# PROHIBITED & RESTRICTED PRODUCTS POLICY *Last updated: Sept 2026* ## 1. PURPOSE This Policy explains the Products that Sellers are prohibited from listing or selling on the Sotibuy marketplace and Products that may only be listed or sold subject to additional requirements, verification or approval. The Policy is designed to protect Buyers, Sellers and Sotibuy and to promote a safe, lawful and trustworthy marketplace. ## 2. GENERAL RULE Every Product listed on Sotibuy must: - Be lawful to sell. - Be accurately described. - Be genuine where authenticity is represented. - Comply with applicable Nigerian laws and regulations. - Meet applicable safety requirements. - Comply with Sotibuy policies. Sotibuy may remove, restrict or reject any Product that it reasonably considers unsafe, unlawful, fraudulent, misleading, inappropriate or inconsistent with the marketplace. ## PART A — PROHIBITED PRODUCTS ## 3. ILLEGAL PRODUCTS Sellers must not list or sell Products whose sale, possession, distribution or use is prohibited by Nigerian law. This includes Products connected with unlawful activities. ## 4. COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS Sellers must not list or sell counterfeit Products. This includes fake or unauthorized versions of branded Products, including: - Clothing. - Shoes. - Bags. - Watches. - Phones. - Electronics. - Cosmetics. - Accessories. - Spare parts. - Other branded Products. Sotibuy may request evidence of authenticity, purchase, distribution rights or legitimate sourcing. A Seller found deliberately selling counterfeit Products may have the affected listings removed and may face suspension or termination. ## 5. STOLEN OR FRAUDULENTLY OBTAINED GOODS Products that a Seller knows or reasonably ought to know were stolen, unlawfully obtained or fraudulently acquired may not be listed. ## 6. WEAPONS AND DANGEROUS ITEMS Sotibuy prohibits Products that are unlawful to sell or that present unacceptable safety or legal risks. This includes prohibited weapons, explosives and other dangerous items. Sotibuy may restrict certain legitimate tools or equipment where their sale presents significant safety or regulatory concerns. ## 7. ILLEGAL DRUGS AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES Sellers must not list illegal drugs, controlled substances or Products intended to facilitate illegal drug activity. Products containing controlled substances may only be sold where legally permitted and where all applicable requirements are satisfied. ## 8. HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS AND TOXIC MATERIALS Products presenting serious risks to human health, property or the environment may be prohibited or restricted. This includes certain: - Toxic chemicals. - Dangerous substances. - Highly hazardous pesticides. - Unlawful poisons. - Other dangerous chemical products. Sotibuy may require additional documentation for legitimate commercial chemical Products. ## 9. EXPLOSIVE OR INCENDIARY MATERIALS Explosives, illegal fireworks, incendiary devices and similar dangerous materials are prohibited unless a specific lawful category is expressly approved by Sotibuy and all applicable legal requirements are satisfied. ## 10. STOLEN, ILLEGALLY IMPORTED OR SMUGGLED GOODS Sellers must not list Products that are knowingly stolen, smuggled or unlawfully imported. Sotibuy may request evidence of lawful sourcing where reasonably necessary. ## 11. FRAUDULENT DOCUMENTS AND IDENTIFICATION The sale or distribution of forged, stolen or fraudulent: - Identification documents. - Certificates. - Licences. - Passports. - Government documents. - Academic certificates. - Financial documents. is prohibited. ## 12. FINANCIAL PRODUCTS AND FRAUDULENT SERVICES Sellers must not use Sotibuy to sell fraudulent financial schemes, fake investment opportunities, fake banking instruments or other products or services intended to facilitate financial crime. ## 13. PIRATED AND COPYRIGHT-INFRINGING MATERIALS Sellers must not sell or distribute unauthorized copies of copyrighted works. This includes unauthorized: - Books. - Software. - Movies. - Music. - Educational materials. - Digital publications. - Other copyrighted content. Legitimate original and authorized Products may be sold. ## 14. ILLEGAL DIGITAL PRODUCTS Digital Products or services intended to facilitate unlawful activity may not be listed. This includes Products designed primarily to: - Commit fraud. - Steal credentials. - Bypass lawful security controls. - Facilitate unauthorized access. - Conduct other illegal activities. ## 15. PRODUCTS MAKING FALSE