> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://ebaymcp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Account API Overview

> Manage eBay seller account settings, policies, and fulfillment programs

# Account API Overview

The Account API provides tools to manage your eBay seller account, including return policies, payment policies, fulfillment programs, and sales tax settings.

## Available Tools

The eBay MCP Server provides **25+ Account API tools** for comprehensive account management:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Return Policies" icon="rotate-left" color="#E53238">
    Create, update, and manage return policies for your listings
  </Card>

  <Card title="Payment Policies" icon="credit-card" color="#0064D2">
    Configure payment methods and policies for your store
  </Card>

  <Card title="Fulfillment Policies" icon="truck" color="#F5AF02">
    Set up shipping and handling policies
  </Card>

  <Card title="Sales Tax" icon="receipt" color="#86B817">
    Manage sales tax tables and jurisdiction settings
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Key Features

### Policy Management

* **Return Policies**: Define return windows, return shipping costs, and refund methods
* **Payment Policies**: Set accepted payment methods and payment instructions
* **Fulfillment Policies**: Configure shipping services, handling times, and costs

### Program Enrollment

* **eBay Programs**: Enroll in or opt out of eBay seller programs
* **Fulfillment Programs**: Manage enrollment in fulfillment services
* **Program Status**: Check eligibility and current enrollment status

### Account Settings

* **Sales Tax**: Configure tax tables for different jurisdictions
* **Shipping Locations**: Manage shipping locations and regions
* **Custom Policies**: Create custom policies tailored to your business

## Quick Start

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connect to Account API">
    Ensure your MCP client has access to Account API tools:

    ```bash theme={null}
    # List available Account API tools
    mcp list-tools | grep account_
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Get Account Policies">
    Retrieve your existing policies:

    ```javascript theme={null}
    // Get all return policies
    const returnPolicies = await mcp.useTool('account_getReturnPolicies', {
      marketplace_id: 'EBAY_US'
    });
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create or Update Policies">
    Create new policies or update existing ones:

    ```javascript theme={null}
    // Create a return policy
    const newPolicy = await mcp.useTool('account_createReturnPolicy', {
      marketplace_id: 'EBAY_US',
      name: '30-Day Returns',
      return_period: {
        value: 30,
        unit: 'DAY'
      },
      refund_method: 'MONEY_BACK'
    });
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Common Use Cases

### 1. Setting Up Return Policies

```javascript theme={null}
// Create a customer-friendly return policy
const returnPolicy = await mcp.useTool('account_createReturnPolicy', {
  marketplace_id: 'EBAY_US',
  name: 'Easy Returns - 60 Days',
  description: 'We accept returns within 60 days of purchase',
  return_period: {
    value: 60,
    unit: 'DAY'
  },
  returns_accepted: true,
  refund_method: 'MONEY_BACK',
  return_shipping_cost_payer: 'SELLER'
});

console.log(`Return policy created: ${returnPolicy.returnPolicyId}`);
```

### 2. Configuring Payment Policies

```javascript theme={null}
// Create a payment policy with multiple methods
const paymentPolicy = await mcp.useTool('account_createPaymentPolicy', {
  marketplace_id: 'EBAY_US',
  name: 'Standard Payment Policy',
  payment_methods: [
    { paymentMethodType: 'PAYPAL' },
    { paymentMethodType: 'CREDIT_CARD' }
  ],
  immediate_pay: true
});
```

### 3. Managing Fulfillment Policies

```javascript theme={null}
// Create a fulfillment policy with multiple shipping options
const fulfillmentPolicy = await mcp.useTool('account_createFulfillmentPolicy', {
  marketplace_id: 'EBAY_US',
  name: 'Fast Shipping',
  shipping_options: [
    {
      option_type: 'DOMESTIC',
      cost_type: 'FLAT_RATE',
      shipping_services: [
        {
          shipping_carrier_code: 'USPS',
          shipping_service_code: 'USPSPriority',
          ship_to_locations: {
            region_included: [{ region_name: 'US', region_type: 'COUNTRY' }]
          },
          shipping_cost: { value: '8.99', currency: 'USD' }
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  handling_time: { value: 1, unit: 'BUSINESS_DAY' }
});
```

