Glossary

Glossary

In our glossary, you can find definitions for concepts we use in our Terms of Use and policies. We update this list regularly to make sure it’s always relevant. 


If there’s a concept you don’t understand and you can’t find it in our glossary, you can check our help centre


If there’s a conflict between the English version of our glossary and another language version, the English version prevails.

Your Catawiki account.

An object matches the description, details, photos, documents, and other materials the seller shared.

Additional services that fall outside of the usual services we offer. For example shipping services or appraisal services.

Catawiki’s application program interfaces, including mobile, tablet, and other smart device applications.

The non-refundable fee we charge our buyers at checkout for the services we provide.

A binding offer made by a bidder to purchase an object in an online auction for a specified amount.

A person that places a bid on an object on our online marketplace.

For some objects, we reserve an amount on a bidder’s credit card when they place a bid. 


If they are the highest bidder at the end of the auction, they’ll need to pay any outstanding amount. If they aren’t the highest bidder, we’ll release the reservation back to them.

A person who has bought an object on our online marketplace.

The part of our Terms of Use that specifies the rights and obligations of all of our bidders and buyers.

A unique number a seller registers with in the country where they do business. This number helps to track packaging waste to promote sustainable packaging practices.

The contract a buyer and seller enter into at the end of an online auction or when an offer to buy is accepted. The contract of sale determines the rights and obligations of buyers and sellers.

A person who has purchased an object on our online marketplace for purposes outside of their trade, business, craft, or profession.

We can be considered a deemed supplier. This means that, for tax purposes, we are treated as if we are the actual supplier of the goods.

A sale between a professional seller and a buyer on Catawiki that, for tax purposes, is treated as two separate transactions: the seller selling a special object to Catawiki and Catawiki selling the object to the buyer.

When someone doesn’t fulfil their obligations under the contract of sale or violates our Terms of Use, they are in default. This can have a number of consequences, including us or the other party claiming damages from the defaulting party. 


Sometimes a notice of default is required before someone can be classified as in default.

In-house experts who virtually review and select the objects you see on Catawiki. Our experts have special expertise related to the objects they review.

The highest bid when an online auction ends.

A comprehensive privacy law that regulates how personal data of EU citizens can be collected, used, and processed by organisations.

The general part of our Terms of Use which specifies the rights and obligations of all users (bidders, buyers, and sellers).

A space on the website and app where you can find the answers to common questions about Catawiki.

The bidder who has the highest bid when an auction ends. The highest bidder then becomes the buyer of the object if their bid meets the reserve price.

Intellectual property rights are rights such as patents, copyrights, trademarks, and database rights. They cover texts, images, design, photos, videos, software, audiovisual material, and more. Intellectual property rights can belong to us, you, or third parties.

Bidders can set a max bid, which is the highest they’re willing to bid for an object. 


We’ll bid on their behalf in the smallest possible increments to keep them on top, so they don’t need to monitor the auction. We never go over the maximum they set.

A message in writing a user or Catawiki can share to inform another user that they are (at risk of being) in default. 


This message will sometimes include a reasonable deadline for the user to fulfil their obligations. If they don’t meet this deadline, they’re in default.

Items offered for sale on Catawiki’s online marketplace.

The description of an object as provided by our sellers and displayed on the object page.

The page on our website or app which displays the object for sale. This page includes a description and details about the object, photos, sometimes videos, and other important info.

The online automated auctions that take place on our online marketplace.

Catawiki is an online marketplace. This means we’re a platform where sellers can submit and sell their special objects and where buyers can buy these special objects.

An object or group of objects that have been paid for.

An object that’s been packed in packing material, like bubble wrap and a box.

The third parties that help keep your money safe and provide other payment services to you when you use Catawiki.

The services provided by our payment providers, such as processing your payment and keeping your money safe until each sale is successfully concluded.

Any info that can be used to identify an individual directly or indirectly. This includes name, email address, postal address, user ID, and cookies.

Additional terms and rules that help keep our marketplace safe. Our policies are part of our Terms of Use and all users need to abide by them.

A person selling on Catawiki for purposes outside of their trade, business, craft, or profession. They’ll have a ‘private’ icon next to their username on the object page. 


Consumer rights don’t apply when you buy from private sellers.

A person or company selling on Catawiki for purposes relating to their trade, business, craft, or profession. They’ll have a ‘pro’ icon next to their username on the object page. 


Consumer rights might apply if you buy from professional sellers.

The amount an object sells for, excluding extra costs like shipping or import fees.

Separate accounts used by the same user or related to the account of a user in some way.

The amount you might have to pay to an artist (or their heirs) for the purchase of their work of art on our online marketplace. Also known as ‘droit de suite’.

The minimum amount that the seller will accept for the sale of their object. Adding a reserve price is optional. You can see if an object has a reserve price on the object page.

A person who uses our online marketplace to submit or sell objects.

The non-refundable fee we charge our sellers for the services we provide. This fee is deducted from the payment to the seller.

The part of our Terms of Use that specifies the rights and obligations of our sellers.

The services we or our third-party service providers offer. This includes access to our website and apps and any functionalities and ancillary services associated with using our website or apps.

Smart shipping is an ancillary service we offer to sellers for some of the objects they sell. It makes shipping easier and lowers shipping costs by up to 35%.

The minimum amount needed for a bidder to place the first bid on an object.

The legal concept where if a certain deadline indicated by law or contract is not met by a user, it has direct legal consequences. It’s also known as the statute of limitations.

If a user is obligated to pay us or another user but fails to do so, we or the other user can charge interest on the late payment. This interest is known as statutory interest.

Our submission guidelines guide sellers on what objects our experts usually accept and on the best way to present them. It’s important to follow the submission guidelines as they are part of our Terms of Use.

A number used by national tax authorities to identify a company or individual for tax purposes, including VAT.

The terms and rules that govern your use of our online marketplace including our General Terms, Buyer Terms, Seller Terms, submission guidelines, and policies.

Other companies not affiliated to Catawiki that offer additional services. For example we use a third-party payment provider to keep your payments safe and we sometimes recommend shipping companies to you.

The tracking code a shipping company gives a particular package. You can use this code to follow your package while it's being shipped. 


We use this code to send you updates and to know when the package has arrived and the seller can be paid.

Any person using our online marketplace, including visitors, bidders, buyers, and sellers.

A number we use to identify users in our databases and systems.

Materials users upload when using our online marketplace. This includes descriptions of objects, photographs, videos, audiovisual material, certifications of authenticity, reports, specifications, opinions, messages, offers, and announcements.

Catawiki’s website, including any subpages and subdomains of the website.

Notes example