What are eBay's guidelines regarding duplicate listings?

To ensure that buyers see a wide selection from a variety of sellers, we have a no duplicate listing policy.

What is duplicate listing?

If a seller's items listed in multiple listings are not significantly different from each other, or if multiple listings appear in search results for what appear to be the same item, these listings will be considered duplicates. To prevent your listings from being considered duplicates, be sure to clearly reflect the differences in the title, price, condition, image, subtitle, item attributes, or parts compatibility. Also, be sure to use relevant item attributes and add product identifiers (if applicable), such as UPC and MPN, to distinguish your items and increase item visibility. eBay may also look at other parts of the seller's listing, such as the item description, to determine whether it is a duplicate.

If you have multiple listings for the same product, buyers will only see one listing at a time. Once that auction receives bids or is ended, the next listing will appear on that site. Sellers can create separate listings for the same item on different eBay sites, as long as international shipping options do not confuse search results on any eBay site.

The following types of listings will be considered duplicates if they list the same item, even if the listing format or details are different:

Auction listings with a Buy It Now option and auction listings without a Buy It Now option for the same item

For the same item, a fixed price listing and an auction listing with a fixed price option

These restrictions on duplicate listings include listing the same item in different categories or listing the same item using different user IDs.

Please be sure to follow these guidelines. If you do not, eBay may take a range of actions against you, including limiting or restricting your ability to buy or sell items or use site features, or suspending your account. All of your listings may be removed, your listings may appear lower or not appear on eBay search results pages, and eBay may not refund any or all applicable fees. You may also lose certain account status and any discount benefits.

What are eBay's guidelines regarding duplicate listings?

Permitted circumstances

Sellers may create separate listings for similar but not identical items as long as the differences in the listings in title, subtitle, price, image, condition, item attributes, or parts compatibility are clearly reflected.

Listing multiple variations of an item in one fixed price listing

List multiple quantities of items in one fixed price listing

If the differences between batches or combinations of items are large and clearly meet different needs of buyers, sellers can create two or more listings to sell these combinations or "batch" items. Be sure to use the 'combination listing' item attribute. For example, a camera with a lens and accessory kit can meet different needs of buyers than a camera body.

For items that are identical in all aspects except condition, such as 1 new item, 1 used item, and 1 refurbished item, sellers can create separate listings.

Restricted situations

Sellers may create separate listings for the same item on different eBay sites as long as the international shipping options do not confuse search results on any eBay site.

For combined items with small attribute variations, sellers must list them in a single multi-attribute priced item listing. For example, for a camera that offers 2GB memory cards, 8GB memory cards, and 64GB memory cards, sellers must list them in a single multi-attribute item listing.

Sellers can create separate listings for items that are manufactured specifically to meet the needs of a specific product, model, or brand, such as cable connectors, phone chargers, or auto parts. For these types of products, sellers can create up to 5 fixed-price listings for each item.

This exception does not apply to common or generic items that fit all or most products (e.g., AA batteries).

Create separate listings for part compatibility in the Auto Parts category. You can create up to 5 separate listings for the same part item as long as they meet the following requirements:

The parts compatibility list in each listing reflects different vehicle matching models

Before creating additional listings, sellers must fill in the maximum number of different vehicles of their choice (between 1,000 and 3,000, depending on the item category) in the Part Compatibility Listings. (This maximum number of different vehicles must not include any vehicles that are identical to other listings.)

Not allowed

Separate listings are not allowed for identical common or generic items that are compatible with some products, such as AA batteries, generic lens caps, generic cases, and cables

You may not create more than one listing for items that are not significantly different or that do not meet the needs of different buyers, including combination items that include accessories that do not vary much in properties. For example, you may not be allowed to create separate listings for a combination item that includes 1 electronic product and 10 accessories, and a combination item that includes all of these same items plus 3 additional accessories. In this case, sellers must list these items in a single multiple-quantity priced listing. If you have an eBay store, you can also use promotion management tools so that buyers can easily select the accessories they want to purchase.

It is not allowed to create more than one listing by adding only one insignificant bonus or free item as a combined item.

It is not permitted to create a separate listing for the same item by adding an additional item of insignificant value. For example, a seller may not list a Dell computer and a mouse pad in one listing and the same Dell computer and a box of paper clips in another listing.

The same seller cannot create more than one listing for the same item by:

Using a Different eBay User ID

If multiple accounts are used to create duplicate listings, the following will be considered the “same seller” for purposes of this policy:

Multiple accounts from the same person

Multiple accounts from the same business

Multiple accounts from multiple businesses that are owned in whole or in part by the same person or related persons

Multiple accounts from connected people, including family, friends, roommates, employees, or online connections

Listing the same item in different product categories is not allowed, even if the seller is able to list the item in another category

It is not allowed to create a fixed price listing and an auction-style listing with a fixed price option for the same item at the same time