Authenticity Guarantee Service

What is Authenticity Guarantee?

eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee is designed to help buyers shop with confidence. Our expert authenticators physically inspect all eligible items before they are shipped to buyers.

How does Authenticity Guarantee work?

It’s easy! Browse and shop eBay’s listings with the “Authenticity Guarantee” blue check mark badge. When you buy an eligible item, the seller ships the item directly to our team of qualified, professional authenticators. The authenticators will thoroughly inspect and verify your item’s authenticity before it is shipped to you via fast and secure shipping paid for by eBay.

Will I be charged a fee for Authenticity Guarantee?

The Authenticity Guarantee service is free for a limited time. As part of the Authenticity Guarantee service promotion, eBay covers the cost of authentication, as well as three-day shipping from the authentication facility to the buyer.

What will I pay in duties and taxes for my sneakers if they are shipped from the US for delivery in Canada?

The Canadian government imposes a duty charge of up to 20% on sneakers, which is calculated on the final purchase price of the shoes when they are shipped to Canada from the US. Additionally, you will be charged the provincial harmonized sales tax (HST) relevant for your province. These fees are applied to the total value of the shipment (i.e. the value of the Sneakers plus shipping fees). These fees are only payable through the shipping carrier at time of delivery.

What items are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee?

Currently, Authenticity Guarantee is available for select models within the following brands: Yeezy, Jordan, Nike, adidas, New Balance, Asics, Vans, Reebok, Converse, Puma, Balenciaga, Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Maison Margiela, Louis Vuitton, Crocs, Off-White, Fear of God, Dior, Y-3, YEEZY SEASON, A bathing ape, Versace, Visvim, Golden Goose, Rick Owens, Alexander McQueen, Alexander Wang, RHUDE, Saint Laurent, Christian Louboutin, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Burberry, Valentino, Buscemi, Giuseppe Zanotti, Givenchy, MCM and Salomon, Hoka One One and On Running. Sneakers must be listed in the men’s or women’s athletic shoe categories,or the boys, girls or unisex kids shoes, baby shoes categories and in new or pre-owned condition. You can identify eligible items by looking for the blue Authenticity Guarantee check mark in the search results, as well as in the top right of the item page.

• Items specified as customized will not be authenticated. “Customized” is defined as shoes that have been modified from their original state. Examples of this include shoes with personalized elements, custom artwork, or any modifications that did not come with the original sneaker.

• We plan to add brands and models over time. Check back for updates.

Only items purchased on eBay.ca are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee. Items that are listed on eBay.ca but located outside of Canada for delivery to a buyer located within Canada may be available for Authenticity Guarantee soon - check back for updates! However, items that ship to a buyer address located in the U.S. are eligible. Any other buyer addresses located outside of the U.S. and Canada are not eligible for the service at this time. Unincorporated territories (incl. Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands) and armed forces postal locations are not currently covered.

Miscategorized and/or customized items and “lot” listings will be forwarded on to you after a condition check but will not receive an authenticity check. Any item that does not receive our authenticity guarantee tag will not fall under our final sale policy.

Are pre-owned sneakers eligible for Authenticity Guarantee?

Select pre-owned models within the following brands are now eligible for Authenticity Guarantee: Nike, adidas, Jordan, Yeezy, New Balance, Asics, Vans, Reebok, Converse, Puma, Balenciaga, Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Maison Margiela, Louis Vuitton, Crocs, Off-White, Fear of God, Dior, Y-3, YEEZY SEASON, A bathing ape, Versace, Visvim, Golden Goose, Rick Owens, Alexander McQueen, Alexander Wang, RHUDE, Saint Laurent, Christian Louboutin, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Burberry, Valentino, Buscemi, Giuseppe Zanotti, Givenchy, MCM and Salomon, Hoka One One and On Running sneakers.

What does “new with box”, “new without box”, “new with defects”, and “pre-owned” mean?

“New with box” A brand-new, unused, and unworn item in the original packaging (such as the original box). All original accessories (laces, keychains, bags, etc.) are assumed to be included unless otherwise noted by the seller in the listing. The sneakers or box may have minor flaws due to aging, manufacturing flaws or defects that are uncontrollable by the seller.

