Policy overview
Because of various complex laws and regulations covering the sale and possession of many military items and information, there are certain military items that can't be listed on eBay and others that can only be listed under certain conditions. The information below tells you what you can and can't list. It also provides you with useful resources to make sure that your listing follows eBay policy and all applicable laws and regulations.
What are the guidelines?
Allowed
Generally, the following military items can be listed on eBay:
- Body armor that isn't military-issued or restricted by any laws or regulations governing military ordnance. However, to list body armor, your listing must follow certain guidelines. Find out more in the Additional information section below.
- Military surplus items or other military-related items that you can find in both online and retail stores, such as military-related backpacks, blankets, canteens, clothing, foot lockers, hats, helmets, non-restricted instruments and tools, and so on.
- Military uniforms.
- Some parts and accessories for antiquated military vehicles or equipment that don't have explosive capabilities.
- Replica military ordnance that was never actual ordnance, such as a replica firearm or explosive.
Restricted
The import and export of many military items and information is strictly regulated by US federal law and regulations. Before listing any military items on eBay, check the list in the International Traffic in Arm Regulations (ITAR) Part 121 - opens in new window or tab to see if your item is covered by Part 121.
Some military items (such as body armor, firearm scopes, head gear, and night vision goggles) listed in the ITAR Part 121 are OK to sell, but only if all of the following conditions are met:
- The item is listed on the US eBay website (eBay.com).
- The buyer, the seller, and the item are located in the US.
- The seller specifically states the item will only be shipped domestically (within the US).
Note: You must be a US citizen or permanent resident of the US to bid on or buy these types of items. These items can only be bid on or bought if the buyer intends to use the item for personal use only and has no intention of exporting the item outside of the US.
You can list these items under certain conditions:
- Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs) that don't include a heating device, have a clearly marked expiration date, must be delivered to the buyer before they expire. For more information, see our food and healthcare items policy.
- Level I, II, or III body armor or Small Arms Protection Insert (SAPI) plates, as long as you indicate the specific level in your listing. Find out more about our requirements to list body armor in the Additional information section below.
Not allowed
- Technical data, including military manuals, covered under the ITAR Part 121 - opens in new window or tab.
- Military ordnance such as weapons, ammunition, and their related parts—even if the items are considered demilitarized, demilled, rendered inert, or unserviceable. We can't confirm whether an item has been changed in such a way that makes it safe and legal to sell or transport.
- Most military vehicles, including aircraft and ships, and the parts or accessories for these vehicles
- Grenades such as metal military practice grenades, rifle grenades, propelled grenades, dummy grenades, inert grenades (including relics, curios, memorabilia, novelty, or display items), grenade launchers, grenade launcher attachments, and mines. See our firearms, weapons, and knives policy.
- The following types of body armor:
- Level IV body armor or Small Arms Protective Insert (SAPI) plates
- SAPI plates that don't clearly state their respective level (I, II, or III)
- Military-issued body armor or body armor stamped with "US," including Outer Tactical Vests (OTV) or SAPI plates
- Interceptor Body Armor (IBA), including items manufactured by Point Blank (PBI), Second Chance (SCI), and Armor Holding
- Interceptor OTV with or without plates
- Detachable groin armor (cod pieces) and neck armor
- Military police uniforms or any part of the uniform (such as badges, patches, armbands, and so on) that designates someone as a police officer from any branch of the US military. See our police-related items policy.
- Military instruments containing radium or any other hazardous substance. See our hazardous, restricted, or regulated materials policy.
- Heaters for Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MREs) and flameless ration heaters (FRHs). This also applies to listings for MREs that have heaters as part of the item for sale. See our hazardous, restricted, or regulated materials policy.
For more information, you should also review our related firearms, weapons, and knives policy.
Activity on eBay is required to follow this policy, the eBay User Agreement and all applicable laws, as well as respect the rights of third parties. If it doesn’t, eBay may take action consistent with applicable laws and the eBay User Agreement, and may even be legally required to do so. Such actions may include, as an example only: Removing the listing or other content, issuing a warning, restricting activity or account suspension.