Quick tip

If your account is restricted or suspended, we'll send an email to your registered email address and to your eBay messages explaining why. We'll also let you know what you need to do so your account can be reinstated.

Go to Messages - opens in new window or tab

If we believe your account has been accessed by a third party, we'll place a temporary restriction on your account for your safety. See how to get help with a hacked account
If your payouts have been put on hold, see our article Payments on hold

Why your account was restricted or suspended

We usually place restrictions or suspensions on accounts for the following reasons:

You may have eBay selling costs that you need to pay
You may need to reimburse eBay for a refund we paid to your buyer
You may need to resolve a buyer's issue, or upload tracking information
You may have violated one of our rules or policies
We haven't been able to verify your account information
We suspect your account may have been accessed by a third party

How to have your account reinstated

Getting your account reinstated may be as simple as waiting for a temporary suspension to end, making changes to your listings, or sending us some more information – it depends on the reason your account was restricted or suspended. All the details will be in the message we've sent you.

If your account was restricted or suspended because you need to pay outstanding selling costs or reimburse eBay for a refund to a buyer, you can make a one-time payment to resolve the issue. Once we receive your payment your account will be reinstated.

To make a one-time payment:

Go to Payments in My eBay - opens in new window or tab or Seller Hub - opens in new window or tab.
Select One-time payment to make a payment. Alternatively, you can add a new payment method.

If eBay doesn't currently manage your payments, you may also need to complete seller registration before your account can be fully reinstated.

Tip
Most account restrictions or suspensions can be resolved by making a one-time payment, or by following the steps we gave you in the email in your Messages.

What happens while an account is restricted or suspended

Depending on the reason for the restriction or suspension, you may not be able to:

Bid, buy, or sell
Leave feedback
Create new listings or revise existing listings
Contact bidders
Reply to your eBay messages
Update your personal information

If you're a seller, your payouts may be placed on hold until the restriction or suspension on your account is lifted. Read more about why we may put payments on hold.

Depending on why your account was restricted or suspended, we may end listings early. If we remove listings because of a policy violation, your eligibility for fee credits will depend on the situation, and any previous policy violations will be taken into account. Keep in mind that listing fees can be forfeited too, depending on the reason for the restriction or suspension.

Fake account restriction and suspension notices

Watch out for spoof (fake) emails about account restrictions or suspensions. To confirm that an email was sent from eBay, check your Messages - opens in new window or tab. If you can't find a copy of the email there, then it wasn't from eBay. Read our article on Recognizing phishing phone calls and emails for more information.

Your account status