What you need to know

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Shop our ever-expanding range of eligible items with the Authenticity Guarantee checkmark on the listing—including sneakers, handbags, watches, jewelry, streetwear, and trading cards.

Expert authenticators

Before you receive your item, a team of experienced authenticators applies their years of industry-specific knowledge to meticulously examine the details of your item, guaranteeing that it’s authentic.

Complete confidence

When you find the perfect item for you, and it’s checked and verified by experts, that means one thing: with Authenticity Guarantee, you’ll know real when you get it.

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Authenticity Guarantee Service

What is Authenticity Guarantee?

eBay Authenticity Guarantee is a service designed to help you shop with confidence. Professional authenticators with extensive industry knowledge put eligible items through a rigorous multi-step verification process, checking each item’s condition against the listing to ensure it’s exactly as described and authentic.

How does Authenticity Guarantee work?

It’s easy: when you’re shopping on eBay, simply look for listings that have the “Authenticity Guarantee” badge. Items eligible for the Authenticity Guarantee service at no additional cost will have a blue Authenticity Guarantee badge in the search results and on the item detail page. When an eligible item is purchased, the seller ships the item directly to the authentication facility. A team of experienced authenticators will thoroughly inspect and verify your item’s authenticity before it is shipped to you via secured shipping paid for by eBay.

Please note that for qualifying wristwatches priced $500-$1,999.99, you will see an optional add-on service for Authenticity Guarantee available on the item page. The fee for this add-on service is $80. When you add the Authenticity Guarantee service to your watch purchase, the seller will send the item directly to the authentication facility. A team of experienced authenticators will thoroughly inspect and verify your item’s authenticity before it is shipped to you via secured shipping paid for by eBay.

Will I be charged a fee for Authenticity Guarantee?

Through the Authenticity Guarantee service, eBay covers the cost of authentication and secure shipping from the authentication facility to the buyer for eligible items. There is no cost for the Authenticity Guarantee service for eligible listings in the following categories: sneakers, handbags, jewelry, streetwear, trading cards, and watches (this no-cost authentication service is included only for watches priced $2,000 and above).

For watches priced $500-$1,999.99, the cost to add the Authenticity Guarantee service on qualifying items is $80 plus applicable taxes applied at checkout per item.

How do I know if an item is eligible for eBay Authenticity Guarantee?

You can identify eligible listings by looking for the blue Authenticity Guarantee checkmark in the search results and on the item detail page. You can also search for eligible items by selecting Authenticity Guarantee in the filter menu.

Watches listed in the primary category of wristwatches and sold for $500-$1,999.99 are eligible for the add-on Authenticity Guarantee service. The Authenticity Guarantee service is automatically included for watches priced $2,000 and above.

What happens at the authenticator?

After the authentication facility receives your eligible item, the authenticator confirms the item and collateral materials are consistent with the listing title, description, and images. Then they will perform a multi-point physical inspection of the item.

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

After you purchase your eligible item, it is sent to a team of experienced authenticators, who will typically inspect your item within two business days of receipt. Once verified, the item is carefully packaged and shipped to you via secured shipping.

How do I track the status of my item?

Tracking information will be uploaded on the Purchase History page where you’ll be able to follow your order and see exactly where it is in the authentication process. Once your item has been inspected, you will receive an order update via email with the next steps. Throughout the Authenticity Guarantee process you can check the View Order Details section for status updates.

What if the item does not pass authentication checks?

If the item’s authenticity cannot be verified or the item is not consistent with its listing, it will be returned to the seller and the buyer will be issued a full refund to their original payment method.

Why can’t I message the seller after I purchase my item?

Messaging capability is turned off at the point of purchase, at which time your item is routed to the authentication facility and all tracking information and notifications are available on the eBay platform.

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 address changes cannot be accommodated at this time so please double check to make sure you’ve entered the correct address. Learn more about canceling your order.

Where is my item shipping to and why isn’t it my address?

Your item will first ship to the authentication center. Once it is authenticated, your item will be forwarded on to the address entered in checkout.

How can I track the progress of my purchase?

Tracking information will be uploaded 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 choose to not have my item authenticated?

No. eBay Authenticity Guarantee is a required service designed to protect buyers and sellers for eligible listings in the following categories: sneakers, handbags, jewelry, streetwear, trading cards and watches (this required authentication service is only for watches priced $2,000 and above).

For watches priced $500-$1,999.99, you can choose whether or not you wish to add the optional Authenticity Guarantee service for an additional fee.

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.

Returns

Can I return items purchased with Authenticity Guarantee?

Buyers can return an item if the seller accepts returns, as stated in the listing, and the return takes place within the seller’s return window. If the seller does not accept returns or the return is submitted outside the return window, this will be considered final sale and cannot be returned.

Are authenticated items protected by the eBay Money Back Guarantee?

For authenticated items, eBay Money Back Guarantee only covers items returned within the seller’s return window and items that satisfy the eBay Money Back Guarantee eligibility requirements and are not received or that arrive damaged. In the unlikely event that you receive an item that does not match the listing you can return the item, even if the seller doesn’t accept returns, as long as the return is requested within the eBay Money Back Guarantee time frames.

What does “final sale” mean?

The eBay Authenticity Guarantee service thoroughly checks the item to confirm that what you receive is exactly what you ordered. If a seller does not accept returns or the return is submitted outside the return window, the item is considered final sale and cannot be returned.

How does the return process work?

If returns are offered on the listing of the item you purchased, the item will first be sent to a team of experienced authenticators. Within a few days of receiving the item, the authenticator will verify the authenticity and condition of the returned item to confirm that it matches the item originally sent to you. In addition, the eBay Authenticity Guarantee tag or sticker must be attached to the item and untampered to be eligible for a return. Once verified by a team of experienced authentication experts, it will be shipped 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 opened a return?

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