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Last reviewed: September 2026 · Copy link
Reselling secondhand children’s products
The reseller screening checklist
- Search the item on the CPSC recall database (SaferProducts.gov) by brand and model.
- Reject anything with small parts if it is designed for under-3s.
- Reject painted metal jewelry and items likely to exceed lead limits unless tested.
- Check for button batteries with unsecured compartments.
- Discard damaged items rather than discounting them into someone’s home.
Why marketplaces police secondhand listings
Secondhand channels are where recalled products resurface after the first recall wave, and marketplaces have been pressured to catch them. Screening is how good resellers stay off enforcement lists and keep their accounts: the habit costs minutes per listing.
Questions people ask
Do I need testing certificates to sell secondhand?
Not generally for used goods, but new-in-box items are a gray area: many marketplaces treat them like new retail. When in doubt, obtain the documents or avoid the listing.
What about antiques?
True antiques (100 years or older per CPSC guidance) have specific exemptions, but products made after 1970-ish generally do not. Check the CPSC guidance for the category.
Can I sell hand-me-down car seats?
Car seats are heavily regulated with expiry and crash-history concerns: most guidance says do not resell used car seats. This is a category to avoid.
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