eBay bans sale of masks and hand sanitizer over gouging concerns

Enlarge (credit: Nopphon Pattanasri / EyeEm)

eBay is banning the sale of a number of items related to the novel coronavirus outbreak after rising prices raised concerns about price gouging.

The online auction giant says that "effective immediately" it will "block new listings and start to remove listings" that offer "masks including N95/N100 and surgical masks." Hand sanitizers and disinfecting wipes will also be banned.

eBay says these listings "may violate applicable US laws or regulations, eBay policies, and exhibit unfair pricing behavior for our buyers." Several states have anti-gouging laws prohibiting big price increases in a time of emergency.

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