What You Can't Sell on Mercari — Prohibited Items & Why Listings Get Removed
Mercari removes listings — and can restrict accounts — when an item or its description breaks the rules. Most takedowns come from a short list of prohibited categories and listing behaviors. Here's what to avoid and how to stay compliant.
Items Mercari prohibits or restricts
- •Counterfeit or replica goods, and items that infringe a brand's trademark or copyright.
- •Regulated goods — weapons, certain medicines/health products, alcohol/tobacco where restricted, recalled items.
- •Items that can't be shipped or are illegal to resell in your region.
- •Digital accounts, tickets, or services that violate Mercari's rules.
Listing behaviors that get you removed
- •Steering buyers off Mercari — sharing contact info or asking to complete the deal elsewhere.
- •Misleading descriptions or photos — wrong condition, stock images for a used item, or exaggerated/medical claims.
- •Selling as a business in an individuals-only category, or reseller activity against the rules.
How to keep your listing live
- •Confirm the item is allowed in Mercari's prohibited-items policy before listing.
- •Describe the real condition with your own photos; don't add brand names you can't back up.
- •Keep all communication and payment inside Mercari.
If a listing is removed
- •Check the notification for the cited rule, then fix the specific issue before relisting.
- •If your account is limited, a short factual message acknowledging the rule and your fix works best.
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