Prohibited Products Policy

WARNING! THIS IS A LEGALLY BINDING AGREEMENT THAT GOVERNS YOUR USE OF THE TRIBEES MARKETPLACE

Capitalised terms used in these Terms of Purchase have the meaning given to them in the Website Ts & Cs unless the context otherwise requires.

Tribees is not a curated marketplace. However, for a variety of reasons, we prohibit certain types of items from being listed and sold on Tribees. Some items present legal risks to our community; others are inconsistent with our values, are harmful to our members, or simply are not in the spirit of Tribees. This policy explains what is prohibited or restricted on Tribees.

We have a zero tolerance policy for prohibited items, particularly those that promote, support or glorify hatred, those that promote, support or glorify violence, or are unlawful. Sellers deemed to violate this policy can be subject to immediate account suspension or termination, in accordance with our Terms of Purchase.

This policy is a part of our Terms of Purchase. By opening the Tribees Marketplace, you are agreeing to this policy and our Terms of Purchase. If Tribees has reason to believe you, Your Content, or your use of the Services violate our Terms, we may deactivate your content to some or all shoppers or suspend or terminate your account (and any account Tribees determines is related to your account) and your access to the Services. Generally, Tribees will notify you that your content or account has been suspended or terminated, unless you have repeatedly violated our Terms or we have legal or regulatory reasons preventing us from notifying you.

The following types of items are prohibited or restricted on Tribees:

Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs, Drug Paraphernalia, and Medical Drugs

Animal Products and Human Remains

Dangerous Items: Hazardous Materials, Recalled Items, and Weapons

Hate Items: Items that Promote, Support, or Glorify Hatred

Illegal Items, Items Promoting Illegal Activity, and Highly Regulated Items

Internationally Regulated Items

Nudity and Mature Content

Violent Items: Items that Promote, Support, or Glorify Violence

Policy decisions are complex. We consider many different and often divergent factors before coming to a decision about what is best for our community. Because we are a diverse community, we err on the side of freedom of expression. We also tend to allow items that have educational, historical or artistic value, but we know that even those items are subject to a variety of valid and sometimes conflicting interpretations and emotional responses.

In order to help provide clarity and insight into our policy making process, we have included the rationale behind our decisions and details about how they will be enforced, including some representative examples below of what is allowed on Tribees. We reserve the right to remove listings that we determine are not within the spirit of Tribees. Violating this policy may result in the member's selling privileges being suspended and/or terminated.

• Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs, Drug Paraphernalia, and Medical Drugs

  Alcohol and drugs are prohibited on Tribees. These substances face serious legal restrictions and in many cases are considered controlled substances under applicable law. Our policy also applies to other substances that have or are claimed to have an intoxicating or healing effect. Possible legal restrictions aside, these substances are not in the spirit of Tribees.

  
  

  Tobacco products, smokeable products, e-cigarettes and e-liquid.

  Drugs and certain herbal substances, including substances used for recreational and medicinal purposes, regardless of their legality. We also prohibit instructions or materials intended to aid in the creation of these items.

  Drug paraphernalia, including, for example: items with a carburetor; slides and/or items with a slide; bongs and bubblers; vaporisers and their components.

  
  

  Medical drugs, regulated medical devices, and pharmaceuticals.

  Restrictions on descriptions of purported health benefits:

  A medical drug claim is a statement or suggestion that an item prevents, heals or treats a medical condition or disease. Medical drug claims are subject to varying degrees of regulation. If you make claims about the purported health benefits of an item for sale on Tribees, we urge you to speak with a qualified expert about which regulations apply to you. It is your responsibility to know and comply with all laws and regulations that apply to the items you sell.

  Tribees prohibits certain medical drug claims based on our values, such as claims likely to deceive or pose an unreasonable risk to our community. Tribees may remove claims that we deem to be inappropriate, excessive, or otherwise unsuitable for our marketplace. We also remove content that promotes prohibited medical claims, such as anti-vaccine items. If Tribees receives proper notice from a legal authority, we may remove an item. You can find more information on prohibited medical drug claims here.

• Animal Products and Human Remains

  Certain animal products are highly regulated and prohibited on Tribees due to the risk of harm to live, companion, or endangered animals.

  Items created using any endangered or threatened animal species. We define these as animal species designated as threatened or endangered by the US Endangered Species Act or listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Click here for more details about which animals we prohibit.

  Items made from cat and dog parts or pelts as defined by Australian Law.

  Ivory or bones from ivory-producing animals, including tusks, elk ivory, fossilised ivory and woolly mammoth ivory.

  Items made from human remains or products from the human body, except for teeth, fingernails, and hair.

  We expect all of our members to follow their local laws. If you are delivering items across international borders you should also consult CITES for specific information about importing and exporting species that may be threatened

• Dangerous Items: Hazardous Materials, Recalled Items and Weapons

  For safety and legal reasons, we prohibit certain dangerous items from our marketplace.

