified, the authenticator will send your handbag, accessory, hat or belt to the address entered at checkout.
Can I return items purchased with Authenticity Guarantee?
You can return an item if the seller accepts returns, as stated in the listing, and the return takes place within the seller's return window. In the unlikely event that the buyer receives an item that is not consistent with the listing, the item will be eligible for a return. In order for a refund to be processed, all returns must be sent to the authentication facility for verification (to check that the item is still in the same condition and has all relevant accessories, or that the item is not consistent with the listing) and re-authentication before the item is returned to the seller.
Learn more about eBay's policy on condition of returned items here.
Does the eBay Money Back Guarantee protect authenticated items?
Authenticity Guarantee purchases are covered by eBay Money Back Guarantee when all other eligibility requirements are met. Learn more about eBay Money Back Guarantee policy.
How does the return process work?
If returns are offered on the listing of the item you purchased or the item isn't as described, the item will first be sent to the authentication facility. Within two business days of receiving the item, the authenticator will inspect to confirm that the item returned matches the item originally sent to you by verifying the authenticity and condition including any original packaging or accessories (for clarity, this includes the item's box where applicable). Once verified by the authenticator, it will be posted to the Seller and a refund will be processed. The Seller or Buyer (as defined by the listing) is responsible for postage costs to the authenticator, and eBay covers the postage cost to the Seller.
Why was the item sent back to me by the authenticator after I opened a return?
If the authenticator determines that the returned item is not the same item, is not in the same condition, or the security tag has been tampered with or removed, it will be sent back to you and the return will be closed.
Can I choose not to have my item authenticated?
No. eBay's Authenticity Guarantee is a service designed to protect buyers and sellers.
Is Authenticity Guarantee associated with any brands sold on eBay?
No, the Authenticity Guarantee service is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of the brands sold on eBay.