How is ebay legal

Rules and policies for buyers When you bid on or buy and item on eBay, you're agreeing to the rules we've set out for our community. Feedback policies While feedback is intended as an open forum, we have guidelines and policies to ensure it's used constructively and fairly. Member behavior policies When you buy and sell on eBay, we expect that you and your information are treated in a respectful manner, and that you afford other members the same courtesy.

Listing policies Find out everything you need to know about our rules for creating listings, and get advice on how to make your listings more successful. Selling policies Our selling policies are designed to help you deliver the best experience possible to your buyers. Motors bidding policy Learn about our motors policy and find out how to sell cars and other motor vehicles on eBay.

False reports of policy violations Find out how we deal with false reports of policy violations. Identity policies Find out how our identity policies protect all of our members, and make eBay a safe and trusted marketplace.

Payment policies Learn about the approved payment methods sellers can offer in their listings and find help on what to do if something goes wrong. Resolving technical issues Learn how to troubleshoot any technical issues you may experience with our site. Was this article helpful for you? In fact, eBay rules prohibit the sale of some of the items that would normally need a licence to sell in the UK, for example alcohol. You will, of course, need to be registered with eBay as a business seller before you can start trading.

Local authorities in Scotland require second-hand dealers including motor dealers to obtain a licence or registration to operate. This applies unless dealing in second-hand goods is only incidental to the main business activity.

Elsewhere in the UK, some - but not all - local authorities license or register businesses where second-hand dealing is the main or a significant part of the business and is not just incidental. However, certain specific exemptions generally apply - these typically include motor vehicle dealers and jewellers.

If you are in any doubt as to whether second-hand dealer licensing may apply to your business, contact your local authority trading standards department for guidance. The Money Laundering Regulations apply to High Value Dealers who are prepared to accept the equivalent of 15, euros in cash for any transaction, including where money is paid directly into your bank account. The Export of Goods Control Order requires an export licence to be obtained for antiques and art works over certain age and value limits if they are to be exported from the UK.

Export licences are also needed for certain other goods, although it's not particularly likely that you would be selling these on eBay. When you register as an eBay user you agree to abide by the eBay rules.

The eBay rulebook is quite comprehensive and covers many different aspects of buying, selling and communicating with other users. Users who break the rules may have their account suspended.

The rules can be read in full on the eBay website. Under the Dealing in Cultural Objects Offences Act, it is an offence to deal dishonestly in 'cultural objects' like antiquities that you know to be 'tainted' - for example stolen, removed illegally from a historic building or taken illegally from an archaeological dig by a 'nighthawk' metal detectorist.

There is a wide range of legislation that applies to retailers and protects the interests of the consumer. Returns and refunds policy Despite the fact that eBay operates as a mere facilitator of online retail, it gives comprehensive advice to consumers on their rights and how to gain recourse for any breaches of consumer laws.

A key element is how consumers can return an item, request a refund, repair or replacement. Creating your own returns policy One of the challenges for online retailers, especially on popular websites such as eBay, is establishing yourself as a reputable and trustworthy brand in order to set yourself apart from competitors and attract people to your products. If you are out to set up your business or brand using eBay, it is important to show consumers that you are serious about complying with relevant consumer laws.

One way you can do this is by creating your own returns policy. As eBay attracts users from around the world, it can often be difficult to enforce the Australian Consumer Guarantees in other jurisdictions. This makes individual returns and refunds policies on eBay more important, as they will often be the first port of call for resolving a request for a refund. It is important in these circumstances to have a clear returns policy that you can turn to when facing a difficult customer online.

Anthony Lieu is a strategist and lawyer at LegalVision with a strong background in understanding the myriad of legal issues surrounding online businesses.