Buying Pre-Owned Luxury on eBay UK: Authenticity Guarantee and Import Charges
Reviewed by the Nuvinty editorial team · Policies checked
eBay listings come from thousands of individual and business sellers in the UK and abroad. For higher-value watches, handbags and jewellery delivered to a UK address, eBay's Authenticity Guarantee sends the item to an independent authenticator before it reaches you.
Marketplace of individual and business sellers. Nuvinty currently shows 39,225 listings from eBay. Nuvinty doesn't sell, ship or authenticate anything: you buy on eBay's site, under its policies, summarised below from its own pages.
eBay policies for UK buyers
- Authenticity Guarantee
- For trainers, fashion, handbags, watches, trading cards and jewellery sent to a UK address: the seller ships to an authentication facility first; if it can't be verified, you get your money back. Source: Authenticity Guarantee
- Watches
- Wristwatches selling for £1,500 and over are covered automatically; a paid check is offered on some cheaper watches. Source: Watches Authenticity Guarantee
- Handbags
- £200 or more from selected brands are covered; a paid check is available below that. Source: Handbags Authenticity Guarantee
- Jewellery
- £500 and over for Tiffany & Co., Chanel, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bvlgari, Chopard and unbranded fine jewellery. Source: Jewellery Authenticity Guarantee
- Money Back Guarantee
- 30 days from delivery if an item doesn't arrive, is faulty or damaged, or doesn't match the listing, when you pay through eBay checkout. Source: Money Back Guarantee
- Import charges
- On items from abroad, postage and VAT are paid at checkout on eBay International Shipping; customs charges can be paid at checkout or on arrival depending on the listing. Source: International purchases
Before you buy
- Check the item location on the listing: sellers outside the UK mean import VAT and possibly duty.
- Look for the Authenticity Guarantee badge on watches, handbags and jewellery above the thresholds.
- Always pay through eBay checkout; payments made off eBay aren't covered.
- Work out the landed cost of anything shipping from abroad with our import cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Does eBay authenticate luxury watches and bags in the UK?
For qualifying items, yes. Wristwatches selling for £1,500 or more, handbags of £200 or more from selected brands and certain jewellery of £500 or more go to an independent authenticator before delivery to a UK address. Below those prices, check whether a paid authentication option is offered on the listing.
Policies change. These were read on the seller's own pages on the date above; the seller's current terms always apply. Spotted something out of date? Tell us via our corrections page.