To ensure the safety and well-being of our members, eBay does not allow listings for items that are banned, recalled, or dangerous to a buyer.
What is the policy?
The following types of items are not allowed:
- Products recalled by a manufacturer or government agency
- Products where the sale of the product is prohibited by law or regulation
- Products that pose a health or safety hazard as specified by any government agency
- Current information can be found on the OPSS Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls - opens in new window or tab, the EU Safety Gate: Rapid Alert System website - opens in new window or tab and the OECD Global Recalls portal - opens in new window or tab
- Products that don't comply with product safety laws. This includes but is not limited to the Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC), the Electrical Equipment (safety) Regulations 2016, the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 and the Cosmetic Directive 1223/2009
- Lighters which breach EU or International regulations, including:
- Giant Lighters
- Child appealing or novelty lighters. For a definition of novelty lighters please see Additional Information below
If you send items internationally, you need to follow all applicable laws and regulations for the countries where you dispatch. We will remove any item that is reported to us as recalled or otherwise unsafe from any of the regulatory authorities worldwide.
- EU Product Safety Authorities
- EU Commission (Safety gate/Rapex)
- UK Office of Product Safety & Standards (OPSS)
- Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
- US Consumer Product and Safety Commission (CPSC)
- US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
- Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
Certain items can be listed only if they follow specific regulations. The following types of items must comply with these safety standards:
- Toy magnets with small pieces that can be swallowed or that may appeal to children are not allowed. Small magnets must be listed only as fasteners and listed in the Business & Industrial > Fasteners & Hardware > Magnets category
- Laser pointers must have an output power 1 milliwatts (mW) or less and be class 1M, 1C, 2/II, 2M/IIM. Military, tactical, or “high powered” lasers are not allowed. For further information on laser safety, please visit the Public Health England website
- Smoke or carbon monoxide detectors must be from one of the approved brands. Unbranded and unsafe brands of smoke or carbon monoxide detectors are not allowed
- 18650 batteries cannot be listed individually, as they are not intended for sale to consumers and can be potentially hazardous to consumers when handled, transported, stored, charged or used to power devices. 18650 batteries must be sold only as a component part of a battery pack with a product designed to use them
- Products where the button battery is easily accessible are considered unsafe. Button batteries are easily swallowed and can cause health issues or death
- Products that require a CE Mark/UK CA Mark need to bear a CE/UK CA Mark, and the seller needs to include this information in the item description while having the required documentation available
- Permitted lighters may be listed only if they are equipped with a child-resistant mechanism
- Business sellers are permitted to sell new hoverboards or self-balancing scooters that comply with applicable regulatory requirements and safety standards. Sellers need to include a clearly legible scan of the CE certificate that proves that the listed hoverboard complies with the Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) in the item description
- Eligible sellers can list cots. All cots must meet UK safety standards. Sellers must state in the listing that the cot meets these standards. Used cribs are not allowed
- Eligible sellers can list child car safety seats. All car seats must meet applicable safety standards. Sellers must state in the item description that the child restraint system is approved according to UN Regulation No. 44 or UN Regulation No. 129. Used car seats are not allowed. See UNECE's Child Restraint Systems for more information
- Eligible sellers can list new bike helmets. Used bike helmets are not allowed
- If the product you are selling includes an adaptor, please ensure that the adaptor is permanently affixed and cannot be removed without the use of tools. Please familiarise yourself with the plugs and sockets regulations - opens in new window or tab
Activity that doesn't follow eBay policy could result in a range of actions including for example: administratively ending or cancelling listings, hiding or demoting all listings from search results, lowering seller rating, buying or selling restrictions, and account suspension. All fees paid or payable in relation to listings or accounts on which we take any action will not be refunded or otherwise credited to your account.
Why does eBay have this policy?
This policy helps sellers follow important government regulations.
Helpful links
- OPSS Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls - opens in new window or tab
- Product Safety Guidelines for Sellers - opens in new window or tab
- Safety Gate: Rapid Alert System - opens in new window or tab
- Using the CE marking - opens in new window or tab
- Using the UKCA marking - opens in new window or tab
- Using the UKNI marking - opens in new window or tab
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.