3 min overview

Understanding regulations when selling on eBay

As a global marketplace, eBay is always working to understand our sellers' needs including supporting and enabling them to comply with applicable laws and regulations.

We've gathered together some important laws and regulations that you should consider when selling on eBay. While we can help provide guidance, this is not an exhaustive list. It's your responsibility to ensure that you comply with all applicable laws and regulations both domestically and internationally as a seller on eBay. If you have any additional questions about your legal obligations, we recommend you speak to a legal professional for further advice.

Tax & VAT
Environment and sustainability
Consumer protection

Tax & VAT

Sellers are responsible for complying with applicable tax laws. While our pages help provide guidance, eBay can't give tax advice. Contact the appropriate tax authority for more information about your tax obligations.

Tax policy
Understand your tax responsibilities as a seller on eBay.

CESOP reporting requirements

The Central Electronic System of Payment information (CESOP) Directive is an EU-wide directive for payment service providers, including eBay, to report certain cross-border payments to the EU tax authorities.

Environment and sustainability

We are committed to supporting a more sustainable future for our customers, our company, and our planet. Sellers need to follow all applicable environmental regulations on eBay. See our pages below for more information on regulations around selling certain items.

Pesticides policy

Pesticides can pose significant health and safety risks and are regulated by most countries. We have specific rules about selling them on eBay.

Hazardous or dangerous substances policy

Hazardous materials such as carcinogens, combustibles, explosive precursors, ozone-depleting chemicals, poisons, radioactive materials, and items that contain or release such substances are generally prohibited on eBay.

Vehicle, vehicle equipment and device listings policy

Vehicles, parts and accessories that don't follow government regulations are not allowed.

Understanding Extended Producer Responsibility on eBay

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) refers to a broad collection of international regulations that extend a producer’s responsibility for a product to the entire life cycle of the product, including waste management. Under EPR, sellers and manufacturers must comply with various environmental regulations when selling certain products.

EU Common Charger Directive

The EU Common Charger Directive (CCD) is a Directive around selling electronic devices and their chargers to help reduce waste. Business sellers offering to sell certain electronic devices to buyers in the EU and Northern Ireland must comply with CCD rules around chargers, which includes rules for listing and labelling items.

Consumer protection

Below you'll find links to help you to understand how eBay ensures a safe online experience for our buyers and sellers.

INFORM Consumers Act - opens in new window or tab
The INFORM Consumers Act is a US law that requires online marketplaces to collect, verify, and disclose certain information from high-volume, US based sellers.

Digital Services Act - opens in new window or tab
The Digital Services Act is a comprehensive EU law which addresses online transparency, consumer protection, and illegal content.

European Accessibility Act for sellers

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an EU directive to improve the accessibility of products and services for people with disabilities. As EU countries have created laws based on the EAA directive, business sellers who operate on the EU eBay sites or offer to sell to consumers in the EU must comply with these laws.

Understanding regulations when selling on eBay

Tax & VAT

Environment and sustainability

Consumer protection

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