Prohibited and Restricted Products
1. About the Prohibited and Restricted Products Policy
1.1 Purpose
Afrikobo is committed to maintaining a trusted and secure marketplace for all users. This policy ensures that buyers are protected from unsafe, illegal, and unlicensed products while supporting sellers in adhering to regulatory standards.
1.2 Scope
Prohibited products are those that are strictly banned from being sold on Afrikobo due to legal restrictions. Restricted products, however, may be sold only if specific requirements are met.
This Policy Outlines:
- Products that are either prohibited or restricted on Afrikobo.
- Guidelines for sellers to identify such products.
- Measures Afrikobo takes to detect non-compliant listings.
- Consequences for sellers who violate this policy.
1.3 Application
This policy applies to all sellers and their product listings on the Afrikobo marketplace.
2. What Are Prohibited and Restricted Products?
2.1 Prohibited Products
Prohibited products are completely banned from being sold on Afrikobo.
While specific restrictions may vary by market, the following categories are always prohibited:
- Prescription medicines
- Medical devices
- Narcotics, controlled substances, the illegal drugs
- Firearms, ammunition, and other weapons
- Counterfeit and pirated goods
- Used or refurbished personal care items
- Hazardous materials (e.g., explosives, toxic chemicals)
- Currency, stocks, and other financial instruments
2.2 Restricted Products
Restricted products may be sold only under specific conditions. These conditions are based on regulatory requirements and may include:
- High-risk counterfeit products: Some brands and categories require authentication before listing.
- Licensed Imports: Certain products require a valid import license.
- Locally regulated items: Some products (e.g., food, alcohol, cosmetics, tobacco) require certification from relevant regulatory bodies before listing.
Afrikobo prioritizes compliance with national regulations concerning food, drugs, cosmetics, and other sensitive product categories. Sellers must ensure that their products comply with these regulations before listing on Afrikobo.
2.3 List of Prohibited and Restricted Products
A complete list of prohibited and restricted products is available in the Seller Dashboard. Afrikobo periodically updates this list to align with changes in laws and regulations. Sellers are responsible for staying informed about these updates.
3. How Does Afrikobo Detect Prohibited and Restricted Products?
Afrikobo continuously improves its detection methods to prevent the sale of prohibited and restricted products. These methods include:
- Product Listing Review: Certain categories require mandatory verification (e.g., FDA registration for health-related products).
- Product Approval Process: New listings are subject to review and must be approved before publication.
- Content Updates: Any edits to existing listings must be approved before they go live.
- Physical Inspections: Afrikobo conducts random and targeted inspections of listed products, particularly those with high return rates.
- User Reports: Buyers, brands, and regulatory authorities can report suspected violations. Afrikobo investigates and takes appropriate action accordingly.
4. What Are the Consequences of Violating This Policy?
Sellers found violating this policy will be subject to penalties, including:
- Immediate removal of non-compliant listings.
- Financial penalties as per the Seller Agreement.
- Confiscation or destruction of prohibited stock at the seller's expense.
- Reporting illegal activities to law enforcement authorities.
- Suspension or permanent termination of the seller's account.
- Withholding of pending payouts.
- Possible legal action, including criminal prosecution.
5. Further Information
For any questions regarding this policy, sellers can contact Afrikobo Seller Support. Regular updates and additional guidance will be provided through the Seller Dashboard.