Facebook has established guidelines for users who want to buy and sell products on Facebook. These rules are in place to protect both buyers and sellers and to ensure a safe marketplace environment.
Who can sell on Facebook?
Facebook allows all users to buy and sell products on its platform. You don’t need a business account or page to be able to participate in Facebook commerce. However, having a Facebook Page or Facebook Shop can give your business more visibility and allow you to better showcase your products.
How do I create a shop on Facebook?
To create a Facebook Shop:
- Go to your Facebook Page
- Click “Create Shop” in the left menu
- Choose a shop template and add details like a cover photo, products, andStory information
- Click “Publish Shop” to make your shop live on your Page
You can add products to your Facebook Shop manually or connect it to an existing product catalog you have with a third-party ecommerce platform.
What can I sell on Facebook?
Facebook allows physical products, digital products, and services to be sold through Shops, Marketplace, and ads. However, there are some restrictions on the types of products that can be sold:
- No illegal, prescription, or recreational drugs
- No weapons, ammunition, or explosives
- No live animals
- No sexual content or services
- No tobacco or vaping products
- No products that violate Facebook’s Community Standards
Facebook provides a full list of prohibited content in its Commerce Policies:
| Category | Prohibited Items |
|---|---|
| Drugs and Drug Paraphernalia | Illegal drugs, prescription and recreational drugs, drug paraphernalia |
| Weapons | Guns, ammunition, explosives, knife-making equipment |
| Live Animals | Live animals, animal parts, pelts |
| Sexual Content | Pornography, prostitution services, sexual enhancement products |
| Tobacco Products | Cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaping products, hookahs |
Do I need a business account to sell?
No, you do not need a Facebook business account to buy or sell products through Facebook. Both personal profiles and business pages can use Marketplace, shops, and ads to facilitate transactions.
However, setting up a Facebook business page or account can provide some advantages:
- Allows you to easily separate your personal and business presences on Facebook
- Gives you access to Facebook business tools like analytics and advertising
- Custom business profiles give your brand an official presence on Facebook
- Provides customers with information about your business
How do taxes and fees work for sellers?
If you are selling physical products on Facebook, you may need to calculate, collect, and remit sales tax depending on where you and your customers are located. Sellers are responsible for following all applicable tax laws.
Facebook does not directly collect sales tax on transactions, but may issue tax forms like a 1099-K if you meet reporting thresholds. Check your country’s specific tax policies for more information.
For selling digital products and services on Facebook, you may need to pay income tax on any revenue generated. Be sure to maintain records of your sales and expenses for tax reporting purposes.
Are there fees for selling on Facebook?
Facebook does not charge any fees or commissions for products sold through Shops or peer-to-peer on Marketplace. However, if you choose to boost posts or run ads promoting your items, you will pay applicable Facebook advertising fees.
These are some potential fees for selling on Facebook:
- Advertising and boosted posts – Pay per click or impression
- Payment processing – Facebook Payments charges a fee per transaction
- Shipping – You pay your chosen carrier’s fees
Can I use Facebook Pay for transactions?
Yes, Facebook Pay is available for Facebook sellers as a payment processing option. Sellers can accept debit/credit cards, bank transfers, and PayPal via Facebook Pay.
Benefits of Facebook Pay include:
- Seamless checkout for customers who already have payment info on file with Facebook
- Accept payments across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp
- Funds deposited directly into your bank account
- Buyer and seller protection against fraud
Facebook Pay charges a processing fee per transaction – rates vary by country and method. Alternatives like PayPal, Stripe, and Square may offer lower fees.
How do I ship items sold on Facebook?
As a seller, you are responsible for arranging shipment of any physical products sold through Facebook. Sellers have a few options for fulfillment and shipping:
- Ship products yourself using a carrier like USPS, FedEx, or UPS
- Use a third-party logistics provider to handle shipping for you
- Offer local pickup for buyers in your area
Be sure to communicate expected shipping times and policies clearly to buyers. Facebook recommends turning shipping confirmations on so buyers can track their packages.
Can I advertise my products for sale?
Yes, you can create ads on Facebook to promote products for sale in your Facebook Shop or Marketplace listings. Options include:
- Boosted Shop posts – Promote your Shop to more News Feeds
- Catalog sales ads – Dynamic ads for promoting products
- Marketplace ads – Pay to increase visibility of Marketplace listings
When setting up Facebook ads, you can target by location, demographics, interests, and more to reach your ideal buyers. Facebook offers $100 in free ad credits to new advertisers.
How do I manage communication with buyers?
Messaging is key for connecting with potential buyers, answering questions, negotiating transactions, and coordinating exchanges. Sellers have a few options for messaging with buyers:
- Facebook and Instagram direct messaging – Built-in messaging with customers
- Facebook Messenger – Designed specifically for business-to-consumer communication
- WhatsApp – Useful for international transactions and communications
Be sure to respond to messages promptly and professionally. Save important transaction details like shipping and payment confirmation in message histories.
What policies apply to Marketplace transactions?
Facebook Marketplace transactions between buyers and sellers are subject to Facebook’s Commerce Policies and Community Standards. Relevant policies include:
- Requiring transactions occur on Facebook platforms, not externally
- Prohibiting fee avoidance for off-platform transactions
- Mandating honest representations of products/services
- Banning branded or business purchases from personal accounts
Facebook also prohibits coordinated inauthentic behavior and spamming other users with links or messages. Failure to comply can result in enforcement action.
How does Facebook handle disputes and fraud?
Facebook provides tools for resolving disputes between buyers and sellers as well as reporting potential scams or fraud.
Buyers or sellers can report concerns through the Report option on posts, profiles, messages, or transactions. The Facebook team will investigate and take action if policies were violated.
In some cases for commerce transactions, Facebook may withhold funds until any issues are resolved. Make sure to only communicate and transact on the platform itself to be eligible for fraud coverage and dispute resolution.
Can my Facebook account be disabled for violations?
Yes, Facebook may disable accounts either temporarily or permanently if serious or repeated violations of its commerce policies occur. Examples include:
- Selling prohibited or illegal products multiple times
- Deliberate misrepresentation of products or services
- Scamming or defrauding buyers
- Violating terms around branded content or business purchases
- Spamming or harassing potential buyers in messages
Facebook disables accounts to protect the integrity of their platforms and communities. Sellers should take care to understand all applicable rules.
Can I sell on Instagram or WhatsApp?
In addition to Facebook itself, sellers can leverage other platforms owned by Facebook to reach buyers. Options include:
- Instagram Shops – Native shopping experience within the app
- Instagram ads – Promote products through Instagram’s advertising platform
- Instagram checkout – Allows purchases directly within the app
- Instagram shopping tags – Lets you tag and sell products shown in posts
- WhatsApp messaging – Communicate with buyers via messaging
- WhatsApp product catalogs – Showcase your products right within chats
- WhatsApp checkout – Currently being developed for in-app purchases
The same Commerce Policies and restrictions apply across Facebook’s family of apps. Use these various platforms to access more potential buyers.
Conclusion
Facebook provides versatile tools for individuals and businesses to buy and sell products while also maintaining a safe, trusted environment. By Understanding Facebook’s commerce policies, leveraging available features across Facebook’s apps, and effectively communicating with buyers, sellers can thrive on the world’s largest social platform.