What business category does a vape pen fall under on eBay?

Based on eBay's current policies and the search results, vape pens and related products are strictly prohibited from sale on eBay globally, meaning they do not fall under any legitimate business category on the platform. Here's a detailed breakdown:

⚠️ 1. Current eBay Policy: Complete Ban

As of June 9, 2021, eBay implemented a global ban on the sale of all electronic cigarettes, vape pens, e-liquids (with or without nicotine), and related accessories (e.g., atomizers, cartridges) across all country-specific sites, including the U.S., UK, France, Italy, Spain, and others .

This policy explicitly prohibits:

Any product containing tobacco (e.g., cigarettes, cigars).

Herbal cigarettes or nicotine-free alternatives.

All vaping devices and components, regardless of nicotine content .

⚖️ 2. Historical Categories (Pre-Ban)

Before the 2021 ban, limited eBay sites permitted vape sales in specific categories:

United States:
Consumer Electronics > Gadgets & Other Electronics > Other Gadgets .

United Kingdom:
Health & Beauty > Health Care > Smoking Cessation > Other Smoking Cessation .

Germany:
Clothing & Accessories > Men's Accessories > Other (Sonstige) .

These categories are no longer valid due to the current prohibition.

⛔ 3. Consequences of Attempted Listings

Listings for vape pens or accessories will be permanently deleted, and sellers may face penalties, including:

Reduced search visibility for all listings.

Account restrictions or suspensions.

Loss of fees paid for removed listings .

eBay's automated systems actively block such listings during creation .

ℹ️ 4. Exceptions and Nuances

Non-Vape Smoking Cessation Products (e.g., nicotine patches) may still be listed in Health & Beauty > Health Care > Smoking Cessation in eligible regions, but vape pens do not qualify .

Age-Restricted Logistics: Pre-ban policies (e.g., in Germany/UK) required sellers to use age-verified shipping and local warehouses. These are now obsolete for vapes due to the ban .

💡 Key Recommendations for Sellers

Avoid listing vape-related items entirely to prevent account sanctions.

For approved smoking cessation products, use the Health & Beauty category only if they are non-vape, non-tobacco items (e.g., gum, patches) .

Consult eBay's Prohibited Items Policy for updates.

Summary Table: Vape Pens on eBay

Aspect	Details	Source
Current Status	Banned globally since June 2021; no allowable categories
Pre-Ban US Category	Consumer Electronics > Gadgets & Other Electronics > Other Gadgets
Pre-Ban UK Category	Health & Beauty > Health Care > Smoking Cessation
Penalties	Listings deleted, account suspension, loss of fees

In summary: Vape pens cannot be sold on eBay in any category under current policies. Sellers must comply with this ban to avoid severe repercussions.