Account Policies

Complete guide to eBay return, payment, and fulfillment policies

Account Policies

Manage your eBay seller policies including returns, payments, and fulfillment. Policies are reusable templates that you can apply to multiple listings.

Policy Types

Return Policies

Define how buyers can return items

Payment Policies

Configure accepted payment methods

Fulfillment Policies

Set shipping options and costs

Return Policies

Return policies define the terms under which buyers can return items.

Creating a Return Policy

const returnPolicy = await mcp.useTool('account_createReturnPolicy', {
  marketplace_id: 'EBAY_US',
  name: 'Standard 30-Day Returns',
  description: 'Items can be returned within 30 days of receipt',

  // Return period
  return_period: {
    value: 30,
    unit: 'DAY'
  },

  // Return settings
  returns_accepted: true,
  refund_method: 'MONEY_BACK',
  return_shipping_cost_payer: 'BUYER',

  // Extended holiday returns (optional)
  extended_holiday_returns_offered: true,

  // International returns (optional)
  international_override: {
    returns_accepted: true,
    return_period: {
      value: 30,
      unit: 'DAY'
    },
    return_shipping_cost_payer: 'BUYER'
  }
});

console.log(`Return policy created with ID: ${returnPolicy.returnPolicyId}`);

Return Policy Parameters

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
marketplace_id	string	✅	Target marketplace (e.g., EBAY_US)
name	string	✅	Policy name (max 80 characters)
description	string	⬜	Detailed policy description
return_period	object	✅	Return window timeframe
returns_accepted	boolean	✅	Whether returns are accepted
refund_method	string	✅	MONEY_BACK or MERCHANDISE_CREDIT
return_shipping_cost_payer	string	✅	BUYER or SELLER
extended_holiday_returns_offered	boolean	⬜	Enable extended holiday returns

Managing Return Policies

// Get all return policies
const policies = await mcp.useTool('account_getReturnPolicies', {
  marketplace_id: 'EBAY_US'
});

// Get specific policy by ID
const policy = await mcp.useTool('account_getReturnPolicy', {
  return_policy_id: 'policy_id_here'
});

// Update return policy
const updated = await mcp.useTool('account_updateReturnPolicy', {
  return_policy_id: 'policy_id_here',
  name: 'Updated 60-Day Returns',
  return_period: {
    value: 60,
    unit: 'DAY'
  }
});

// Delete return policy
await mcp.useTool('account_deleteReturnPolicy', {
  return_policy_id: 'policy_id_here'
});

Payment Policies

Payment policies specify which payment methods you accept and related terms.

Creating a Payment Policy

const paymentPolicy = await mcp.useTool('account_createPaymentPolicy', {
  marketplace_id: 'EBAY_US',
  name: 'Standard Payment - Immediate',
  description: 'PayPal and credit cards accepted',

  // Payment methods
  payment_methods: [
    {
      paymentMethodType: 'PAYPAL',
      recipientAccountReference: {
        referenceId: '[e-mail]',
        referenceType: 'PAYPAL_EMAIL'
      }
    },
    {
      paymentMethodType: 'CREDIT_CARD'
    }
  ],

  // Require immediate payment
  immediate_pay: true,

  // Payment instructions for buyer
  payment_instructions: 'Payment must be received within 4 days'
});

console.log(`Payment policy created: ${paymentPolicy.paymentPolicyId}`);

Payment Policy Parameters

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
marketplace_id	string	✅	Target marketplace
name	string	✅	Policy name
payment_methods	array	✅	Accepted payment methods
immediate_pay	boolean	⬜	Require immediate payment (recommended)
payment_instructions	string	⬜	Instructions for buyers

Payment Method Types

• PAYPAL - PayPal payments
• CREDIT_CARD - Credit/debit cards through eBay Managed Payments
• APPLE_PAY - Apple Pay (if enabled)
• GOOGLE_PAY - Google Pay (if enabled)

Fulfillment Policies

Fulfillment policies define shipping options, costs, and handling times.

