How to Structure an eBay MC011 Appeal (What to Include)

The content of an MC011 appeal — the documents, the facts — matters most. But structure matters more than most sellers expect, because a notice reviewer is working through a written response, often as one of many, and a clearly organised appeal is easier to act on quickly than a rambling one that buries the relevant facts.

This is a practical structure for an MC011 appeal, built around what the notice itself asks for rather than a generic template. For what to gather before you start writing, see the MC011 document checklist; for the mistakes that most often sink an otherwise solid appeal, see common MC011 appeal mistakes.

Want a second pair of eyes on your draft before you submit it? Message me on WhatsApp — I'll tell you directly whether it addresses what your notice is actually asking for.

What should the opening of an MC011 appeal say?

Open by identifying exactly what you're responding to: the notice code, the date it was received, and a one-line summary of what it requested. This does two things — it confirms immediately that you've read the notice properly, and it gives the reviewer an instant reference point rather than making them search for context.

A working opening line looks something like: "This is a response to the MC011 notice received on [date], requesting [specific documentation named in the notice]." Nothing more elaborate is needed at this stage.

How should the body of the appeal be organised?

Address the notice's points in the order the notice raises them — not the order that feels most natural to explain, and not with the strongest point first for effect. Matching the notice's own structure makes it straightforward for a reviewer to check each item off against what was requested.

For each point:

1. State what was asked. Restate it briefly in your own words, so it's clear you understood the request correctly.
2. State what you're providing. Name the specific document or piece of information attached.
3. Explain the connection, only if it isn't obvious. If a supplier invoice clearly matches the product category in question, no further explanation is needed. If there's a reason a document looks slightly different from what might be expected — a recent supplier change, a legal name change — a single clear sentence explaining it is more useful than leaving the reviewer to guess.

Should the appeal include an explanation of what happened?

Only where the notice specifically raises something that needs explaining — a discrepancy, a recent change, an unusual pattern in account activity. If the notice is a straightforward document request with nothing to explain, a short cover response plus the documents is enough; adding unrequested context or backstory doesn't strengthen a clean document submission and can make the appeal longer than it needs to be.

Where an explanation genuinely is needed, keep it factual: what changed, when, and why — without editorialising about how unfair the situation feels. A reviewer working through documentation is assessing whether the account meets policy requirements, not weighing a personal appeal for sympathy.

How should the appeal close?

Close by confirming what's attached, in a short list, so nothing can be missed on review. A brief final line noting you're available to provide further information if needed is reasonable — a long closing paragraph restating the case again is not, and risks diluting the clarity of what came before it.

A quick example structure

Response to MC011 notice received [date].

The notice requested: [item 1], [item 2].

Attached: [document 1], which shows [what it verifies]. [Document 2], which shows [what it verifies].

[One sentence of explanation, only if genuinely needed.]

Please let me know if any further information is required.

This isn't a script to copy word for word — your actual notice and documentation should shape the specifics — but it's the shape that tends to work: identify, address, provide, close.

If you'd rather have someone experienced review your draft before you send it, or put the whole thing together for you, message me on WhatsApp with what your notice says and I'll give you a direct answer on next steps. For the full appeal process end to end, see the main MC011 guide.