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Perfume and cosmetics policy

Policy overview

Perfume testers and dramming bottles (which are bottles from which small quantities can be taken for supply to consumers as free samples), typically marked with the words 'demonstration' or 'not for sale', may not be listed on eBay. Also, you need to make sure that the essential and legally required information - such as, among others, the identity of the manufacturer or the person responsible for marketing the product, the composition of the product (content and list of ingredients), the use of the product (function and particular precautions to be observed in use) and preservation of the product (date of minimum durability) - is not missing from any permissible cosmetic or perfume product. Smell-alike perfumes may not be listed on eBay when they are compared to a well-known brand or scent. You may not list a perfume in a bottle other than the original bottle (decanters).

See the What are the guidelines section below for details about what you can and can't sell.

Make sure your listing follows these guidelines. If it doesn't, it may be removed and you may be subject to a range of other actions, including restrictions of your buying and selling privileges and suspension of your account.

What are the guidelines?

Allowed

  • New, in-box full-sized cosmetics

  • Factice bottles (dummy merchandise bottles)

  • Collector items (empty bottles)

Restricted

  • Perfumes in their original bottles including miniatures and samples can be listed as long as you make sure that the essential and legally required information (see Policy overview) is not missing and that the box is not missing if the bottle came in a special box

  • Homemade cosmetics can be listed, as long as you make sure they comply with country regulations

  • Smell-alike perfumes can be listed, as long as there is no reference to a brand in the item title, attributes or description and the item is not listed in a category for branded items. Also, you are not allowed to circumvent this rule by misspelling brand names or otherwise trying to refer or allude to a brand.

  • Unboxed cosmetics or perfumes from certain top brands may be subject to limits or restrictions.

Not allowed

Items that are not allowed include, but are not limited to:

Additional information

For more information about the legal requirements relating to the sale and manufacture of cosmetics in the EU, please have a look at the Cosmetics Directive.

Why does eBay have this policy?

It's our job to make your buying and selling experience on eBay easy and fun. Our guidelines help sellers create listings that won't break the law or infringe upon other people's trademarks.

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