“New without box” A brand-new, unused, and unworn item that is not in original packaging or may be missing original packaging materials (such as the original box). For example, new shoes (with absolutely no signs of wear) that are no longer in their original box fall into this category.

“New with defects” A brand-new, unused item. Possible imperfections range from color variations to scuffs, cuts or nicks, that occasionally occur during the manufacturing or delivery process. This also includes natural yellowing due to age. The item may be missing the original packaging materials or accessories (such as original box or laces). New factory seconds and/or new samples may fall into this category.

“Pre-Owned” An item that has been used, worn or showing signs of wear to the outsole, insole and/or lining of the shoe. The item may be missing the original packaging materials or accessories (such as original box or laces).

Is eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee offered to residents of Quebec?

No. At this time, eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee is not available to residents of Quebec.

What happens at the authenticator?

Upon receiving the sneakers, eBay’s authentication team first verifies that the contents are consistent with listing details. Then a multi-point, physical inspection is performed for authenticity. This process includes thorough physical inspection of the shoe’s structure, materials, tags, and logos. The packaging and accessories are also reviewed for authenticity. Please note even if your sneakers are listed as “New with Box” they or the box may have minor flaws due to aging, manufacturing flaws or defects that are uncontrollable by the seller. Finally, an eBay Authenticity Guarantee NFC-enabled tag is attached to the shoes and programmed with the unique details of each product.

What is the eBay Authenticity Guarantee tag?

An eBay Authenticity Guarantee tag will be attached to each pair of sneakers once they have been verified by our authentication team. The Authenticity Guarantee tag is fastened to the sneaker and activated with our digital stamp of authenticity and customized with the sneakers’ details. By holding your NFC-enabled device (iPhone 7 and above and most Android phones 2015 and newer) near the tag, you will receive a prompt and be able to view the authenticity report of your sneakers.

Who is conducting the authentication?

eBay’s team of professionally trained authenticators inspect and verify each sneaker utilizing detailed, physical inspection and advanced technical equipment in a state-of-the-art facility.

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

After you purchase your eligible item, it is sent to eBay’s authentication team, who will inspect your item within two business days of receipt. Once authenticity is verified, the item will be shipped to you with fast and secure delivery, covered by eBay. As a buyer, it’s your responsibility to check which customs and import charges may apply to international orders, and to pay them. Please note that deliveries to rural areas may take longer.

How do I track the status of my item?

Once your item has been inspected, you will receive an order update email with the next steps. Throughout eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee process you can check the View Order Details section of MyeBay for status updates.

Is signature confirmation required upon delivery?

Signature confirmation is required only for items that are valued at $750 CAD or more.

Will I receive the original packaging with my purchase?

Yes, if the seller has included original packaging, all components will be sent to you.

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 shoes?

Messaging capability is turned off at the point of purchase, at which time your shoes are routed to our 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 cancelling your order here.

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

Your shoes will first ship to eBay’s sneaker authentication centre. Once they are authenticated, your shoes 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 return items purchased with eBay’s 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.

What is Final Sale?

eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee 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.

Are authenticated items protected by the eBay Money Back Guarantee?

eBay Money Back Guarantee only covers Authenticity Guarantee 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. Learn more about eBay Money Back Guarantee policy.

How does the return process work?

If returns are offered on the listing of the item you purchased, you can request a return through your purchase history on My eBay. You will have to ship the item to eBay’s authentication team. Within two business 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 must be attached to the item and untampered to be eligible for a return. Once verified by our authentication team, it will be shipped to the seller and a refund will be processed. The seller’s return policy determines whether you or the seller pays for shipping costs back to the authenticator.

Can I choose to not have my item authenticated?

No.

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.

What happens if the seller ships straight to me and skips authentication?

