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Embargoed Goods and Prohibited Countries

Various U.S. agencies have sanctions in place that substantially regulate or ban all trade with particular countries (including Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea and other countries). Federal agencies have also banned or regulated trade between U.S. persons with certain organizations, businesses and persons. As a result, eBay does not permit the sale of embargoed items from, with or to those countries, organizations, businesses or persons.

Under U.S. law, trade in items made in Cuba may not be lawful, depending on the nature of the item, when it was manufactured, and when it left Cuba, among other factors. Generally, items from Cuba may be sold only if they are "informational," "pre-embargo," or "licensed."

Sellers willing to ship internationally, and sellers of items made outside the United States, should periodically review current information about which countries may be affected by sanctions enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. See “Additional Information” below for more details about laws governing such trades.

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

  • It is not permissible for a seller located in the United States to ship computers, without license, directly to Sudan or indirectly to Sudan through a third country.

  • Carpets or other textile floor coverings from Iran may be listed as long as they otherwise meet with US import guidelines.

Cuba

  • Any Cuban item of an "informational" nature, such as books, movies, artwork, photographs, music, and similar materials may be sold on any eBay site without restrictions.

  • Generally, non-informational Cuban items may only be sold if the item was removed from Cuba (or the possession of a Cuban national) before July 8, 1963, when a U.S. embargo was put into effect ("pre-embargo"). Items listed under this exception may not be sold to persons outside the U.S.

Any Cuban item prohibited by the rule above may be sold, though, if the listing is accompanied by a scan of a specific license issued by the Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control that "unblocks" or otherwise terminates the Cuban interest in the item.

  • Cancelled Cuban stamps are treated as "informational" items and may therefore be listed without restriction.

  • Uncancelled stamps or currency issued by the government of Cuba after the embargo date may not be listed.

  • Uncancelled stamps or currency issued by the government of Cuba before the embargo date, but still in Cuba (or in the possession of a Cuban national) at any time after the embargo date, may NOT be listed.

Additional Information

This eBay policy is only a general guideline, and should be a starting point for members trading in such items. For more details about laws governing such trades, and copies of the actual governing laws, visit the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control.

International sellers should also familiarize themselves with other federal agencies and restrictions that they may have in place. Links to these agencies' web sites are maintained on the Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security Web site.

Additional information about these regulations and lists of these prohibited persons can be found at the Office of Foreign Assets Control and the Denied Persons List.

Why does eBay have this policy?

eBay urges its sellers and buyers to comply with all governmental laws and regulations. Since the sale of embargoed items are prohibited by law, regulated or may cause harm to eBay or its members, sellers may not list them on eBay.

Contact Customer Support

Report listing violations or problems with another eBay member.


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