Authenticity
Guarantee

What is Authenticity Guarantee?

eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee is designed to help buyers shop with confidence and protect sellers with verified returns. Expert third-party authenticators physically inspect all eligible items before it’s shipped to the buyer and inspect all returns prior to sending them back to sellers.

How does Authenticity Guarantee work?

An “Authenticity Guarantee” blue check mark badge is applied to all eligible items. When an eligible item is purchased, sellers ship it to a third-party authenticator. The authenticator will thoroughly inspect the item before it is shipped to the buyer.

Will I be charged a fee for Authenticity Guarantee?

No. Through Authenticity Guarantee, eBay covers the cost of authentication as well as 2-day secure shipping from our authentication partner to the buyer.

What happens after an eBay authentication partner receives the watch?

After an eBay authentication partner receives the watch and any collateral materials, including but not limited to box and papers, the partner will confirm the item is consistent with the listing title, description, and images. After, the partner will perform a multi-point physical authentication inspection. Finally, a security tag will be attached to the watch.

What items are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee?

Watches listed in the primary category of wristwatches (31387) and sold for $2,000 or more are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee. In addition, top models from luxury watch brands (e.g., Rolex Submariner, Omega Seamaster, Breitling Navitimer) are also eligible regardless of the final sale price for auction-style listings.

Smart watches, watch parts, and accessories are not eligible for Authenticity Guarantee. Items specified as “Customized” are currently not eligible for authentication.

Only items purchased on eBay.com are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee. Items that are listed on eBay.com from select sellers located in Japan, United Kingdom, and Germany for delivery to a buyer located within the US are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee provided that items comply with international import laws including CITES - check back for additional countries to be added. However, items that ship to a buyer address outside the continental U.S. are not eligible for the program. Local pickup-only listings are not eligible for Authenticity Guarantee. Local pick-up shipping options will be suppressed on Authenticity Guarantee listings.

Listings that offer only local pickup or items shipped to P.O. Boxes will not be eligible for Authenticity Guarantee.

Are vintage watches eligible for the program?

A vintage watch is eligible for the Authenticity Guarantee program, if all eligibility criteria are met. Vintage watches which are verified as authentic by the third-party authentication partner may contain replacement parts that are not from the original manufacturer if the original manufacturer no longer makes that part. In addition, vintage watches with commonly replaced aftermarket parts, such as a strap, bracelet, crystal, spring bars, or gaskets will be eligible for the program.

Customized watches are not eligible for the Authenticity Guarantee Program at this time. A watch will be defined as customized when original brand parts have been replaced with non-brand parts (with the exception of straps, bracelets, spring bars, and gaskets) or parts not original to the model, or components that are modified from the original design. An example of a customized watch may be a watch with a painted dial, aftermarket bezel or crystal, or engraving on the case.

What if I list my watch for $2,000 and accept a Best Offer below $2,000 will it be eligible for Authenticity Guarantee?

Yes. Your item will be eligible for Authenticity Guarantee and sent to an authentication partner for inspection. Items with a Buy It Now price of $2,000 or more with either auction format or Best Offer are also eligible.

How do you determine Authenticity Guarantee eligibility for auction-style listings?

All auction-style listings starting above $2,000 are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee. In addition, top models from luxury watch brands (e.g., Rolex Submariner, Omega Seamaster, Breitling Navitimer) are also eligible regardless of the auction starting price.

How can I tell if my item qualifies for Authenticity Guarantee?

A blue check mark with “Authenticity Guarantee” will automatically appear on your item’s listing page. You can also check your order details in the Seller Hub sold section. You’ll also receive a confirmation email indicating your item was sold with Authenticity Guarantee

Can I offer combined shipping?

Authenticity Guarantee items will not be eligible for combined shipping promotions since each authenticated item is split into a separate order.

How do I track the status of my item?

Your order details will be updated to indicate the status of your authentication as well as shipping status.

What is the estimated delivery time for Authenticity Guarantee items?

An authentication partner will inspect the watch within two business days after they receive it. Following inspection, the item will be shipped to the buyer with 2-day secure delivery including signature confirmation.

When I sell my item, where should I ship it?

When you sell an eligible item, you are required to ship it to an authentication partner, whose address will be provided in your order details.

How does the return process work with Authenticity Guarantee?

If you choose to offer returns, when a buyer decides to return a watch, they will be instructed to send it back to the authentication partner. Within 2 business days of receiving the item, the authenticator will check to verify that the returned item matches the authenticity and condition in which it was originally sent to the buyer. The security tag must remain attached to the item and untampered to be eligible for a return. If the watch passes the authenticity and condition inspection, it will be returned to the seller. Otherwise, the watch will be sent back to the buyer. The shipping label is covered by eBay at no cost to the buyer or seller. If fraud is detected, eBay will work with authorities to take appropriate action.

