Authenticity Disclaimers

Sellers may not disclaim knowledge of, or responsibility for, the authenticity or legality of the items offered in their listings.Sellers should take steps to ensure that their items are authentic before listing them on eBay. If a seller cannot verify the authenticity of an item, the seller is not permitted to list it.

Violations of this policy may result in a range of actions, including:

Listing cancellation
Limits on account privileges
Account suspension
Forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings
Loss of PowerSeller status

Some Examples

The following statements violate eBay's Authenticity Disclaimer Policy:

"I cannot guarantee the authenticity of this item, so please bid accordingly."
"Vintage Handbag Chanel???"
“Looks like it could be a Louis Vuitton bag”
“I believe this is painted by Degas, but can’t be sure.”

Additional Information

Members may be able to find out from the manufacturer or trademark owner maker if an item is authentic. See related rights owner About Me pages on the eBay site.
Read more information on trademarks.

Why does eBay have this policy?

The sale of unauthorized replicas is illegal, as well as against eBay policy. Sellers who are unsure of the legality or authenticity of their items should not be selling these items on eBay. This policy helps protect buyers from purchasing counterfeit or fraudulent items, helps protect intellectual property rights owners against infringement and helps create a safer marketplace.

Related Help topics

Back to Key Rules and Policies