What is Authenticity Guarantee?
eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee is designed to help buyers shop with confidence and protect sellers with verified returns. Authenticators physically inspect all eligible items before they are posted to the buyer and inspect all returns prior to sending them back to the seller.
How does Authenticity Guarantee work?
An “Authenticity Guarantee” blue tick badge is applied to all eligible items priced at £200 and more. When an eligible item is purchased, the seller is required to post the item to the authentication facility, where the item goes through a multi-point inspection process. Once verified, the authenticator posts the item directly to the buyer via tracked, next-day delivery.
From the end of April, for eligible fashion items priced between £0.01 -£199.99 (inclusive), you will see an optional add-on Authenticity Guarantee service available on the item page. When you add the optional Authenticity Guarantee service to your purchase, the seller will send the item directly to the authentication facility. The authenticator will thoroughly inspect and verify your item’s authenticity before it’s shipped to you safely via tracked next-day delivery.
Will I be charged a fee for Authenticity Guarantee?
For eligible items priced at £200 or more, eBay will cover the cost of the Authenticity Guarantee service.
For eligible items priced between £0.01 - £199.99 (inclusive), the cost to add the Authenticity Guarantee service on qualifying items is £20 per item, applied at checkout.
What items are “eligible” for Authenticity Guarantee?
Authenticity Guarantee is available for selected brands, in new or preowned condition, listed under the Men’s or Women’s Trainers, Unisex Kids’ Shoes, Girls’ Shoes, Boys’ Shoes or Baby Shoes categories, and sold for £200 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. Items in Men’s or Women’s Trainers, Unisex Kids’ Shoes, Girls’ Shoes, Boys’ Shoes or Baby Shoes categories sold for £0.01-£199.99 GBP (inclusive) are eligible for the optional add-on Authenticity Guarantee service.
The eligible brands for Authenticity Guarantee are: A Bathing Ape, adidas, Alexander McQueen, Alexander Wang, AllSaints, Amiri, And1, Android Homme, Anya Hindmarch, Arc’teryx, Asics, Aspinal of London, Atmos, Axel Arigato, Balenciaga, Balmain, Barbour, Belstaff, Berghaus, Bottega Veneta, Brunello Cucinelli, Burberry, Buscemi, Bvlgari, C.P. Company, Canada Goose, Carhartt, Celine, CHANEL, Chloé, Christian Louboutin, Chrome Hearts, Coach, Comme des Garçons, Common Projects, Converse, Crocs, Delvaux, Diadora, Diesel, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Dsquared2, Ermenegildo Zegna, Fear Of God, Fendi, Fila, Filling Pieces, Giuseppe Zanotti, Givenchy, Golden Goose, Golf Wang, Goyard, Gucci, Hackett, Hender Scheme, Hermès, Hoka, Hugo Boss, Isabel Marant, Issey Miyake, Jacquemus, Jeremy Scott, Jil Sander, Jimmy Choo, John Geiger, Judith Leiber, Junya Watanabe, JW Anderson, K-Swiss, Kangaroos, Karen Millen, Kate Spade, Kenzo, Kith, Kobe, L.K. Bennett, Lacoste, Lanvin, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Le Coq Sportif, Levi’s, Li-Ning, Loewe, Loro Piana, Lou, Louis Vuitton, Lulu Guinness, Maison Kitsuné, Maison Margiela, Mallet, Marc Jacobs, Mark Cross, Marni, Max Mara, MCM, McQ, Michael Kors, Miu Miu, Mizuno, Moncler, Moschino, Mulberry, New Balance, Nike, Off-White, Onitsuka Tiger, Palace, Palm Angels, Patagonia, Patta, Paul & Shark, Paul Smith, Philipp Plein, Polène, Polo Ralph Lauren, Prada, Proenza Schouler, Puma, Rab, Raf Simons, Reebok, Reiss, Rhude, Rick Owens, Sacai, Saint Laurent, Salomon, Salvatore Ferragamo, Saucony, Schott, Stella McCartney, Stone Island, Stüssy, Supreme, Ted Baker, The North Face, The Row, Toast, Tom Ford, Tory Burch, Trapstar, Undefeated, Under Armour, Undercover, Valentino, Vans, Versace, Vetements, Visvim, Vivienne Westwood, Yeezy, Yohji Yamamoto, Zimmermann.
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 PO Boxes will not be eligible for Authenticity Guarantee. Any item purchased using an offline payment method will not be eligible for Authenticity Guarantee.
Items in breach of the prohibited item policy are not eligible for Authenticity Guarantee. Items specified as customised will not be authenticated. “Customised” is defined as shoes that have been modified from their original state. Examples of this include shoes with personalised elements, custom artwork, or any modifications that did not come with the original sneaker.
