Community guidelines

OfferUp is committed to maintaining an inclusive and respectful community. Here are a few tips to help foster an enjoyable experience for everyone:

Be courteous.
If you change your mind on an offer, politely let the seller know so they can work with other buyers.
If you’re running late to meet someone, keep the other person updated.
We know it can be frustrating when things go wrong. Although it’s uncommon, if you have a problem with an item after a sale, try to work it out with the seller in a calm, respectful way. In most cases, they’ll be open to finding a solution.

In addition, when using OfferUp and interacting with buyers, sellers, or employees, please refrain from any of the behaviors below, in your post, or in messages.

The following types of behaviors are not allowed:

Disrespectfulness, such as:

Profanity or hate speech
Threats of violence or actual violence
Inciting violence
Offensive or vulgar posts or messages

Harassment, such as:

Targeting another person with complaints about items that were not purchased or expressing opinions about items with no intent to purchase
Pressuring a seller to make a sale or a buyer to make a purchase
Other comments not related to the item
Comments related to another person’s looks, relationship status, etc.
Any form of harassment including but not limited to hateful, obscene, offensive, profane, racist, sexual or sexually suggestive, defamatory, or violent language

Spam, unsolicited offers, or abusing our system, such as:

Unsolicited messages sent to potential buyers, including those of a commercial nature
Impersonation of another buyer, seller, OfferUp employee, or other entity in communications
Any other misleading, fake, or malicious communication
Misrepresenting yourself, or the products you’re selling
Harvesting information about our community members or directing them to external websites or apps to collect their information
Abusing our reporting system, or otherwise exploiting tools meant to protect the community

Use of disallowed content in your public profile or custom profile link, such as:

Offensive or vulgar profile names, links, or photos, or those that infringe on the intellectual property rights of others. Check out our complete list of account name guidelines in Create an account
Use of the OfferUp name or image
Inclusion of personal contact details
Posting another person’s private information, including contact information

Fraudulent or illegal activity, such as:

Falsifying information
Using OfferUp for any fraudulent purpose
Violating any law or regulation while using OfferUp

We may remove content that violates these guidelines. In severe cases or where there are repeated violations, we may suspend or cancel an account or take other action. For more information, please see our Terms of service.

How to help keep OfferUp safe

Maintaining a strong community is important to us. If you run into any suspicious behavior or items, please let us know. You can also block a person so they can’t contact you in the app. That person won’t know when you’ve reported or blocked them. How to block or report someone

Prohibited items guideline

Although most things can be sold on OfferUp, certain items aren’t allowed. Some present legal risks or may pose health and safety issues. We’ve also chosen not to allow items that we feel are inappropriate for our community or could be considered offensive.

Before posting your items, please read the guidelines below to ensure that they are OK to sell on OfferUp. Also please review our Posting rules and Community guidelines. OfferUp may make exceptions to these rules for certain verified sellers in its sole discretion.

The following items are not allowed for sale:

Alcohol, drugs & tobacco

Alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and related products are often subject to regulatory restrictions and are illegal for sale in some cases. Because we can’t enforce these laws and regulations, we don’t allow these items for sale, including:

Alcohol
Prescription drugs
Drugs, narcotics, or controlled substances (even those that are legal in some states)
Items marketed for the purpose of intoxication
Drug paraphernalia such as bongs, vaporizers, and pipes
Tobacco and related products, including e-cigarettes, e-juice, vaporizers, mods, hookahs, and hookah accessories
Cannabis and cannabis-derived products, such as CBD
Growing or cultivation equipment for cannabis and cannabis-derived products

Adult & mature content

OfferUp strives to be an open marketplace but understands that not all people want to see explicit sexual content. Items intended for adult use or that contain explicit sexual content are not allowed on OfferUp, such as:

Explicit sexual content or nudity
Pornography
Adult toys

Animals

Our policy around animals and wildlife products represents OfferUp’s commitment to improving animal welfare in our own communities and in helping to protect threatened and endangered animals around the world.

