Facebook Marketplace has become a popular platform for buying and selling new and used items locally. However, Facebook does prohibit certain items from being sold on Marketplace. Understanding these prohibited items can help sellers avoid policy violations.
Why does Facebook prohibit certain items?
Facebook aims to keep Marketplace a safe and trusted community. Prohibited items typically fall into a few key categories:
- Illegal or dangerous items
- Regulated goods requiring special permissions
- Misleading or deceptive products
- Other goods violating Facebook’s commerce policies
Restricting these types of listings helps protect both buyers and sellers using Marketplace. It also allows Facebook to comply with various laws and regulations around online commerce.
Illegal and Dangerous Items
Facebook understandably prohibits the sale of any product or service illegal under applicable laws. This includes:
- Illegal drugs
- Drug paraphernalia
- Weapons including firearms, ammunition, explosives, and knives
- Products made from endangered species
- Unsafe health products
- Tobacco and e-cigarette products
Attempting to sell these types of clearly illegal and dangerous goods on Facebook Marketplace would be a policy violation. Facebook also reserves the right to report illegal activity to relevant authorities.
Heavily Regulated Goods
Certain goods require special licenses, permits, or other authorizations for sale. Examples include:
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Firearms
- Ammunition
- Adult products
- Pharmaceuticals
- Vehicles
- Financial or money services
- Live animals
Facebook requires proof of any necessary permissions before allowing the sale of such regulated products on Marketplace. Selling them without proper documentation would violate Facebook’s commerce policies.
Deceptive Listings
Facebook aims to keep Marketplace transparent for all users. Therefore, the following types of deceptive or misleading listings are prohibited:
- Counterfeit or replica products
- Products that make false or misleading claims
- Bait-and-switch tactics
- Invalid coupons or gift cards
- Selling engagement services such as likes or followers
Facebook may remove such listings and penalize sellers if they repeatedly attempt to mislead Marketplace buyers.
Other Prohibited Goods
Facebook maintains several other commerce policies restricting specific products on Marketplace:
- Prescription medications – Cannot be sold without proof of valid prescription
- Multilevel marketing products – Prohibited except for certain approved brands’ listings
- Real money gambling – No gambling services or betting allowed
- Dropshipping – Items must be verifiably in seller’s possession
Attempting to sell any of the above would be grounds for removing a listing or banning the seller’s account. Check Facebook’s commerce policies for details on these and other product restrictions.
Prohibition of Services Requiring In-Person Contact
Facebook aims to protect user safety on Marketplace. Therefore, listings offering services that would require in-person contact between buyers and sellers are not allowed. This includes listings for:
- Massage services
- Dating or escort services
- Personal training services
- Beauty services
- Healthcare services
- Childcare services
- Home cleaning services
- Pet sitting or dog walking services
Facebook prohibits these and any other services requiring direct buyer-seller interaction. Virtual services not requiring physical contact may be permitted.
Copyright and Trademark Violations
Facebook respects intellectual property rights and prohibits the unauthorized sale of copyrighted and trademarked goods. Restricted products include:
- Counterfeit brand-name items
- Pirated movies, music, books, or games
- Software or apps violating licensing terms
- Listings using copyrighted images or text without permission
Facebook may remove such listings and disable accounts per its repeat intellectual property rights violator policy.
Other Prohibited Content
Beyond illegal goods themselves, Facebook maintains rules around related content in Marketplace listings:
- No images showing drug usage, violence, nudity, or other graphic content
- No mentioning prohibited goods in listing titles, descriptions, images, or messages
- No including external links redirecting users to prohibited goods
Listings containing such prohibited content directly or indirectly are subject to removal by Facebook.
Prohibited Services Table
Here is a table summarizing services not allowed for sale on Facebook Marketplace:
| Service Category | Examples of Prohibited Listings |
|---|---|
| Healthcare | Medical treatments, consultations, or appointments |
| Personal care | Massage, hair, makeup, tattoo, piercing |
| Fitness | Personal training, fitness classes |
| Pet services | Grooming, sitting, walking, boarding |
| Cleaning | House, apartment, office cleaning |
| Childcare | Babysitting, nannying, tutoring |
| Romantic | Dating, escort services |
As shown, any service involving direct physical interaction between seller and buyer is prohibited on Marketplace.
Restricted Goods Table
This table summarizes goods commonly prohibited from sale on Facebook Marketplace:
| Category | Restricted Goods |
|---|---|
| Weapons | Firearms, ammunition, knives, explosives |
| Drugs | Illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia |
| Alcohol & Tobacco | Beer, wine, spirits, cigarettes, e-cigarettes |
| Wildlife | Endangered species, exotic animals |
| Regulated Goods | Pharmaceuticals, medical devices, vehicles, supplements |
| Counterfeit Goods | Replica brand-name items, software |
Listings for such prohibited or regulated products are subject to removal by Facebook per its commerce policies.
What happens if you violate Marketplace commerce policies?
Facebook aims to enforce its commerce policies evenly and effectively. Here are typical consequences for sellers listing prohibited items:
- Listing removal – Prohibited listings are taken down promptly upon detection.
- Restricted account privileges – Temporary limits may be placed on posting new listings.
- Account suspension – Repeat or serious violations can result in a Marketplace ban.
- Loss of buyer protections – Purchases of prohibited items are not covered by Facebook Purchase Protection.
In addition, Facebook may report illegal activity on Marketplace to relevant law enforcement authorities for investigation.
How can you avoid policy violations on Marketplace?
Here are some best practices sellers should follow to stay compliant on Facebook Marketplace:
- Read Facebook’s Commerce Policies thoroughly before listing items for sale.
- Avoid listing illegal, dangerous, deceptive, or prohibited goods in any way.
- Get necessary licensing before selling regulated goods.
- List only services not requiring in-person contact.
- Comply immediately if informed an item violates policies.
Carefully checking listings against current Marketplace rules can help sellers avoid issues. When in doubt, refrain from listing an item or service for sale.
Conclusion
Facebook Marketplace prohibits certain goods and services to protect its community. Sellers should avoid listings for dangerous, deceptive, illegal, or regulated items. Services requiring in-person contact are also restricted. Familiarizing yourself with Facebook’s commerce policies can help prevent policy violations and account restrictions.