eBay Launches UK Trading Card Authentication, Adds Enquirus Stolen Watch Screening In US, UK & Germany
eBay continues expanding authentication efforts, launching Authenticity Guarantee for trading cards in the UK and partnering with Enquirus to flag sales of stolen watches through the program.
The phased rollout started May 6th and is expected to be completed in June, with eligible single trading cards priced at £500 and above verified by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) before being delivered to the buyer.
Eligible items must be:
- In the collectable card games, sports trading cards, or non-sports trading cards categories
- Single cards only (not lots, sets, kits, decks, boxes or packs)
- Listed or sold for £500 or more, excluding postage
- Ungraded or graded
- If graded, graded by an accepted grader (including PSA, SGC, CGC Trading Cards/CSG, and BGS)
Only items purchased on eBay.co.uk, shipped to a UK buyer address, and displaying the Authenticity Guarantee badge on the listing are eligible at this time.
Here's what happens once your card reaches the authentication facility and undergoes a multi-point inspection:
- For ungraded cards, this involves checking the corners, edges, surface and overall condition of the card to confirm that it is consistent with the listing title, images and listing description. Then, they will perform a physical authentication inspection.
- For graded cards, this involves inspecting the sealed plastic holder for signs of tampering and verifying that the case and label are authentic to the grader.
Full details and FAQ:
eBay has also announced a new partnership with Enquirus, the world’s largest free database for lost and stolen watches, to help identify stolen watches submitted through authentication in the UK, US and Germany.
This new service is in addition to watches being verified for authenticity and condition, which eBay moved in-house last year.
Liz Morton
Enquirus connects law enforcement agencies, insurers, manufacturers, retailers, and owners to help tackle watch-related crime. Anyone who reports a watch as lost or stolen can register it in Enquirus' central database free of charge, helping to build a comprehensive global record.
“Trust is the foundation of resale,” said Alexis Hoopes, VP Global Fashion at eBay. “At eBay, we’re investing in technology, services, and partnerships that raise the bar across high-value categories, creating a consistent standard of protection and making it easier for buyers and sellers to engage with total confidence.”
The moves come as the company continues to face scrutiny over the sale of counterfeit and stolen goods through the platform after CEO Jamie Iannone repeatedly claimed in media interviews last year that no counterfeit items had ever passed through eBay's authentication centers - claims which actual users soundly rejected.
Liz Morton
While these expanded authentication efforts may improve confidence in high-value categories, there is still significant work to be done to address trust and safety across the broader marketplace - especially for the vast majority of items that do not qualify for authentication at all.
As eBay continues investing in programs aimed at luxury goods and collectibles, buyers and sellers alike will be watching to see whether those efforts translate into stronger protections platform-wide rather than remaining limited to select categories and price points.
