eBay Live policy

We do not allow content that promotes, depicts or facilitates violence or harm during eBay Live events. This includes but is not limited to:

• Threats or statements expressing intent to harm any individual or group, whether direct or implied
• Encouraging, glorifying or advocating violence against people or animals
• Depictions of real-world violence, including assault, torture, execution or other serious harm
• The use or display of weapons in a way that suggests intent to harm others
• Instructions or guidance on using weapons or other means to cause harm
• Content that recreates or simulates violent acts in a realistic or harmful manner within the livestream environment

Learn more in our Threats and offensive language policy.

We do not allow content that promotes, supports or is affiliated with violent terrorist organisations, individuals or ideologies. This includes but is not limited to:

• Praise, advocacy or positive language towards terrorist groups, actors or their actions
• Displaying or using symbols, slogans or imagery associated with terrorist movements in a supportive context
• Attempts to recruit, fundraise or direct others to join or support terrorist causes
• Promoting or endorsing violence tied to terrorist ideologies, including calls for systemic harm or exclusion of groups
• Providing guidance or instructions for creating weapons or harmful devices intended to support violent activity

Learn more in our Offensive materials policy.

We do not allow content that promotes, expresses or supports hatred, harassment or discrimination towards individuals or groups. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Language or behaviour that is hateful, degrading or dehumanising
• Supporting, advocating or justifying violence against any individual or group
• Use of hateful symbols, imagery or gestures
• Mockery or contempt directed at protected groups or individuals based on/regarding protected characteristics
• Praise, promotion or alignment with organisations or ideologies that promote hate or discrimination

This policy applies to content targeting individuals or groups based on characteristics such as age, colour, disability, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, serious medical condition, or other similar protected attributes.

Learn more in our Offensive materials policy and our Member-to-member contact policy.

We do not allow severe or explicit profanity during live events. This includes highly offensive or vulgar language, as well as slurs or terms associated with hate speech, even when partially censored or altered. Mild or casual profanity is discouraged but may be permitted, provided it is not excessive, targeted or used in a harmful or abusive manner. This includes but is not limited to:

• Using slurs or hate speech, even if partially censored
• Directing explicit profanity at a buyer, seller or anyone participating in or assisting with the eBay Live event
• Repeated or aggressive swearing that creates a hostile environment
• Graphic or highly vulgar language meant to shock or offend

Learn more in our Threats and offensive language policy and our Member-to-member contact policy.

We do not allow harassment, bullying or abusive behaviour targeting individuals or groups. This includes but is not limited to:

• Repeated or unwanted targeting, including messages or behaviour intended to intimidate, degrade or disrupt
• Sexual harassment, including unwanted sexual comments, advances or innuendo about a person's body, appearance or perceived preferences
• Sharing or threatening to share non-consensual content
• Impersonation or misrepresentation intended to harm or harass others
• Coordinated or targeted attacks, including using multiple accounts or directing others to disrupt a stream
• Abuse of platform features to target or interfere with other users (for example, submitting false reports or bidding with intent to disrupt)
• Blackmail, coercion or threats, including attempts to disrupt or interfere with a live stream, such as hacking, swatting or other actions intended to interrupt or harm the broadcast or its participants

Learn more in our Member-to-member contact policy.

We do not allow content that promotes, depicts or encourages self-harm, suicide or other behaviours that pose a serious risk to personal safety during live events. This includes but is not limited to:

• Showing or preparing for acts of harm
• Expressing intent to harm oneself
• Encouraging or supporting self-harm or self-destructive behaviour
• Glorifying, normalising or romanticising suicide, self-harm or dangerous drug use
• Sharing graphic or detailed depictions of self-harm
• Depicting or encouraging substance use in a way that presents a serious risk to personal safety, including excessive consumption or misuse, or use in combination with other harmful behaviours

We do not allow content that exploits, sexualises or endangers minors, including content where individuals appear to be under 18, whether real or fictional. This includes but is not limited to:

• Depictions of minors in a sexualised or suggestive manner, including partial nudity or focus on body parts
• Content that portrays minors in inappropriate or exploitative contexts, regardless of whether they are fully clothed
• Sexualised or explicit depictions of characters with childlike or adolescent features
• Any form of physical or psychological abuse involving a minor
• Content showing minors participating in dangerous or illegal activities
• Promotion or encouragement of unsafe challenges or behaviours that could put minors at risk

Learn more in our Protecting minors policy.

eBay services are available exclusively to individuals with legal capacity and to legal entities, as outlined in our User Agreement. The use of eBay services – including eBay Live – is not permitted for minors. eBay is firmly committed to ensuring the safety of minors and eBay will take action if we know or have reason to suspect a minor is using eBay services. eBay reserves the right to investigate suspected cases that indicate a minor user and to take appropriate and warranted measures.

