Hazardous Materials and Flammable Substances

Hazardous materials are substances that pose potential harm to people, the environment, or property if improperly handled. When handled properly, however, the risk of this potential harm occurring can be reduced. Whatnot has specific restrictions around the sale of hazardous, flammable, and other unsafe substances and materials. Some of these substances and materials cannot be offered for sale, or given away, on Whatnot. Where permitted by Whatnot, to ensure the safe delivery of items, sellers must follow all applicable laws, postal carrier regulations, and Whatnot policies around selling and shipping potentially hazardous materials.

Some hazardous materials are prohibited from being sold on Whatnot. 

Some hazardous materials and unsafe substances are not permitted to be offered for sale, or given away, on Whatnot. These include radioactive materials, ozone-depleting substances, fuel of any kind (including gasoline, propane, kerosene, butane, or lamp oil), combustibles (including caps for toy guns, red phosphorus, flash paper), explosives, explosive precursors (including explosive fuses, exploding targets, flares), airbags, carcinogens, toxigenic substances, metallic mercury, waste of any kind, paint or coating thinners and removers, strike anywhere matches, flamethrowers, and items containing these materials.

Some hazardous materials require special shipping. 

Some potentially hazardous materials are permitted provided sellers follow all applicable shipping regulations and requirements. These items include lithium batteries, aerosols and pressurized containers, dry ice, electronics, fragrances, glues, hand sanitizer, empty lighters and lanterns, nail polish, and paint. These items must be packaged, labeled, and shipped in the specific manner provided by the applicable postal carrier. When creating a listing, you can specify whether an item is a hazardous material.

Shipping requirements and restrictions:

United States

The standards below are for shipping within the United States. Please consult relevant postal carrier’s policies on shipping restricted mail for shipping to and from outside the US. For non-US shipping, hazardous items are often referred to as “dangerous goods” and may require you to fill out a dangerous goods declaration.

• If you’re unsure if your items are considered hazardous, you can check out a full list of hazardous items here or contact the US DOT Hazardous Materials Information Center. 
• • When shipping these items on Whatnot, please check USPS Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, & Perishable Mail to determine any quantity limits, or packaging and labeling requirements. For example, nail polish and fragrances must be shipped via USPS Ground Advantage.
• Some hazardous materials require special packaging labels. 
  • Specific labels or markings may be required when shipping hazardous materials. Learn more about what type of markings are required for which type of materials. These labels are required in addition to the shipping labels provided by Whatnot. 
  • Please see Whatnot’s Packaging Guidelines for more on packaging hazardous items in the US. 

Canada, UK, France, Germany 

Always carefully check all regulations and requirements to understand any restrictions that may apply to your shipment.

• Canada: Canada Post Restrictions on Personal Shipping 
• UK: Royal mail prohibited & restricted items, DPD prohibited items
• Germany: DHL, Deutsche Post
• France: Mondial Relay, La Poste