My favourite app for selling clothes is Vinted. I’ve written quite a bit about it on this site already.
The company has done really well because its platform is so user-friendly and the model works for everyone, but in order to grow and become more successful they have started allowing other items to be sold on the app too.
They are going to have to be careful here if you ask me. I love the app because it’s specifically targeted at the fashion world. If it gets too bloated with other products it will just be another ebay and will become more complicated to use.
Anyway, the point of telling you this is that a lot of new people are signing up to sell things but aren’t entirely sure what they can and can’t sell. See! It’s already causing problems.
So let me help you out here.
I know the app well and I use it often, so I’m clued up on what is and is not allowed on the platform. I thought I would share this expert knowledge with my readers (God, I’m such a loser…), point out any prohibited items and let you know what you can’t sell on Vinted.
Restricted Items
The easiest way to do this is to break it down into categories, and the first few restricted items have actually been on the list since the app launched in the UK. So I’ll start with the fashion based restrictions then move on to the other stuff.
Bear in mind you agree to abide by Vinted’s terms and conditions when you sign up, and all of this stuff is covered within those terms. I know hardly anybody reads them, but my point is Vinted are within their rights to restrict your access to the app if you break the rules, and there’s not really anything you can do about it.
Counterfeits and Reproductions
Yes, sorry about that.
If you’ve got some dodgy Chanel bag or a reproduction football shirt they are not welcome on Vinted. I’m not judging you, I rock an amazing pair of fake Dolce & Gabbana sunnies when the weather allows, but I couldn’t sell them on Vinted.
They take this really seriously and even have AI tech in place to find listings that are potentially breaking their terms.
They ask you demonstrate an item’s authenticity by showing close up images of tags or labels, and any other identifying features such as stitching, original packaging, receipts if you have them, etc.
Don’t get too hung up on this, no one is expecting the receipt from a pair of Jack&Jones denim pants your husband bought 2 years ago, just do your best with it.
Real Fur and Exotic Skins
This is a legal requirement. Trading in exotic skins, real fur and things like that is not allowed anywhere in the UK.
It’s all about stopping the killing of endangered species for profit, and includes natural shells and ivory, as well as any product containing even the tiniest amounts of ostrich, camel, karakul or reptile skin.
Real leather is alright, as are other animal products like wool and cashmere. So long as it is legal it’s fine.
Works of Art and Photographs
I’m not sure what the problem is with these, maybe its about avoiding copyright infringement issues.
Whatever their reasons, Vinted won’t let you sell artwork (paintings or drawings) or photographs.
You can sell frames for them though!
Food and Drink
This seems obvious doesn’t it, but people are strange.
Remember when everyone was camping outside Asda during the Prime draught, then filling their trolleys and reselling it on ebay for £10 a bottle? Like I said, people are strange.
I wouldn’t buy anything edible from a platform like this anyway, I wouldn’t trust the seller. For Vinted, it would be a disaster if people started getting poorly after eating something they bought on the platform, so I totally get why it’s not allowed.
Used Underwear, Bedding, Towels
This is just gross.
I imagine there are sites on the dark web where used underwear goes for a pretty penny, but Vinted is not that kind of place. New underwear can be sold but it must have the tags attached. This includes bed clothes, corsets and reusable nappies too.
Used bras, bathing suits, tights and socks can be sold, but you would have to be mad to buy them if you ask me.
This is about hygiene. Even after a 60°C wash, I wouldn’t be using towels or bedding I had bought from someone else. I understand that this is essentially what we do when we stay at a hotel, we share bedding and towels with strangers, but they are industrially cleaned between uses.
Even if you think I’m being a bit of a germaphobe or clean freak, Vinted won’t let you sell this stuff so there.
Opened Cosmetics
Again, why would anyone buy cosmetics that had been used?
This is another one they are very strict on. While you can sell cosmetics, they have to be brand new, sealed, and in date. If they are out of the packaging, the seal is broken, or they have expired then they are prohibited.
To be clear, this includes perishable products like cleanser, make-up and hair care, but it also includes things like brushes, sponges and applicators, so don’t get caught out.
Oh, and you can’t sell products intended for professional or medical use only (so a prescription dermatological cream, for example) even if it is brand new and sealed.
Computers and Electronic Appliances
This is probably the most confusing area because Vinted do have an Electronics section, but only very specific items are allowed.
For example, kitchen appliances are not allowed, neither are PCs or computer parts. However you can sell consoles and video games. Here is a list of some of the things that you cannot sell:
- Grooming items for pets
- Pet cameras and monitors
- Electric equipment for aquariums and terrariums
- Mobile phones
- Computers
- PC components
- Laptops
- Tablets
- Software keys
- Computer monitors
- TVs
- Digital and film cameras
- Video cameras
- Power banks
- Washing machines
- Dishwashers
- Irons
- Vacuum cleaners
That’s not an exhaustive list but it covers the main restricted items people might try to list.
Furniture
I imagine this is all just too big to fit with the deal they have with their delivery partners.
No furniture at all is allowed on the platform, whether it be a small side table or a big king size bed. You can’t even sell ornaments or fake flowers for your mantlepiece, although there is a category for holiday decorations so you can sell them.
This sort of thing doesn’t really fit with Vinted’s model so I can’t imagine anyone trying to use the platform to sell furniture anyway.
Fetish Items
Stop giggling you.
If you are looking for a bargain dildo, gimp mask, or porn magazine, I am sorry to tell you that Vinted will not be the place for you. We’ll have none of that here, thank you very much!
This applies to new and used (eww…) products, so even if you have a sealed, brand new in the box never used rampant rabbit, you can’t sell it on Vinted.
What Happens If You Break the Rules?
You might think it would be impossible to get caught selling the odd fake clutch purse or a lipstick that had been opened but never used, but you would be wrong.
Vinted have their own systems and processes in place to scan the marketplace for listings that break the rules, but they also have an army of spies working for them. The buyers.
Yes, buyers can report listings they don’t like the look of, and no one likes being ripped off so people aren’t shy about reporting items that break the rules.
Vinted reserve the right to suspend the account of anyone selling items they should not be selling, as well as removing the listing of course. In serious cases, or cases where the person is a repeat offender, they can even close your account completely and stop you using the platform as a seller or a buyer.
They do work in partnership with law enforcement where necessary too, so if you were trying to sell something illegal it could get you in trouble with the police.
It’s not worth it, so just stick to the items you are allowed to sell.
How Can You Tell What Is Not Allowed?
This is a fair question. Who has time to memorise the list of restricted items on every resale platform they use?
Me neither.
If you are worrying about getting it wrong, I would say it’s really not that big of a deal. You’re unlikely to be selling anything that will get you into serious trouble, so if you did unknowingly make a mistake and got suspended you could talk with customer services and get things straightened out.
Even that is unlikely though, because everything has to be listed in a category.
The reason this is useful is because if you can’t find an appropriate category for the item you want to sell, there’s a good chance it’s not allowed on Vinted. So at this point you could check their catalog rules page and see if your item is prohibited.
So it’s kind of built into the listing system that items which aren’t allowed will stand out.
If you can find a specific category for the thing you want to sell then by definition it must be allowed, right? Simple 😉