Authenticity Guarantee for Handbags FAQs

What is Authenticity Guarantee?

eBay's Authenticity Guarantee is a service designed to help buyers shop with confidence. Authenticators physically inspect all eligible items before shipping to the buyer.

How does Authenticity Guarantee work?

It's easy! Browse and shop eBay's listings priced at $500 or more with the “Authenticity Guarantee” badge. When an eligible item is purchased, the seller ships the item to the authentication facility. There, the item goes through a meticulous inspection process. Once verified, the item is safely shipped to the buyer via three-day shipping with a signature required on items over $750.

For qualifying handbags priced between $200-$499.99, you will see an optional add-on service available on the item page for Authenticity Guarantee. When you add the Authenticity Guarantee service to your purchase, the seller will send the item directly to the authentication facility. The authenticator will thoroughly inspect and verify your item’s authenticity before it is shipped to you safely via three-day shipping.

Will I be charged a fee for Authenticity Guarantee?

For handbags priced at $500 or more, eBay will cover the cost of the Authenticity Guarantee service.

For handbags priced between $200-$499.99, the cost to add the Authenticity Guarantee service on qualifying items is $40 plus applicable taxes, applied per item, at checkout.

What items are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee?

Authenticity Guarantee is available for select brands, in new or pre-owned condition, listed under the Women's Bags & Handbags, Women's Wallets, Women's Belts, Women's Handbag Accessories, Women's ID & Document Holders, Women's Key Chains, Rings & Finders, Women's Hats, Women's Organizers & Day Planners, as well as Men's Bags, Men's Wallets, Men's Belts, Men's ID & Document Holders, Men's Key Chains, Rings & Cases, Men's Hats categories, and sold for USD $500 or more. Auction items are also included in the service if the item sold is one of the eligible brands and sells above $500. Women’s Bags & Handbags, Men’s Bags, as well as Men’s and Women’s Wallets sold for $200-$499.99 USD are eligible for the add-on Authenticity Guarantee service. You can identify eligible listings by looking for the blue Authenticity Guarantee checkmark in the search results or the top right of the item's page.

The eligible brands for Authenticity Guarantee are Alexander McQueen, Alexander Wang, Balenciaga, Balmain, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Bvlgari, Celine, Chanel, Chloé, Christian Louboutin, Delvaux, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Givenchy, Goyard, Gucci, Hermès, Jil Sander, Jimmy Choo, Judith Leiber, Lanvin, Loewe, Louis Vuitton, Mark Cross, Marni, MCM, Miu Miu, Mulberry, Off-White, Prada, Proenza Schouler, Saint Laurent, Salvatore Ferragamo, Stella McCartney, The Row, Tom Ford, Valentino and Versace.

Only select items purchased on eBay.com are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee. Items that are listed on eBay.com from sellers located in Japan and the United States to a buyer located within the U.S. are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee. Check back for additional countries to be added.

Items shipping to addresses outside of the U.S. are not eligible for the service at this time. Unincorporated territories (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and armed forces postal locations are not currently covered.

What happens at the authenticator?

After the authentication facility receives the handbag, the authenticator confirms the item and collateral materials are consistent with the listing title, description, and images. Then they will perform a multi-point authentication inspection. Finally, the item will receive a unique Authenticity Guarantee card and a security tag.

Is there an authentication card?

Yes, all items verified as authentic come with a card with details about the item, such as brand and model.

How does my Authentication Guarantee card with NFC capabilities work?

Hold your Authenticity Guarantee card at the top of your NFC-enabled device until you receive a prompt. If the card does not automatically scan, download the Decode app and try again. Once the card scans, tap to view detailed information about your item. Enjoy!

Who is providing the authentication services?

eBay's team of professionally trained authenticators vet and verify each bag, utilizing detailed, physical inspection and advanced technical equipment in a state-of-the-art facility.

How long will the authentication process take? How long until I get my item?

After a buyer purchases an eligible item, the seller is required to send the item to the authentication facility, where they inspect the item within two business days of receipt. Once the inspection is complete, the item will be sent to the buyer within a three-day, secure delivery, including signature confirmation for items over $750.

How can I track the progress of my purchase?

