Prohibited items and content

If it’s illegal to sell, own or advertise in Alaska or under federal law, it can’t go on Northern List. The list below covers what we see most, but it isn’t every law that might apply to your item.

Stolen property

Anything you don’t own or don’t have the right to sell. If you spot your own stolen sled or trailer listed here, report it to police first, then report the listing to us. We cooperate with law enforcement.

Counterfeit goods

Fake brand-name clothing, gear, electronics or parts, and anything sold as a replica of a trademarked product.

Recalled items

Products under a safety recall, unless the recall fix has been done. This comes up most with cribs, car seats, strollers and space heaters. Check cpsc.gov or the maker’s site before listing kids’ gear and heaters.

Prescription drugs and devices

Prescription medications, including pet medications, and medical devices that need a prescription.

Anything else illegal to own or sell

Including government-issued IDs and badges, fireworks where they're banned, and items that require a license you don't hold.

Private, in-person firearm sales between Alaska residents are allowed in the Firearms category, under the rules on our safety page. These are not allowed anywhere on the site:

NFA items

Machine guns, suppressors, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, destructive devices, and any other item that needs federal NFA paperwork to transfer.

Conversion parts

Auto sears, conversion kits and other parts made to make a firearm fully automatic, plus unserialized or unfinished frames and receivers sold as kits.

Weapons that need a license to transfer

Explosives and anything else that can only be sold by or through a licensed dealer. Out-of-state buyers must go through a dealer, not a private sale.

Illegal to own

Anything illegal to possess under federal, Alaska or local law.

Drugs and paraphernalia

Illegal drugs and anything sold for using them.

Marijuana and cannabis

Not allowed, even though adult use is legal in Alaska. Legal sales have to go through state-licensed stores, and cannabis is still illegal under federal law. That includes edibles, concentrates, seeds, clones, and paraphernalia. Selling grow lights or tents for gardening is fine.

Alcohol

Selling alcohol takes a state license, and many Alaska communities limit or ban alcohol under local option. That covers home brew too. Empty collectible bottles are fine.

Tobacco and vapes

Cigarettes, cigars, chew, vapes, e-liquids and nicotine pouches.

This is the part of the rules most specific to Alaska. Hunting and fishing gear is welcome. What you harvested with it, mostly, isn’t for sale.

Sport-caught fish

Alaska doesn't allow selling or bartering sport-caught fish. That includes the halibut and salmon in your freezer. Commercially caught seafood sold by a licensed fisherman or processor is a different matter, but it can't be advertised here either.

Game meat

Selling meat from moose, caribou, deer, bear or any other game animal is generally illegal in Alaska, whether it was taken for sport or subsistence. Sharing it is legal, but please don't list it here, even for free.

Bear parts

Gallbladders, paws and other bear parts. Rules for bear hides, skulls and claws are strict and depend on the species and how the bear was taken; ask the Alaska Department of Fish and Game before listing any of them.

Marine mammal parts

Raw or unworked parts of walrus, seal, sea otter, whale, polar bear and other marine mammals, including ivory and baleen. Under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act, only Alaska Natives may sell authentic Native handicrafts and clothing made from them, under federal rules. If you’re an Alaska Native artist selling your own work, write to us at [email protected] before posting so we can make sure the listing works.

Migratory bird parts

Feathers, wings, nests, eggs and mounts of migratory birds, including ducks and geese you hunted. Eagle feathers and parts are never allowed. Narrow federal exceptions exist for some Alaska Native handicrafts; write to us before posting one.

Endangered species

Products made from any endangered or threatened species, from anywhere in the world.

Antlers, horns and hides

Some can be sold legally and some can't, depending on species and how they were taken. Shed antlers are usually fine. If you aren't sure, check with Fish and Game before you list.

No sexual content, nudity, escort or “massage” services, or anything that sexualizes minors. Adult services are not allowed in any category, including Services and Community. We report child exploitation to the authorities.

Jobs that charge applicants

Job listings that require a fee to apply, train, get a uniform or get "certified" before you're hired. Real employers don't charge you to work for them.

MLM and get-rich schemes

Multi-level marketing recruitment, "be your own boss" pitches, work-from-home check-cashing or reshipping jobs, and anything promising easy money.

Financial offers

Payday loans, credit repair, debt relief, crypto investments and offers to buy or sell PFD checks.

Housing ads can’t discriminate. The federal Fair Housing Act bars preferences or limits based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or familial status (having children). Alaska’s Human Rights Act adds protections, including marital status, pregnancy and parenthood.

In practice: describe the place, not the person you want. “Two bedroom dry cabin, wood stove, no smoking” is fine. “No kids,” “perfect for a Christian couple” or “single professionals only” are not. Limited exceptions exist, for example for some roommate situations; if you aren’t sure, leave the preference out.

Other people's personal data

Someone else's name, address, phone number or photos posted without their permission, and any list of personal or account information for sale.

Harassment and hate

Listings or messages that threaten, harass or attack people, including because of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability or national origin.

Spam and off-site ads

The same listing posted over and over, listings that only exist to send people to another website, and keyword stuffing.

Accounts and digital access

Game accounts, streaming logins, hacked software and anything else you aren't allowed to transfer.

When we find a listing that breaks these rules, we take it down and email the seller the reason. Removed listings stay visible to the seller on their dashboard. Repeat problems, scams and anything dangerous get the account banned.

See something that shouldn’t be here? Use Report on the listing page. If we removed your listing and you think we got it wrong, reply to our email or write to [email protected].