Most things in a garage can go on a sale table, but a short list of items should never be sold, and a few more are risky enough that they are better recycled or given back to the manufacturer. Product safety rules apply to private sellers as well as stores, and an unsafe item sold for a couple of dollars can still hurt someone. This guide covers the items to pull before you price, for sellers in the US and Canada. Rules change and vary by place, so treat it as a checklist, not legal advice.
Recalled products: check before you price
In the US, selling a consumer product that has been recalled is illegal under the Consumer Product Safety Act, and that applies to garage and yard sales too. Before you put out kids' products, small appliances, furniture or anything with a battery or cord, search the brand and model on cpsc.gov or SaferProducts.gov. The model number is usually on a label or stamped on the underside.
In Canada, Health Canada publishes recalls and safety alerts on the Government of Canada recalls site (recalls-rappels.canada.ca), and the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act prohibits selling products that are a danger to human health or safety. If an item is on a recall list, don't sell it, even with a warning note attached. Follow the recall instructions instead, which often include a free repair, replacement or refund.
Baby and kids' gear
Children's products are the category most likely to be recalled or banned, and they are the items buyers trust a seller most to have checked. Be strict here.
- Drop-side cribs: banned from sale in both the US and Canada because the moving side can detach and trap a baby. Older cribs that don't meet current standards are also best kept off the table.
- Car seats: you usually can't confirm a used seat's crash history, and seats have expiry dates printed on them. Most safety groups advise against buying or selling used car seats.
- Baby walkers: the sale of baby walkers is banned in Canada, including at garage sales. In the US, walkers must meet a federal safety standard, so older models are a poor choice to sell.
- Inclined infant sleepers: inclined sleep products have been the subject of major recalls, and newer rules in both countries restrict them. Don't sell them.
- Older painted toys and kids' furniture: paint from before modern limits may contain lead. If you aren't sure how old a painted toy or crib is, leave it out.
- Anything with small magnets, loose button batteries or broken parts: these are serious hazards for young children.
Helmets, mattresses and personal items
Bike, ski and motorcycle helmets are designed to protect against one impact, and damage to the foam inside is often invisible. A buyer has no way to know whether a used helmet has been dropped or crashed, so most sellers skip them.
Used mattresses, pillows and upholstered items raise hygiene and bedbug concerns, and some states and provinces have rules about selling used bedding. Check local rules before selling, or choose a mattress recycling program instead. Other personal items to skip include used underwear and swimwear, opened personal-care devices and anything that has been in close contact with the body and can't be properly cleaned.
Medicines, cosmetics, food and chemicals
Never sell prescription medicine. It's illegal for a private person to sell prescription drugs in both the US and Canada. Over-the-counter medicine, vitamins and supplements are also a poor fit for a sale table, because you can't guarantee how they were stored, and expired products can be ineffective or unsafe.
Opened cosmetics, skin care and perfume can carry bacteria and are hard to resell safely, so keep to sealed, unexpired products if you sell any at all. Skip home-canned or homemade food unless your area's rules allow it, and never sell food past its date.
Chemicals need care too. Old paint, solvents, pesticides, pool chemicals and fuel should not be sold in unmarked or leaking containers, and some older pesticides are no longer approved for use. Take them to a household hazardous waste drop-off instead.
Weapons, alcohol and anything that needs a licence
Firearms, ammunition and some other weapons are tightly regulated, and the rules for private sales differ a great deal between states, provinces and cities. A garage sale is not the place to sell them. If you need to sell one, check your local law first and use a licensed dealer or the legal transfer process where you live.
Alcohol usually needs a licence to sell, so a private seller generally can't sell it at a yard sale. The same goes for tobacco, vaping and cannabis products, fireworks in many areas, and anything else that is age-restricted or needs a permit. Rules vary by state and province, so check with your local government if you aren't sure.
Counterfeits and items you don't own
Knock-off designer bags, fake sports jerseys and pirated movies, games or software can't legally be sold, even secondhand. If you aren't sure whether something is genuine, don't label it with the brand name, or leave it out.
Only sell what is yours to sell. Rented or leased equipment, items on loan, things that belong to a roommate or family member who hasn't agreed, and anything you suspect was stolen should stay off the table. Wipe personal data from phones, laptops and cameras before you sell them, and remove any service accounts.
What to do with these items instead
Most of these items have a better home than the trash. For recalled products, contact the manufacturer or follow the recall notice, since many recalls come with a free repair kit, replacement or refund. Drug stores and pharmacies often run medicine take-back programs, and many cities run household hazardous waste days for paint and chemicals.
Mattresses, electronics and batteries can often go to recycling or take-back programs, and some car seat retailers run trade-in or recycling events. Once the unsafe items are gone, focus your table on what sells best, and use our guide on what to do with leftovers for anything that doesn't sell.
Frequently asked questions
Is it illegal to sell recalled items at a garage sale?
In the US, yes: the Consumer Product Safety Act makes it illegal to sell recalled consumer products, including at garage and yard sales. In Canada, the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act prohibits selling products that are a danger to health or safety, which includes recalled items. Check cpsc.gov or the Health Canada recalls site before you price anything.
Can I sell a used car seat at a garage sale?
It's best not to. You usually can't prove a used seat has never been in a crash, seats expire after a set number of years, and older models may be recalled or not meet current standards. Look for a car seat recycling or trade-in event instead.
Can I sell baby cribs at a yard sale?
Drop-side cribs are banned from sale in both the US and Canada, so never sell one. Other cribs must meet current safety standards. If a crib is old, has missing parts or you can't check it against those standards and recall lists, don't sell it.
Can I sell prescription or over-the-counter medicine?
No for prescription medicine: private sellers can't legally sell it in the US or Canada. Over-the-counter medicine and supplements are also best left off the table because you can't guarantee storage or freshness. Take unwanted medicine to a pharmacy take-back program.
Can I sell a used bike helmet?
Most sellers shouldn't. A helmet can be damaged inside after one impact without any visible sign, and a buyer has no way to check its history. Recycle it or replace it instead.