We do not allow nudity, sexual activity, sexually suggestive content, sexualised presentation or fetish-oriented content intended to drive engagement during live events. This includes but is not limited to:

• Visible genitalia, anus or female nipples/areola, including through sheer or revealing clothing
• Sexual acts or simulated sexual activity, including audio that implies sexual activity
• Arousal or explicit sexual display, even when clothed
• Prolonged or deliberate focus on intimate body parts
• Use or display of sex toys in a sexual manner beyond what is allowed under our Restricted adult items policy
• Sexual solicitation or promotion of off-platform adult content
• Sharing or threatening to share non-consensual sexual content
• Using products, objects, packaging, body positioning or behaviour in a way that simulates, implies or promotes sexual or fetish-oriented interactions
• Creating or promoting content primarily intended to appeal to sexual or fetish interests rather than to showcase or sell a product
• Repeated focus on body positioning, movement or interaction with objects that is unrelated to the item being sold and presented in a sexualised or fetish-oriented manner
• Selling or promoting items that are presented in a way that suggests intimate, sexual or fetishised contact

Learn more in our policies on Prohibited adult items and Restricted adult items. Content may be removed based on its overall context and presentation, even when no nudity or explicit sexual activity is shown.

We do not allow the display or sharing of personal or sensitive information during eBay Live events. This includes addresses, identification documents, financial information, or any content that exposes or threatens to expose someone's private information through doxxing.

Learn more in our Contact information sharing policy.

We do not allow attempts to move transactions off-platform, share contact or payment information to bypass eBay, or engage in deceptive or unsafe transaction practices during live events. This includes but is not limited to:

• Offering to buy or sell items outside of eBay
• Directing users to complete purchases through other websites, platforms or services
• Using information obtained through eBay to conduct transactions off-platform
• Promoting external listings, catalogues or inventory for purchase outside of eBay
• Misusing platform features or engaging in behaviour intended to deceive or defraud other users
• Encouraging users to visit external sites or platforms to participate in services related to sexual activity
• Sharing or requesting contact or payment information in chat or during an eBay Live event before a transaction is complete. This includes:
  • Name
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Bank details
  • Payment information
  • Instant messenger ID

Learn more in our Offering to buy or sell outside of eBay policy.

We do not allow spam, unsolicited promotions or behaviour that disrupts live events or interferes with a user's experience. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Repeated or excessive messaging, including flooding chat with text, emojis or copy-paste text
• Posting unsolicited or off-topic promotional content
• Coordinating with others to overwhelm chat or deliberately derail a live event
• Sharing misleading or false information to interfere with participation or bidding
• Directing users to external websites or off-platform channels

Content or behaviour intended to degrade the eBay Live experience, disrupt hosting or interfere with normal participation may be treated as spam and is subject to enforcement.

Learn more in our Spam policy and our Member-to-member contact policy.

Shill bidding is prohibited on eBay and occurs when someone bids on an item to artificially increase its price, desirability or search standing. When someone bidding on an item knows the seller, they might have information about the seller's item that other shoppers aren't aware of. This could create an unfair advantage or cause another bidder to pay more than they should. Learn more in our Shill bidding policy.