What happens if I see that an auction listing is eligible for Authenticity Guarantee one day, then is no longer eligible for Authenticity Guarantee when I return to bid on it another day?
As some of the eligibility criteria may change from time to time, it is best to check at the point of purchase if the listing contains the Authenticity Guarantee blue tick.
Are used sneakers eligible for Authenticity Guarantee?
Yes, used sneakers are now eligible for Authenticity Guarantee as long as all other eligibility criteria are met.
What happens during the authentication process?
Upon receiving the sneakers, our authentication team first verifies that the contents are consistent with the listing details. Then a multi-point, physical inspection is performed for the listing details. This process includes thorough physical inspection of the shoe’s structure, materials, tags and logos. The packaging and accessories are also reviewed for authenticity. Finally, an eBay Authenticity Guarantee QR code tag is attached to the shoes and programmed with the unique details of each product.
What is the eBay Authenticity Guarantee tag?
An eBay Authenticity Guarantee tag will be attached to each pair of sneakers once they have been verified by our authentication team. The Authenticity Guarantee tag is fastened to the sneaker, activated by a digital stamp of authenticity and customised with the sneakers’ details. By scanning the QR code, you will receive a prompt and be able to view the authenticity report of your sneakers.
Who is providing the authentication service?
Our authentication team provides the service. The team are professionally trained authenticators who thoroughly inspect and verify sneakers at a state-of-the-art facility to ensure a high standard of service to eBay users.
How long will the authentication process take? When will I get my item?
After you purchase your eligible item, it is sent to our expert authenticators, who will inspect your item within two business days of receipt. Once authenticity is verified, the item will be dispatched to you with tracked, next-day delivery.
How do I track the status of my item?
Once your item has been inspected, you will receive an order update email with the next steps. Throughout the Authenticity Guarantee process, you can check the View Order Details section for status updates.
Will I receive the original packaging with my purchase?
Yes, if the seller has included the original packaging in their listing, all components will be sent to you.
What if the item does not pass authentication checks?
If the item's authenticity cannot be verified or the item is not consistent with its listing, the buyer will be notified and will be issued a full refund to their original payment method.
What should I do if I want to change or cancel my order?
You can request to cancel your order through the “Purchase History” page within an hour of purchase if the seller has not yet posted the item. Unfortunately, address changes cannot be accommodated at this time, so please double check to make sure you’ve entered the correct address. Learn more about cancelling your order here.
Where is my item posted to and why isn't it my address?
Your shoes will first be posted to the sneaker authentication facility. Once they are authenticated, your shoes will be forwarded on to the address entered at checkout.
How can I track the progress of my purchase?
Tracking information will be uploaded on the “Purchase History” page, where you’ll be able to track the status of your order and see exactly where it is in the authentication process.
Can I return items purchased with Authenticity Guarantee?
Buyers 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 our authentication team 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.
How does the return process work?
If returns are offered on the listing of the item you purchased, or if the item isn’t as described, the item will first be sent to our authentication team. Within two business days of receiving the item, the authenticator will verify the authenticity and condition of the returned item to confirm that it matches the item originally sent to you, including any original packaging or accessories (for clarity, this includes the item’s box where applicable). In addition, the eBay Authenticity Guarantee tag must be attached to the item and untampered with for it to be eligible for a return. Once verified by the authenticator, the item will be posted to the seller and a refund will be processed. The seller’s return policy determines whether you or the seller pays the postage costs when sending the item back to the authenticator.
Are authenticated items protected by the eBay Money Back Guarantee?
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.
Why was the item sent back to me by the authenticator after I opened a return?
If the authenticator determines the returned item is not the same item, is missing any accessories (including the item’s box where applicable) or is not in the same condition, it will be sent back to the buyer and the return will be closed.
Can I choose to not have my item authenticated?
For eligible items priced at £200 or more, you cannot choose to bypass the authentication service.
For eligible items priced between £0.01 – £199.99 (inclusive), you can choose to add-on the optional Authenticity Guarantee service.
How does delivery work?
Orders under £500 will be delivered by a tracked, next-day delivery service.
For security reasons, orders sold for £500 and more will be sent via DPD PIN service or Royal Mail Special Delivery. If your item is sent via DPD PIN service, 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.
What if 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 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.
What happens if the seller posts an item straight to me?
If the seller posts an item directly to you, the item will not go through Authenticity Guarantee.
Why can’t my item be delivered to a PO Box?
Delivery to a PO Box or a BFPO address is not available for Authenticity Guarantee.
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.