You Thought Selling Cosmetics Was Safe, but... You Could Face a 10 Million Won Penalty for Second-Hand Sales

Health Functional Foods Conditionally Allowed Only on Danggeun
Local and Onnuri Gift Certificates Not Permitted for Trade

After the holidays, various gifts such as red ginseng, meat, fruit, and gift certificates appear for sale on second-hand trading platforms. The phenomenon, dubbed 'holiday tech,' has emerged as sellers convert unwanted gifts into cash while buyers seek to purchase the surge of available items at lower prices immediately after the holidays. However, not all gifts can be freely bought and sold on these platforms, so caution is advised before engaging in transactions.

Chuseok gift sets are displayed at a supermarket in Seoul.

Red ginseng is a representative item traded during this period. In the past, the resale of health functional foods such as red ginseng, vitamins, probiotics, and omega-3 supplements between individuals was prohibited. However, since 2024, the government has temporarily permitted such transactions through a pilot program. Still, not every product is eligible for sale. Only unopened products stored at room temperature with the 'health functional food' certification mark and clearly identifiable product information can be traded, provided their expiration date has not passed. Currently, the only platform where such transactions are allowed is Danggeun Market, with an annual transaction limit of 10 times per person. Even if a post is hidden or deleted after a sale, it still counts toward the transaction limit. Products personally purchased or brought in from overseas for self-consumption, or items that have been repackaged from larger bulk products, are not allowed to be sold.

If a health functional food sales post you uploaded to Danggeun Market was deleted, it is because it did not meet these criteria. According to an official from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, "posts that violate guidelines are automatically removed by the system."

The regulations for second-hand sales of agricultural, livestock, and marine products—such as Korean beef or fruit gift sets—vary by platform. On Danggeun Market, items purchased from supermarkets or other retailers can be traded if the packaging is intact, sealed, and the product has not expired. Processed foods like ham, canned tuna, or cooking oil may also be sold as long as the packaging is undamaged and the expiration date has not passed.

On the other hand, agricultural products that are homegrown or harvested by individuals, as well as homemade items such as fruit syrup, are restricted from being sold under the Food Sanitation Act. For example, you cannot sell agricultural goods received from your family's farm. Bungaejangter prohibits peer-to-peer transactions involving raw agricultural, livestock, or marine products—including fresh foods—while Joonggonara restricts transactions involving opened, repackaged, or unlicensed foods that may violate food safety laws.

Both physical and mobile gift certificates can be traded, but they are considered high-risk for fraud, so extra caution is required. Be wary of sellers offering prices that are suspiciously low, those encouraging bulk purchases, or those avoiding face-to-face transactions. In particular, if the seller's name does not match the bank account holder's name, buyers should be mindful of the so-called 'third-party scam,' where both seller and buyer can be defrauded. Gift certificates issued by government agencies—such as Local Love Gift Certificates or Onnuri Vouchers—are not permitted for trade on second-hand platforms under relevant laws and regulations.

All types of alcoholic beverages, including wine, whiskey, and traditional liquors, cannot be traded on second-hand platforms. Selling alcohol without a retail license is punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won under the Punishment of Tax Offenses Act. Even those with a license may only sell at authorized locations, meaning online sales are not allowed. Most leading platforms also classify non-alcoholic beverages as harmful to minors and prohibit their trade.

There are also exceptions regarding cosmetics. It is not permitted to sell promotional or tester products received with the main product, or to resell contents by dividing up the main item. Violating these regulations can result in up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.