2 min article

eBay fee avoidance policy

Avoiding eBay fees is not allowed, whether intentional or not. Sellers attempting to avoid eBay fees create risk for themselves, and a poor experience for buyers.

This policy was updated on 21 December 2023. Our policy guidelines have not changed, but the information about activity that doesn't follow this policy has been updated for clarity.

Examples of avoiding fees includes making offers to buy or sell outside of eBay, requiring the buyer to make additional purchases, or charging excessive postage fees.

What is the policy?

Sellers are prohibited from activities that avoid eBay fees, intentionally or not. This includes:

  • Making offers to buy or sell outside of eBay
  • Linking or promoting sites, items, or catalogues that can be used to order items outside of eBay
  • Requiring a buyer to make additional purchases or to agree to terms outside of the listing
  • Cancelling bids or ending a listing early because the desired price has not been met
  • Charging excessive postage and additional fees not already included in the price of the item, or passing seller fees on to the buyer
  • Changing a listing duration more than 2 hours after submitting the listing
  • Misusing the reserve price feature in a listing
  • Listing items outside of the correct category
  • Falsely cancelling orders using Buyer hasn't paid as a reason, or refusing payment at the end of a successful transaction
  • Changing the information in a listing to sell a different item instead of listing a new item
  • Selling completely different brands, models, or types of items as choice listings, such as:
    • Selling different brands or models (for example, listing an iPhone 6 and iPhone 7 in the same listing)
    • Selling items with different conditions such as "new" and "used"

Sellers are responsible for paying fees for all sales made using some or all eBay services, even if the sale terms are finalised, or payment is made outside of eBay.

Sellers are also responsible for final value fees if they offer or reference their contact information, or ask for a buyer's contact information, in the context of buying for selling outside of eBay, even if the item does not sell on eBay.

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 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 protects buyers and sellers from purchases that aren't eligible for eBay services such as eBay Money Back Guarantee.

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