The following items, and any language, content or materials that contain, promote or depict such items are not permitted to be sold on eBay Live, unless the seller has received prior written approval from eBay:

• Adult and sexual wellness
• Baby gear and essentials including safety, feeding, nappy change, nursery items, strollers, car seats, toys
• Firearm parts and accessories
• Gift cards
• Items which require age verification under applicable laws, including but not limited to alcohol, tobacco and e-cigarettes
• Knives and bladed items
• Micromobility devices, including e-scooters, e-bikes and hoverboards
• Products containing button batteries
• Products displaying nudity
• Real estate
• Tactical & duty gear, including body armour
• Any other items that are in breach of any eBay policies
• Any other items communicated to you by eBay from time to time

The following items may be listed on eBay Live only under specific conditions:

• Health & Beauty:
  • Vitamins and supplements
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines
  • Products which contain CBD
• Home & Garden:
  • Smoke and gas detectors
  • Pesticides
• Business & Industrial:
  • Smoke and gas detectors
  • Pesticides
• Motors Parts & Accessories:
  • Tuning devices and software
  • Airbags
• Other:
  • Pet supplies that are pesticides

Listing requirements for restricted items:

• Sellers must create complete, ready-to-purchase listings when selling these items on eBay Live. Quick listing tools, placeholder listings and incomplete listings are not allowed
• Items must be located in the country where the seller is registered and must only be sent domestically
• Items must be listed in the correct most appropriate category
• Sellers must ensure their items and listings comply with all applicable eBay policies, as set out in our Prohibited and restricted items policies

We do not allow chance-based items or sales during eBay Live events. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Offering or promoting contests, lotteries, raffles or random drawings
• Conducting sales that provide an opportunity to win an item rather than receive a clearly defined purchase

The following formats are allowed on eBay Live when they comply with applicable eBay policies. These include, but are not limited to:

• Bonuses or gifts with purchase, provided identical bonuses or gifts are given to all buyers
• Repacks, mystery boxes or grab bags under the following conditions:
  • The description of the mystery box or grab bag provides general, accurate information about what is included
  • The description of the mystery box or grab bag does not single out items with monetary or collector's value unless they are included with every purchase

The following formats are only allowed when conducted by pre-approved sellers and in compliance with eBay requirements. These include, but are not limited to:

• Hosting case breaks, box breaks or pack breaks. Buyers must receive the full pack, box or slot purchased. Sellers must comply with eBay's Card Break Guidelines, including by ensuring that every buyer who purchases a slot in a card break receives a card
• Running giveaways or sweepstakes through an official eBay Live partnership

See our Chance listings policy for more information.

Learn more about card breaks on eBay - opens in new window or tab.

Sellers must ensure that all information presented during a live steam and in listings is accurate, complete and not misleading. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Providing relevant and accurate details about item condition, authenticity, pricing, availability, postage and returns
• Clearly communicating all legally required pre-contract information and disclosures to buyers
• Ensuring listings are complete and ready for purchase at the time they are presented
• When using quick listing tools, sellers are responsible for ensuring buyers receive all necessary item information before purchase. Quick listing tools may not be used to list items in any category that eBay has notified the seller is ineligible for listing using quick listing tools
• Maintaining consistency between the listing and what is shown or stated during the live event
• Sellers must not display or represent viewership using bots or other non-authentic methods
• Using tracked shipping and uploading tracking numbers for all of their listings

eBay Live events may not be simultaneously streamed on other live-commerce platforms, but may be simultaneously streamed on non-auction platforms, such as Twitch, YouTube or Instagram.

We do not allow the manipulation of livestream engagement or performance metrics. This includes any attempts to artificially inflate or misrepresent activity on a stream. Examples of behaviour that is not permitted on eBay Live include:

• Artificially increasing viewer counts, bids or engagement through bots, fake accounts or coordinated activity
• Encouraging others to inflate engagement metrics in a misleading or deceptive way
• Misrepresenting the number of viewers, bidders or level of interest in a stream or item
• Creating or participating in fake bidding or engagement to drive up prices or create false demand. Learn more in our Shill bidding policy

Unauthorised use of intellectual property during eBay Live events is not allowed. Intellectual property can be infringed upon in the video and audio of the eBay Live event, as well as in the chat interface during the event.

Sellers may only play music or sounds, or display images or videos, to which they own the rights or have explicit, written consent to use on eBay Live. Any unauthorised use of music, sounds, videos or images may result in the removal of a listing, stream or post-live replay.

Event images, including the thumbnail, must not infringe third-party rights and must follow all eBay policies, including our Images, videos and text policy.

If you are an intellectual property rights owner and an item or listing infringes on your intellectual property rights, you can report the listing - opens in new window or tab.