  Hazardous Materials

  Due to the potential harm caused by hazardous materials, as well as complex legal and delivery regulations surrounding such materials, hazardous materials are prohibited on Tribees. We also prohibit kits, instructions, patterns, and designs enabling the creation of these items.

  While not exhaustive, the following materials are examples of prohibited hazardous materials:

  Explosives (fireworks or sparklers)

  Explosive precursors

  Flammable items

  Gases

  Radioactive material

  Toxic substances (such as poisons)

  Individual or loose lithium ion batteries

  Some ingredients are considered hazardous when found in certain contexts. For more information, please see our Seller Handbook articles about cleaning supplies and cosmetics products.

  Recalled Items or Items that May Pose a Health or Safety Hazard

  Items that have been recalled by governments or manufacturers are prohibited from being sold on Tribees. A few examples of items that have been recalled are certain vintage Corning Ware percolators, lawn darts and drop side cots.

  Items that may pose a health or safety hazard are prohibited, even if they have not been the subject of a recall. This would include, for example, items that present a choking, electrocution, or strangulation hazard. We rely on information from user reports and various government agencies to identify these items.

  Tribees prohibits certain loose or separable high-powered magnets that fit into a 2.25 inches long and 1.25 inches wide “small parts” cylinder and have a flux of 50 kG2 mm2 or more, because of the safety risk they pose if swallowed.

  Weapons

  Context matters when it comes to defining what is or is not a weapon. When in doubt, it’s safe to assume that we won’t allow any item intended to be used as a weapon to inflict harm. The following items are generally not allowed on Tribees:

  Guns, knives, or other blatant weapons, even if they are vintage. See here for more information.

  Imitation firearms and weapons that look real or are prohibited by US law

• Hate Items: Items that Promote, Support or Glorify Hatred

  We want Tribees to be a community where people of all backgrounds, nationalities, religions, political affiliations feel welcome.

  Tribees does not allow items or listings that promote, support or glorify hatred towards people or otherwise demean people based upon: race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, or sexual orientation (collectively, “protected groups”). We also prohibit items or content that promote organisations or people with such views.

  The following items are not allowed on Tribees:

  Items that support or commemorate current or historical hate groups, including propaganda or collectibles. Examples of hate groups include Nazi or Neo-Nazi groups, Ku Klux Klan (KKK) groups, white supremacist groups, misogynist groups, or groups that advocate anti-gay, anti-immigrant, or Holocaust denial agendas.

  Items that contain racial slurs or derogatory terms in reference to protected groups.

  A note on swastikas:

  We are sensitive to the fact that there are many cultures throughout the world which use the swastika for legitimate purposes completely independent of Nazism. However, due to the widespread recognition of the Nazi swastika as a hate symbol, we have decided to only allow swastikas when part of a clear religious or cultural context.

  Items that use idiomatic expressions that include the word “nazi”, such as “grammar nazi”

  Grammar

  Example: Grammar “Nazi” Print

  Items denouncing or mocking groups or historical figures that have a history of organised, targeted violence against protected groups

  Photo of anti-Nazi graffiti

  Example: Photograph of Anti Nazi Graffiti

• Illegal Items, Items Promoting Illegal Activity and Highly Regulated Items

  We respect the law and expect Tribees sellers to respect the law as well.

  More Details:

  Illegal items, items that promote illegal activity, and stolen items are not allowed on Tribees. Neither are certain items that are subject to complex legal regulations or registration systems. We require sellers to follow all applicable laws for the items they list. Listings may be unavailable for users in regions where the item is restricted to purchase or sell.

  Unauthorised or counterfeit goods

  Personal information

  Highly regulated items, such as currency and real estate

  Listings which facilitate or promote illegal activity, such as:

  • Impersonation
  • Evasion of the detection of illegal activity
  • Fraudulent deception that is misleading of one's medical status, or that enables privacy infringement

  Unauthorised replicas or copies of items, and patterns or designs enabling their creation, are prohibited on Tribees. We consider counterfeit or unauthorised goods to be items that imitate an authentic good, particularly by using a brand’s name, logo, or protected design without the brand owner’s consent. Additionally, we may consider up-cycled or repurposed items, even if using authentic materials, to be counterfeit if they are making use of a brand's name, logo, or protected design without their permission. Examples of prohibited counterfeit or unauthorised goods include replica luxury and non-luxury items like bags and branded apparel.

  Personal information may not be sold, for instance as part of a data bank or mailing list. The sale of personal or government documents, such as credit cards, identification cards, and licences is also prohibited.

