Item Restrictions
A complete guide to what you can and cannot sell on FrothMonkey, and the reasoning behind each rule.
How our moderation works
FrothMonkey uses a combination of automated review and human moderation to keep the marketplace safe and compliant with Canadian law. When you publish a listing, want, or have, it is reviewed and categorised into one of four tiers:
No restrictions. Visible to everyone.
Visible to everyone with an advisory notice for buyers.
Visible to registered users only. Seller acknowledges conditions.
Blocked from the marketplace. Held for admin review.
If you believe your item has been incorrectly categorised, you can appeal the decision directly from your listing page.
Items that cannot be sold
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Cannabis and marijuana | The Cannabis Act restricts sales to licensed retailers only. Private sales are illegal across Canada. |
| Alcohol | Provincial liquor control acts restrict alcohol sales to licensed establishments. Private resale is not permitted. |
| Prescription medications and controlled substances | The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act prohibits the sale of prescription or controlled drugs without proper authorization. |
| Handguns and restricted firearms | Under the Firearms Act, restricted firearms can only be transferred through a licensed dealer with an Authorization to Transport. Private marketplace sales are prohibited. |
| Prohibited weapons | Criminal Code s.84 prohibits the sale, possession, and transfer of weapons including switchblades, butterfly knives, brass knuckles, nunchucks, tasers, pepper spray, and throwing stars. |
| Counterfeit goods | Criminal Code s.406-411 and the Trademarks Act make it illegal to manufacture, sell, or possess counterfeit goods. |
| Baby walkers | Canada banned the sale, import, and advertisement of baby walkers in 2004 under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act due to injury risk. |
| Drop-side cribs | Banned under CCPSA regulations since 2016 due to entrapment and suffocation risk. Cannot be sold, even second-hand. |
| Raw or unpasteurized milk | The Food and Drugs Act prohibits the sale of raw milk in all provinces, with very limited farm-gate exceptions in some jurisdictions. |
| Endangered species products and ivory | CITES (international) and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection Act (Canada) prohibit trade in products from endangered species. Ivory is specifically banned under recent amendments. |
| Human remains and bodily fluids | Prohibited under the Criminal Code and provincial health regulations. Also a universal marketplace policy. |
| Government IDs and official documents | Criminal Code s.56.1 and s.366-368 make it illegal to possess, sell, or traffic in identity documents and forged official documents. |
| Recalled products | The Canada Consumer Product Safety Act makes it an offence to sell a recalled product. Health Canada maintains the official recall database. |
Items with conditions
These items are legal to sell in Canada but are subject to licensing, age, or regulatory requirements. Sellers must acknowledge the applicable conditions, and these listings are only visible to registered users.
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Non-restricted firearms (rifles, shotguns) | Legal under the Firearms Act with a valid PAL (Possession and Acquisition Licence). Private sales of non-restricted firearms are legal in Canada, but both parties must hold valid licences. |
| Ammunition | Legal to sell with a PAL. Shipping is subject to dangerous goods regulations under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act. |
| Tobacco and vaping products | Legal for adults but regulated under the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act. Age verification is required, and advertising restrictions and provincial tax stamps may apply. |
| Event tickets | Legal but regulated in several provinces. Ontario's Ticket Sales Act and Alberta's ticket resale rules impose price caps and disclosure requirements. |
| Gift cards and prepaid cards | Legal but a common fraud vector. Consumer protection laws in most provinces prohibit expiry dates on gift cards. Restricted visibility reduces anonymous misuse. |
| Hazardous materials | Includes chemicals, solvents, and certain batteries. Legal to sell but regulated under WHMIS and the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act. Shipping restrictions apply. |
Items with advisory notices
These items are legal to sell but carry safety, regulatory, or cultural considerations. They are fully visible on the marketplace with an advisory notice shown to buyers.
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Used car seats and booster seats | Transport Canada recommends against selling used car seats. Expiry dates, unknown crash history, and material degradation can compromise safety. |
| Used helmets | Impact history is unknown on used helmets, and protective foam degrades over time. Safety certification standards may no longer be met. |
| Used mattresses | Bed bug risk and hygiene concerns. Some provinces have regulations around mattress resale. |
| Used breast pumps | Health Canada guidance warns against sharing breast pumps due to contamination risk. Open-system pumps can harbour bacteria that is difficult to sterilise. |
| Used CPAP and medical devices | Health Canada regulates medical devices. Used devices may not function to specification, and some require a prescription. Hygiene is also a concern. |
| Live animals and pets | Provincial animal welfare laws vary across Canada. Not prohibited, but responsible handling is required. SPCA guidelines and breed-specific legislation may apply. |
| Seal and fur products | Legal in Canada (Indigenous rights, regulated harvest) but culturally sensitive. International trade restrictions (EU ban, US Marine Mammal Protection Act) may affect buyers. |
| Indigenous cultural items | Legal to sell in most cases, but raises cultural sensitivity and UNDRIP considerations. Sacred or ceremonial items require thoughtful handling. |
Everything else
The vast majority of items on FrothMonkey fall into this category. If an item isn't listed above, it can be freely listed and is visible to everyone with no restrictions.
Note: This list is not exhaustive. Canadian federal and provincial laws change, and FrothMonkey may update these categories at any time. If you are unsure whether an item is permitted, please contact us before listing.
These rules are part of our Terms of Service.