topic Re: Barometers in Seller Central

Barometers

snowonmyhead — Mon, 18 May 2026 09:53:17 GMT

I dont understand why my barometers keep being removed? There are dozens of mercury barometers listed so I'm wondering how they are allowed and mine aren't? Additionally, I have employed couriers who are certified to move hazardous materials If indeed a barometer is hazardous.

Please advise ?

Re: Barometers

1956glyn — Mon, 18 May 2026 09:58:36 GMT

This is what our friend Google says.......

Yes, you can sell a barometer on eBay UK, provided it is an aneroid barometer (which uses mechanical parts, not liquid). Due to strict hazardous materials policies, eBay strictly prohibits the sale of any item containing liquid

looks like you will have to sell it elsewhere 😞 Do not keep relisting it and having it removed. Doing this can/will result in Ebay either temporarily or permanently banning you from selling on the site.

If others like yours are listed.......probably because as yet Ebay have not noticed and/or they have not been reported.

Re: Barometers

therenewalworkshopltd — Mon, 18 May 2026 10:02:26 GMT

It doesn't matter whether there are others selling the same item on Ebay.

If they contain Mercury, then you are not allowed to sell them.
It's as simple as that.

If you keep attempting to do so, then you will likely find yourself with restrictions on your account.

I also have a sneaking suspicion that you should be using a business account.
That's an awful lot of stuff professionally photographed to be getting rid of.

Re: Barometers

1956glyn — Mon, 18 May 2026 10:09:39 GMT

Just to add from their feedback....they sold a barometer 6 months ago that arrived smashed with mercury everywhere !

Re: Barometers

fribblecollectables — Mon, 18 May 2026 10:41:27 GMT

If its a nice piece, sticking it into a local auction house will get rid of it without worrying about posting it.

You can stick a reserve on it to protect it selling too low, which occasionally happens.

Then when its sold, its gone and its not getting in your way.

I guess you are getting rid of bits and bobs you either have knocking around your house or have possibly inherited stuff etc. So sometimes better gone than having stuff hanging around.

Re: Barometers

*vyolla* — Mon, 18 May 2026 10:42:26 GMT

I can't believe that Parcel Force accepted to ship that barometer (the one that that arrived broken and any others) when they were told that it contained mercury.

That kind of mercury is hazardous.

Re: Barometers

therenewalworkshopltd — Mon, 18 May 2026 10:44:27 GMT

It's hardly surprising really.

How would parcelforce even know that it contained mercury?
You agree not to send anything on the blacklist whenever you send, you don't actually have to tell them exactly what is inside the box. And even on the occasions you do, how are they supposed to differentiate between one with and without mercury?

Re: Barometers

1956glyn — Mon, 18 May 2026 11:03:35 GMT

Well our local post offices are strict and ask whats in nearly everything. If we respond just saying "nothing thats on the prohibited list" that does not suffice and they wont take the item until we are more specific.

Their first question is......is there anything hazardous or could cause injury.

Re: Barometers

therenewalworkshopltd — Mon, 18 May 2026 11:41:54 GMT

And you honestly think that if you just said something else, they won't believe you?

Or are they going to open up the parcel to check it?

Frankly however, it's none of their business as they are just a collection point and nothing more at the end of the day. The post office is not part of Royal Mail.

And not every item is sent through the post office anyway. I would imagine that if a large/heavy item, it would have a collection arranged and I have never known the posties to even question it.

it's scan and put in the van.

Re: Barometers

*vyolla* — Mon, 18 May 2026 12:37:02 GMT

As it contains a substance that can cause permanent damage to anyone who comes in contact with it if it breaks and the mercury escapes and the OP has stated in their opening post "I have employed couriers who are certified to move hazardous materials " then I'm assuming that the OP is telling them.

I'm saying that I'm surprised that Parcelforce accept it, I wouldn't have thought that they would.

Key Dangers of Mercury:

Elemental/Metallic Mercury (e.g., in broken thermometers): The main risk is inhaling vapour, which can cause cough, chest pain, tremors, headaches, and permanent brain or lung damage.

Re: Barometers

4_bathrooms — Mon, 18 May 2026 12:55:19 GMT

@*vyolla* wrote:

I'm saying that I'm surprised that Parcelforce accept it, I wouldn't have thought that they would.

Key Dangers of Mercury:
Elemental/Metallic Mercury (e.g., in broken thermometers): The main risk is inhaling vapour, which can cause cough, chest pain, tremors, headaches, and permanent brain or lung damage.

Parcelforce wouldn't knowingly accept such an item from a personal customer. Parcelforce employ Royal Mail's prohibited and restricted items list which states the following is prohibited both domestically and internationally:

"Poisons, toxic liquids, solids and gases (including substances that are liable to cause death or injury if swallowed or inhaled or by skin contact, including arsenic, cyanide, fluorine, rat poison)"

eBay states the following is prohibited in their hazardous materials policy:

"Hazardous materials banned by a selected delivery provider (Sellers should check with them before listing an item)"

Some carriers do permit certain hazardous materials to be sent in small quantities via prior agreement for account customers in order to satisfy ADR requirements. However, account customers aren't going to be private sellers. A business seller with such a carrier agreement in place could technically send a mercury barometer/thermometer without falling foul of eBay's policy but I can't see how this would be possible for a private seller.

Re: Barometers

insidethe93 — Mon, 18 May 2026 13:29:02 GMT

@snowonmyhead wrote "...If indeed a barometer is hazardous."

I can't recall much about my old barometer (see below) but you can, as I've just done, both google and also asked a search-AI: "why is mercury in an old barometer potentially hazardous? - is it now covered by law?" Answers are Yes and Yes, with details given as to why mercury in barometers is potentially very hazardous, and the legislation/regulations that deal with it.

see also and first: @1956glyn message #2 and @therenewalworkshopltd message #3.

Depends of course what kind of barometer. A decade ago I inherited a barometer my grandfather, a hobbyist collector of nice old things plus antiques, had acquired c.1910, so obviously mercury/potentially hazardous. You can consult experts to get an item's valuation, age, maker, market interest e.g. auction house, museum curator/university departments with horology/science-instrument collections, pro horologists/restorers (condition, mechanism type, conservation advice), accredited valuers e.g. Society of Fine Art Auctioneers, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

A sister (who was looking after it) started enquiries with the local museum in the town where my deceased relative had lived and was referred on to one or two of the above experts. She was advised not to hang it so someone could see it through a window from outside, nor where visiting strangers would see it. She was also warned that no ordinary courier would handle it / be allowed to handle it. She was given advice on how to transport it if doing DIY delivery (I don't think the 2026 legislative/regulatory update would now hardly allow DIY delivery). My sister had her hubby drive it and themselves 300 miles to its new home, with the well-packaged barometer kept upright between her knees throughout.

Summary: get an old barometer checked by an expert and be prepared for legal regulations, and that no ordinary courier would transport it or isn't allowed to.

Re: Barometers

therenewalworkshopltd — Mon, 18 May 2026 13:28:08 GMT

Parcelforce don't.

But my comments still stand. People lie!