Prohibited and restricted items on Managed Markets

Every country has their own restrictions for what kinds of goods can be shipped into that country. Shipping carriers and payment processors have their own restrictions as well.

If you sell a product that's prohibited in a destination country, then Managed Markets hides the product from the catalog for customers in that country. Learn more about reviewing prohibited products in your Shopify admin.

Orders to the following countries are restricted to the maximum value indicated:

  • Argentina: $1,000 USD
  • Brazil: $2,999 USD
  • China: ¥10,000 CNY
  • Indonesia: $1,500 USD
  • Mexico: $1,000 USD

If your catalog primarily sells unsupported items, then you might be deemed ineligible for Managed Markets. Before you use Managed Markets, review which products and product categories are restricted below. If you send a shipment that contains restricted items, then your package might be deemed undeliverable.

Alcoholic beverages and products

Alcoholic beverages and products containing and used in the brewing of alcohol are restricted.

Items in this category include but aren't limited to the following items:

  • wine
  • spirits
  • hard liquor
  • wine-making kits
  • bottling items

Animal and pet supplies

Certain animal and pet supplies are restricted.

Items in this category include but aren't limited to the following items:

  • animals (alive or deceased)
  • pet food and treats
  • pet vitamins and supplements

Artwork

Artwork that violates any copyright or trademark is restricted on Managed Markets. Digital artwork and art valued at more than $2,000 USD are also restricted.

Automotive and powersports

Automotive and powersports products are considered to be dangerous goods and need pre-approval from Managed Markets.

Items in this category include but aren't limited to the following items:

  • amplifiers
  • parking cameras
  • carpet and upholstery
  • engine parts
  • rims and wheels
  • tire accessories
  • car wash accessories
  • alarms and locks
  • watercraft parts and care

Batteries and electronics

All batteries are currently restricted. Any electrical items that contain or have batteries attached are restricted. Most electrical goods that are direct to the current source via a plug are supported.

Electrical items that are restricted due to their batteries in this category include but aren't limited to the following items:

  • video game consoles
  • DVD and Blu-ray players
  • projector screens and mounts
  • computer monitors
  • televisions
  • GPS navigation systems and accessories
  • keyboards, mice, and trackballs
  • computers and laptops
  • extension cords
  • solar energy kits
  • electrical motors

Beauty and cosmetics

Some cosmetics and beauty items are restricted due to compliance reasons or hazardous materials.

Items in this category include but aren't limited to the following items:

  • perfumes
  • cologne
  • eau de toilette
  • fragrance spray that contains alcohol
  • nail polish
  • hair products that contain bleach
  • aerosols
  • hand sanitizer
  • lash adhesive
  • homemade topical items
  • wipes

Some beauty, cosmetics, and hair products are restricted in certain regions. Some examples of items that might be restricted in certain regions (such as Mexico, Spain, Italy, and Greece) include but aren't limited to the following items:

  • soaps
  • shampoos
  • lotions and creams
  • moisturizer

Business and industrial

Certain business and industrial products are restricted.

Items in this category include but aren't limited to the following items:

  • trade show counters/displays
  • Automation Control components
  • traffic cones and barrels
  • dental tools
  • food service items
  • heavy machinery
  • vending machines
  • signage
  • laboratory equipment
  • piercing and tattooing supplies
  • plumbing supplies

CBD products

Products containing cannabidiol (CBD) in any form are restricted. CBD is one of a range of cannabinoids found in cannabis plants.

Items in this category include but aren't limited to the following items:

  • edibles, capsules, or lozenges
  • e-liquids
  • sprays
  • oils that contain CBD, THC, or other cannabinoids

Charities and nonprofits

Donations to charities and nonprofits are restricted.

Consumer safety

Heavily-regulated goods and occupational safety equipment are restricted in all regions on Managed Markets.

Items in this category include but aren't limited to the following items:

  • car seats
  • children's chairs
  • helmets
  • strollers
  • construction hard hats and harnesses

Digital products or goods

It's possible to sell digital products on Managed Markets, but you can review the following specific requirements and considerations:

  • Order requirements: For an order to be eligible on Managed Markets, it must contain both a digital product and a physical product. If your order contains only digital products, then you automatically become the merchant of record for the order.
  • Draft orders: Digital products cannot be included in draft orders. To create an order that includes both digital and physical products, you need to send an invoice to collect payment during the checkout process.