## Tool Categories

### Policy Tools

| Tool Name                         | Description               | Rate Limit |
| --------------------------------- | ------------------------- | ---------- |
| `account_getReturnPolicies`       | Get all return policies   | 5,000/day  |
| `account_createReturnPolicy`      | Create a return policy    | 5,000/day  |
| `account_updateReturnPolicy`      | Update return policy      | 5,000/day  |
| `account_deleteReturnPolicy`      | Delete return policy      | 5,000/day  |
| `account_getPaymentPolicies`      | Get all payment policies  | 5,000/day  |
| `account_createPaymentPolicy`     | Create payment policy     | 5,000/day  |
| `account_getFulfillmentPolicies`  | Get fulfillment policies  | 5,000/day  |
| `account_createFulfillmentPolicy` | Create fulfillment policy | 5,000/day  |

### Program Tools

| Tool Name                 | Description              | Rate Limit |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------ | ---------- |
| `account_getPrograms`     | List all seller programs | 5,000/day  |
| `account_optInToProgram`  | Enroll in a program      | 5,000/day  |
| `account_optOutOfProgram` | Opt out of a program     | 5,000/day  |

### Sales Tax Tools

| Tool Name                         | Description                    | Rate Limit |
| --------------------------------- | ------------------------------ | ---------- |
| `account_getSalesTaxes`           | Get sales tax tables           | 10,000/day |
| `account_createOrReplaceSalesTax` | Set sales tax for jurisdiction | 5,000/day  |
| `account_deleteSalesTax`          | Delete sales tax entry         | 5,000/day  |

## Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Policy Naming Conventions">
    Use descriptive, consistent names for your policies:

    * **Good**: `"30-Day Returns - Free Shipping"`
    * **Bad**: `"Policy 1"`

    This makes it easier to manage policies across multiple listings.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Return Policy Optimization">
    Consider offering:

    * **Longer return periods** (30-60 days) to increase buyer confidence
    * **Free return shipping** for higher-value items
    * **Clear return instructions** in policy descriptions
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Fulfillment Policy Strategy">
    * Offer multiple shipping options (economy, standard, expedited)
    * Set realistic handling times (1-2 business days is ideal)
    * Include free shipping for orders over a threshold
    * Use calculated shipping for large/heavy items
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Rate Limit Management">
    * Cache policy data to reduce API calls
    * Batch policy updates when possible
    * Use webhooks for policy change notifications
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Error Handling

Common errors and solutions:

```javascript theme={null}
try {
  const policy = await mcp.useTool('account_createReturnPolicy', { /* ... */ });
} catch (error) {
  if (error.code === 'INVALID_MARKETPLACE') {
    // Invalid marketplace_id provided
    console.error('Please use a valid marketplace (e.g., EBAY_US)');
  } else if (error.code === 'DUPLICATE_POLICY_NAME') {
    // Policy with this name already exists
    console.error('Policy name must be unique');
  } else if (error.code === 'INVALID_RETURN_PERIOD') {
    // Return period exceeds maximum allowed
    console.error('Return period must be between 14-60 days');
  }
}
```

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Policies Guide" icon="file-contract" href="/api-reference/account/policies">
    Learn about return, payment, and fulfillment policies
  </Card>

  <Card title="Programs Guide" icon="award" href="/api-reference/account/programs">
    Explore eBay seller programs and enrollment
  </Card>

  <Card title="Policy Best Practices" icon="lightbulb" href="/guides/best-practices">
    Optimize your policies for better sales
  </Card>

  <Card title="API Reference" icon="code" href="/api-reference/introduction">
    Complete API tool documentation
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Resources

* [eBay Account API Documentation](https://developer.ebay.com/api-docs/sell/account/overview.html)
* [Policy Management Guide](/guides/best-practices)
* [Rate Limits Reference](/advanced/rate-limits)