eBay UK changed its knives policy, though it appears eBay only informed sellers through an email notification. eBay is still banning many types of knives and bladed items, but eBay is expanding the policy so sellers can sell more “potentially dangerous items” by using buyer age-verification at checkout. eBay UK sent the following message in its email notification:
Expanded safety requirements for selling bladed items on ebay.co.uk.
Hi (user name redacted),
We’re getting in touch to let you know about upcoming changes to the requirements for selling bladed items on eBay.co.uk. We’re expanding buyer age-verification to cover more potentially dangerous items, and to make it easier for you to safely sell and deliver these products.
If you sell bladed items on eBay.co.uk, you need to:
- Add an age verified delivery option. Choose a delivery service that requires age verification on receipt.
- Correctly package bladed products, and clearly label the parcel to indicate there are bladed items inside.
- Ensure your packages are delivered to buyers in person, not to parcel lockers or collection points.
Please note that the sale of many types of knives and bladed items is already prohibited on eBay. However, legal bladed products for sale in the UK can be sold to customers who are 18 and over. Proof of age will be required at checkout. You can learn more about adding age-verified delivery options to your listings on our Seller Centre page.
A reported increase in knife attacks has led to increasing public anxiety and a crackdown in the UK, the Associated Press reported in May. Another article by the BBC from 2 weeks ago shows pictures of scary-looking bladed weapons, with the news outlet reporting that “zombie knives and machetes” continue to be available for sale online despite a ban on the instruments in England and Wales.