Examples of content that's not permitted include:

• Counterfeit products (displaying or selling such products in images or videos)
• Encouraging infringement in a live stream
• Infringing on intellectual property rights such as copyright, design rights or patent rights in a live stream

See our Intellectual property policy, Counterfeit item policy and Enabling infringement policy for more information.

We do not allow false, misleading, unsubstantiated or deceptive claims during live events. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Making inaccurate or unsupported statements about an item's pricing, availability, authenticity, condition, value or performance
• Describing an item as "limited edition", "exclusive" or "rare" unless the claim is accurate and can be supported by reliable evidence
• Claiming an item is authentic, certified or officially licensed when it's not
• Misrepresenting an item's brand, origin, age or production history
• Falsely claiming an item is in short supply or creating artificial urgency
• Making misleading or unsubstantiated medical or health-related claims, including:
  • Claims of guaranteed or immediate health outcomes
  • Statements that exaggerate effectiveness beyond supported evidence

We do not allow content that promotes, depicts or encourages misuse or unsafe consumption during live events. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Consuming or appearing to consume substances
• Displaying substances, paraphernalia or branding commonly associated with drug use
• Promoting, encouraging or normalising excessive or unsafe substance use
• Misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medications, or consumption of substances not intended for human use

This applies to alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products, cannabis, illegal drugs and other substances where use may pose a risk to health or safety.

Buyers need to know exactly what they are purchasing, so sellers should follow this policy to help increase the chances buyers enjoy their streams and prevent misunderstandings:

• Clearly disclose all key item information, including but not limited to the item description and condition for each of your items. Although generic, placeholder and quick listings are not prohibited, if a buyer claims that they didn't receive the correct item or that it was not as described in the listing, sellers may be required to accept a return
• When performing trading card pack rips, card breaks and any opening or unboxing activity, all products must have the film/seal intact prior to the opening or unboxing, stay within the camera frame of the broadcast and be clearly visible at all times while being opened
• Show all angles and appropriate close-ups to ensure buyers can identify the product. The item's condition and any flaws or distinguishing characteristics including imperfections, marks or scuffs must be visible before the product leaves the camera frame
  • For handbags, you must show the interior of the bag
  • For sneakers, you must show the toebox and the sole
• Don't alter what's being offered during the stream so that it no longer matches the original eBay listing

If you're selling sneakers, handbags or other luxury accessories that are eligible for eBay Authenticity Guarantee, or that become eligible during the eBay Live event because the bid price passes the eligibility price threshold, the item will be sent to our authentication centre before it is sent to the buyer.

To help ensure your items flow through the authentication process smoothly, ensure that you've provided the name, size and condition of each item in your listing, and that you clearly display any imperfections, anomalies or defects during the live stream.

For sneakers authenticated through eBay Authenticity Guarantee, the authentication process is limited to verifying authenticity and does not include a condition check.

If you haven't provided enough information to verify that the item received for authentication is the item that was listed, it may be returned to you. Learn more about selling with Authenticity Guarantee.

eBay Live is designed to be an interactive, real-time shopping experience, and streams must remain active and hosted at all times. To support this, eBay will automatically end a stream after 60 minutes of inactivity, except for case break sellers. A stream may be considered inactive or abandoned if:

• The host is not visible or speaking for several minutes
• An empty or placeholder screen is displayed
• The broadcast keeps running after the presentation ends
• The host fails to provide meaningful product discussion or engagement for an extended period

Don't make any statements, during the live event or elsewhere, which could mislead buyers about the true price, nature or characteristics of your product.

Sellers may not conduct promotions, giveaways, competitions, or similar activities unless explicitly approved by eBay in advance.

Make sure your contact details in your eBay account are current. Accurate information helps to facilitate effective communication between buyers, sellers and eBay.

When you place a bid or select "Buy It Now", you're entering into a binding agreement to purchase the item. All bids are final and cannot be retracted.

If you win an eBay Live auction, eBay will automatically charge your payment method as soon as the auction ends. If the payment is unsuccessful, the seller may cancel the order.

Buyers who have excessive unpaid items or cancelled orders may have limits imposed on their account, or lose their buying privileges. Learn more in our Unpaid item policy.