  Given associated regulations, lottery tickets, cryptocurrency mining rigs, and current, exchangeable currency and postage may not be sold on Tribees. We also prohibit the sale of financial instruments such as stocks, bonds, and other securities. Handmade items containing any of these items in a usable condition are also not allowed. Collectible postage or currency that priced at less than 1,000 AUD are allowed unless subject to legal or other restrictions. Collectible currency may not be offered as 'unsearched' or as a mixed lot of unknown contents. Additionally, due to complex legal restrictions that vary by location, Tribees does not permit the sale of real estate or housing.

  Items may not aid in impersonation. We prohibit realistic items that identify the wearer as an active law enforcement, military, or government official. It is also prohibited to facilitate the impersonation of a ride-share vehicle through the sale of rideshare company decals.

  We prohibit items which are intended to evade the detection of illegal activity, such as radar detectors, number plate covers, and materials for faking drug tests.

  Items meant to fraudulently deceive others about one’s medical status are prohibited. This includes items such as fraudulent test results, or items designating an animal as a service animal. We also prohibit items which deceptively infringe on someone’s privacy, such as concealed cameras or tracking devices, and lockpicking devices.

• Internationally Regulated Items

  Tribees provides a direct connection between shoppers and sellers around the world. If you buy or sell an item from another country, or if you enter into a transaction with someone across international borders, you are responsible for complying with laws and regulations of the country of destination as well as your local laws.

  More Details:

  When buying and selling internationally, you should comply with your local laws and be aware that other countries may have their own restrictions. You might be prohibited from exporting or importing certain items under international laws and regulations. Some transactions may require licences, permits, or other documentation. If you have questions about how to comply with the law, we recommend that you speak to a qualified professional.

  When you use Tribees’s services, you are also responsible for complying with economic sanctions and trade restrictions.

  Tribees reserves the right to request that sellers provide additional information, disclose an item's country of origin in a listing, or take other steps to meet compliance obligations.

  You should be aware that third-party payment processors, such as Stripe, may independently monitor transactions for sanctions compliance and may block some transactions as part of their own compliance programmes. Tribees has no authority or control over the independent decision-making

• Nudity and Mature Content

  As a creative community, we tend to be fairly liberal about what we allow on Tribees. That said, we prohibit pornography, illegal or exploitative items, and used intimate items. Beyond that, we allow but place restrictions on mature content so that people who are offended by this kind of material don't have to see it. If you are selling mature content, we ask that you be respectful of differing sensibilities by listing and tagging your items properly.

  More Details:

  We prohibit items which are not aligned with Tribees’s brand and values, or which carry legal or other restrictions. Depictions of the sexualization of minors are prohibited. We also prohibit depictions of bestiality, incest, and non-consensual sex.

  Pornography of any sort is prohibited on Tribees, whereas mature content is restricted. Although pornography can be difficult to define, an item generally qualifies as pornography when it contains printed or visual material that explicitly describes or displays sex acts, sex organs, or other erotic behaviour for the purpose of sexual arousal or stimulation.

  We define mature content as printed or visual depictions of human genitalia, sexual activity or content, profane language, sexual wellness items, violent images (within reason; see also Violent Items), and explicit types or representations of taxidermy. Click here to read more about how to properly list and tag mature content. Not all nudity is considered mature, and examples are listed below. If you find yourself questioning whether your item is mature, then it is likely a good idea to assume that it is mature content, and you should label it as such.

  When deciding whether mature content crosses over the threshold into pornography, we take into consideration the explicitness of depictions of sexual activity or content.

• Violent Items: Items that Promote, Support or Glorify Violence

  We want Tribees to be a safe place for everyone. While violent content can be a legitimate part of historical, educational or artistic expression, it should never be used to promote or glorify violent acts against others.

  More Details:

  We do not allow items or listings that promote, support or glorify acts of violence or harm towards self or others, including credible threats of harm.

  The following items are not allowed on Tribees:

  Items that glorify human suffering or tragedies, including items that commemorate or honour serial killers

  Items that attempt to exploit natural disasters or human tragedies

  Items that encourage, glorify, or celebrate acts of violence against individuals or groups

  Items that encourage self-mutilation, starvation or other self-harm

  Items that promote or endorse harmful misinformation

  Examples of What is Allowed:

  Fictional literary or art work (such as zombies, vampires or other fictional works that tend to contain violence)

  Real Looking Zombie Photo

  Example: Real Looking Zombie Photo

  Items that have educational, historical or artistic value

  Real Photograph of a Protest in Ukraine

  Example: Real Photograph of a Protest in Ukraine

  Items that show support or bring awareness to those at risk of self-harm, including those with eating disorders

  Suicide Awareness Poster

  Example: Suicide Awareness Poster

  BDSM items (See Pornography and Mature Content for additional information)

  BDSM Ball Gag & Whip

  Example: BDSM Ball Gag & Whip

  We hope these guidelines are helpful, but we can't catalogue every permitted or prohibited item. If you see something on Tribees that appears to violate these rules, you can report it to us.

  For all other reports, or for any questions, please contact Tribees Support.