Collectible Containers

We will permit sales of unopened collectible containers that still contain alcohol as long as each of the following conditions are met and stated verbatim in the listing:

• The value of the item is in the collectible container, not its contents.*

• The container has not been opened and any incidental contents are not intended for consumption.

• The item is not available at any retail outlet, and the container has a value that substantially exceeds the current retail price of the alcohol in the container.

• The seller will take all appropriate steps to ensure that the buyer is of lawful age in the buyer and seller's jurisdiction (generally 21 years of age).

• Buyers and sellers both ensure that the sale complies with all applicable laws and shipping regulations.
  

*Bottles of wine are not permitted, as their value is generally based on the wine in the bottle rather than the bottle itself.

Alcohol-Related Collectibles

eBay permits the sale of alcohol-related collectibles, including alcohol-related memorabilia, packaging and containers such as bottles, decanters or limited edition cans (provided you comply with the above collectible container sale guidelines).

Note: The United States Postal Service (USPS) does not allow the shipment of intoxicating liquors containing .5% alcohol content or greater, whether in collectible containers or otherwise. Under certain circumstances, private carriers such as FedEx or UPS may offer such services. For more information please visit: http://pe.usps.gov/cpim/ftp/pubs/Pub52/pub52c4.pdf.

Selling rare wine on Live Auctions

eBay permits the sale of wine on Live Auctions by licensed auction houses and dealers, because we can be sure that the potential problems regarding alcohol sales can be overcome through careful vetting of licenses and procedures. If you as an individual want to sell alcohol on Live Auctions, we suggest that you contact one of the authorized sellers on the site.

Selling Chocolates with Liqueur in them

Food products that use alcohol for flavor do not fall within these laws and regulations

Selling Wine- and Beer-Making Kits

Wine and beer-making kits will continue to be allowed on eBay, as long as the kit does not contain any alcoholic beverages.

Wine Sellers – Pre-Approved

Generally, the sale of wine on eBay is prohibited. However, eBay allows a small list of licensed and vetted sellers to participate in the sale of wine within a controlled environment on the site. Because there are very stringent laws governing the sale and purchase of wine, eBay limits sales in the category to these sellers. In order to ensure that sellers and buyers comply with these laws, eBay has outlined the strict requirements below that must be met when selling or buying wine on eBay. Sellers must include the following information within each item description:

• Link to this page: http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/alcohol.html

• Their lawful shipping policy which must specify the states to which they can lawfully ship wine (if any), and any restrictions on such shipments (for example: whether the wine can be shipped directly to consumers)

• State-by-state eligibility requirements for potential bidders, indicating among other things whether buyers in particular states would be required to retrieve the wine from a particular location in the seller's state, instead of having it shipped to them

• Language which informs potential bidders that the seller has been pre-approved by eBay prior to listing wine on the eBay Site

Note: The information above is not required for licensed auction houses and dealers listing in Live Auctions.

If you as an individual want to sell alcohol on eBay, we suggest that you contact one of the licensed sellers on the site. If you want to become a licensed seller of wine on eBay, please send an email to certified@ebay.com with the subject line: Wine Seller. Please include your contact information.

Wine Buyers

In order to purchase wine on eBay from pre-approved wine sellers, buyers must meet the following requirements:

• Must be at least 21 years old

• If the recipient of the wine differs from the buyer of the wine, the buyer must ensure that the recipient is at least 21 years old

• Must ensure that the transaction will comply with all inter-state commerce laws, including all laws around shipping and fulfillment

Buyers, by bidding, warrant and represent that they are aware of and are in compliance with their own state laws and regulations.

State Laws

Each U.S. state has different laws around the sale of wine, particularly in relation to interstate trade. To learn more about the laws associated with a particular state, click on the state below for more information. Additionally, Wine Institute is a great website that offers information around the laws associated with the sale of wine.

Requirements for Wine Related Transactions on eBay

The following, which may from time to time be amended by posted notice, constitutes the terms and conditions on which wine listed on eBay shall be offered for sale or sold by Seller.

eBay wants to ensure its sellers and buyers comply with all governmental laws and regulations. Since the sale of certain alcoholic products is prohibited by law, regulated, or may cause harm to eBay or its members, sellers may not list the specified alcoholic products on eBay.