You can certainly post many types of animal products. However, live animals are never allowed, including:

Cats
Dogs
Fish
Marine mammals
Reptiles such as lizards or snakes
Horses or ponies
Hamsters, gerbils, rabbits or other pets
Farm animals such as chickens, goats, pigs, or cows
Insects

Wildlife & wildlife products

You can certainly post many types of animal products. However, wildlife products that were sourced illegally or are being traded in contravention of any law are prohibited. Examples of prohibited live wildlife and their products include, but are not limited to:

Bears (e.g. Asiatic Black Bear, Giant Panda, Sloth Bear, Sun Bear)
Birds (e.g. African Grey Parrot, Falcons, Eagles, Helmeted Hornbill and some other Parrots)
Cetaceans (e.g. Dolphins, Porpoises, Whales)
Corals (Elkhorn, Staghorn)
Elephants
Marine Turtles
Otters (e.g. European River Otter, Giant Otter, California Sea Otter)
Pangolins (All)
Primates (e.g. Bonobo, Chimpanzee, Gorilla, Monkeys, Orangutan)
Reptiles & Amphibians (e.g. Ploughshare Tortoise, Iranian Spotted Newt, Indian Rock Python)
Rhinoceros
Sharks, Sawfishes, Manta & Devil Rays (e.g. Great White Shark, Basking Shark, Whale Shark, Smalltooth Sawfish)
Tibetan Antelope (also known as Chiru and shawls known as Shahtoosh)
Wild Cats (e.g. Cheetah, Jaguar, Leopard, Lion, Ocelot, Tiger)

Counterfeit or replica items

The sale of bootlegs, counterfeits, fakes, and unauthorized or pirated copies of items is illegal and not allowed on OfferUp, including:

Counterfeits, fakes, and replicas of brand-name items, including items “inspired” by a brand without permission of the owner
Bootlegged or unauthorized recordings
Pirated copies of any copyrighted materials
Use of a trademark or other implied affiliation with a brand

Shipping and counterfeit items

For more information, visit our Intellectual property policy.

Dangerous items

Items that pose health and safety concerns or that are regulated or illegal are not allowed on OfferUp. These include but are not limited to:

Firearms, no exceptions
Knives primarily used as weapons or for self-defense. Note: Cutlery, kitchen, and utility knives are generally permitted
Mace, pepper spray, bear spray, tasers, and other weapons used to subdue humans or animals
Batons, billyclubs, brass knuckles, or similar weapons used for striking a person or animal
Paintball guns, BB guns, guns that fire blanks, Airsoft Guns, and all related ammunition and accessories
Sporting or hunting weapons such as bows and arrows, crossbows, archery items, including historical or cultural items such as arrowheads
Swords, if sharpened or functional. Note: Decorative blunt swords are generally permitted
Weapon parts and accessories, including any item that attaches to a firearm, ammunition, bullets, clips, arrows, and bolts
Body armor, including Kevlar and other tactical and protective vests, except protective clothing for sporting activities
Regulated chemicals, poisons, or substances
New or used airbags sold separately from a vehicle
Hazardous materials such as:
- Fireworks
- Explosives
Items deemed to pose significant health or safety risks to others
Items used to incite violence
Gun manufacturing mills or production units
Recalled items (see below)

Recalled items

Items that are subject to a recall, typically because they are deemed unsafe or defective by federal regulators, are not allowed on OfferUp. These items present a unique risk because the harm they present is often not visibly apparent. Items recalled in the past include:

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 cell phones
Fisher-Price Rock N’ Play infant sleepers
Fisher Price 4-in-1 Rock n’ Glide soothers
Fisher Price 2-in-1 Soothe n’ Play glider
Drop-side cribs
Three-wheel all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
Boppy newborn loungers
Other items listed on the U.S. CPSC list of recalls

You should avoid selling or buying any recalled item or product. If you end up selling or buying a recalled item, you should contact the manufacturer as they may offer a refund, replacement, or voucher in exchange for surrendering the recalled item. For more information on recalled consumer products generally, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website.

Misleading claims

Some consumer products are regulated by federal agencies or organizations in order to protect the public against unreasonable risks of injury or death. While some of these products are allowed on OfferUp, we cannot verify the guarantees or certifications of safety provided by these agencies. Therefore, certain posts that claim that an item has been endorsed or certified by a federal agency or organization for safety, and that agency states to OfferUp they don’t provide such an endorsement or certification, are not allowed. Examples include:

Items claiming Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) confirmation or certification

Food items

The sale of homemade prepared food is subject to regulatory guidelines and often requires a permit. Because we can’t enforce these restrictions, prepared food is not allowed. Examples:

Most perishable goods, including meat, seafood, dairy, and cut fruits or vegetables
Homemade shelf products, such as jams, jellies, and pickles
Homemade meals or baked goods
Eggs sold outside of the seller’s farm
Baby formula (Previously, we have allowed the sale of shelf-stable baby formula on OfferUp. However, due to the nationwide shortage of baby formula, this item is no longer allowed)

Exceptions to this policy include:

Whole, uncut fruits and vegetables
Eggs sold directly on the seller’s farm
Unopened and packaged commercially sold food goods (canned soup, packages of cookies, etc.) as long as the packaging has not been tampered with and the items are sold before their expiration date

Gift cards

Gift cards and reloadable cards are not allowed due to the risk for buyers. The balance can’t always be verified, and sometimes the card balance can be used or cancelled by the original purchaser.

