117 Common eBay Abbreviations & Acronyms (Alphabetical List)

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When you first jump onto eBay, it’s like everyone speaking another language. Whether you are looking to buy or sell, it is of massive benefit for you to learn some of the lingo, especially the commonly used abbreviations and acronyms.

As a seller, knowing abbreviations will help you fit more words into your title, meaning you’ll get more clicks and (hopefully) more sales!

As a buyer, it is even more important to know what the sellers are telling you so that you can avoid scams, damaged items, etc.

While there are literally hundreds of abbreviations I’ve seen, you don’t need to know all of them. In fact, I’m convinced that many sellers make up their own acronyms on the fly and just hope that people figure it out.

To compile this list my wife and I looked through over 1,000 listings (combined with our years of selling experience) to identify the most common abbreviations and their meanings.

Let’s start off with a list of the acronyms that I actually recommend for use on eBay before we get into the list of more obscure options.

Most Common Acronyms On eBay

What does “EUC” mean on eBay?

EUC stands for Excellent Used Condition. It is a commonly used acronym in eBay listings and titles which tell you that the item is used but shows minimal wear. Other condition abbreviations include GUC (Good Used Condition) and VGUC (Very Good Used Condition).

What does “NWT” mean on eBay?

NWT means New With Tags. It is a commonly used expression on eBay and other selling platforms telling you that the item still has the original tags attached. Similar abbreviations include BNWT (Brand New With Tags) and NWOT (New Without Tags).

What does BIN mean on eBay?

If you see BIN on eBay or in reference to it, it stands for Buy It Now. This refers to listings that have a set price (as opposed to auctions) that you can purchase without delay.

What does HTF mean on eBay?

HTF means Hard To Find when you see it on eBay. Many sellers include HTF in the title of items that are discontinued, have a pattern that is in high demand, etc.

What does MIB mean on eBay?

MIB is a commonly seen abbreviation in the collectibles category on eBay. It means Mint In Box, meaning that the item is in the original box and shows no wear. It may have been opened. Similar abbreviations include NIB (New In Box) and NRFB (Never Removed From Box).

What does OEM mean on eBay?

OEM on eBay refers to items that are from the Original Equipment Manufacturer. This tells you that the item in question is a part made by the original company, not a third party. For example, OEM vacuum attachments for a Dyson are made by Dyson rather than another company.

What does VTG mean on eBay?

VTG is a common abbreviation seen on eBay that means “Vintage”. It is often used by sellers in titles when they’re looking to save characters for the description of the item.

What does NWB mean on eBay?

NWB is an eBay acronym typically seen on shoe listings which means “New With Box.” It may also be seen as NIB meaning New In Box. Both are used in opposition of NWOB (New Without Box).

Full List Of eBay Abbreviations & Acronyms

If the one you’re looking for wasn’t among those so far, don’t worry, there are more! This is a constantly living and updated list of eBay abbreviations I’ve seen. Unless you’re a sucker for punishment (or like reading the dictionary) just use the search function to find exactly what you’re looking for!

Just be aware that, if you’re going to incorporate these into your titles as an eBay seller, it is likely that many buyers won’t know what you mean. Especially if you’re selling very niche items. In the end, this can lead to more issues and questions that it alleviates. So use caution!

Without further ado, here’s the list:

A

AB: Aurora Borealis (used in jewelry descriptions) 
ACC: Accumulation (postage stamps) 
ACEO: Art Cards, Editions and Originals (miniature paintings on 3.5 inch by 2.5 inch cards)  See also OSWOA and SFA 
ACL: Applied Color Label (bottles) 
ADV: Adventure (Books / Movies) 
AIR: Air Mail (postage stamps) 
API:  Application programming interface 
ARC: Advance reader’s copy 
ATC: Artist trading card (miniature artwork measuring 2.5 x 3.5 inches as per ACEO) 
AU: Australian dollars (see currency exchange site) 
AUTO: Autographed 
AUTH:  “Not quite authentic” ​

B

B&W: Black and white 
BB: Beanie Babies 
BC: Back cover;  British Columbia, Canada; blister card 
BC ED: Book Club Edition (in books) 
BCE:  Book Club Edition (in books) 
BETAMAX: First video tape format (still used in Ghana & West Africa) 
BIN: Buy It Now 
BKLT: Booklet 
BLK: Block (postage stamps) 
BMC: Book of the Month Club Edition 
BNIB: Brand New In Box 
BNWT: Brand New With Tags 
BOMC: Book of the Month Club Edition 
BP: Blister pack; booklet pane (postage stamps) 
BTS: Back to School ​

C

C: Carat (a unit of weight for precious stones & pearls equal to 200 mg) 
CDF: Customs Declaration Form (postage stamps) 
COA: Certificate of Authenticity (also stands for Coat of Arms) 
COD: Cash on delivery 
COMP: Composition Doll 
CONUS: Continental US 
CTB: Coffee table book 
CDS: Circular Date Stamp (postage stamps) 
CTO: Cancelled to Order (postage stamps) 
CZ: Cubic zirconia (NOT a diamond) ​

