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Product safety policy

Products that pose a health or safety hazard aren’t allowed.

To ensure the safety and well-being of our members, eBay does not allow items that are banned, recalled, or dangerous to a buyer.

What is the policy?

The following types of items are not allowed:

Current information about recalled products and products that pose health or safety hazards can be found on the following websites: 

  • Health Canada (Recalls and Safety Alerts)
  • US Consumer Product and Safety Commission (CPSC)
  • US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
  • EU Product Safety Authorities
  • EU Commission (Safety gate/Rapex)
  • UK Office of Product Safety & Standards (OPSS)
  • Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
  • Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)

Please review and follow all applicable laws and regulations for the countries where you ship. To protect buyers and sellers, we will remove any item that is reported to us as recalled or otherwise unsafe from any of the regulatory authorities worldwide.

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 of 5mW or less and be a class 1M, 1C, 2/II, 2M/IIM, or 3A/IIIA, 3B/IIIB or 3R/IIIR. Military, tactical or “high powered” lasers are not allowed
  • 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 or charged. 18650 batteries must be pre-installed
  • Products where the button battery is easily accessible are considered unsafe. Button batteries are easily swallowed and can cause health issues or death
  • Eligible sellers can list cribs. All cribs must meet federal safety standards issued by the CPSC in 2011. Sellers must state in the listing that the crib meets these standards. Crib bumpers and 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. See UNECE's Child Restraint Systems for more information. Used car seats are not allowed
  • Eligible sellers can list new bicycle helmets. Used bicycle helmets are not allowed
  • Hoverboards, self-balancing scooters, and components or parts such as batteries and chargers certified to meet UL 2272 safety standards. The listing must state that the item is UL 2272 certified, include a link to the UL Online Certifications Directory showing the certification, and only offer shipping to the US, Canada, and Australia

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.

Why does eBay have this policy?

This policy helps sellers follow important government regulations.

Manufacturers or retailers can inform eBay about product safety recalls by sending an email to recalls@ebay.com and including specific information about the recalled product.

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