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Product safety policy

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

This policy was updated on 2 May 2025 to clarify the UL standard for e-mobility batteries that are sold individually, and is effective as of this date.

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

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:

Please review and follow all applicable laws and regulations of the countries to which you post. 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 have regulations for how they can be listed. The following types of items must comply with these safety standards:

  • Small high-powered magnets with small pieces that can be swallowed or may appeal to children are not allowed. For more details, visit the ACCC page about magnets - opens in new window or tab
  • Laser pointers must have an output of 1mW or less and be a class 1M, 1C, 2/II or 2M/IIM. 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
  • Button/coin batteries and products containing button/coin batteries and packaging must comply with the Australian mandatory safety and information standards for button and coin batteries - opens in new window or tab. Products that contain button batteries that are easily accessible are illegal. Sellers listing standalone button/coin batteries in any category or any item containing button/coin batteries within the Toys, Hobbies or Baby > Toys category must include the following warning in the listing description: WARNING: Button/coin batteries can cause severe injuries or even death when swallowed. Keep batteries out of reach of children. If you suspect a child has swallowed or inserted a button/coin battery, seek medical attention immediately.
  • (Permitted) lighters may only be listed if they are equipped with a child-resistant mechanism
  • Hoverboards, self-balancing scooters and components or parts such as chargers must comply with Consumers Goods Safety Standard 2018 - opens in new window or tab that sets out safety requirements. Self-balancing scooters must be certified to meet the UL 2272 safety standards - opens in new window or tab. Sellers must state in the listing that the item is UL 2272 certified by including a link to the UL Online Certifications Directory showing the certification, and can only offer postage to USA, Canada and Australia
  • Batteries that are sold separately for e-bikes, hoverboards, self-balancing scooters, electric skateboards, electric roller skates, electric pocket bikes, electric kick scooters, electric unicycles and other personal e-mobility devices typically intended for use by one person must be certified to meet UL 2271 safety standards. The listing must state that the item is certified to UL 2271 standards and, upon request, provide appropriate verification, such as including a link to the UL Product iQ - opens in new window or tab document showing the certification
  • Eligible sellers can list child car safety seats, and all car seats must comply with AS/NZS 1754 standards - opens in new window or tab, which must be included in the listing. Sellers are also required to include in the item description that the product (child restraint system) is approved according to UN Regulation No. 44 or UN Regulation No. 129. For more information, read the UNECE guide on child restraint systems - opens in new window or tab. Used car seats are not allowed
  • Eligible sellers can list cots, and all cots must comply with Australian mandatory safety standards for household cots - opens in new window or tab issued by the ACCC, which must be included in the listing. Cot bumpers and used cots are not allowed
  • Other baby and nursery products meeting Australian mandatory safety standards for baby and nursery products - opens in new window or tab
  • Eligible sellers can list new bicycle helmets – used bicycle helmets are not allowed
  • If the product you are selling includes an adaptor, please ensure that the adaptor is permanently affixed and cannot be removed without the use of tools. Please familiarise yourself with the plugs and sockets regulation - opens in new window or tab

Additional information

Before you list an item, take a few minutes to check the manufacturer's website to get information on recalled items. You need to check whether the product is subject to an Australian mandatory safety standard and if so, whether your item meets the requirements of the standard. You should provide clear and accessible product safety information (labels, warnings, descriptions) in your item description.

If your product is potentially unsafe, you have a responsibility for removing risk to public safety - opens in new window or tab by recalling unsafe products and for telling the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) about the recall. For more information, please visit the ACCC guidelines about Conducting a consumer product safety recall - opens in new window or tab.

Please visit the Product Safety Australia website - opens in new window or tab for more information about:

We recommend that you also sign up to receive email alerts - opens in new window or tab about item recalls.

Buyers should also keep up-to-date about item mandatory standards, bans and product safety recalls, especially for the kinds of items they often buy.

Sellers of gas or electrical appliances should advise their customers to register their appliance with the manufacturer so they can be informed of any important product safety updates. For more information, please visit the Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council - opens in new window or tab (ERAC).

The sale or installation of faulty Takata airbags is prohibited under the Takata compulsory recall - opens in new window or tab. If a person is involved in a collision with a vehicle containing a faulty Takata airbag, the airbag can go off with too much explosive force causing sharp metal fragments to shoot out and kill or seriously injure people in the vehicle. Suppliers of spare parts must not sell faulty Takata airbags and must check and notify the manufacturer if you have a faulty Takata airbag in your possession, so they can retrieve the part. To check if an airbag is affected, go to the Product Safety Australia website - opens in new window or tab. For more information see: Guidance for suppliers of spare parts - opens in new window or tab.

More information on Australian Product Safety laws for online sellers - opens in new window or tab

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.

Helpful links

Tip
Visit Seller Help - opens in new window or tab to find details of any policy issues with your account or listings, and get the information you need to quickly resolve them.

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