D

DEF: Definitives (postage stamps) 
DL: Download (frequently used for Digital Downloads) 
DOA:  Dead on Arrival 
DLX: deluxe ​

E

EAPG: Early American pattern glass 
ED: Edition 
ETA : Estimated Time of Arrival 
EURO: European Union Currency 
EUC: Excellent used condition 
EXC: Excellent 
EXLIB:  Formerly a library book ​

F

F:  Fair or Fine condition [ask the seller; don’t presume] 
FAQ:  A list of frequently asked questions with answers 
FAUX: Not a genuine item (as in faux pearl) 
FB: Feedback 
FC: Fine condition 
FCM: First class mail 
FDC: First Day Cover (postage stamps) 
FLB: Former Library Book 
FNH: Family Name History 
FOB: Free on board 
FR: Former Rental (VHS tapes or DVDs) 
FS: Factory sealed 
FS: Full Screen Format on DVD 
FUBAR: Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition 
FVF: Final Value Fee 
FYI: For your information

G

G: Good condition (also GC) 
GBP: Great Britain Pounds (pounds sterling) (see currency exchange site) 
GF: Gold filled 
GP: Gold plate 
GSP: Gold sterling plate 
GU: Gently Used. Item that has been used but shows little wear, accompanied by explanation of wear ​

H

HB: Hardback book 
HC: Hardcover book 
HC DJ: Hardcover Book with Dust Jacket 
HCTS:  Here Comes the Stork (seller group) 
HP: Home page, Hand Painted, Hewlett Packard 
HP: Hard Plastic Doll 
HS: Hand Stamp (postage stamps) 
HTF: Hard to find 
HTML: HyperText Markup Language; the language used to create Web pages ​

I

IBC: Inside back cover 
IE: Internet Explorer 
IFC: Inside front cover 
INIT: Initials 
INR: Item Not Received 
ISP: Internet Service Provider – a company that gives you access to the Internet ​

J

JPG: Preferred file format for pictures on eBay (from the Joint Photographic Experts Group standard, pronounced “Jay-Peg”) ​

K

K: Karat (1/24th part of pure gold) 
KWS:  KeyWord Spam

L

L: Large (also used, Lg or  Lrg) 
LCD: Liquid Crystal Display 
LE: Limited edition 
LED: Light Emitting Diode 
LN: Like new 
LP: Long playing (33 rpm record album) 
LP: Large print (books/magazines) 
LS: Long sleeves (in clothing) 
LSASE: Large self addressed stamped envelope 
LTBX: Letterbox. Video format that recreates a widescreen image 
LTD: Limited edition ​

M

M: Medium (also used: Md or Med) 
MCM: Mid-Century Modern 
MH: Mint hinged (condition of postage stamps) 
MIB: Mint in box 
MIBP: Mint in blister pack 
MIJ: Made in Japan 
MIMB: Mint in mint box 
MIMP: Mint in mint package 
MIOJ: Made in Occupied Japan 
MIOP: Mint in open package 
MIP: Mint in package 
MIU: Made in USA 
MM: Media Mail Shipping by USPS 
MNB: Mint no box 
MNH: Mint never/not hinged (condition of postage stamps) 
MNT: Mint. In perfect condition (a subjective term) 
MOC: Mint on card 
MOMC: Mint on mint card 
MONMC: Mint on near mint card 
MOP: Mother-of-Pearl 
MOTU: Masters of the Universe (He-Man), or Mark Of The Unicorn, an audio equipment manufacturer 
MP: Military Post (postage stamps) 
MPRS: My Poupette Recommended Seller (seller group) 
MTG: Magic the Gathering Card Game 
MWBMT: Mint with both mint tags 
MWBT: Mint with both tags 
MWMT: Mint with mint tags 
MYO or M.Y.O.:  Million years old

N

NARU: Not a registered user (or suspended user) 
NDSR: No dents, scratches, or rust (condition of tins) 
NBB:  Non-binding bid (real estate category term) 
NBW: Never been worn 
NC: No cover 
ND: No date 
NIB: New in box; No international bidders 
NIL:  Not in Line (not a standard product of the manufacturer; a special issue) 
NIMSB: New in manufacturer’s sealed box 
NIP: New in package 
NM: Near mint 
NOS: New Old Stock 
NP: Not packaged 
NPB: Non-paying bidder 
NR: No reserve price for an auction-style listing 
NRFB: Never removed from box 
NTSC: Video & DVD format used in US, Canada, Mexico, the Phillipines, the Caribbean, most of South America excluding Brazil & Argentina, Taiwan, South Korea, Burma, & Cambodia (not PAL or SECAM) 
NWOT: New without tags 
NWT: New with tags

