eBay seller performance standards explained
eBay checks every seller’s recent orders once a month and gives them a seller level. Your level affects your fees, where your listings appear and what tools you can use. Here is what eBay.co.uk measures and how to stay on the right side of it.
What are eBay seller levels?
On the 20th of each month, eBay looks at your recent transactions and gives you one of three levels. Top Rated means you’re exceeding eBay’s expectations. Above Standard means you’re meeting them. Below Standard means you’ve fallen below the minimum, and eBay may limit your selling until you improve.
How far back eBay looks depends on how much you sell. If you had more than 400 transactions in the past 3 months, it counts those 3 months. If you had fewer, it counts the last 12 months.
Other members can’t see your level unless you’re Top Rated. You can see your current level, and what it would be if you were evaluated today, in your Seller Dashboard.
The metrics that decide your seller level
eBay.co.uk’s seller standards policy uses three measures. The table shows each one and the thresholds that applied when we checked.
| Metric | What it counts | Minimum standard | Top Rated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cases closed without seller resolution | A buyer reported a problem, you didn’t resolve it, eBay stepped in and found you responsible | No more than 2, or 0.3% of transactions, whichever is higher | No more than 2, or 0.3% of transactions |
| Transaction defect rate | Orders you cancelled unexpectedly (for example, out of stock) plus cases closed without seller resolution | No more than 2% of transactions. You’re only rated Below Standard if the defects involve more than 4 different buyers | No more than 0.5%, involving no more than 3 different buyers |
| Late delivery rate | With tracking: delivered after the latest estimated delivery date and no carrier scan within your dispatch time. Without tracking: the buyer says in feedback it arrived late | No minimum on its own | No more than 5, or 3% of transactions |
Tip Some guides mention a late shipment rate or a tracking-uploaded-on-time rate. The eBay.co.uk seller standards policy we checked uses the three metrics in this table.
How to become a Top Rated seller on eBay UK
eBay upgrades you to Top Rated on the 1st of the following month if, at your evaluation, you meet the Top Rated thresholds in the table and all of these:
- Your eBay account has been active for at least 90 days.
- You have at least 100 transactions and £1,000 (€1,500) in sales in the last 12 months with UK and Irish buyers.
- You’re complying with eBay’s Selling practices policy.
- You’re registered as a business seller on eBay.co.uk or eBay.ie.
What happens if you’re Below Standard?
Some limits start straight after the evaluation:
- Your items may appear lower in Best Match search results.
- Your selling limits may go down.
- You can’t use Promoted Listings, create new campaigns or edit existing ones.
- Funds from your orders may be held until tracking shows the item is on its way.
- You can’t deduct an amount from a buyer’s refund when an item comes back used or damaged.
Watch out From the 1st of the next month, eBay adds 6 percentage points to your final value fees, or 7 points after four or more months in a row at Below Standard. If it goes on, eBay may downgrade your Shop to Basic or restrict your account.
What are eBay service metrics?
Service metrics are a separate monthly check, also on the 20th. They compare two rates with sellers who sell similar items at similar prices with similar postage: your item not received rate, and your item not as described return rate. Each is rated Low, Average, High or Very High. They count reports even if you resolved them.
A Very High item not as described rate can mean higher final value fees in the affected categories from the next month, and you can’t deduct from refunds for used or damaged returns. A Very High item not received rate can mean longer delivery estimates shown to buyers, held funds and the same limit on refund deductions.
How to protect your seller level
- Keep stock levels accurate, so you don’t sell items you can’t send.
- Dispatch within your stated dispatch time, using a service at least as good as the one the buyer chose.
- Upload valid tracking, with the right carrier, as soon as you post.
- Reply to item not received reports and return requests within 3 business days, and resolve them yourself before the buyer asks eBay to step in.
- If you must cancel, use the true reason. eBay says sellers should never pick an incorrect cancellation reason.
- Check your Seller Dashboard and service metrics before the 20th of each month.
- Appeal when it’s fair: a case closed without seller resolution within 30 days of eBay’s decision, or a late delivery if valid tracking shows you posted on time.
Tip OneDS’s Fulfilment Assistant re-checks the supplier price, stock and profit before you buy an order, which helps you spot a stock problem early.
Questions
Can buyers see my eBay seller level?
Only if you’re Top Rated. Otherwise your level is visible only to you. Your service metrics aren’t shown to anyone else either.
Does cancelling an out-of-stock order hurt my seller level?
Yes. eBay counts it as a transaction defect, because sellers are responsible for fulfilling what they’ve sold.
How long does a defect count against me?
For as long as the transaction is inside your evaluation period. That’s the last 3 months if you had more than 400 transactions in that time, or the last 12 months if you had fewer.
Can a private seller become Top Rated?
No. One of the Top Rated requirements is being registered as a business seller on eBay.co.uk or eBay.ie.
Does a late delivery count if the carrier was slow?
Not if tracking shows a carrier scan within your dispatch time. eBay also removes late deliveries caused by things outside your control, such as severe weather or carrier disruption.
Sources
Rules and fees change. These are the official pages this guide was checked against on 5 October 2026. This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.