Product listing policies and restrictions

To keep the Tradeit marketplace safe, trustworthy, and legally compliant for all users across Zimbabwe and internationally, all vendors are required to follow specific listing policies and product restrictions. Whether you are selling handmade crafts in Harare or health supplements in Bulawayo, understanding and following these rules is essential to avoid account penalties or product removal.

✅ Allowed Products

You may list and sell items that are:

• Legal under Zimbabwean law
• Accurately described
• New, used, or refurbished (if clearly disclosed)
• Owned or created by you, or for which you have permission to sell
• Safe for buyers and not misleading in terms of performance or benefit

❌ Prohibited and Restricted Products

Tradeit prohibits the listing of certain categories of products that may pose safety, legal, or ethical risks. Below is a breakdown of what you may not list:

1. Illegal, Counterfeit, or Stolen Items

• Counterfeit branded goods (e.g. fake Adidas shoes, knockoff iPhones)
• Items that violate intellectual property laws
• Government-issued documents (IDs, passports, permits)
• Pirated media (music, movies, software)

2. Hazardous, Banned, or Dangerous Goods

• Explosives, fireworks, or ammunition
• Hazardous chemicals or toxic substances
• Pesticides not approved by relevant authorities

3. Unregulated Medicines & Health Products

• Prescription medicines (unless you are a registered pharmacy with Tradeit approval)
• Unregistered or unlabelled health supplements
• Products making unverified medical claims (e.g. “cures HIV”)

NOTE: Over-the-counter products must have accurate labels, ingredients, usage instructions, and no false health claims.

4. Adult Products and Pornography

• Pornographic materials or sexually explicit content
• Sex toys or adult services
• Inappropriate content featuring nudity or obscenity

5. Alcohol and Tobacco

• Cigarettes, cigars, and related paraphernalia
• Alcohol (unless licensed and permitted by Tradeit)
• Vape products and e-liquids

6. Live Animals, Wildlife Products

• Pets or endangered animal products (e.g., ivory, skins)
• Animal traps, poisons, or harmful devices

7. Weapons and Imitation Weapons

• Firearms, ammunition, or weapon parts
• Pepper spray, tasers, batons
• Toy guns that closely resemble real weapons

8. Hate, Violence, and Offensive Materials

• Items promoting hate speech, racism, or violence
• Offensive political content or propaganda
• Items glorifying war crimes, terrorism, or cults

📌 Important Listing Practices

✔ Accurate and Honest Descriptions

• Your product title, images, and description must match the actual item.
• Avoid exaggerated claims like “100% guaranteed cure” or “limited to only 1 in Zimbabwe” unless verifiable.

✔ Full Disclosure

• Disclose defects, damage, or missing parts.
• Indicate if an item is used, refurbished, or not in original packaging.

✔ Clear Pricing and Stock

• Ensure the price reflects the actual cost of the product.
• Update product stock regularly to avoid selling out-of-stock items.

🚫 Misleading or Deceptive Listings

Avoid listing tricks such as:

• Keyword stuffing (irrelevant words to get more traffic)
• Clickbait titles (e.g., “FREE iPhone 14” when it’s a phone case)
• Uploading misleading images (e.g., showing a full set when only 1 item is sold)

📝 Tradeit Review & Monitoring

Tradeit monitors listings to ensure compliance. If your product violates the policies:

• Your listing may be removed
• You may receive a warning, temporary suspension, or permanent ban
• Funds may be held until disputes are resolved

🚨 Tip for Vendors

Before uploading a product, ask yourself:

“Is this legal, safe, honestly represented, and something I’d feel confident selling to a friend or family member?”

🚀 Need Help?

If you’re unsure whether your item is allowed or need help writing compliant product descriptions:

• Contact Vendor Support via your Tradeit dashboard.
• Review your product category guidelines regularly.

Keep it clean. Keep it legal. Keep it honest.
Following these listing policies helps Tradeit remain a safe, respected, and growing platform for all Zimbabwean businesses.