is it illegal to sell car seats

[McGraham]

No, it is generally not illegal to sell car seats in the United States. However, the sale is governed by strict federal safety standards and regulations. The key legal considerations involve the seat's condition, history, and compliance with current safety rules. Selling a car seat that is expired, has been in a moderate or severe crash, or does not meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 213 could be considered illegal or create significant liability.

The most critical factor is the car seat's expiration date, which is typically 6 to 10 years from the date of manufacture. This date is stamped on the seat. The plastics and materials degrade over time, making an expired seat unsafe and unsuitable for sale. Furthermore, car seats involved in a crash according to the NHTSA's severity criteria (where the vehicle cannot be driven away, the door nearest the seat is damaged, or airbags deployed) must be replaced and should not be resold.

Always check for recalls on the specific model before selling. Selling a recalled product without disclosing the recall or having the remedy completed is a serious issue. When selling a used car seat, full transparency about its history is not just a best practice—it's a legal and ethical necessity to protect the next child who will use it.

Consideration	Why It Matters	Potential Consequence of Non-Compliance
Expiration Date	Materials weaken over time, compromising safety.	Sold product is ineffective, creating liability.
Crash History	Internal stress cracks may not be visible.	Selling a structurally unsound product.
Recall Status	The seat may have a known safety defect.	Violation of consumer protection laws.
FMVSS 213 Compliance	Mandatory federal safety standard.	Illegal to sell a non-compliant child restraint system.
Missing Parts/Manual	Prevents correct installation and use.	Misuse leading to injury; seller may share blame.

[ParkerAnn]

As a mom of three, I'd say it's not illegal, but you've got to be super careful. I'd never sell a seat that's been in any kind of accident or is past its expiration date—that's just asking for trouble. The rule in our house is to be completely honest. If you're selling it, tell the buyer everything you know about its history. It's not worth the risk knowing a child's safety is on the line. When in doubt, just don't sell it; recycle it instead.

[AllisonLynn]

From a legal standpoint, the act of selling isn't prohibited. The violation occurs when the product sold is defective or misrepresented. If you sell a car seat with an undisclosed crash history or that has expired, you could be held liable under product liability laws. It's less about "illegal" and more about "negligent." Always document the seat's manufacturing date and confirm it has no active recalls. Your responsibility is to ensure the item is safe for its intended use.

[LaMaximus]

I've sold plenty of kid gear online. For car seats, the platform's rules are as important as the law. Sites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist have policies against selling expired or recalled child safety items. If you list one, it'll likely get flagged and removed. My advice? Take clear pictures of the manufacturing date and model number sticker. In the description, explicitly state "never in an accident" and "expiration date of [insert date]." Transparency builds trust and keeps your account in good standing.