Over the last few years eBay has been under a lot of pressure to clear the large number of sales made on its platform by professional sellers without any official business. eBay has been addressing this issue since December 2008 by asking existing and new professional sellers to send proofs of their business identity.
Amongst the documents required was the extrait KBIS, i.e. the official document issued by the business registration center (CFE) at the chamber of commerce. Since auto-entrepreneurs are not issued with an extrait KBIS and only receive an attestation of registration from INSEE, it was impossible for them to create a boutique professionnelle.
The good news is that eBay now allows auto-entrepreneurs to become professional sellers. This will be a further incentive for eBay users to register as auto-entrepreneurs.
Documents required by eBay to justify your status as a professional seller:
- Cover letter with your eBay ID and email address for your eBay account stating that you are a sole trader.
- Photocopy of your passport.
- INSEE document proving that you are registered as an auto-entrepreneur.
On receipt of these documents, eBay’s customer service will call you to confirm your request to create a professionnel shop. Read eBays’ full conditions to become a professional seller in France.