eBay selling limits: how they work and how to get them raised
New eBay sellers are often surprised to find they can only list a certain number of items. That’s a selling limit: a monthly cap on both the number of items and their total value. It isn’t a penalty — every account has one, and it grows as you sell.
How the limits work
- Two caps: a number of items and a total value per month. Hit either one and you have to wait until the next calendar month or get an increase.
- Each account’s limit is different, based on things like how long you’ve been selling, identity confirmation and selling performance.
- Active and sold listings both count toward the monthly limit.
- Good ’Til Cancelled listings count too, and they won’t renew automatically once you’ve reached your limit.
- Listings created over the limit may be ended by eBay. You can list them again when your allowance renews or increases.
Where to see yours
In Seller Hub, open the Overview tab and scroll to Monthly limits. eBay also sends you a message when you get close to the limit.
How to get a higher limit
- Wait for the monthly review. eBay reviews accounts every month and adjusts limits automatically based on your sales volume and buyer feedback.
- Request an increase. Use the request link in the near-limit message or in Seller Hub. eBay may ask for more information, such as contact or business details.
- Link an established account. If you have another, more established seller account, linking it may raise your limits.
Strong selling performance makes an increase more likely, so ship on time and keep buyers happy — see eBay sales dropped for the metrics that matter.
Don’t open a new account to get around a limit — eBay prohibits registering new accounts to circumvent selling limits.
Category limits
Some categories have their own limits for newer sellers, so you can learn the rules for that category while you build a track record. Once you have a good history with buyers and policies, most category-specific limits are removed automatically.
If you hit a category limit, don’t list the item in another category to get around it — that breaks eBay’s search manipulation policy and can get the listing removed. See eBay listing removed.
Buyer feedback is part of what eBay looks at — see eBay feedback for sellers.