Selling Expired Supplements and OTC Medication

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

A user inquires whether Shopify permits selling expired supplements and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, noting that while this may be legal, platforms like eBay prohibit such sales.

Key Considerations Identified:

  • Shopify’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP): No explicit ban exists, but the policy prohibits products violating local laws or posing health risks. Expired health products may trigger store suspension if deemed unsafe or non-compliant.

  • Payment Processor Restrictions: Shopify Payments (Stripe), PayPal, and similar processors maintain strict policies on pharmaceuticals. Sellers must verify terms with their payment provider, as restrictions may apply even if Shopify allows the listing.

  • Legal & Liability Risks: Compliance depends on jurisdiction-specific regulations. Sellers face potential customer trust issues and liability claims if products cause harm.

Recommendation: Selling expired supplements/OTC medications on Shopify is not recommended due to regulatory ambiguity, payment processing barriers, and reputational risks. If proceeding, sellers should verify AUP compliance, confirm local laws, and assess liability exposure.

The discussion remains advisory, with no definitive resolution on platform permissibility.

Summarized with AI on November 1. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

Selling expired supplements and over the counter medication is legal, but some platforms such as eBay do not let users sell these items. Is this an item that would be allowed to sell through a Shopify store?

2

Hi @SyriosGifts

It looks like you’re exploring whether Shopify allows the sale of expired supplements and over-the-counter (OTC) medication. This is an important question because, while selling expired supplements and OTC drugs might be legal in some cases, different platforms have their own policies restricting such sales.

Now, Shopify itself doesn’t have a specific rule outright banning expired supplements or OTC medication. However, there are two critical things you need to consider before moving forward:

1. Shopify’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

Shopify’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) prohibits selling products that violate laws or regulations in your jurisdiction. Even if selling expired supplements is legal in some places, you’ll need to check whether local laws in your target market allow it.

Additionally, Shopify restricts regulated or potentially harmful products, including certain drugs and medical products. Expired medication and supplements may fall under this category, especially if they pose health risks. If Shopify deems your products unsafe or non-compliant, they can suspend or close your store.

2. Payment Processor Compliance (Shopify Payments, PayPal, Stripe, etc.)

Even if Shopify doesn’t explicitly ban these items, Shopify Payments (powered by Stripe) and other payment processors have strict policies on selling pharmaceuticals, supplements, and health-related products. Many payment providers prohibit selling expired or potentially unsafe health-related goods.

If you rely on Shopify Payments, PayPal, or other mainstream processors, your store might get flagged, restricted, or even banned from using their services. To avoid issues, you should:

  • Check Shopify’s Payments Terms of Service.
  • Contact your payment provider to confirm whether they allow these sales.
  • Consider alternative payment gateways that permit selling such products (if legally allowed).

3. Customer Trust & Compliance Risks

Selling expired health products can also hurt customer trust. Even if the product is technically safe to use, many customers won’t feel comfortable buying expired supplements or medications. You could also face liability issues if a customer claims harm from using expired products.

Final Verdict: Should You Sell Expired Supplements & OTC Meds on Shopify?

Not recommended. While Shopify doesn’t outright prohibit expired supplements, it’s a grey area with legal, compliance, and payment processor risks. If you proceed, make sure to:

  • Check Shopify’s AUP and Payment Terms.
  • Verify local laws on selling expired health products.
  • Consider customer trust and liability concerns.

If you need any other assistance, feel free to reply and I will try my best to help.
Best regards,
Daisy