Illegal items or encouraging illegal activity

Any item that is illegal or that encourages illegal activity is not allowed, including but not limited to:

Offers to trade for illegal goods
Offers to trade for items defined as prohibited on OfferUp
Items with sensitive information such as IDs, passports, and social security cards
Fake or forged documents (such as licenses, IDs, diplomas, and government-issued documents)
Items received through Government Assistance
Police badges or security uniforms, as these can be used to impersonate an officer or gain access to secure areas
Locked phones or devices, for example blacklisted, activation, iCloud or similar locks
Current vehicle license plates or plates that were valid in the last 5 years
License plate tags
Cars without titles
Stolen or found good
Catalytic converters
Rideshare signs
TV streaming devices
Canisters or cylinders of pressurized gas (such as CO2 or nitrous oxide)

Intangible Items

OfferUp is intended for the sale of individual, tangible items. Items must exist and be available for immediate sale. Examples of things that are not allowed include:

Services for intangible items such as dog walking, babysitting, and IT support
Advertisements
- Links to or information about flea markets, yard sales, and garage sales
- URLs, links, or redirecting to other websites
- Rentals and timeshares
- Multi-level marketing schemes and related promotional materials
- Job postings
- Lost pet ads
Wanted ads
Solicitations
Digital account transfers, digital goods, non-fungible tokens (NFTs)
Invites, referral codes, or discount codes for apps or websites
Items planned for future purchase from another retailer, wholesaler, distributor, or manufacturer
Items of unknown contents such as “mystery boxes” or “grab bags”
Items where the photo does not match the title or description
eBooks

Medical & healthcare items

Due to health and safety, privacy, and regulatory concerns, certain medical and healthcare items are not allowed for sale on OfferUp, including but not limited to:

Devices, drugs, and medications that require a prescription from a licensed medical practitioner (such as a dentist, doctor, optometrist, or veterinarian)
Ventilators and other respiratory equipment
Cannabis and cannabis-derived products, such as CBD
Pills, vitamins, and supplements
Contact lenses
Used cosmetics
Used makeup sponges and applicators
Needles and items containing needles (such as syringes or tattoo equipment)
Listings that claim the item can diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent a disease or viruses, including COVID-19 (coronavirus)
Any post related to administering vaccinations, including access to, proof of, or a physical item.
- Posting any prohibited vaccine items mentioned above may result in immediate removal of your account.

Offensive materials

OfferUp is an inclusive community that welcomes people from all backgrounds. To build a respectful mobile marketplace, posts that contain foul language or that promote hatred, violence, or discrimination are not allowed. This includes posts that support hate or discrimination toward others based on age, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, or sexual orientation, or items that promote or glorify organizations with such views. Examples:

Posts containing racial slurs
Posts promoting intolerance or discrimination
Items that promote, support, or commemorate groups with views of hatred or intolerance (for example Nazi, Neo-Nazi, KKK groups, Proud Boys, QAnon, Antifa, or the Boogaloo movement)
Items that depict or glorify violence against people or animals
Items that reflect people of color through offensive or dehumanizing caricatures, including historic, antique, or memorabilia items

Cultural items

To build a respectful and diverse mobile marketplace, we may prohibit certain cultural or historical artifacts, objects, or memorabilia. Examples of things that are not allowed include:

Items that reflect people of color through offensive or dehumanizing caricatures, including historic, antique, or memorabilia items
Any item that violates the Indian Arts and Crafts Act by falsely suggesting it is: (1) produced by Native Americans or American Indians; and/or (2) the product of a particular tribe or tribal arts and crafts organization within the United States.
Native American, Alaska Native, American Indian cultural or ceremonial items, such as grave markers, human remains, ceremonial masks and pray sticks.

Non-compliance

Posts that violate any of our guidelines, policies, or terms may be removed at our discretion. Additional actions may be taken for severe or repeat offenses.

What we’re doing

Our teams work around the clock to ensure the safety of our marketplace and enforcement of our policies. We review posted content to ensure that transactions for buyers and sellers are ethical, safe and protected.

We remove posts and take action on accounts that violate our policies.
We work with law enforcement to do our part in supporting their investigations.
We’re continuously updating our product features to create a more trustworthy marketplace experience.
We understand that our work is never done.