Banned & restricted items

You may only sell items in your possession that you are legally entitled to sell.

Banned Items
Below is a list of items which you are not allowed to sell on Trade Me:


Restricted Items
Below is a list of items that you can sell but are restricted on Trade Me:


Note: This list of banned and restricted items is not exhaustive, and is intended only as a guide.  Trade Me reserves the right to determine what items are or are not allowed to be listed on our site at any time.  We may remove items that are not listed below if we decide that they are offensive, in breach of our terms and conditions, or are in any other way a risk that we're not prepared to take.  This list is subject to change without notice.

Adult items
Adult rated items (magazines, DVDs, etc) must be listed in the appropriate adult category. Adult novelty and erotic clothing must be listed in the Novelty & adult category.

You may not use explicit language or descriptions. Photos, where permitted, should be of the item only. Use of props or accessories is not permitted. Trade Me will remove any image it deems offensive.

Agricultural compounds
You must ensure that any agricultural compound complies with the requirements of the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Act. For further information visit the Ministry for Primary Industries website or phone their Approvals and ACVM Group on 04 463 2550.

Airguns (BB and paintball guns)
People over the age of 18 do not need a firearms licence to own an airgun. However those aged 16 and 17 years who wish to own an airgun must hold a firearms licence.

Those trading air guns face to face should ensure that they sight the firearms licence or proof of age of the person they are trading with.

You may only list air guns that are already in New Zealand. Overseas members may not list firearms on the site.

Alcohol
The Sale of liquor Act 1989 states that the sale of liquor to the public or any member of the public requires a licence. Unless you have registered as a wine seller with Trade Me (read more), you may not list alcohol of any nature on the site.

Animals
You may not list any endangered species, protected wildlife, sports fish, game or unwanted animals (e.g. ferrets). If in doubt contact the Department of Conservation.

You may not list snails, whales, sharks, dolphins, seals, sea lions or indigenous birds (or parts thereof). If you want to list fish, including shellfish (or parts thereof) contact the Ministry of Fisheries for more information.

You must comply with the National Animal Identification & Tracing Scheme. Cattle and deer are required to be tagged prior to being listed for sale.

Also see our section below on listing pets and domestic animals. The Ministry of Primary Industries has provided some more information in this blog post about what to consider when buying or selling animals on Trade Me.

Animal traps
You may not list hard-jawed leg-hold animal traps.

Bike helmets
You may only list a bike helmet if it is certified to a standard approved by Land Transport New Zealand. Your helmet should have a sticker inside it stating which standard it complies with. For more information please see this Land Transport site.

Businesses for sale
All businesses listed on Trade Me must be sold as a going concern. You can not sell or promote new franchises or opportunities.

Carbon credits
You may only list certified credits that are registered with a carbon credits registry such as Markit Environmental Registry or the NZ Emission Unit Register.

Chainsaws
You may only list a chainsaw if it has a chain brake. For more information about chain brakes and their ISO 6535:2008 requirements, visit the Ministry of Consumer Affairs website.

CCTV footage
To ensure compliance with the Privacy Act 1993, you may not list CCTV footage on Trade Me.

Child restraints
Child restraints must meet approved standards and be less than 10 years old. Child restraints certified for use in New Zealand will show an 'S' mark (New Zealand Standard NZS 1754), or a tick mark (Australian Standard AS 1754), or an 'E' mark (European Standard ECE 44).

Read more about child restraints.

Cigarette or nicotine replacements
You may not list cigarette or nicotine replacements, including e-cigarettes or products intended for use as a nicotine replacement.

Copyright and other intellectual property rights
You must not list any item which infringes anyone else's copyright or other intellectual property rights. As a seller it is your responsibility to ensure the items you list and the content of your listing are not in breach of any intellectual property rights.

Read our Intellectual Property Rights Guide, or learn more about copyright law.

Courier tickets
You may not list courier tickets for sale on Trade Me. 

Digital media
You may not list digital media (such as photos, software programs, audio files including music, or digital videos) on Trade Me unless expressly allowed in the list below.  

You may only list genuine software installation keys (or similar) that have been legitimately acquired and that you have the right to sell.

You may not list any digital storage device (like hard drives, flash drives, CDs or DVDs) containing digital media if the digital media on the device would not otherwise be allowed to be listed on Trade Me.  

Listing the following items is permitted:

  • eBooks - but only where the content of the eBook is entirely your own original work for which you are the sole copyright holder.  You may not list others' work, or adaptations or collections of others' work, even if you have distribution or other rights to do so.  
  • Software programs - but only where the software being listed is stored on the original discs or where the software is Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) software listed together with a computer for which it is licensed.