Examples of digital products that can be sold on Managed Markets include but aren't limited to the following products:

  • digital gift cards (for your own store)
  • online courses
  • podcasts
  • sound effects and music

Drugs and drug paraphernalia

Drugs and drug-related items are restricted on Managed Markets.

Items in this category include but aren't limited to the following items:

  • apparel that references drugs
  • books on the cultivation or use of drugs
  • equipment for the cultivation or use of drugs
  • products containing regulated substances

Explosives, weapons, and related items are restricted on Managed Markets.

Items in this category include but aren't limited to the following items:

  • guns and gun parts
  • knives (review country-level restrictions for knives)
  • items that fall in the tactical category
  • weapon accessories and paraphernalia (ammunition, cases, sheaths, cleaning kits, locks, scopes, attachments, and modifications)

Export controlled items

Items subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and considered dual-use (they have both military and civil purposes) might be regulated by the United States Department of Commerce (DOC) under the EAR. Items requiring an export license or other approval from the United States DOC are restricted from sale on Managed Markets.

Some weapons are deemed to be defense articles and are regulated by the United States Department of State under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Items subject to EAR or ITAR are restricted on Managed Markets.

Farming

Items or machinery used in farming are restricted in all regions.

Items in this category include but aren't limited to the following items:

  • tractor parts and accessories
  • tractor tires
  • horse feed
  • horse wormers
  • live fishing bait
  • multifunctional tools

Flammable and pressurized goods

Flammable and pressurized items, such as adhesives and aerosols, are restricted on Managed Markets.

Food and beverage

Food and beverages are subject to the permits and testing requirements of the importing country's health ministry, or equivalent. Due to the time sensitive nature of ecommerce, these products are restricted.

Ingestibles, wellness, and medical devices

Items that are ingestible are restricted. Items classified as medical devices by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are restricted (for more information, refer to the FDA website). Beauty devices that are FDA registered or use lasers are restricted, subject to FDA or Ministry of Health equivalent permits/licenses.

Items in this category include but aren't limited to the following items:

  • prescription-only medicines
  • medicines that must be sold only by a licensed pharmacist
  • ingestibles, including vitamins, supplements, and shakes
  • herbal or homeopathic products
  • unlicensed medicines and products that make medicinal or health claims
  • medical tests, such as HIV, drug, or pregnancy tests
  • hearing aids
  • medical alarms
  • first aid kits
  • activity monitors
  • contraceptives

Home and garden products

Certain home and garden items are restricted on Managed Markets.

Items in this category include but aren't limited to the following items:

  • candles
  • essential oils and oil warmers
  • incense
  • knives (review country-level restrictions for knives)
  • organic materials, including sand, soil, fertilizers, and mulch
  • indoor and outdoor plants

Human hair

Wigs, extensions, or similar products made of real human hair are restricted in certain regions such as Spain, Italy, and Costa Rica.

Inactive products

Items that aren't sellable due to being archived, draft, or inactive on your Shopify storefront are automatically restricted in every region. After these products are made active, they will be pushed for review with our partners.

Learn more about product status.

Jewelry and precious gems

Loose stones (cut or uncut, polished or unpolished) and accessories with mother of pearl, coral, and shells are restricted on Managed Markets. Jewelry and watches valued at more than $5,000 USD are restricted due to carrier requirements.

All other jewelry is partially restricted in a subset of regions, including the following countries:

  • Brazil
  • France
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Kuwait
  • Malaysia
  • Mexico
  • Portugal
  • Russia
  • Switzerland

Items in this category include but aren't limited to the following jewelry items:

  • bracelets
  • watches
  • necklaces
  • plated jewelry
  • lapel and decorative pins

Knives

Knives of any kind (hunting, cooking, cutlery, and utility) have different restrictions based on carrier and country import limitations due to safety transportation initiatives. Toy knives may also be subject to restriction. Knives are restricted from the following countries and regions:

  • Australia
  • Belarus
  • China
  • Denmark
  • El Salvador
  • Faroe Islands
  • Finland
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Israel
  • Japan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kenya
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Madagascar
  • Malaysia
  • Mauritius
  • Mexico
  • Monaco
  • New Zealand
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • Türkiye
  • Ukraine
  • United Kingdom
  • Venezuela

Materials depicting illegal acts

Products that depict or endorse illegal activities, either in the country where you operate or the countries that you sell to, are restricted on Managed Markets.

