Hazardous, restricted or regulated materials policy

• Books on fireworks, including books on how to make fireworks
• Chemistry books

• Combustible items that the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has identified as ORM-D - opens in new window or tab (Other Regulated Materials-Domestic) have to include specific shipping restrictions in an eBay listing. (See the USPS website for mailing requirements. - opens in new window or tab)
• Firework labels that are no longer attached to a firework
• Model rockets that have no engines
• Pyrotechnic devices that have no combustible materials (such as control devices, launchers, or tubes)
• Lighters must be shipped in accordance with Hazardous Materials Regulations - opens in new window or tab

• Black powder
• Caps for toy guns
• Combustible materials that the USPS has prohibited for shipping - opens in new window or tab
• Explosive fuses
• Fireworks, including dummy fireworks
• Exploding targets
• Flares (both projectile and road flares)
• Flash paper
• Red phosphorous
• Thermite

• Empty fire extinguishers or fire grenades
• Fire extinguishers that don't contain carbon tetrachloride - opens in new window or tab
• Information on how to use a fire extinguisher

• Antique fire extinguishers or grenades need to clearly state in a listing what substance they are filled with .

• Fire extinguishers (including glass bulb fire extinguishers and brass fire extinguishers with a T-shaped handle) or grenades that contain carbon tetrachloride - opens in new window or tab. (Contact your local fire department for tips on safe disposal.)

Generally, in order to sell refrigerants, the law requires sellers to make sure that the buyer is certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Before listing these items, be sure to follow our guidelines below.

You should also check out the EPA website for information on alternative refrigerants - opens in new window or tab.

• Refrigerants contained within a household appliance or a vehicle

• To list a refrigerant, you have to include the following information in your description:
  • The buyer has to be EPA-certified.
  • The buyer has to show proof of certification before paying and before the item is shipped.
• Used refrigerants can be sold only if allof these requirements are met:
  • The seller can show proof that the substance has been reclaimed by a person certified by the EPA.
  • The refrigerant is part of a household appliance that is being sold.
  • The refrigerant will be used only in a household appliance.

• Non-EPA approved refrigerants (see the EPA website for more info - opens in new window or tab)

See our pesticides policy as well.

• Information on the use of pesticides
• Snakebite kits

• Flea and tick medications that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and are sealed in their original packaging (see also our medical drugs and devices policy)
• Pesticides can be listed if all of the following conditions are met:
  • The pesticide is registered by the EPA - opens in new window or tab and the U.S. state where the buyer is located.
  • The registration hasn't been suspended or canceled by the EPA or the U.S. state where the buyer is located.
  • The pesticide is not classified as restricted by the EPA - opens in new window or tab or the U.S. state where the buyer is located.
  • The container or original packaging is unopened and intact.
  • The pesticide’s package labeling complies with all federal and state requirements. A seller's item description on eBay has to be consistent with the product's label.
  • The container can be shipped in a way that complies with U.S. postal regulations.
  • The seller clearly states both of the following details in a listing:
    • The seller complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations and ensures that the buyer satisfies all applicable laws and regulations. 
    • The seller won't accept bids from, sell to, or ship to buyers located in a U.S. state where the item is not registered as a general-use or non-classified pesticide.

• EPA-restricted, suspended, or canceled pesticides
• Flea and tick medications that are:
  • Purchased in another country and shipped to the U.S.
  • Repackaged flea and tick medication that was approved by the FDA and EPA. (By repackaging the item, it loses its approval and becomes a violation of federal law.) See also our medical drugs and devices policy.
• Opened containers or packages of pesticides
• Poisonous or toxic substances that the U.S. Postal Service has prohibited for shipping - opens in new window or tab

• Geiger counters
• Information about atomic or nuclear testing or energy
• Warning badges for radioactive material
• Warning signs for radioactive material

• Items containing only a trace amount of radioactive material (such as watches or gunsights)
• Natural ore samples that have trace amounts of radioactivity
• Tritium personal markers

• Atomic or nuclear blast items (such as hot rocks, items from a blast or testing zone, and Trinitite)
• Items considered problematic by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) - opens in new window or tab.
• Items described in a listing as radioactive
• Nuclear materials
• Radioactive waste or contaminated materials
• Radium
• Raw depleted uranium
• Tritium in large amounts (such as certain types of glow sticks and exit signs)

• Disco or show lasers

• Elemental iodine (250 grams or less)
• Fuel additives, though sellers have to include a health disclaimer and can't make performance claims in their listing
• Hazardous materials and explosives that the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has identified as ORM-D - opens in new window or tab (Other Regulated Materials-Domestic) have to include specific shipping restrictions in an eBay listing. (See the USPS website for mailing requirements - opens in new window or tab.)
• Iodine solutions (including tinctures of iodine) may be restricted by federal - opens in new window or tab and state laws, including California state law - opens in new window or tab.
• Hoverboards, self balancing scooters, and components or parts such as batteries and chargers if they have been certified to meet the UL 2272 safety standards - opens in new window or tab. Sellers must state in the listing that the item is UL 2272 certified, include a link to the UL Online Certifications Directory showing the certification and offer US, Canada, and Australia shipping only.

• Asbestos and items containing asbestos, such as collectible gas masks
• Chloroform products
• Cyanide products
• Handheld lasers with an output of more than 5 milliwatts (MW) of power
• Hazardous materials that the USPS has prohibited for shipping - opens in new window or tab
• Iodine products - opens in new window or tab
• Items containing mercury such as thermometers and the following batteries:
  • Alkaline-manganese batteries
  • Mercuric oxide button batteries (button-shaped batteries typically used in vintage camera equipment)
  • Zinc-carbon batteries
• Items that pose a health or safety hazard as specified by government agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF - opens in new window or tab), EPA - opens in new window or tab, FDA - opens in new window or tab, and NRC - opens in new window or tab. (We will remove listings at the request of any government agency.)
• MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) heaters (see our military items policy for details)
• The following explosives precursors:
  • Aluminum powder
  • Ammonium nitrate
  • Calcium ammonium nitrate
  • Calcium nitrate
  • 2.4-Dinitrophenol (DNP)
  • Hydrogen peroxide above 12% weight by weight
  • Magnesium nitrate hexahydrate
  • Magnesium powder
  • Nitric acid
  • Nitromethane
  • Potassium chlorate
  • Potassium nitrate
  • Potassium perchlorate
  • Sodium chlorate
  • Sodium nitrate
  • Sodium perchlorate
  • Sulphuric acid