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Mature Audiences

Materials adult in nature or otherwise inappropriate for minors (individuals under 18 years of age) may not be listed on the main site, but may be permitted in our Everything Else: Mature Audiences category.

Mainstream media (movies, music (CDs, MP3s), video games, books, magazines) are treated differently by this policy. eBay may use industry catalogs and rating systems such as the MPAA, IMDb and ESRB to define which items are mainstream. For example, movies with an X rating and video games with an Adult Only (AO) rating are not permitted on the main site, but may be listed in Mature Audiences. Any media item available in the eBay pre-fill catalog is acceptable.

Profanity

eBay will permit media titles and descriptions (such as a CD name and track list) that contain profanity on the main site and in Mature Audiences. This profanity is only permitted if the original production company title or description contains the profane terms. All other profanity is prohibited. This exception applies to media items and does not apply to any other items.

What types of items are permitted on the main site?

Some examples include:

  • Pre-1980 Playboy, Playgirl and Penthouse magazines. These magazines may only be listed in the Magazine Back Issues: Other category.

  • Video games rated Mature.

  • Unrated DVDs that originally had an MPAA rating.

  • Profanity if it is the original part of the title or description of a DVD or CD. 

  • Any media item available in the eBay pre-fill catalog.

What must be listed in the Everything Else: Mature Audiences category?

Some examples include:

  • Any items that require individuals to be 18 or older to view or purchase those materials.

  • Any items designed for use in sexual/adult activity, including items used for bondage, S&M or other similar activities.

  • Post-1980 Playboy, Playgirl, Penthouse and other adult magazines.

  • X-rated movies or movies designed for an “Adult” audience.

  • AO video games.

  • Any listing that contains images of frontal nudity or of any form of sexual activity, with limited exceptions.

Important: PayPal may not be used to pay for any item listed in eBay’s Mature Audiences category.

eBay's site is used by people from around the world. Many countries have laws regulating adult material that are more strict than those in the United States, and the law regulating the sale of such items through the Internet across national borders is not always clear. eBay is concerned that some items listed in Mature Audiences may raise legal issues in some of these countries, and for protection of its members does not permit our international members to access the adult portion of the site. In addition, for those adult items permitted on the main eBay site, we require sellers to select shipping to the United States only.

Requirements to use the Mature Audience category

eBay requires members to provide credit card information or alternative verification to access Mature Audiences, which helps ensure that minors are not freely accessing adult material.

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.

Additional Information

Most of the reports we receive about adult/sexually-oriented material are related to magazines and videos. In determining whether to end them, we consider the overall content of the listing, including pictures and text.

Items that may be listed on the main site (outside of Mature Audiences):

  • Media

    • Movies with G, PG, PG-13, R and NC-17 ratings and mainstream unrated movies that were originally released with an MPAA rating.

    • Video games rated EC, E, E10+, T and M.

    • Media items available through eBay’s pre-fill catalog.

  • Artwork

    • Nudity is permitted if it is part of an artwork that is considered fine art, such as certain paintings, carvings, figurines and other similar items. Examples include Michelangelo's David, some vintage pin-up art, Renaissance-style paintings, or nude cherubs.

    • In the photography categories and other art listings, full frontal nudity is not permitted unless the item is "fine art" (done by a professional). Amateur photos are not permitted.

  • Collectibles

    • Topless and suggestive images are permitted on vintage postcards, pin-up photos and animation.

In circumstances where nudity is permitted in the listing:

  • There must be no more than two photographic images of nudity in the listing.

  • There must be no images portraying graphic sexual activity or graphic portrayals of human genitalia.

Items that must be listed in Mature Audiences:

  • Adult novelty items such as various types of toys, collectibles, soaps, key chains, vibrators or food items in the shape of genitalia.

  • Items such as girlfriend/wife/boyfriend/husband photos.

Limitations on the types of adult material that can be listed within Mature Audiences

eBay members are expected to follow all laws relating to the sale of pornographic material. There are three basic categories of adult material that are not permitted on eBay:

  1. Child pornography and child exploitative materials. Child pornography is illegal, and the possession or sale of such materials violates the law in many countries, including the United States. To protect our members, eBay will generally not permit the listing of any item that depicts nude minors (under 18 years of age), including “child erotica.” In addition, eBay may at its discretion remove listings that involve the exploitation of minors, regardless of whether such items are sexual in nature or depict nude minors.

  2. Obscenity. Obscene materials are not permitted on eBay, as they violate laws in the United States and many other countries. While obscenity is not easy to define, eBay prohibits items depicting or describing bestiality, necrophilia, rape sex, or incest.

  3. Listing violations. All eBay rules apply within the adult area.

Additional listing rules for the Mature Audiences area

The following will not be permitted:

  • Hidden camera videos and amateur videos containing adult/sexual activity.

  • Used underwear - including boxer shorts, panties, briefs, athletic supporters.

  • Services that include, as part of the service, any sexual/adult activity.

  • Offering PayPal as a payment option for buyers in the listing (see the PayPal Acceptable Use Policy for more information).

  • Descriptions with links to sites that contain items prohibited on eBay.

  • Digitally delivered goods, regardless of whether the content is adult in nature.

Additionally, listings are not platforms for individual adult Web sites. Sellers may place a link to their own Website if they wish to promote their listing with additional images, providing this is in compliance with our Links and Advertisements and Credits policies. Please note that listings reported to eBay for violations of this policy will be reviewed based on the content of the listing and not on the item itself.

Why does eBay have this policy?

A number of cities segregate stores selling some types of sexually-oriented materials to certain areas of the community. The eBay community segregates certain sexually oriented materials on the Mature Audiences site for the same reasons. Some of this material is not appropriate for viewing by everyone.



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