Mostly no. Meta's Commerce Policies ban edged weapons on Facebook Marketplace, and the policy names swords and utility, hunting, combat and self-defence knives. The same weapons policy also bans guns and gun parts, ammunition, bows and crossbows, airsoft and BB guns, pepper spray and tasers, and even antique and collectible weapons.
If you're clearing out a garage, a shed or a collection, the rule is wider than you might expect, and it isn't only about things that look dangerous. Here's exactly what the policy covers, the grey areas, and what happens if you list something it bans.
What the weapons policy bans
Meta's weapons, ammunition and explosives policy says commerce content may not promote buying, selling or trading any of these:
| Item | Allowed on Marketplace? |
|---|---|
| Knives: utility, hunting, combat and self-defence | No |
| Swords and other edged weapons | No |
| Historical, antique and collectible weapons | No |
| Weapons and weapon parts | No |
| Accessories: grips, sights, scopes, magazines, lasers and lights | No |
| Ammunition and ammunition components | No |
| Bows, crossbows, arrows and crossbow bolts | No |
| Paintball, airsoft and BB guns, their parts and projectiles | No |
| Explosives and fireworks, including components and ingredients | No |
| Pepper spray, tasers and other products designed to stun or incapacitate | No |
| Gun ranges and gun shows | No |
| Educational material promoting weapon safety, training and licensing | Yes |
Two lines on that list are easy to miss. Antique and collectible weapons are banned, so a grandfather's ceremonial sword or a vintage bayonet can't go on Marketplace, however old. And the ban covers accessories, so a rifle scope or a torch designed to mount on a weapon is treated like the weapon itself.
What about kitchen knives and tools?
Kitchen knives aren't named in the policy, but utility knives are, and Facebook reviews listings when its systems detect a possible problem or when someone reports them. If a kitchen knife set or a multi-tool listing is rejected and you think that's a mistake, you can request a review.
To do that, go to your profile, open Profile status, select Marketplace below Extra features, click See what happened or See issue, choose the listing and click Request review. If Facebook decides it got it wrong, the listing comes back. You can't ask for a review after 180 days, or if you've already asked once for that listing.
Clearing a garage? Check the hazardous goods rule too
A separate policy on hazardous goods and materials covers a lot of what sits in sheds and garages. Meta's examples of what can't be sold include:
- Chemical pesticides and insecticides.
- Corrosive substances.
- Flammable and combustible substances and products.
- Asbestos, cyanide, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride.
- Chemical precursors, including oxidisers such as ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate or sodium nitrate.
Add fireworks from the weapons policy and you've got the list of things to take to a recycling or disposal centre rather than list for sale.
Another category that ordinary sellers can't list is covered under selling tickets on Facebook.
Guns and the rest of Facebook
Facebook has a separate help article on firearms, and it goes beyond Marketplace. It says the purchase, sale or trade of firearms, ammunition and explosives between private individuals isn't allowed anywhere on Facebook, so moving a gun sale into a group or a private message doesn't get round it.
There are two exceptions in that article. Firearm shops and online retailers can engage in commercial activity involving firearms on Facebook, as long as they follow all applicable laws. And posts about firearms in general are allowed, including discussion of sales in stores or by online retailers and posts about firearm laws.
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For the rules on everyday food and drink, see what food Meta lets you list.
What happens if you list a banned weapon
- Facebook's systems or another user flag the listing.
- The listing is rejected for breaking the Commerce Policies.
- If you keep breaking the Commerce Policies, Facebook may limit or suspend your Marketplace access. It warns you first when your access is at risk.
- If you repeatedly post content that breaks the policies, Meta says it may take additional action on your account.
If you've spotted a weapon for sale and want it gone, you can report the seller on Facebook Marketplace. The same strictness applies to living things, as I explain in can you sell animals on Facebook Marketplace.
My advice
If it's designed to cut, shoot, stun or explode, leave it off Marketplace. That includes the antique, the airsoft gun and the pepper spray. Describe kitchen items clearly as kitchen items, and if a listing is rejected by mistake, use your review. My step by step guide to selling on Facebook Marketplace walks through creating a listing.
Related guides live in the Facebook Help: 80 Guides to Pages, Groups, Ads, Stories and Fixes.
Related: writing for us on kitchen.
Frequently asked questions
Can you sell knives on Facebook Marketplace?
Meta's Commerce Policies ban edged weapons, including swords and utility, hunting, combat and self-defence knives. Kitchen knives aren't named, but if a listing is rejected you can request a review.
Can you sell antique swords or collectible weapons on Facebook Marketplace?
No. Historical, antique and collectible weapons are on the not allowed list in the weapons policy.
Can you sell airsoft or BB guns on Facebook Marketplace?
No. Paintball, airsoft and BB guns, and their parts and projectiles, are banned under the weapons, ammunition and explosives policy.
Can private individuals sell guns on Facebook?
No. Facebook says the purchase, sale or trade of firearms, ammunition and explosives between private individuals isn't allowed on Facebook. Firearm shops and online retailers can sell as long as they follow the law.