MEDICAL CLAIMS Sellers must not make false or misleading claims that a Product can: - Cure serious diseases. - Guarantee treatment. - Replace medically necessary treatment. - Produce medically impossible results. Health-related Products must comply with applicable Nigerian laws and regulatory requirements. ## 16. ADULT AND SEXUAL CONTENT Sotibuy may prohibit or restrict Products involving explicit sexual content or other sexually explicit materials. Sotibuy may determine which Products in this category are permitted based on applicable law, safety considerations and marketplace policy. ## 17. OBSCENE OR ILLEGAL MATERIAL Materials that are unlawful, exploitative or otherwise prohibited under Nigerian law may not be listed. ## 18. HUMAN REMAINS AND HUMAN BODY PARTS The sale of human organs, human remains and other prohibited human biological materials is not permitted. ## 19. ENDANGERED WILDLIFE AND ILLEGAL ANIMAL PRODUCTS Sellers must not list Products derived from protected or illegally traded wildlife. This may include prohibited: - Animal parts. - Ivory. - Protected species. - Endangered wildlife products. - Other illegally traded biological materials. ## 20. LIVE ANIMALS Live animals may be restricted and may only be listed where Sotibuy expressly permits the relevant category and applicable animal-welfare, health, transportation and legal requirements can be satisfied. Sotibuy may prohibit particular species or animal categories. ## 21. HATEFUL OR EXTREMIST MATERIAL Products promoting violence, terrorism, unlawful extremist activity or targeted hatred may be prohibited. Sotibuy may remove content that presents serious safety or legal concerns. ## 22. GOVERNMENT PROPERTY Government property, official equipment or materials that are not lawfully authorized for commercial sale may not be listed. ## 23. RECALL PRODUCTS Products subject to a known safety recall or regulatory prohibition may not be sold unless the recall has been appropriately resolved and the Product is legally permitted for sale. ## PART B — RESTRICTED PRODUCTS ## 24. GENERAL RULE FOR RESTRICTED PRODUCTS Restricted Products are Products that may potentially be sold on Sotibuy but may require: - Additional verification. - Documentation. - Regulatory approval. - Proof of authenticity. - Seller qualification. - Special handling. - Sotibuy approval. A Seller must not assume that a Product is approved merely because the listing system allows the Seller to attempt to create a listing. ## 25. FOOD AND GROCERIES Food Products may be subject to additional requirements concerning: - Safety. - Packaging. - Labelling. - Expiry dates. - Storage. - Ingredients. - Product authenticity. - Applicable regulatory requirements. Sotibuy may request appropriate documentation or information. ## 26. BEVERAGES Beverages may be subject to applicable Nigerian laws and regulatory requirements. Products containing alcohol may be subject to additional restrictions, age requirements and other legal conditions. ## 27. COSMETICS AND BEAUTY PRODUCTS Cosmetics, skincare and beauty Products must be genuine and safe. Sotibuy may request information concerning: - Manufacturer. - Ingredients. - Product source. - Registration or approval where applicable. - Expiry information. ## 28. HEALTH AND WELLNESS PRODUCTS Health-related Products may be restricted depending on their nature and claims. Sellers must not make misleading claims about the ability of a Product to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure disease. Sotibuy may require additional verification or documentation. ## 29. MEDICAL DEVICES Medical devices may require appropriate regulatory approval, certification or documentation. Sotibuy may restrict listings where the Seller cannot demonstrate that the Product may lawfully be sold. 30. BABY AND CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS Products intended for babies and children must meet applicable safety requirements. Sotibuy may restrict Products presenting unreasonable safety risks, including unsafe toys, children's equipment or Products with misleading safety information. ## 31. ELECTRONICS Electronics may be subject to additional requirements relating to: - Product authenticity. - Safety. - Specifications. - Condition. - Warranty. - Power requirements. - Applicable regulatory requirements. Used, refurbished or repaired Products must be clearly identified as such. ## 32. PHONES AND GADGETS Sellers must accurately identify: - Brand. - Model. - Storage capacity. - Condition. - Network status where relevant. - Accessories. - Warranty where applicable. Stolen, blocked