What is the return process for international purchases?

The item will go through the same return process as a domestic order with the exception that the seller may be liable to pay duties and taxes upon the return of the watch.

What is Final Sale?

For Watches that are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee, an item is considered Final Sale when:

• Item is not eligible for escrow as a payment method.

• Item condition is “New with tags” or “New without tags.”

• Seller return policy for the item is “No returns,” or the item’s return window has closed.

Once an eligible item passes authentication through Authenticity Guarantee, sellers have completed their obligation to the buyer for that transaction.

Transactions that meet this criteria are exempt from Significantly Not as Described (SNAD) claims under eBay’s Money Back Guarantee policy.

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.

My item was sent back to me because it wouldn’t clear customs. What do I do now?

If your item is returned, work with the carrier and/or broker you selected when you originally exported the item to the US.

Sellers declare the item’s customs value and must comply with customs declaration laws.

Buyers should be aware of possible: delays from customs inspection, import duties and taxes which buyers must pay and brokerage fees payable at the point of delivery.

Why was my item confiscated?

If counterfeit goods are discovered, they will be confiscated.

Why would my item be returned to me by the authenticator?

Your item may be returned to you if it could not be authenticated by an authenticator or if the item condition is not consistent with your item description. You will not be charged for the cost of the return and a refund will be issued to the buyer immediately.

What will happen if my item is damaged or lost while in the possession of the third-party authenticator?

In the unlikely event your item is lost or damaged while in the possession of the third party authenticator, eBay will cover such loss or damage of the item.

What will happen if my item is damaged or lost in transit when the authenticator ships it to the buyer?

In the unlikely event your item is lost or damaged, please notify eBay Customer Support.

The Authenticity Guarantee service for Watches (“Authenticity Guarantee” or “Authenticity Guarantee for Watches”) makes inspection and authentication services (“Authentication Services”) mandatory for certain items sold on eBay.com. These Authenticity Guarantee Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) apply to the Authenticity Guarantee service for Watches and Authenticity Guarantee Eligible Items (description in Section 6(a) below) sold and purchased on eBay.com and sets out the terms on which eBay offers you access to and use of the Authenticity Guarantee service for Watches.

1. Applicability of eBay User Agreement and Other Policies.

   The eBay.com User Agreement, eBay’s User Privacy Notice, eBay’s Stolen Items Policy, and all other policies posted on our sites (collectively, and as the same may be amended from time to time, “eBay’s Policies”) apply in addition to these Terms. In the event of a conflict or inconsistency between these Terms and eBay’s Policies, these Terms will control as to all matters that they explicitly address. For all matters not explicitly addressed by these Terms, eBay’s Policies will control.

2. Applicability of eBay’s Money Back Guarantee.

   For authenticated items, purchases are covered by eBay Money Back Guarantee when all other eligibility requirements are met and the item is not received, or the item arrives damaged, or the seller doesn’t fulfill their return policy as stated in the listing. Learn more about eBay Money Back Guarantee.

3. Description of the Authenticity Guarantee Service.

   After the purchase of an Authenticity Guarantee Eligible Item (description in Section 6(a) below) on eBay.com, the item is shipped to an authentication facility (“Authentication Facility”) to carefully inspect the item’s authenticity and conformity to the item’s listing details. Upon confirmation of the item’s authenticity by the Authentication Facility, the item is securely shipped to the buyer. If the item’s authenticity cannot be verified or the item is not as described, the item is returned to the seller and a refund is issued.

4. Description of the Authentication Services.

   The Authentication Services are provided by an authentication team for Authenticity Guarantee Eligible Items purchased and delivered within the continental United States. Within two (2) business days of receipt, our authentication team will inspect the item for accuracy against the item listing by checking logos, tags, materials, hardware, quality, and more as applicable, and for accuracy against the item listing. The authentication team will not inspect the watch for waterproofing or accuracy of the timekeeping. 

   Items may also be photographed for use by eBay or its licensees as part of eBay’s image catalog or for any other purpose, at eBay’s exclusive discretion.

   By listing for sale or purchasing an Authenticity Guarantee Eligible Item, you acknowledge and agree that the Eligible Item is sent to the Authentication Facility for an authentication team to perform the Authentication Services. More information about the Authentication Facility and Authentication Services may be found here.

