> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://ebaymcp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Inventory API Overview > Manage your eBay inventory including items, offers, locations, and product compatibility # Inventory API Overview The Inventory API is the backbone of your eBay selling operations. It provides **80+ tools** to manage inventory items, create offers, publish listings, and handle product variations. ## Core Concepts Products you have available to sell (SKU-based management) Listing configurations (price, quantity, format) for inventory items Physical locations where inventory is stored Specify which vehicles/products your items are compatible with ## Inventory Management Workflow Define products using SKUs: ```javascript theme={null} await mcp.useTool('inventory_createOrReplaceInventoryItem', { sku: 'WIDGET-001', product: { title: 'Premium Widget', aspects: { Brand: ['WidgetCo'], Color: ['Blue'] }, description: 'High-quality widget for all your needs' }, availability: { shipToLocationAvailability: { quantity: 100 } } }); ``` Set pricing and format: ```javascript theme={null} await mcp.useTool('inventory_createOffer', { sku: 'WIDGET-001', marketplace_id: 'EBAY_US', format: 'FIXED_PRICE', listing_duration: 'GTC', pricingSummary: { price: { value: '29.99', currency: 'USD' } }, categoryId: '12345' }); ``` Make offers live on eBay: ```javascript theme={null} await mcp.useTool('inventory_publishOffer', { offer_id: 'offer_id_here' }); ``` ## Available Tools ### Inventory Item Tools (30+) | Tool Name | Description | Common Use | | -------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------- | ---------------------------- | | `inventory_createOrReplaceInventoryItem` | Create/update inventory item | Add new products | | `inventory_getInventoryItem` | Get single inventory item | Check product details | | `inventory_getInventoryItems` | Get all inventory items | Bulk inventory review | | `inventory_deleteInventoryItem` | Delete inventory item | Remove discontinued products | | `inventory_bulkCreateOrReplaceInventoryItem` | Batch create/update | Import product catalog | | `inventory_bulkUpdatePriceQuantity` | Update price/quantity in bulk | Price adjustments | ### Offer Tools (25+) | Tool Name | Description | Common Use | | -------------------------------------------- | ------------------------- | ----------------------- | | `inventory_createOffer` | Create listing offer | List new item | | `inventory_getOffer` | Get offer details | Check listing config | | `inventory_getOffers` | Get all offers | Review all listings | | `inventory_updateOffer` | Modify offer | Update price/quantity | | `inventory_deleteOffer` | Remove offer | Delist item | | `inventory_publishOffer` | Make offer live | Publish listing | | `inventory_publishOfferByInventoryItemGroup` | Publish variation listing | Publish multi-variation | | `inventory_withdrawOffer` | End listing | Remove from eBay | ### Location Tools (10+) | Tool Name | Description | Common Use | | ----------------------------------- | ---------------------- | ------------------------ | | `inventory_createInventoryLocation` | Add warehouse location | Setup fulfillment center | | `inventory_getInventoryLocation` | Get location details | Check location info | | `inventory_getInventoryLocations` | Get all locations | Review warehouses | | `inventory_updateInventoryLocation` | Modify location | Update address/hours | | `inventory_deleteInventoryLocation` | Remove location | Close warehouse | ### Product Compatibility Tools | Tool Name | Description | Common Use | | ----------------------------------------------- | ----------------------- | ------------------------ | | `inventory_createOrReplaceProductCompatibility` | Set compatible products | Auto parts compatibility | | `inventory_getProductCompatibility` | Get compatibility list | View compatible vehicles | | `inventory_deleteProductCompatibility` | Remove compatibility | Update fitment data | ## Quick Start Examples ### Single Item Listing ```javascript theme={null} // Complete flow: item → offer → publish async function listSingleItem() { const sku = 'WIDGET-001'; // 1. Create inventory item await mcp.useTool('inventory_createOrReplaceInventoryItem', { sku, product: { title: 'Premium Blue Widget - Model X', description: 'High-quality widget perfect for home and office use', aspects: { Brand: ['WidgetCo'], Color: ['Blue'], Model: ['X'], Condition: ['New'] }, imageUrls: [ 'https://example.com/widget-front.jpg', 'https://example.com/widget-side.jpg' ] }, condition: 'NEW', availability: { shipToLocationAvailability: { quantity: 50 } } }); // 2. Create offer const offer = await mcp.useTool('inventory_createOffer', { sku, marketplace_id: 'EBAY_US', format: 'FIXED_PRICE', listing_duration: 'GTC', // Good 'Til Cancelled available_quantity: 50, category_id: '1234', // eBay category ID listing_policies: { payment_policy_id: 'payment_policy_id', return_policy_id: 'return_policy_id', fulfillment_policy_id: 'fulfillment_policy_id' }, pricingSummary: { price: { value: '29.99', currency: 'USD' } } }); // 3. Publish offer const listing = await mcp.useTool('inventory_publishOffer', { offer_id: offer.offerId }); console.log(`✅ Listed successfully! Listing ID: ${listing.listingId}`); return listing; } await listSingleItem(); ``` ### Bulk Inventory Upload ```javascript theme={null} // Upload 100+ items efficiently async function bulkUploadInventory(products) { const requests = products.map(product => ({ sku: product.sku, product: { title: product.title, description: product.description, aspects: product.aspects, imageUrls: product.images }, condition: product.condition || 'NEW', availability: { shipToLocationAvailability: { quantity: product.quantity } } })); // Upload in batches of 25 (API limit) const batchSize = 25; const results = []; for (let i = 0; i < requests.length; i += batchSize) { const batch = requests.slice(i, i + batchSize); const response = await mcp.useTool('inventory_bulkCreateOrReplaceInventoryItem', { requests: batch }); results.push(...response.responses); console.log(`Uploaded batch ${i / batchSize + 1} of ${Math.ceil(requests.length / batchSize)}`); } const successful = results.filter(r => r.statusCode === 200).length; console.log(`✅ Successfully uploaded ${successful}/${products.length} items`); return results; } ``` ### Variation Listing (Multiple SKUs) ```javascript theme={null} // Create a variation listing (e.g., T-shirt in multiple sizes/colors) async function createVariationListing() { const baseTitle = 'Premium Cotton T-Shirt'; // 1. Create inventory items for each variation const sizes = ['S', 'M', 'L', 'XL']; const colors = ['Red', 'Blue', 'Green']; const variations = []; for (const size of sizes) { for (const color of colors) { const sku = `TSHIRT-${color.toUpperCase()}-${size}`; await mcp.useTool('inventory_createOrReplaceInventoryItem', { sku, product: { title: `${baseTitle} - ${color} ${size}`, aspects: { Size: [size], Color: [color], Brand: ['YourBrand'] }, imageUrls: [`https://example.com/tshirt-${color.toLowerCase()}.jpg`] }, condition: 'NEW', availability: { shipToLocationAvailability: { quantity: 25 } } }); variations.push({ sku, size, color }); } } // 2. Create inventory item group const group = await mcp.useTool('inventory_createOrReplaceInventoryItemGroup', { inventory_item_group_key: 'TSHIRT-GROUP', title: baseTitle, description: 'Premium quality cotton t-shirt available in multiple sizes and colors', imageUrls: [ 'https://example.com/tshirt-main.jpg', 'https://example.com/tshirt-detail.jpg' ], variesBy: { specifications: [ { name: 'Size', values: sizes }, { name: 'Color', values: colors } ] }, variantSKUs: variations.map(v => v.sku) }); // 3. Create offer for the group const offer = await mcp.useTool('inventory_createOffer', { sku: variations[0].sku, // Use first variation SKU marketplace_id: 'EBAY_US', format: 'FIXED_PRICE', category_id: '15687', // T-shirts category listing_policies: { payment_policy_id: 'payment_policy_id', return_policy_id: 'return_policy_id', fulfillment_policy_id: 'fulfillment_policy_id' }, pricingSummary: { price: { value: '19.99', currency: 'USD' } } }); // 4. Publish variation listing const listing = await mcp.useTool('inventory_publishOfferByInventoryItemGroup', { inventory_item_group_key: 'TSHIRT-GROUP', marketplace_id: 'EBAY_US' }); console.log(`✅ Variation listing published! ${variations.length} variations`); return listing; } ``` ## Best Practices **Use descriptive, consistent SKUs:** * ✅ Good: `TSHIRT-RED-L`, `WIDGET-PRO-001` * ❌ Bad: `SKU1`, `TEMP123` **SKU naming conventions:** ``` [CATEGORY]-[ATTRIBUTE]-[IDENTIFIER] Examples: - SHOE-NIKE-AIR-MAX-10.5 - BOOK-FICTION-THRILLER-001 - ELECTRONICS-PHONE-CASE-IPHONE14 ``` **Benefits:** * Easy inventory tracking * Quick product identification * Simplified reordering * Better reporting **Keep inventory synchronized:** ```javascript theme={null} // Update inventory every hour setInterval(async () => { const updates = await getInventoryFromWarehouse(); await mcp.useTool('inventory_bulkUpdatePriceQuantity', { requests: updates.map(item => ({ sku: item.sku, shipToLocationAvailability: { quantity: item.quantity } })) }); }, 3600000); // Every hour ``` **Prevent overselling:** * Set safety stock levels (reserve 5-10% inventory) * Update quantities immediately after sales * Use inventory management software * Enable out-of-stock control program **Optimize titles for search:** ```javascript theme={null} // ✅ Good title (60 characters, keyword-rich) const title = 'Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max 256GB Unlocked - Deep Purple - NEW'; // ❌ Bad title (vague, no keywords) const badTitle = 'Great Phone for Sale'; ``` **Title structure:** 1. Brand/Manufacturer 2. Model/Product name 3. Key features (size, color, capacity) 4. Condition 5. Unique selling points **Description best practices:** * Use HTML formatting * Include detailed specifications * Add warranty information * List what's included * Use bullet points for readability **Image specifications:** * Minimum 500px on longest side * Recommended: 1600px or larger * White or light background (preferred) * Product fills 85% of frame * Format: JPG, PNG, GIF * Maximum 12 images per listing **Image order importance:** 1. Main product image (white background) 2. Product in use/lifestyle shot 3. Detail shots (features, materials) 4. Size/scale reference 5. Package contents 6. Additional angles ```javascript theme={null} const imageUrls = [ 'https://cdn.example.com/product-main-1600px.jpg', // Main 'https://cdn.example.com/product-lifestyle.jpg', // In use 'https://cdn.example.com/product-detail-closeup.jpg', // Details 'https://cdn.example.com/product-scale.jpg', // Size reference 'https://cdn.example.com/product-package.jpg' // What's included ]; ``` ## Common Workflows ### Daily Inventory Sync ```javascript theme={null} async function syncInventoryDaily() { // 1. Get all eBay inventory const ebayInventory = await mcp.useTool('inventory_getInventoryItems', { limit: 100 }); // 2. Get warehouse inventory const warehouseInventory = await getWarehouseInventory(); // 3. Find discrepancies const updates = []; for (const ebayItem of ebayInventory.inventoryItems) { const warehouseItem = warehouseInventory.find(w => w.sku === ebayItem.sku); if (warehouseItem && warehouseItem.quantity !== ebayItem.availability.shipToLocationAvailability.quantity) { updates.push({ sku: ebayItem.sku, shipToLocationAvailability: { quantity: warehouseItem.quantity } }); } } // 4. Bulk update quantities if (updates.length > 0) { await mcp.useTool('inventory_bulkUpdatePriceQuantity', { requests: updates }); console.log(`✅ Updated ${updates.length} inventory quantities`); } else { console.log('✅ Inventory is in sync'); } } ``` ### Seasonal Price Adjustments ```javascript theme={null} async function seasonalPriceAdjustment(discountPercentage) { // Get all active offers const offers = await mcp.useTool('inventory_getOffers', { limit: 100, marketplace_id: 'EBAY_US' }); const updates = []; for (const offer of offers.offers) { const currentPrice = parseFloat(offer.pricingSummary.price.value); const newPrice = (currentPrice * (1 - discountPercentage / 100)).toFixed(2); updates.push({ offerId: offer.offerId, pricingSummary: { price: { value: newPrice, currency: 'USD' }, // Set original price for strike-through display originalRetailPrice: { value: currentPrice.toFixed(2), currency: 'USD' } } }); } // Update prices in batches for (const update of updates) { await mcp.useTool('inventory_updateOffer', update); } console.log(`✅ Applied ${discountPercentage}% discount to ${updates.length} listings`); } // Apply 20% off for holiday sale await seasonalPriceAdjustment(20); ``` ## Next Steps Detailed inventory item management guide Create and manage eBay offers Setup warehouse and fulfillment locations Step-by-step tutorial for your first listing ## Resources * [eBay Inventory API Documentation](https://developer.ebay.com/api-docs/sell/inventory/overview.html) * [Inventory Management Guide](/features/inventory-management) * [Bulk Operations Guide](/guides/bulk-operations)