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Listing emergency service uniforms on Trade Me

Learn about the rules around listing emergency service workers' uniforms on Trade Me.

By Trust and Safety 3 November 2023

There are strict rules when listing emergency service uniforms on Trade Me.

We recognise the great work done by Aotearoa's emergency services, but before you list your uniform onsite, be sure to know the rules.

If you have an emergency uniform, it's still the property of the workforce and shouldn't be sold by a member of the public.

What's not allowed

  • Uniforms or accessories for New Zealand 111 emergency services.
  • Uniforms or accessories for other emergency services, or Department of Corrections.
  • Items that bear the NZ Police Crest or other official markings, and items that are a part of the standard issue uniform.
  • Red and blue flashing lights for vehicles.

Even if the uniform is an imitation, if it's recognisable as belonging or relating to one of New Zealand's emergency services, it can't be sold.

Why?

Uniforms and accessories can be used to impersonate emergency officers. To prevent this, the gear is usually owned by the workplace and is required to be returned when no longer in use.

Impersonating a police officer is an offence – check out the Policing Act 2008 for more info.

As always, safety is a top priority when it comes to our policies and what can and can't be sold on the site. Trade Me reserves the right to remove any listing at its sole discretion.

Antique and other uniforms

If an antique uniform or accessory isn't recognisable as a current issue item, it can be listed on Trade Me.

Before you list any items on Trade Me:

  • Do your research and note in the description when the uniform was withdrawn from service.
  • You can only sell a company/workplace uniform if you actually own it.
  • If your workplace has issued it to you, there's a good chance it's still their property, so it's best to check with the company before listing.

If we think your listing could cause confusion, to be safe it may be removed from the site.

If you see an item that shouldn't be onsite, let us know via community watch at the bottom of the listing.

Author

Trust and Safety
Trust and Safety