Vinted rules and policies explained in plain English

By FastBuySale Newsroom · 9 Nov 2026 · 26m ago

A marketplace with its own rulebook

Vinted has become one of the most popular places in the UK to sell pre-loved clothes, shoes, accessories, books, toys and homeware. It is simple to use, but it has detailed rules covering what can be listed, how payments work, shipping deadlines and disputes. Sellers who do not know them can lose sales, have items removed or find their account restricted. This guide explains the main rules in plain English. It is a summary, not a legal reading of the terms, and policies change, so check the current terms and help pages before relying on any detail.

Who can sell

Vinted is designed for private individuals selling their own items. You must be old enough to use the service under its terms and provide accurate account details. If you buy items to resell for profit or make items to sell regularly, you may be trading as a business, and Vinted offers a separate route for business sellers with extra obligations, such as consumer rights for buyers. Pretending to be a private seller when you are trading breaks the rules and consumer law.

What you can list

You can list items you own and have in your possession, in categories such as women's, men's and children's clothing, designer goods, home items, entertainment and pet supplies. Items must be described accurately in the correct category with genuine photos.

Prohibited items

Vinted prohibits counterfeit and replica items, used underwear and swimwear in some forms, many opened or used cosmetics, medicines, food, weapons, alcohol and tobacco, live animals, digital content and services, and anything illegal. Check the full list in the help centre before listing anything unusual. Repeated listings of prohibited items can lead to suspension.

Counterfeits and authenticity

Selling fakes is prohibited and illegal. For designer items, keep receipts, tags, dust bags and other proof of authenticity. Vinted offers authenticity checks for some high-value items, and listings it believes are counterfeit can be removed. If you are not sure an item is genuine, do not list it as a brand item.

Photos and descriptions

Use your own photos of the actual item, taken in good light, showing the front, back, labels and any flaws. Describe condition honestly, choosing the right condition label, and give measurements where useful. Honest descriptions reduce returns, because buyers can report items that are significantly not as described.

Payments stay on Vinted

All payments must go through the platform. Buyers pay through checkout, and the money is held until the order completes. Asking buyers to pay by bank transfer, gift card or another payment service breaks the rules and removes buyer protection. It is also a common scam tactic. If someone asks you to deal outside Vinted, decline and report them.

Buyer protection fee

Buyers pay a buyer protection fee on each purchase, made up of a fixed amount plus a percentage of the item price, along with postage. This funds the refund policy. Private sellers in the UK have generally not paid selling fees, but optional paid features such as bumps and wardrobe spotlights cost extra.

Worked example: what the buyer pays

Lucy lists a jacket for 20 pounds. If the buyer protection fee were 0.70 pounds plus 5 percent of the price, the fee would be 1.70 pounds. With 3.19 pounds postage, the buyer pays 24.89 pounds, and Lucy receives the full 20 pounds once the order completes. Check the current fee in the app, because it can change. The percentage calculator on this site helps with these checks.

Shipping deadlines

After a sale, you must ship within the deadline shown in the app, usually a few working days. If you do not ship in time, the order can be cancelled and the buyer refunded. Use the prepaid label provided, keep proof of postage and pack items securely.

The issue window

After delivery, buyers have a short window to report a problem, such as an item that is significantly not as described or damaged. If they report an issue, the payment is held while the problem is resolved. If they confirm the order or the window passes without a report, the money moves to your balance.

Returns

Private sellers are not generally required to accept returns for change of mind, but buyers can return items that are significantly not as described through the buyer protection process. If a return is agreed, the buyer usually ships the item back and the refund is processed after you confirm receipt. Respond promptly to issue reports.

Wallet and withdrawals

Your earnings appear in your Vinted balance. To withdraw to a bank account, you must verify your identity and bank details. Vinted may ask for identity documents to meet anti-money laundering rules. Keep your account details up to date to avoid delays.

Messaging and conduct

Use Vinted messages for all communication. Harassment, discrimination, threats and spam break the rules. Do not share personal details such as phone numbers to move a sale elsewhere.

Reviews

Reviews must be genuine and based on real transactions. Swapping reviews, buying reviews or pressuring buyers breaks the rules.

Scams to watch for

Scammers send fake payment emails, ask you to click links to receive money, request your bank details through messages, or claim an item did not arrive to get a refund. Always check orders in the app, never click links in messages, ship with tracking and keep proof. If you lose money, report it to Vinted and to Action Fraud.

Account restrictions

Vinted can restrict or close accounts for prohibited items, counterfeits, off-platform payments, scams, abuse or repeated cancellations. Read any notice carefully and contact support through the help centre if you believe there has been a mistake.

HMRC and reporting

Since 2024, online platforms report information about sellers to HMRC once they pass reporting thresholds, such as 30 sales in a year or around 1,700 pounds of sales. Reporting does not mean you automatically owe tax. Selling your own unwanted belongings is usually not trading, but buying to resell or making items to sell can be. If you trade and your income passes the 1,000 pound trading allowance, you may need to register for Self Assessment.

Offers and bundles

Buyers can send offers and buy bundles of several items from the same seller. You can accept, decline or counter an offer, and you can set bundle discounts in your settings. Once you accept an offer, the buyer has a limited time to complete the purchase at that price. Bundles save postage for buyers and help you clear more items in one sale, so many sellers set a small bundle discount.

Reserving items

Some buyers ask sellers to reserve an item for them. Reserving is optional, and items should still be paid for through the platform. Holding items for long periods for buyers who never pay can cost you sales, so many sellers set a short limit or decline reservation requests altogether.

Packaging and lost parcels

Pack items securely in clean packaging and follow the courier's size and weight limits. If a parcel is lost or damaged in transit and you used the label from the app, the issue is usually handled through Vinted's process with the carrier. Keep your proof of postage until the order completes, because it is your evidence that you shipped on time.

Keeping records

Even if you are only clearing out your wardrobe, keep a simple spreadsheet of what you sold and for how much. If HMRC ever asks questions, or if your selling becomes more regular, these records make it easier to show which sales were personal belongings and which were trading.

Reader questions

Have a question about selling online? Send it through the Ask page on this site.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change; read the current terms and help pages on the official website.

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