Creating a Fulfillment Policy

const fulfillmentPolicy = await mcp.useTool('account_createFulfillmentPolicy', {
  marketplace_id: 'EBAY_US',
  name: 'Fast Shipping - Multiple Options',
  description: 'We ship within 1 business day',

  // Handling time
  handling_time: {
    value: 1,
    unit: 'BUSINESS_DAY'
  },

  // Shipping options
  shipping_options: [
    {
      option_type: 'DOMESTIC',
      cost_type: 'FLAT_RATE',
      shipping_services: [
        {
          shipping_carrier_code: 'USPS',
          shipping_service_code: 'USPSPriority',
          ship_to_locations: {
            region_included: [
              { region_name: 'US', region_type: 'COUNTRY' }
            ]
          },
          shipping_cost: {
            value: '8.99',
            currency: 'USD'
          },
          additional_shipping_cost: {
            value: '2.00',
            currency: 'USD'
          },
          free_shipping: false,
          sort_order: 1
        },
        {
          shipping_carrier_code: 'USPS',
          shipping_service_code: 'USPSMedia',
          ship_to_locations: {
            region_included: [
              { region_name: 'US', region_type: 'COUNTRY' }
            ]
          },
          shipping_cost: {
            value: '4.99',
            currency: 'USD'
          },
          free_shipping: false,
          sort_order: 2
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      option_type: 'INTERNATIONAL',
      cost_type: 'FLAT_RATE',
      shipping_services: [
        {
          shipping_carrier_code: 'USPS',
          shipping_service_code: 'USPSPriorityMailInternational',
          ship_to_locations: {
            region_included: [
              { region_name: 'WORLDWIDE', region_type: 'WORLD_REGION' }
            ],
            region_excluded: [
              { region_name: 'RU', region_type: 'COUNTRY' }
            ]
          },
          shipping_cost: {
            value: '24.99',
            currency: 'USD'
          }
        }
      ]
    }
  ],

  // Pickup options (optional)
  local_pickup: false,

  // Freight shipping (for large items)
  freight_shipping: false
});

console.log(`Fulfillment policy created: ${fulfillmentPolicy.fulfillmentPolicyId}`);

Fulfillment Policy Parameters

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
marketplace_id	string	✅	Target marketplace
name	string	✅	Policy name
handling_time	object	✅	Time to ship after payment
shipping_options	array	✅	Shipping services offered
local_pickup	boolean	⬜	Offer local pickup option
freight_shipping	boolean	⬜	For freight items only

Common Shipping Carriers

USPS Services:

• USPSPriority - USPS Priority Mail
• USPSPriorityMailExpress - USPS Priority Mail Express
• USPSMedia - USPS Media Mail
• USPSFirstClass - USPS First Class

FedEx Services:

• FedEx2Day - FedEx 2Day
• FedExExpressSaver - FedEx Express Saver
• FedExGround - FedEx Ground
• FedExHomeDelivery - FedEx Home Delivery

UPS Services:

• UPSGround - UPS Ground
• UPS3DaySelect - UPS 3 Day Select
• UPS2ndDayAir - UPS 2nd Day Air
• UPSNextDayAir - UPS Next Day Air

Policy Best Practices

Optimize Return Policies

Higher conversion rates with generous returns:

• Offer 30-60 day return windows
• Consider free return shipping for items over $50
• Enable extended holiday returns (Nov-Jan)
• Clearly state condition requirements

Example winning strategy:

{
  return_period: { value: 60, unit: 'DAY' },
  return_shipping_cost_payer: 'SELLER', // For items > $50
  extended_holiday_returns_offered: true
}

Payment Policy Tips

Maximize conversions:

• Enable immediate_pay: true to reduce non-paying buyers
• Accept all major payment methods
• Provide clear payment instructions

Best practice configuration:

{
  immediate_pay: true,
  payment_methods: [
    { paymentMethodType: 'PAYPAL' },
    { paymentMethodType: 'CREDIT_CARD' },
    { paymentMethodType: 'APPLE_PAY' },
    { paymentMethodType: 'GOOGLE_PAY' }
  ]
}