Items in this category include but aren't limited to the following items:

  • materials that depict or endorse illegal activity, whether real or fictionalized
  • materials that depict or endorse violence or abuse, whether real or fictionalized

Money or monetary items used as payment

Money or any other items that are used as payment are restricted.

Items in this category include but aren't limited to the following items:

  • currency
  • cash equivalents
  • gift cards (for third-party stores)
  • loose precious stones
  • lottery tickets

Mystery items or poorly-described products

Products must have a title and description that make it clear to customers what they are purchasing. Products that aren't clearly described or identified are restricted on Managed Markets.

Items in this category include but aren't limited to the following items:

  • mystery items (products that the customer can't see or know what it is until it is purchased and delivered)
  • themed 'surprise' boxes
  • products with vague descriptions

Pawn shops

Pawn shops are restricted.

Plant, wood, and seed products

Items that are made wholly or partially of natural/plant fibers (including but not limited to straw, rattan, raffia, and jute) are restricted in specific regions such as New Zealand and Australia.

Items manufactured and/or containing wood, bamboo, cork, or derived products are restricted in specific regions, such as Australia, Mexico, and New Zealand. Exceptions may include paper, fabric, cardboard, laminated, medium-density fibreboard (MDF), or plywood.

Sex and sensuality products

Items depicting sexually suggestive or explicit materials, or that are related to sexual or sensual activities, are restricted on Managed Markets.

Items in this category include but aren't limited to the following items:

  • books, videos, video games, or other content mediums that are explicitly sensual or sexual in nature, whether real or fictionalized
  • apparel, posters, figurines, or other materials with depictions of sensual or sexual content, whether photographic or illustrative
  • products that block movement or cause pain

Speciality apparel

Items that contain components from endangered species subject to the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) and items that promote or display other restricted items are restricted on Managed Markets.

Items that contain components of import and export controlled US species are also monitored and might be restricted in Australia and New Zealand.

Items in this category include but aren't limited to the following items:

  • mother of pearl buttons
  • crocodile (handbags and shoes)
  • python (belts)
  • feathers (boas and trim)
  • alligator (shoes and handbags)
  • ostrich (leather products)
  • apparel that promotes or relates to other prohibited items, such as drugs
  • military and security uniforms
  • paintball clothing

Subscription products

Managed Markets doesn't support products sold with a subscription selling plan.

If you have products set up for subscriptions on your store, then the subscription selling plan is removed for all international markets managed by Managed Markets. Your customers can still buy products as a one-time purchase.

If you sell products that are only available by subscription, then they're automatically restricted and aren't displayed to your international customers.

Tobacco and tobacco-related products are restricted on Managed Markets.

Items in this category include but aren't limited to the following items:

  • cigarettes
  • cigars
  • e-cigarettes
  • products containing nicotine
  • other tobacco-related products

Warranties, service plans, contracts, and guarantees

Non-tangible goods, such as warranties, service plans, contracts, and guarantees, are restricted on Managed Markets.

Review prohibited products in the Shopify admin

When you first activate Managed Markets, your product list is reviewed for prohibited items. Although this review is performed during the application process, product review is an ongoing process and might affect new products, or products that have had a change in prohibited status.

When a restricted product is identified for a market, the following occurs:

  • A new Managed Markets selling restrictions section is displayed in the settings page for that market (for example, Settings > Markets > European Union).
  • In the Products page, you can click the number in the Markets column to display the markets that the product is restricted in.
  • On the product's page, the product's approval status is displayed in the Publishing section.

At any time, you can filter and sort your product list to review prohibited items in your Shopify admin. If you add new products that are prohibited items, or if the status of a product changes, then you receive a notification in your Shopify admin.

Filter prohibited items

You can filter your products list to display prohibited items in a specific market or in all markets. Your primary market isn't included in the filter results.

Steps:

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Products.

  2. Click the search and filter icon.

  3. Click Add filter, and then click Publishing error.

  4. Select the markets that you want to filter for prohibited items in. To filter for all prohibited items, click Select all.

Sort prohibited items

You can also sort for prohibited items in your product list.

Steps:

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Products.

  2. Click the sort icon.

  3. Select Publishing error.

  4. Optional: Select whether the order of prohibited items are displayed from oldest to newest, or newest to oldest.

Notifications

When a new prohibited item is identified, either because it's a new product or because the regulations that affect that product have changed, you receive a notification in your Shopify admin. From this notification, you can access a filtered list of prohibited products for all markets. Learn more about accessing alerts in your Shopify admin.

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