In this article

	Before you list your item Creating your listing

Before you list your item

To list your item on eBay, you need to provide information about your item. Information in a typical listing includes a title, description, price, payment method, postage costs, and photo. eBay’s Sell Your Item form guides you through the steps to create and submit an item listing.

If you are new to selling on eBay, see Selling – Getting Started.

Creating your listing

1.	Get started Go to eBay’s Sell Your Item form by clicking the Sell tab at the top of most eBay pages and choosing the Start Listing Now option. Enter a few words about your item in the box, and click the Start Selling button. You may need to sign in.
2.	Choose a category You can select a category by searching or browsing. Based on the words you entered about your item in the last step, eBay will suggest categories. Choose the category most relevant to your item, so it's easier for buyers to find your listing.
3.	Complete the form Depending on which category you've chosen, you may have different options. Here are some guidelines to improve your listing: Write a good title and description: Help buyers find your listing with a title that's clear, complete, and descriptive. State exactly what the item is (even if it repeats the category name). Include details such as the brand, product name, size, or artist. Consider adding a subtitle for more description that'll be seen in searches. Provide item specifics: Providing additional item details within a category helps buyers find your item. Not all categories have item specifics as mandatory but it is a good idea to provide as much information as you can to help buyers find your item and make an informed decision. These specifics may also be included in your Q&A. Specify the condition of the item :Item conditions vary by category. Accurately describing your item gives buyers confidence that they'll get the item they want. In most categories this field is manadatory. Include product details from our catalogue: Some items are associated with products in eBay’s growing catalogue. If your item is one of these, you'll be offered product details and a stock photo from the catalogue once you've chosen your category. If you select product details, they'll appear in your listing. Using product details can save you time and help attract more buyers to your listing. Upload pictures: Including high-quality, evenly lit pictures of your item can help sell your item. You can add and enhance pictures using eBay Picture Services. Select a listing format:Choose from auction-style, fixed price (Buy It Now), and Classified Ad formats. Choose a starting price: This includes deciding on a starting price and pricing options such as reserve price and Buy It Now to help you get the price you want for your item. Select a listing duration: You can have your listing last from 1 to 10 days. 30 day listing durations are also offered for Good ‘Til Cancelled listings for Store sellers. Most auction listings last 7 days. Your listing fee subtotal appears in the Your fees so far section at the bottom of the Create your listing form and again under Review your listing. Select the payment methods you’ll accept: Choose the payment methods you’ll accept from buyers. To keep eBay a safe place for both buyers and sellers, sellers are required to offer at least one of the following as an accepted payment method in most categories. PayPal Paymate Merchant Credit Card These methods also make it easy for your buyer to pay you right away so you can post your item faster. Specify your postage costs and locations: You can decide the cost and which services to use or have eBay help you calculate postage costs based on the buyers location. You also have the option of offering free postage to attract more potential buyers. Sellers can also receive automatic 5-star DSRs for offering free postage on item listings. Specify handling time: Handling time is based on the amount of time it will take for you to post your package after you received cleared payment. This helps buyers understand when they can expect to receive their item. Note: If you do not specify a handling time, eBay will select a default handling time for you. Specify your return policy: Buyers are more comfortable buying from sellers who offer return policies and eBay suggests you accept returns. Sellers must select either the Returns accepted or Returns not accepted option under the Return Policy section of the listing form. Promote your item with listing upgrades: Listing upgrades, like using a subtitle, can help your listing stand out. Mandatory listing inclusions All sellers are required to provide the following information in their listings: Title, Description, Price, Returns policy* (including if there is a no returns policy), Postage method* (eg. Express post, regular post etc.), Handling time*. Whilst other information is not mandatory, providing as much information as possible will reduce the time you spend answering questions from buyers, and help prevent bad buyer experiences.
4.	Preview your listing You will see a preview of your listing page. If you need to change something, click the Edit listing link. If you'd like to create a template from your listing so you can use it later to sell similar items, select Save this listing as a template and use it to sell similar items.
5.	List your item When you're ready, click the List your item button to post your listing on eBay.

Note: If you start to create a new listing in the Sell Your Item form but aren’t able to finish it, eBay will save it as a draft so that you can complete it later.

* Classified, eBay Classified, Cars, Motorcycles, Boats, Other Vehicles, Aircraft, Caravans & Motorhomes, Trucks & Commercial Vehicles, Trailers, Services & Real Estate category listings are excluded.