Illegal and Prohibited Products Cannot Be Sold on IVO

The IVO Terms and Conditions and your contract with IVO prohibit listing weapons, prohibited substances and any goods whose sale is prohibited or restricted by the legislation of the Republic of Moldova.

A product may be refused with the reason Illegal or prohibited product when it is one of these products, however it is described.

Not accepted on IVO:

• firearms, gas pistols and air guns that fire metal pellets, ammunition, gunpowder and weapon parts
• self-defence weapons: stun guns and other electroshock devices, pepper sprays, brass knuckles and telescopic batons, including those hidden in everyday objects
• explosives, fireworks, firecrackers and other pyrotechnics
• drugs, psychotropic substances and products sold as their “legal” substitutes
• medicines, with or without a prescription, and anabolic steroids
• tobacco and nicotine products: cigarettes, heated tobacco sticks, electronic cigarettes, vapes, e-liquids and nicotine pouches
• wild animals and plants protected by law, and products made from them, such as ivory or tortoiseshell
• identity documents, driving licences, diplomas and certificates, and fake banknotes

Copies of branded products are refused for a different reason, Suspected counterfeit / non-original product, which has its own article.

The brands used in the examples below are fictional.

Example 1: Weapons, including those that look like everyday objects

Some weapons are made to look like ordinary objects: a flashlight, a lipstick or a phone case with a stun gun hidden inside. They are weapons, and they are not accepted.

Not accepted A weapon, even when it looks like an everyday object.	Accepted An everyday object or a tool, without a weapon built in.
Rechargeable LED Flashlight with Stun Gun Function	Rechargeable LED Flashlight, 1000 lm, IPX6
A stun gun is still a stun gun, whatever it is built into.	The same flashlight without the stun gun is an ordinary product.
Steel Brass Knuckles	Folding Pocket Knife, 8 cm Blade, Wooden Handle
Brass knuckles have no use other than hitting someone.	Knives are tools and are accepted. Knives designed for hunting, combat or self-defence are delivered only to adults, with an ID check at the door.

Example 2: Medicines and health products

Medicines are not accepted on IVO, even those sold without a prescription. Many other health products are welcome.

Not accepted A medicine, with or without a prescription.	Accepted A health product that is not a medicine.
Ibuprofen 400 mg, 20 Film-Coated Tablets	VITARA Vitamin D3 2000 IU, Food Supplement, 60 Capsules	CARDIOLA Digital Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor
Medicines are sold in pharmacies, not on IVO.	Vitamins and food supplements are accepted.	Home medical devices, such as thermometers and blood pressure monitors, are accepted.

Example 3: Tobacco, vapes and fireworks

Tobacco and nicotine products are not accepted, and neither are fireworks. Products that only share a word or an occasion with them are accepted.

Not accepted Tobacco, nicotine and pyrotechnic products.	Accepted Products that only share a word or an occasion with them.
Disposable Vape, 5000 Puffs, Mint, 20 mg Nicotine	NOCTARA Tabac Vanille Eau de Parfum, 50 ml
Electronic cigarettes and vapes are not accepted, and neither are cigarettes, heated tobacco or nicotine pouches.	A perfume with tobacco notes is a perfume: the word “tobacco” alone is not a problem.
Firecrackers, Pack of 50	Confetti Cannon, 40 cm, Gold
Fireworks and firecrackers are explosives and are not accepted.	Confetti cannons and party poppers are accepted.

Products that sound restricted but are accepted

These products are accepted, as long as the listing describes them correctly:

• kitchen, folding, camping and hunting knives, machetes and axes
• airsoft and paintball guns, with their plastic BBs and paintballs
• tools and toys called “guns”: heat guns, glue guns, spray guns, massage guns and water guns
• confetti cannons and party poppers
• vitamins, food supplements, sports supplements and home medical devices
• hemp seeds sold as food
• perfumes and candles with tobacco notes
• hunting clothing and camouflage

If a product like these is refused by mistake, contact IVO support from the Help center.

Products for adults only

Some products are accepted, but are delivered only to customers aged 18 or over, who show an ID to the courier:

• alcoholic drinks
• erotic products
• knives designed for hunting, combat or self-defence
• video games rated PEGI 18

If selling a product requires a licence or an authorisation, for example alcoholic drinks, you must hold it, as set out in your contract with IVO.

What happens if a product does not meet this requirement?

If a product cannot be sold legally, or is not accepted on IVO, it may be refused during moderation with the reason Illegal or prohibited product.

The product will be returned to Draft Products.

A prohibited product cannot be corrected: changing its title, description or photos does not change what it is. Do not submit it for approval again.

Listing prohibited products, or describing them as something else to get them approved, can lead to the suspension of your account, as set out in your contract with IVO.

If you are sure the product can be sold legally and was refused by mistake, contact IVO support from the Help center.

A simple rule to follow

Before submitting a product, ask:

Is this product, or anything it contains, on the list of products that are not accepted?

If it is, it cannot be sold on IVO, whatever the title says. If you are not sure, ask IVO support before listing it.