If the seller ships directly to you, your sneakers’ authenticity will not be checked and the condition cannot be verified. Any item that does not receive our authenticity guarantee tag, will not fall under our final sale policy.

eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee for Sneakers ("Authenticity Guarantee” or “Authenticity Guarantee for Sneakers") makes item inspection and authentication mandatory for certain items sold on eBay.com and eBay.ca. eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee Terms and Conditions ("Terms") apply to eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee for Sneakers and Eligible Items detailed below and sold or purchased on eBay.com and eBay.ca, and set out the terms on which eBay offers you access to and use of eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee for Sneakers.

1. Applicability of eBay User Agreement.

   The eBay.ca User Agreement, eBay's User Privacy Notice, and all policies posted on our sites (collectively, and as the same may be amended from time to time, "eBay's Policies") apply in addition to these Terms. In the event of a conflict or inconsistency between these Terms and eBay's Policies, these Terms will control as to all matters that they explicitly address. For all matters not explicitly addressed by these Terms, eBay's Policies will control.

2. Applicability of eBay’s Money Back Guarantee.

   For authenticated items, eBay Money Back Guarantee only covers items that satisfy each of the following 3 requirements: 1) item is returned within the seller’s return window; 2) items satisfy the eBay Money Back Guarantee eligibility requirements; and 3) items are not received or they arrive damaged. Learn more about eBay Money Back Guarantee.

3. Description of eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee.

   After the purchase of an Eligible Item (description in Section 6(a) below) on eBay.com or eBay.ca, the item is shipped to our authentication team to carefully inspect the item for authenticity and accuracy against the item listing. Upon confirmation of the item by the authenticator, it is properly packaged and securely shipped to the buyer. If the item's authenticity cannot be verified or the item is significantly not as described, the item is returned to the seller and a refund is issued.

4. Description of the eBay Authenticity Guarantee.

   The Services are provided by eBay’s authenticator team for Eligible items purchased within Canada or the United States and delivered to Canada. The Authenticators will inspect the item within two (2) business days of receipt at their facilities. This check will include inspection of the shoe for authenticity and accuracy against the item listing. Accessories such as laces will not be authenticated if they are noted in the listing as replacements. In such cases, the condition of accessories will instead be verified against the listing.

   Items may also be photographed for use by eBay or its licensees as part of eBay’s image catalog or for any other purpose, at eBay’s exclusive discretion.

   By listing for sale or purchasing an Eligible Item, you acknowledge and agree that the Eligible Item will be sent to the Authenticators to perform the third-party inspection and authentication. More information about the Authentication may be found here.

5. Authenticity Guarantee Fees.

   eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee is provided at no cost to sellers and buyers for Eligible Items that are bought or sold on eBay.ca or eBay.com; however, eBay reserves the right to institute, alter or amend fees or costs associated with its Authenticity Guarantee at any time, at eBay’s sole discretion.

6. Eligibility

   1. Item Eligibility.

      Only select listings on eBay.ca and eBay.com are eligible for eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee. eBay reserves the right at any time, in its sole discretion, with or without notice to you, to alter or amend the eligibility requirements for Eligible Items, including, but not limited to category, and/or value of items and/or transactions.

      Only items from select sellers are eligible at the current time, though eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee will rapidly expand to include more sellers in sneakers. Check listings for the “Authenticity Guarantee” blue check mark badge to see if Eligible Items from a particular seller are included at this time.

      Eligible Items in the Athletic Shoes categories must satisfy the following conditions:

      • Brands: Yeezy, Jordan, Nike, adidas, New Balance, Asics, Vans, Reebok, Converse, Puma, Balenciaga, Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Maison Margiela, Louis Vuitton, Crocs, Off-White, Fear of God, Dior, Y-3, YEEZY SEASON, A bathing ape, Versace, Visvim, Golden Goose, Rick Owens, Alexander McQueen, Alexander Wang, RHUDE, Saint Laurent, Christian Louboutin, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Burberry, Valentino, Buscemi, Giuseppe Zanotti, Givenchy, MCM and Salomon, Hoka One One and On Running

      • Models: Select models within the above brands

      • Condition: New and pre-owned

      • Category: Men’s Athletic Shoes, Women’s Athletic Shoes, Boys Shoes, Girls Shoes, Unisex Kids Shoes, Baby Shoes.