Tracking information is available on the Purchase History page, where you'll be able to track the shipment of your order and see exactly where it is in the authentication process. As part of the Authenticity Guarantee service, you will also receive an order update email once your item goes through inspection.

Will imported items going through Authenticity Guarantee be subject to Duties and Taxes?

International shipment of items may be subject to customs processing and additional charges.

What is the difference between DDU & DDP and how do you pay for each?

If the buyer selects to pay taxes with DDU, they will be responsible for paying taxes when the item is sent to customs. With DDU, the carrier (DHL) will reach out via email to collect Tax ID and payment (tax ID only needed for items >$2500). If the buyer selects DDP, they will be responsible for paying taxes to eBay at the time of check out.

How are D&T calculated?

For DDU, DHL will contact the buyer to collect duty and taxes before delivering the package. In addition, DHL will charge a 2% disbursement fee (processing fee) off the total D&T to the buyer with a min of $17.

Who is responsible for the shipping cost and what is the associated fee?

Buyers will be responsible for shipping costs for Authenticity Guarantee items. There will be a $35 charge for the international shipping leg.

Will I be reimbursed for the D&T if I return my item?

If you select DDP at checkout, eBay will refund you the D&T. If you select DDU at check out, the D&T reimbursement will be issued by different service providers. We recommend to work with DHL using this link: https://www.dhldrawback.com/contact-us.html.

Is signature confirmation required upon delivery?

Signature confirmation will be required for items over $750.

Will I receive the original packaging with my purchase?

If the seller has included original packaging as described in the listing, all components will be sent to the buyer.

What if the item does not pass inspection?

If the authenticator cannot verify the item's authenticity or the item's condition is not consistent with its listing, we will send it back to the seller. The buyer will then be issued a full refund to their original payment method.

What should I do if I want to change or cancel my order?

You can request to cancel your order through the Purchase History page within an hour of purchase if the seller has not yet shipped the item. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate address changes at this time. Please double-check to make sure you've entered the correct address. Learn more about canceling your order here.

Where is my item shipping to, and why is it not my address?

Your handbag will first ship to the authentication facility. Once verified, the authenticator will send your handbag to the address entered at checkout.

How can I track the progress of my purchase?

Tracking information is available on the Purchase History page, where you'll be able to track the shipment of your order and see exactly where it is in the authentication process.

Can I return items purchased with Authenticity Guarantee?

You can return an item for any reason if the seller accepts returns and the return is requested within the seller's stated return window.

In the unlikely event that you receive an item that does not match the listing you can return the item as long as it is not considered final sale and the return is requested within the eBay Money Back Guarantee time frames.

What is Final Sale?

For items that are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee, an item is Final Sale when the following criteria are met:

Does the eBay Money Back Guarantee protect authenticated items?

Authenticity Guarantee purchases are covered by eBay Money Back Guarantee when all eligibility requirements are met, and when:

For Authenticity Guarantee purchases, eBay Money Back Guarantee does not cover returns on the basis that an item is not as described, when the item is considered final sale.

How does the return process work?

You will first send the returned item to the Authentication Facility. Within two business days of receiving the item, the authenticator will verify the item returned is the same item and in the same condition as it was sent to you. The security tag that is attached to the handbag must be untampered with to be eligible for a return. Items that are unable to have a security tag attached during the verification process, such as small wallets, will need to pass a quality check to confirm that the item hasn't been used by the buyer. Once verified, the authenticator will ship the item to the seller, and a refund will be processed. The seller or buyer (as defined by the listing) is responsible for shipping costs to the authenticator, and eBay covers the shipping cost to the seller.

Why was the item sent back to me by the authenticator after I requested a return?

If the authenticator determines the returned item is not the same item, or is not in the same condition, or the security tag has been tampered with or removed, the item will be sent back to the buyer and the return denied. Learn more about Condition of returned items policy

Can I choose not to have my item authenticated?

For eligible handbags priced at $500 or more, you cannot choose to bypass the authentication service.

For eligible handbags priced between $200-$499.99, you can choose to add-on the optional Authenticity Guarantee service.

Is Authenticity Guarantee associated with any brands sold on eBay?

No, the Authenticity Guarantee service is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of the brands sold on eBay.