Cancellations aren't allowed for eBay Live purchases. In addition, you cannot return an item if you change your mind. This does not, and is not intended to, alter or affect your other statutory rights as a buyer.

Once you've received your item, you may be covered by eBay Money Back Guarantee - opens in new window or tab if the item is different from what was described by the seller or in the live stream.

Pay careful attention to the item descriptions, and review the postage details and all seller terms before you commit to buy, in order to avoid any misunderstandings.

Our community expects honest, transparent feedback. We allow buyers to share their experiences with the community but will remove harmful or irrelevant comments and images. Learn more in our Feedback policy.

Actions intended to disrupt a seller's business or manipulate listings, such as bidding without intent to purchase, are not allowed. Learn more about our rules and policies for buyers.

Effective until 5 August 2026

What is the policy?

All activities and content on eBay Live are required to follow this policy, all eBay rules and policies, any applicable guidelines, the eBay User Agreement and all applicable laws, as well as respect the rights of third parties. Consistent with Clause 3 (Using eBay) of the User Agreement, only users aged 18 and over are permitted to participate in eBay Live.

Taking sales off eBay

Offering to buy or sell outside of eBay is not allowed, and all activity on eBay Live must follow our Offering to buy or sell outside of eBay policy.

You may not share contact information, including email addresses, external websites and phone numbers prior to completing a transaction on eBay.

Moving a purchase off eBay exposes both the buyer and the seller to the risk of fraud. When sales are completed off eBay, buyers and sellers are not covered by our protection programs.

Adult content, profanity, and offensive content

The following types of language, content and materials are not allowed on eBay Live (including in chat):

• Nudity, sexually explicit or sexually suggestive content
• Profanity, threats, vulgar language or hate speech
• Harmful, defamatory, abusive or offensive language, content or material, including language, content or material that promotes, perpetuates or glorifies hatred, crime, violence or discrimination, including on the grounds of race, ethnicity, colour, religion, disability, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation
• Child exploitation material
• Pro-terror material
• Drug-related material
• Any content that doesn't follow our policies, including our Offensive materials policy, Member behaviour policies, Protecting minors policy, Prohibited adult items policy, Restricted adult items policy or our Threats and offensive language policy.

Any language, content or material that is not allowed may be removed by eBay.

Shill bidding

Shill bidding is prohibited on eBay. When someone bidding on an item knows the seller, they might have information about the seller's item that other shoppers aren't aware of. This could create an unfair advantage or cause another bidder to pay more than they should. Learn more in our Shill bidding policy.

Seller-controlled restrictions

eBay sellers have the ability to set restrictions on who can bid on or purchase their items. They can block specific buyers, or establish buyer requirements based on certain criteria. For example, sellers may restrict buyers whose primary delivery address is in an area they do not post to, or those with a history of unpaid items or order cancellations.

eBay Live sellers also have access to content moderation features when hosting an eBay Live event. This enables sellers to, for example, block or remove chats of users, or mute a user in live chat so the chat is not visible to others. eBay may block or restrict users who have a history of being blocked or restricted by eBay sellers from participating in eBay Live events.

How this policy is enforced

eBay Live activity may be monitored by eBay, and other eBay users may report content or activity that doesn't follow this policy.

Activity on eBay is required to follow this policy, all eBay rules and policies, any applicable guidelines, the eBay User Agreement and all applicable laws, as well as respect the rights of third parties. If it doesn't, to protect its legitimate business interests, 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: issuing a warning, removing the seller's authorisation to participate in eBay Live, removal of listings, delisting replays from public viewing, restricting selling activity, restricting buying activity, restricting or blocking your ability to use eBay Live, or account suspension. Any such actions will be proportional to the nature of the issue we have identified and what is reasonably required to protect the legitimate interests of not only the seller(s) and buyer(s) involved but also the experience and interests of all eBay users and eBay itself.

Why does eBay have this policy?

We want to make sure eBay is a safe place to buy and sell. The eBay Live policy helps buyers and sellers understand what activity is allowed on eBay Live in order to help create a safe and interactive shopping experience for all participants.

Helpful links

• User Agreement
• Community content policy
• eBay rules and policies
• Understanding regulations when selling on eBay