      The following items are not eligible for Authenticity Guarantee:

      • Items not bearing the Authenticity Guarantee badge

      • Sneakers listed in categories not named above

      • Miscategorized items, e.g. other types of shoes listed in eligible categories

      • Modified sneakers

      • Signed sneakers

      • Items purchased using an offline payment method

      • Listings that offer local pickup

      • Items shipped to P.O. Boxes

      • Items shipped to or from unincorporated territories (incl. Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands)

      Ineligible items will not be authenticated.

   2. Country Eligibility.

      The Authenticity Guarantee service is not available for buyers in all countries. eBay reserves the right to expand or limit the countries eligible for Authenticity Guarantee or the Services at any time, in its sole discretion, with or without notice. The countries currently eligible may be found here. If your item sells abroad, you will be bound by the User Agreement and policies, including any buyer protection policies, of the site on which the item is sold and, potentially, the consumer and other laws of the country of the relevant site. You will also be responsible for eBay’s standard international fees that apply to these sales. If you do not want your item to be sold to buyers internationally, you can exclude countries or regions you don’t want to post to by updating your shipping settings.

7. Party Roles

   1. Your Role as Seller.

      By listing an Eligible Item for sale on the eBay platform, you authorize its inspection by eBay’s Authenticators subsequent to its purchase.

      Upon purchase, you are required to ship the Eligible Item, with appropriate insurance coverage, to a facility located within Canada, as directed by eBay. Items must be sent to the facility individually unless part of a multi-item order. The cost of shipping to eBay’s authentication facility is not covered by eBay. You acknowledge and agree that if eBay’s Authenticators cannot verify an item’s authenticity, a refund will be issued to the buyer and you shall cooperate with removing the item from marketplace circulation.

   2. Your Role as Buyer.

      By purchasing an Eligible Item on the eBay platform, you acknowledge and agree to inspection and photographing of the Eligible Item by the eBay authentication team prior to your receipt of the Eligible Item. In addition, if a return is requested, you acknowledge and agree to ship the Eligible Item with appropriate insurance coverage to eBay’s Authenticator and to inspection of the Eligible Item before the return is processed or a refund is issued. More information on returns under the Authenticity Guarantee can be found here.

   3. Circumvention of Buyer and Seller Requirements.

      If buyer or seller circumvent or do not comply with Sections 7.a or 7.b of these Terms, or if buyer or seller violate or are found to be non-compliant with the Terms, eBay reserves the right to take immediate action such as, but not limited to, account restriction or suspension and/or the transfer of fees and costs associated with eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee.

   4. Impact of Fraud Detection on Buyers and Sellers.

      You acknowledge and agree that if the third party authenticator detects fraud or suspects that an item is counterfeit, the item will be removed from marketplace circulation - neither buyer or seller will receive the item; in addition, eBay will work with the proper authorities as needed and reserves the right to confiscate and destroy any items determined to be counterfeit.

8. Data Privacy.

   eBay's collection of personal information in connection with eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee is governed by the User Privacy Notice that applies to your use of the eBay.ca and eBay.com website or, as applicable, another eBay international site. By selling or purchasing an Eligible Item, you direct eBay to provide this order information to its affiliates, service providers, and other third parties (such as shipping carriers and revenue authorities) as necessary to perform the inspection and authentication.

9. Lost, Damaged, or Items Not Delivered.

   Items that are lost or damaged during the Authenticity Guarantee process are protected by eBay’s Money Back Guarantee, subject to the eBay Money Back Guarantee guidelines.

10. eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee Updates and Discontinuation.

    eBay has the right, but not the obligation, to alter, amend, replace, suspend temporarily, and/or discontinue permanently, eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee, the name of Authenticity Guarantee, any of the services provided, features, and/or functionality offered under Authenticity Guarantee, and/or the service providers used to provide any or all of the inspection and authentication under eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee, at any time, in its sole discretion, with or without notice to you.

11. Amendment.

    eBay may amend these Terms, including applicable fees, at any time by posting the amended terms on the eBay site. Except as stated elsewhere, all amended terms shall take effect immediately and automatically when posted on the eBay site.