5. Authenticity Guarantee Program Fees.

   The Authentication Services are provided at no cost to sellers and buyers for Authenticity Guarantee Eligible Items that are bought or sold on eBay.com; however, eBay reserves the right to institute, alter or amend fees or costs associated with the Authentication Services, at any time, at eBay’s sole discretion.

6. Eligibility.
   1. Item Eligibility.

      Item Eligibility. Only select listings on eBay.com are eligible for the Service. eBay reserves the right at any time, in its sole discretion, with or without notice to you, to alter or amend the eligibility requirements for Authenticity Guarantee Eligible Items, including, but not limited to category, and/or value of items and/or transactions. Ineligible items will not be authenticated. eBay reserves the right to charge sellers for costs affiliated with processing miscategorized items or to impose additional consequences including account suspension where items are improperly routed to avoid Authenticity Guarantee. More information about Eligible Items may be found in the FAQs here.

   2. Country Eligibility.

      The Authenticity Guarantee program is not available for all countries. eBay reserves the right to expand or limit the countries eligible for the Authenticity Guarantee program or the Authentication Services at any time, in its sole discretion, with or without notice. The countries currently eligible may be found in the FAQs here.

7. Party Roles
   1. Your Role as Seller.

      By listing an Eligible Item for sale on the eBay platform, you authorize its inspection by the authentication team subsequent to its purchase. Upon purchase, you are required to ship the Eligible Item, with appropriate insurance coverage, to a facility located within the United States, as directed by eBay; the cost of shipping to the Authentication Facility is not covered by eBay. You acknowledge and agree that if the authentication team cannot verify an item’s authenticity, a refund will be issued to the buyer and you will cooperate by removing the item from marketplace circulation. 

   2. Your Role as Buyer.

      By purchasing an Eligible Item on the eBay platform, you acknowledge and agree to inspection and photographing of the Eligible Item by the authentication team prior to your receipt of the Eligible Item. In addition, if a return is requested, you acknowledge and agree to ship the Eligible Item, with appropriate insurance coverage, to the Authentication Facility and to the inspection of the Eligible Item by the authentication team before the return is processed or a refund is issued. More information on returns under the Authenticity Guarantee can be found here.

   3. Circumvention of Buyer and Seller Requirements.

      If buyer or seller circumvent or do not comply with Sections 7.a or 7.b of these Terms, or if buyer or seller violate or are found to be non-compliant with the Terms, eBay reserves the right to take immediate action such as, but not limited to, account restriction or suspension or the transfer of fees and costs associated with Authenticity Guarantee.

   4. Impact of Fraud Detection on Buyers and Sellers.

      You acknowledge and agree that if our authentication team detects fraud or is unable to authenticate the item, the item will be removed from marketplace circulation - neither buyer or seller will receive the item; in addition, eBay will work with the proper authorities as needed and reserves the right to confiscate and destroy any items unable to be authenticated.

8. Data Privacy.

   eBay’s collection of personal information in connection with the Authenticity Guarantee program is governed by the privacy policy that applies to your use of the eBay.com website or, as applicable, another eBay international site. In order for the Authentication Facility to provide the Authentication Services under the Program, the order information, including, but not limited to your name, address, email address, telephone number, is provided to the Authentication Facility. By selling or purchasing an Eligible Item, you direct eBay to provide this order information to the Authentication Facility, who may disclose this information, however collected, to its affiliates, service providers, and other third parties (such as shipping carriers and revenue authorities) as necessary to perform the Authentication Services.

9. Lost, Damaged, or Items Not Delivered.

   Items that are lost or damaged during the Authenticity Guarantee process are covered by eBay Money Back Guarantee, subject to the eBay Money Back Guarantee eligibility and guidelines. If a buyer or seller refuses to accept delivery of a package sent to his/her address on file or is otherwise unable to be reached, eBay will use commercially reasonable efforts to contact the buyer or seller and will consider the property abandoned after thirty (30) days. Once abandoned, the buyer or seller relinquishes all right, title, or interest in the item and authorizes eBay to dispense of the item as eBay sees fit.

10. Program Updates and Discontinuation.

    eBay has the right to alter, amend, replace, suspend temporarily, and/or discontinue permanently, the Authenticity Guarantee program, the name of Authenticity Guarantee, any of the Authentication Services provided under the program, features, and/or functionality offered under Authenticity Guarantee, and/or the service providers used to provide any or all of the Authentication Services under Authenticity Guarantee, at any time, in its sole discretion, with or without notice to you.

11. Amendment.

    eBay may amend these Terms, including applicable fees, at any time by posting the amended terms on the eBay site. Except as stated elsewhere, all amended terms shall take effect immediately and automatically when posted on the eBay site.