Shipping Strategy

Competitive advantage:

• Fast handling time (1 business day)
• Multiple shipping options (economy + expedited)
• Free shipping for orders over threshold
• International shipping to expand market

Profitable shipping setup:

{
  handling_time: { value: 1, unit: 'BUSINESS_DAY' },
  shipping_options: [
    {
      option_type: 'DOMESTIC',
      shipping_services: [
        // Free shipping tier
        {
          shipping_service_code: 'USPSPriority',
          shipping_cost: { value: '0.00', currency: 'USD' },
          free_shipping: true,
          // Use Buy It Now price > $35 for free shipping
        },
        // Economy option
        { shipping_service_code: 'USPSMedia', ... },
        // Expedited option
        { shipping_service_code: 'USPSPriorityMailExpress', ... }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Policy Reuse & Organization

Efficient policy management:

• Create policy templates for different product categories
• Use descriptive names: "Electronics - 30Day - Free Returns"
• Maintain 3-5 policies max per type
• Review and update policies quarterly

Organization example:

Return Policies:
- "High-Value Items - 60Day Free Returns"
- "Standard Items - 30Day Buyer Pays"
- "Final Sale - No Returns"

Fulfillment Policies:
- "Small Items - Fast Shipping"
- "Large Items - Freight"
- "Fragile Items - Special Handling"

Complete Example: New Seller Setup

Set up all policies for a new eBay seller:

async function setupSellerPolicies() {
  const marketplace = 'EBAY_US';

  // 1. Create return policy
  const returnPolicy = await mcp.useTool('account_createReturnPolicy', {
    marketplace_id: marketplace,
    name: 'Buyer Friendly 30-Day Returns',
    description: 'We accept returns within 30 days, no questions asked',
    return_period: { value: 30, unit: 'DAY' },
    returns_accepted: true,
    refund_method: 'MONEY_BACK',
    return_shipping_cost_payer: 'BUYER',
    extended_holiday_returns_offered: true
  });

  // 2. Create payment policy
  const paymentPolicy = await mcp.useTool('account_createPaymentPolicy', {
    marketplace_id: marketplace,
    name: 'All Payment Methods - Immediate',
    payment_methods: [
      { paymentMethodType: 'PAYPAL' },
      { paymentMethodType: 'CREDIT_CARD' }
    ],
    immediate_pay: true
  });

  // 3. Create fulfillment policy
  const fulfillmentPolicy = await mcp.useTool('account_createFulfillmentPolicy', {
    marketplace_id: marketplace,
    name: 'Fast 1-Day Handling',
    handling_time: { value: 1, unit: 'BUSINESS_DAY' },
    shipping_options: [{
      option_type: 'DOMESTIC',
      cost_type: 'FLAT_RATE',
      shipping_services: [{
        shipping_carrier_code: 'USPS',
        shipping_service_code: 'USPSPriority',
        ship_to_locations: {
          region_included: [{ region_name: 'US', region_type: 'COUNTRY' }]
        },
        shipping_cost: { value: '8.99', currency: 'USD' }
      }]
    }]
  });

  console.log('✅ All policies created successfully!');
  console.log(`Return Policy ID: ${returnPolicy.returnPolicyId}`);
  console.log(`Payment Policy ID: ${paymentPolicy.paymentPolicyId}`);
  console.log(`Fulfillment Policy ID: ${fulfillmentPolicy.fulfillmentPolicyId}`);

  return {
    returnPolicyId: returnPolicy.returnPolicyId,
    paymentPolicyId: paymentPolicy.paymentPolicyId,
    fulfillmentPolicyId: fulfillmentPolicy.fulfillmentPolicyId
  };
}

// Use these IDs when creating listings
const policyIds = await setupSellerPolicies();

Next Steps

Programs Guide

Explore eBay seller programs

Create Your First Listing

Use policies in your first listing

Best Practices

Optimize your seller account

Account Overview

Back to Account API overview