What you need to know
We’re on a mission to make eBay the top destination for buying and selling Parts & Accessories (P&A). Based on buyer feedback, easy and free returns play a crucial role when choosing where to shop. To better meet these expectations and give you a competitive edge, we’re updating our return policy for eligible P&A listings by offering free returns. We’re here to support you, so we’ll automatically subsidize these return label costs by 50% going forward.
Driving growth and buyer satisfaction
Starting July 15, P&A sellers will be required to offer a minimum of free 30-day returns, creating a smoother and more consistent shopping journey. This streamlined policy helps eliminate confusion so buyers can have a hassle-free returns experience, strengthening their trust both in your business and in eBay.
Concerned about offering free returns? We’ve got you covered
While offering free returns can help boost your sales and have a positive impact on your business, we understand that you may have concerns. That’s why we’re taking these steps to support you:
- Subsidized eBay return labels: Enjoy a 50% reduction in label costs, applied automatically to ease return shipping expenses when you use eBay Labels.
- Continued seller protections: We’re continuously monitoring buyer fraud to ensure we have stronger safeguards in place to protect your business.
- Targeted marketing campaigns: We’re promoting free returns to help attract more buyers to your P&A listings.
P&A listings required to offer free returns
If your P&A listings meet the following criteria, you’ll be required to offer free returns:
- The item is listed on eBay.com and located in the US
- The item is being shipped to a buyer in the US
- The price of the item is more than $10
- The item is new or new other
- It’s a fixed-price Buy It Now listing
Next steps
Starting July 15, you’ll need to update your applicable P&A listings to offer free returns. Going forward you’ll benefit from the 50% subsidized eBay return labels. Additionally, we’ll begin automatically updating eligible P&A listings that are live to reflect this new return policy.
FAQs
Which P&A categories are excluded from the updated return policy?
Listings in the following categories are excluded from our updated return policy and aren’t required to offer free returns:
● Wheels (179679)
● Tires (179680)
● Tire & Wheel packages (179681)
● Other Wheel & Tire Parts (179684)
● Auto Transmissions (171115)
● Manual Transmissions (171117)
● Complete Engines (33615)
● Door Panels (33696)
● Hood Panels (33646)
● Airbags (177710)
● Listings with local pick up only
● Listings where shipping uses freight services
When will the subsidized eBay return labels be available, and how can I use them?
The reduced-rate eBay return labels will be available for eligible returns once the updated return policy takes effect starting July 15. They’ll be automatically applied and you’ll only be charged 50% of the label cost.
Do I have to use eBay to generate shipping labels?
No, you can upload your own label, but the 50% reduction isn’t applicable to non-eBay-generated labels.
Is the subsidized eBay Label applicable to all types of returns?
The 50% reduction in eBay labels applies only when a buyer changes their mind after purchasing an item and wants to return it.
If a buyer wishes to return an item because it doesn’t fit their vehicle, we’ll cover the cost of the return shipping under eBay Guaranteed Fit. If the buyer reports that the item arrived damaged or doesn’t match the listing description, the seller is responsible for the full cost of the return label.
I already offer free returns. Can I still use the subsidized eBay Labels?
Yes, you can take advantage of the subsidized eBay return labels starting July 15 for instances when a buyer changes their mind after purchasing an item that’s eligible under our updated policy.
Can I opt out of providing free returns?
If you're listing in the applicable P&A categories, participation is required. Free returns address a key buyer need in the P&A industry, and we’re confident this policy update will help you grow your business on eBay.
What happens if I don’t offer free returns for my eligible P&A listings?
Starting later this summer, listings that don't meet the new return policy requirements will be blocked. To stay compliant and continue selling P&A, we encourage you to offer free returns and take advantage of subsidized eBay Labels.