Event tickets
You may not list tickets to events which are subject to the Major Events Management Act 2007. For more information please see this Ministry of Economic Development site about major events.

Electrical items
All electrical items listed must be safe. Some items require a supplier declaration of compliance (SDOC) before they can be sold; other items considered higher risk also require safety approval or certification.

For more information on electrical items, visit the Energy Safety website and check out their guide to supplying safe electrical products.

Electrical items with foreign plugs may not be listed.  See the Foreign plugs section for more information.

Firearms and ammunition
You may only list "A" category firearms, in sporting configuration, as defined by the Arms Act 1983. Large capacity magazines (i.e. more than 15 cartridges for .22 rimfire, or more than 7 cartridges for others) may not be sold for use with Military Style Semi-Automatic firearms (MSSAs), or which when affixed to a firearm classify it as an MSSA.  

Additionally, Trade Me reserves the right to restrict the sale of “A” category firearms which may easily be confused with “E” category firearms. You may not list any semi-automatic firearms with a free-standing pistol grip (regardless of whether the pistol grip is a military patterned grip).

Sellers must sight the firearms licence of the buyer, or for remote sales sellers must receive written confirmation signed by Police confirming the buyer holds a valid firearm's licence. Forms are available at any police station.

Firearms must already be in New Zealand. Overseas members may not buy or sell firearms on the site.

Only one firearm may be advertised per listing.

You may not list reloaded ammunition.

Fireworks
You may not list fireworks for sale on the site.

Flights
You may not list any kind of flight ticket or airfare for sale on Trade Me (even if the ticket is transferable) unless you are the originating airline or a travel agent. 

Foreign plugs
In order to comply with New Zealand laws, items with foreign plugs may not be listed. This applies to items that require an adaptor to connect to a New Zealand socket.

For more information on plugs, visit the Ministry of Economic Development's Energy Safety website and check out their guide to supplying safe electrical products.

Food
All food listed on the site must be produced in a registered premises or under an approved food safety programme or registered risk management programme. It must also comply with food labelling and standards requirements.

Visit the New Zealand Food Safety Authority website for further information or contact your local council.

Frequent flyer points
You may not list frequent flyer points on the site. Most frequent flyer reward schemes do not allow the transfer of points.  

Gas appliances
All new and second-hand gas appliances must be safe, and need to have been declared safe under the Gas (Safety and Measurement) Regulations 2010 before they can be listed.

For more information, visit the Energy Safety website and check out their guide to supplying safe gas products.

Gang paraphernalia/memorabilia
You may not list gang-related paraphernalia or memorabilia on the site. Trade Me reserves the right to determine (in our sole discretion) what is considered to be gang-related.

Hang gliders and paragliders
Gliders must have a new Warrant of Fitness before they are listed. WOF's can only be issued by the New Zealand Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association.

Human bodies or body parts
You may not list a human body or body parts on the site. This includes such items as sperm, eggs, excrement, and bone.

Items subject to product safety standards
The following items must comply with all applicable product safety standards before you list them on the site:

  • Baby walkers
  • Children's nightwear
  • Children's toys
  • Cigarette lighters
  • Cots
  • Pedal bicycles

Read more about product safety standards.

Kwila and merbau
You may only list new kwila or merbau products that are certified by one of two accreditation bodies: the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) or the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

We may ask for proof of these certifications if you wish to list new kwila or merbau products. For more information, visit our Help page.

Ladders

You may only list new ladders that comply with safety standard AS/NZS 1892.1:1996.

Lottery and raffle tickets
You may not list lottery or raffle tickets for sale.

Made to order items
You may list items that are 'made to order' only in the following circumstances:

  • The goods will be shipped within one week of the auction's close.
  • The auction is for a specific item, where the winning bidder may choose one simple thing such as colour or size.
  • The winning bidder does not have to supply additional information, such as a photo, in order for the item to be made.

Magnetic and smart card readers
You may not list magnetic / smart card readers or writers, or blank cards that can be used with these devices.

Medical devices
If listing a medical device (excluding first aid kits) you must state in the listing "Consult a medical professional first and follow the instructions." Medical devices include but aren't limited to: insulin pumps, infusion pumps, enteral feeding devices, CPAP machines, ventilators and apnoea alarms.

Medicines and supplements
You may not list medicines or supplements for human use.  

