MC011 vs MC999 vs VeRO: What's the Difference Between eBay Notice Codes?
eBay uses several different notice codes for different situations — mixing them up leads to the wrong response. Here's how to tell them apart.
Chat on WhatsAppSellers often use "suspended" as a catch-all term for any account limitation, but eBay's notices aren't all the same thing, and mixing them up leads to drafting the wrong kind of response. This guide compares the notice codes and processes sellers most commonly encounter, so you can work out which one you're actually dealing with before responding.
Not sure which notice you've got, or how to respond to it? Message me directly on WhatsApp with what your notice says — I'll help you work out exactly what's being asked and what to do next.
What's the difference between MC011, MC999, and VeRO?
| MC011 | MC999 | VeRO complaint | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it's generally about | Account or listing verification — identity, business registration, or supplier documentation | Account or listing activity flagged for review, trigger varies by account | Intellectual property — a rights holder reporting a listing as infringing |
| Who raises it | eBay's internal account review systems | eBay's internal account review systems | A third-party rights holder (brand, trademark, or copyright owner), via eBay's VeRO programme |
| Typical response needed | Submit the specific documentation requested | Review recent account activity against the notice timing, then respond to what's specifically flagged | Address the specific IP complaint — often requires the listing to be removed, corrected, or contested |
| Where to check the notice | Seller Hub / Messages | Seller Hub / Messages | Seller Hub / Messages, often with rights owner details included |
| Related guide | MC011 suspension guide | MC999 notice: what to check | VeRO complaint response checklist |
This table reflects general patterns, not a fixed or official classification — eBay doesn't publish a precise breakdown of what triggers each code, and any individual notice should be read on its own terms.
Why does it matter which one you've got?
Because the right first step is different for each. An MC011 notice generally means gathering and submitting specific documents. An MC999 notice generally means reviewing recent account activity to work out what's being flagged, since the notice itself is often less specific about the trigger. A VeRO complaint generally means addressing a specific intellectual property claim, which can require a different kind of response entirely — sometimes involving the rights holder directly, not just eBay.
Responding to an MC011-style document request with a VeRO-style explanation (or vice versa) wastes the one clear opportunity most sellers get to respond properly, because it doesn't answer what the specific process is actually checking for.
What about "restricted" vs "suspended"?
These are separate from the notice codes above — they describe the state of the account itself rather than the reason for it. A restriction typically limits specific account functions while leaving the account otherwise active; a suspension is broader. Either state can accompany an MC011, MC999, or VeRO notice. See restricted vs suspended vs indefinitely restricted for a full breakdown.
How to check which notice you've actually got
- Log into Seller Hub directly, rather than relying on an email preview.
- Find the notice under Messages or the account status/restrictions section.
- Read the full text for a specific code (MC011, MC999, or similar) or a specific reference to a VeRO/intellectual property complaint.
- If the notice is genuinely ambiguous about which type it is, treat the ambiguity itself as something to resolve first — a response built on the wrong assumption about the notice type is unlikely to land well.
If you're still not sure what you're looking at, message me on WhatsApp with a screenshot or description of the notice — I'll tell you directly what kind of situation you're dealing with and what the right next step actually is. For the full MC011 process specifically, see the main MC011 guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is MC011 the same as VeRO?
No. VeRO (Verified Rights Owner) complaints relate to intellectual property — a rights holder reporting a listing as infringing a trademark or copyright. MC011 relates to account or listing verification, typically documentation such as identity, business registration, or supplier proof. They come from different processes and need different responses.
Is MC999 more serious than MC011?
Neither code is inherently "more serious" than the other — severity depends on the specific account situation, not the code itself. What differs is the type of review: MC011 is generally document-and-verification focused, while MC999 is generally tied to reviewing recent account or listing activity. Treating them as interchangeable risks responding to the wrong thing.
Can you get MC011 and a VeRO complaint at the same time?
Yes, it's possible to have more than one type of notice or restriction active on an account at once, particularly if there's a broader account review underway. Each needs its own response addressed to what it specifically raises — a single combined reply covering everything at once often misses the specific detail each process is checking for.
How do I know which notice code I actually have?
Check Seller Hub or the Messages section of your account directly, not just an email preview or subject line, and look for the specific code referenced in the notice text. If the notice doesn't clearly state a code, the safest approach is to read the exact wording of what's requested and match it against what each code typically involves, rather than assuming based on how the suspension felt.
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