or unlawfully obtained devices are prohibited. ## 33. BATTERIES AND POWER PRODUCTS Certain batteries, power banks and other energy-storage Products may require special handling because of transportation and safety risks. Sotibuy may impose packaging, delivery or listing requirements on such Products. ## 34. AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS AND SPARE PARTS Automotive Products and spare parts must be accurately described and lawfully sourced. Safety-critical components may be subject to additional requirements. ## 35. PESTICIDES, AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS AND FARM INPUTS Certain agricultural Products may require licences, registration, safety information or other regulatory compliance. Sellers must provide required information where applicable. ## 36. PET AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS Certain animal-related Products may be restricted depending on their nature, source and applicable laws. ## 37. IMPORTED PRODUCTS Imported Products must be lawfully imported and comply with applicable Nigerian requirements. Sotibuy may request reasonable evidence of lawful sourcing or importation. ## PART C — SELLER RESPONSIBILITIES ## 38. SELLER RESPONSIBILITY FOR PRODUCT COMPLIANCE Sellers are responsible for ensuring that their Products comply with: - Nigerian law. - Applicable regulatory requirements. - Sotibuy policies. - Product safety requirements. - Intellectual-property requirements. ## 39. ACCURATE PRODUCT INFORMATION Sellers must not attempt to avoid Product restrictions by: - Using misleading titles. - Misclassifying Products. - Hiding restricted Products inside unrelated categories. - Using false descriptions. - Removing important Product information. ## 40. PROOF OF AUTHENTICITY Sotibuy may request evidence that a Product is genuine. Acceptable evidence may include, where appropriate: - Supplier invoices. - Purchase records. - Distribution agreements. - Manufacturer authorization. - Import documentation. - Other credible evidence of lawful sourcing. ## 41. PRODUCT REMOVAL Sotibuy may remove or restrict a Product where it reasonably believes that the Product: - Violates this Policy. - Violates Nigerian law. - Presents a safety concern. - Is counterfeit. - Is misleading. - Creates significant legal or marketplace risk. ## 42. SELLER ACCOUNT ACTION Depending on the seriousness of a violation, Sotibuy may: - Issue a warning. - Remove the Product. - Restrict the listing. - Restrict certain categories. - Temporarily suspend selling privileges. - Hold affected transaction proceeds where reasonably necessary. - Suspend the Seller account. - Terminate the Seller relationship. - Report suspected unlawful conduct to the appropriate authorities where required or appropriate. ## 43. SERIOUS VIOLATIONS Sotibuy may take immediate action where a Seller is suspected of: - Selling counterfeit Products. - Selling stolen Products. - Selling illegal drugs. - Selling prohibited weapons. - Selling dangerous illegal substances. - Committing fraud. - Repeatedly violating Product restrictions. - Creating serious risks to Buyers. ## 44. POLICY ENFORCEMENT Sotibuy may use automated systems, manual reviews, Seller reports, Buyer complaints and other reasonable methods to identify potentially prohibited or restricted Products. Sotibuy may request additional information before allowing a Product to remain listed. ## 45. NO GUARANTEE OF LISTING APPROVAL The fact that Sotibuy's Platform technically permits a Seller to create or submit a listing does not guarantee that the Product is permitted. Sotibuy may review or remove listings after submission. ## 46. POLICY UPDATES Sotibuy may update this Policy as: - Laws change. - Regulatory requirements change. - New Product categories are introduced. - Marketplace risks develop. - Safety concerns arise. - Sotibuy expands its operations. Material changes will be communicated appropriately. ## 47. SELLER ACCEPTANCE By accepting the Sotibuy Seller Agreement and applicable Seller Policies, the Seller acknowledges and agrees that: - The Seller will not list prohibited Products. - The Seller will comply with restrictions applicable to restricted Products. - The Seller is responsible for the legality and authenticity of Products offered. - Sotibuy may remove Products that violate this Policy. - Sotibuy may request evidence of authenticity, legality or regulatory compliance. - Serious or repeated violations may result in suspension or termination.
Prohibited & Restricted Products Policy
Products that may not be listed or sold on Sotibuy.