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.

Your VAT obligations in the UK & EU

If you sell to buyers in the UK or EU, you may be required to register for Value Added Tax (VAT), and to collect VAT on your sales.

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.

Single-use plastic products policy

Single-use plastic products are used once, or for a short period of time, before being thrown away. Single-use plastic products are not allowed.

Fertiliser and 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 materials 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.

Water and energy standards for items supplied to Australia

Products such as showers, taps, washing machines and dishwashers are required to be registered with the WELS regulator and labelled with their WELS information and water efficiency rating. Products such as appliances, televisions and computers must meet minimum energy performance standards, energy labelling and registration requirements. Customs restrictions apply to some products.

Emissions control defeat devices policy

Emissions control defeat devices are mechanisms that are intended to bypass the emission control systems in vehicles. Products that bypass, defeat or render inoperative emission-control systems are not allowed.

Vehicles, parts and accessories policy

Vehicles, parts and accessories that don't follow government regulations are not allowed. End of life vehicles (ELVs) are motor vehicles categorised as waste. They must comply with regulations for end-of-life vehicles.

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.

Consumer protection

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

Australian Consumer Law (ACL) - opens in new window or tab

The Australian Consumer Law (ACL) is a national law to protect consumers. If you are conducting business in Australia (including from overseas), you must meet a set of basic rights called consumer guarantees when selling goods or providing services. Certain behaviour, such as deceptive pricing practices, is also illegal under the ACL. Please also see eBay's Comparative pricing policy.

Product safety - opens in new window or tab

All sellers must comply with Australian product safety laws when selling products to buyers in Australia. For more information, read our Product safety policy and Product Safety Guidance for sellers - opens in new window or tab.

The General Product Safety Regulation - opens in new window or tab (GPSR) is the new European Union (EU) product safety rulebook. It requires sellers and other parties in a product's supply chain, including manufacturers and importers, to ensure that only safe products are offered to consumers in the EU and Northern Ireland. Please also see our information on product safety disclosures and selling products with a CE symbol into Europe.

Digital Services Act - opens in new window or tab

The Digital Services Act (DSA) is a comprehensive EU law which addresses online transparency, consumer protection and illegal content.

Seller disclosures

Business sellers can create seller disclosures to provide buyers with important information about items and take-back policies.

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Tax & VAT

Environment and sustainability

Consumer protection

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