Menacing dogs
You may not list the following dog breeds:

  • American Pit Bull Terrier
  • Brazilian Fila
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Presa Canario

Movies and games
You may only list classifiable movies and games for sale if they carry the correct New Zealand classification sticker. When listing such items, you must include the New Zealand classification rating and all information on the classification label.

The listing of such publications is covered by the Films, Videos and Publications Classification Act 1993.

For more information visit the Office of Film and Literature Classification website.

Needles and syringes
The Health (Needles and Syringes) Regulations 1998 state that only approved professionals such as Pharmacists may sell needles or syringes. Unless you are approved under the regulations you may not list needles or syringes on the site.

Nazi memorabilia
You may not list Nazi memorabilia for sale on the site. It is at Trade Me's discretion what is considered to be Nazi memorabilia.

We generally allow the sale of German coins and postage stamps and educational books about WWII or Nazi Germany.

Offensive weapons

You may not list weapons intended for attack purposes, including (without limitation):

  • Knives, or weapons incorporating blades which are designed to be thrown such as throwing knives, ninja stars, or throwing axes.
  • Knives with a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device in or attached to the handle of the knife, commonly known as flick knives or switchblades.
  • Knives with a blade that is released from the handle or sheath by the force of gravity or the application of centrifugal force, commonly known as butterfly or gravity knives. 
  • Any knife or blade which is designed to give the appearance of another article such as sword sticks.
  • Any knife which is intended to be easily concealed.
  • Any knife with a blade less then 10cm in length, which has a double edged blade that is designed for stabbing (as opposed to cutting).
  • Knuckle dusters, nun chucks, mace/morning star/flail, axes (designed/advertised as weapons) hooks, and spikes.
  • Side handled/ASP/extensible batons, pepper/OC spray. stun guns or tasers.
  • Any weapon, the possession of which would constitute a criminal offence under current New Zealand legislation.

Trade Me reserves the right to remove any listing which it deems to be for an offensive weapon.

Paint colours
If you're listing paints which are "tinted to" or "similar to" the colours of certain brands, you may not refer to those brands.

Pets and animals
Dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, horses, donkeys and ponies may not be auctioned. These animals must be listed in their correct category as a classified ad, so the seller won't be obliged to sell the animal to an unsuitable home.

We have banned the listing of some breeds of dogs on the site.

Puppies, kittens and rabbits may be listed but must be at least eight weeks old before they are rehomed, except where the mother has abandoned or is otherwise unable to nourish her offspring.

Unborn animals may not be listed.

The Ministry of Primary Industries has provided some more information in this blog postabout what to consider when buying or selling animals on Trade Me.

Plants
You may not list plants that are on The National Pest Plant Accord, which can be found at Protect New Zealand.

Protected New Zealand objects
Under the Protected Objects Act 1975 (previously the Antiquities Act), it is an offence to sell taonga tuturu (Maori cultural objects) to people other than registered collectors, public museums and licensed dealers. The Act also regulates the export of protected New Zealand objects and you must obtain permission from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage to export such objects. Find out more.

Radio transmitters or transceivers
All radio transmitters or transceivers listed for sale must comply with New Zealand licensing and compliance regulations. Check your compliance requirements and licensing requirements.

For further queries please contact Radio Spectrum Management on 0508 RSM INFO.

Recreational drugs
You may not list recreational drugs (herbal or chemical) or related equipment on the site. This includes such items as dance pills and NOS canisters, and items used in the cultivation of cannabis.

Services
You may only list services on the site in the Services Category.

Software that interfaces with the Trade Me website
You may not list software that technically interfaces with the Trade Me website. This includes but is not limited to things such as auto-relisters.

Spray paint cans
You may not list spray paint cans on the site.

Tobacco
You may not list tobacco on the site. The advertisement and sale of tobacco based products contravenes the SmokeFree Environment Act of 1990.

Underwear or undergarments
Used or second hand underwear may be sold on the site. However, it must be washed thoroughly.

Uniforms for NZ Emergency services
You may not list uniforms or accessories for New Zealand 111 Emergency services. This includes police, fire and ambulance uniforms.

VCDs
You may not list VCDs for sale on the site. 

Veterinary medicines
You cannot list Prescription Animal Remedies (PAR) or veterinary only medicines.

Wholesale lists
You may not list wholesale lists or place listings that are used to solely promote the purchase of items through other channels.

If you are unsure of whether or not you are allowed to list an item please contact us.

 

Want further assistance?

  • Call us on 0900 87233Available 24/7. Calls cost $1.99 + GST per minute.
  • Email us your questionWe aim to respond within 12 hours.
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