O

OEM: Original equipment manufacturer 
OOAK: One of a Kind 
OOP: Out of print 
OPT: Overprinted (postage stamps) 
OSWOA®:  Original Small Work of Art measuring 6 x 4 inches, so as to fit in a standard 6 x 4 or 4 x 6 inches photo album sleeve.  See also ACEO and SFA. 
OSFA:  One Size Fits All ​

P

PAL: Video & DVD format used in the UK, Australia, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Holland, Hong Kong, Scandinavia, Poland, China, India, Pakistan, Turkey,  most of Africa, and the Middle East – it is the DOMINANT format in the world (not NTSC or SECAM) 
PB: Paperback book 
PC: Poor condition; postcard 
PF: Proof (coin) 
PM: Priority Mail shipping method of USPS 
PP: Parcel Post shipping method of USPS; PayPal ​

Q

Did you really think they’d be something here?

R

RC: Reader’s copy 
Reg: Registered (postage stamps) 
RET: Retired 
REV. ED.: Revised edition (books) 
ROPS: Rollover Protective Structure; a cab or frame that provides a safe environment for the tractor operator in the event of a rollover 
RPPC: Real Photo Postcard (not an illustration) 
RS: Rhinestone(s) ​

S

S:  Small (also used, Sm or Sml) 
SAIS: Sold As Is 
SASE: Self-addressed stamped envelope 
S/B: Stockbook (postage stamps) 
SC: Slight crease (tags, books, magazines) 
SC: Softcover book 
SF: Science-fiction 
SFA: Small format art (any artwork measuring under 14 inches).  See also ACEO and OSWA. 
SCO: Second chance offer 
SCR: Scratch 
SECAM: Video & DVD format used in France, Russia, Eastern Europe, & some parts of the Middle East (not PAL or NTSC) 
S/H; SH, S&H:  Shipping and handling 
SHI: Shipping, handling, and insurance 
Sig: Signature 
SM:  Selling Manager 
SMP:  Selling Manager Pro 
SMI: Safeguarding Member IDs 
SNAD: Significantly not as described 
SNAFU: Situation Normal, All Fouled Up 
SO: Sold Out 
S/O: Sold out 
S/P: Salt and pepper (shakers); silverplate (flatware) 
SS: Short sleeves (in clothing) 
SS: single sheet (postage stamps) 
SS: Stainless steel 
SS or 925: Sterling Silver 
SS: Still sealed 
STER: Sterling 
SW: Slight wear 
SZ: Size 
SYI: Sell Your Item form

T

TA: Trading Assistant 
TE: Trade Edition (typically smaller than a standard book) 
TIA: Thanks in advance 
TKO: Account TaKeOver 
TL: Turbo Lister 
TM: Trademark 
TOS: Terms of sale; terms of service; The Original Series (Star Trek)

U

UNC: Uncirculated (coins) 
UPI: Unpaid Item 
UPS: United Parcel Service 
URL: Uniform Resource Locator. The address that identifies a Web site (such as www.ebay.com). 
USPS: United States Postal Service ​

V

V2000: also known as Video Compact Cassette, or VCC – began in 1979 and ended in 1988 (marketed exclusively in Europe) 
VBO: Vintage Blow Out Sale: 4 times a year Vintage Clothing Sellers place items on ebay at amazing prices of 19.99 or less with Buy it now. 
VeRO:  Verified Rights Owner 
VF: Very fine condition 
VG or VGC: Very good condition 
VHTF: Very hard to find 
VR: Very rare ​

W

W / : With 
WBN:  Winning bidder notification 
WMK: Watermark (postage stamps) 
WOB: Writing on back 
WOF: Writing on front 
WS: Widescreen in DVD (same as Letterbox) 
WYSIWYG: What you see is what you get

X

XL: Extra large 
XS: Extra small 
XXL or 2XL: Extra extra large or 22/24 W 
XXXL or 3XL: Extra extra extra large or 26/28 W

Y

YFD:   Yard Fard Days (seller group)

Z

Zero, Zip, Zilch. There aren’t any I know of that start with “z”.

Should You Use Acronyms & Abbreviations In Your eBay Listings?

Whether you sell on eBay, Poshmark, or Mercari, you’ll want to learn a handful of short-hand options.

The main benefit is that you are able to communicate much more about your product to potential buyers without them having to click through.

This allows people who are looking for what you have to click and those that won’t buy anyway to avoid wasting time.

The other benefit is that you may come up more often in search results. The more savvy eBay shoppers will use abbreviations and acronyms in their search rather than using filters. If you have the correct ones in your title you’ll be able to increase how often your listings are seen!

Now, I will caution you against using too many abbreviations. The best eBay titles are easy to read and peoples’ eyes will just slide on buy if the title is a bunch of hard-to-understand drivel.

I hope you found this list of eBay abbreviations and acronyms helpful!  Now that you’ve got the lingo down, why don’t you check out some of our articles to keep building your skills!