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eBay's response to COVID-19

COVID-19 has created unprecedented challenges for eBay's small business sellers across the country and around the world. We continue to monitor the situation closely and our eBay community—our buyers, sellers and employees—remains our top priority.

This page includes details about how eBay is supporting and protecting our community in this difficult time.
We will update this page as the situation evolves—please check back for new information.

Up & Running: How we are helping small businesses get and grow online

eBay is committed to helping our sellers succeed during this challenging time and beyond, through learning and development opportunities, virtual events, and more.

  • No listing fees on 200 items/month. This means there’s no risk to get started, you only pay fees when you sell.
  • On-demand access to eBay Seller School, our e-learning platform designed to power our sellers’ success. Expert-designed courses, videos, and other learning resources – available 24/7, and 100% free.
  • An open invitation to join the eBay Community, where sellers gather to connect, share tips, and get the latest eBay news.

Small businesses who are new to eBay can learn more about the Up & Running program and its valuable offerings here.

Price gouging and prohibited items: What we're doing to protect our customers

We have taken significant measures to block or quickly remove listings and items that make false health claims or offer products at inflated prices in violation of applicable laws. Since the start of the pandemic, we have removed or blocked more than 50 million listings. Learn more about the measures we implemented across our marketplace.

If you see an item that violates our policies, please report it.

To prevent price gouging, during the COVID-19 crisis:

Only authorized sellers may list:

  • Medical masks
  • Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes

Only business sellers may list:

  • Toilet Paper
  • Diapers, baby formula, and baby wipes
  • Tampons
  • Lysol disinfectant spray and Clorox bleach

Shipping: Where to get the latest updates

The eBay team is in contact with our shipping partners, and to date, USPS, UPS and FedEx are reporting that domestic deliveries are largely continuing as usual. For the latest updates and eBay's advice, please visit Community.

Customer Service update: How to get the help you need

eBay customer service is here to support you. To get the help you need quickly and efficiently, we recommend you start with our online service options.

  • For sellers: Seller Help our new one-stop shop for resolving selling issues, is the best place to get help. From there, you can manage returns, items not received and refunds, and you’ll find details on how to deal with any recent policy notifications you received. You can also request to have defects and feedback removed from Seller Help too.
  • For buyers: Our easy-to-use online Help has all the support information you need. You can find out how to track your item, contact your seller, what to do if your item hasn’t turned up, details on how to start a return, and much more. Go to online Help now and start searching for content related to your issue. If you can’t find what you need, scroll to the bottom of any Help page to see options for getting in touch with a member of our team.

Sellers: How to get updates about running your business

eBay is powered by small and medium businesses and we know that these sellers are facing particular challenges at the moment. Find the latest updates from eBay—including details of seller support, protections, and shipping updates—on Seller Center.

Support relief efforts: How you can help

Buyers and sellers can support charities that are directly involved in dealing with the impact of the Covid-19 crisis:

  1. Donate

    2. When you purchase on eBay, you can donate between $1 and $25 during checkout to a charity of your choice.

    You can also donate by purchasing a Gift That Gives Back (a direct charitable donation from one of our partner charities). These donations range in value, from $5 to $100, and benefit Feeding America, Direct Relief, The Opportunity Fund and more.

  2. Sell

    3. Anybody at home looking to declutter can clear out and make a difference. eBay sellers can choose to donate between 10-100% of their sales to a 501c3 organization providing relief.

Stay safe. Stay informed.

The health and safety of our community is most important. Stay up to date and informed on ways to protect your health with sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and your local health department.

Thank you.

Like so many companies, we are doing everything in our power to help our community navigate these uncertain times. We ask that you are patient with us and each other, and treat everyone with kindness. While this situation is unprecedented, we are optimistic that all of us will ultimately emerge stronger and more resilient.