What can't be sold
A short list, with the reasons why
In effect from October 5, 2026
This is a courtesy translation. The Spanish version is the one that applies. Spanish version
In short
- Everyone knows their own business and we don't get involved. There are only two things here: what the law prohibits and what the companies cubobase depends on don't allow: the server where the stores live, Mercado Pago, Stripe, PayPal and WhatsApp.
- If someone breaks those companies' rules, it's not just their store that goes down: all of cubobase can go down, with every store in it. That's why this list applies to everyone.
- It applies equally to physical products, digital products (files, links, codes) and services.
- Not sure about something? Ask us before you publish it: contacto@cubobase.com.
1. Copies and counterfeits
This is the most common one, and it's often done without knowing it isn't allowed.
- Brand replicas: clothing, sneakers, handbags, watches or perfumes sold as "replica", "AAA", "top quality" or "inspired by".
- T-shirts, mugs, stickers or print designs with soccer club crests, characters (Disney, Marvel, anime, cartoons), or brand or band logos, without a license from the owner. Even if you draw it yourself, the character or the crest belongs to someone else.
- Copies of other people's courses, books, movies, music or software, even if you bought them: buying something lets you use it, not resell it.
- Pirated software or games, activators and unlicensed keys.
- Photos, drawings or designs taken from the internet (Google, Pinterest, image banks) to sell as your own.
Why: it's prohibited by the trademark law (Ley 17.011, Uruguay's trademark law) and the copyright law (Ley 9.739, Uruguay's copyright law), and Mercado Pago and PayPal block accounts that sell it.
What's fine: your own art, your photos, your designs, your courses and your recipes, or whatever you have written permission to sell.
2. Weapons and dangerous goods
- Firearms, ammunition and their parts, and replicas that could be mistaken for real weapons.
- Explosives. Fireworks, only if you're licensed to sell them.
- Hazardous materials that can't be sold to the public (chemicals, toxic substances).
Why: the law, and Mercado Pago, PayPal and WhatsApp don't allow it.
3. Drugs and health
- Drugs, including cannabis: in Uruguay it can only be sold through IRCCA channels (Ley 19.172, Uruguay's cannabis regulation law).
- Drug paraphernalia. If you have a grow shop, ask us first: it depends on what you sell.
- Prescription medicines, and products that claim to cure diseases.
- E-cigarettes and vapes: their sale is prohibited in Uruguay (Decreto 534/009).
Why: the law, and Mercado Pago and PayPal don't allow it.
4. Sexually explicit content and sexual services
- Photos, videos or live streams with sexually explicit content, even if they involve consenting adults.
- Sexual services and hookups.
Why: this isn't a judgment about what anyone does for a living. It's that the server where all the stores live doesn't allow that content to be stored, and PayPal and WhatsApp don't allow it either. If they find it, the service can be cut off for everyone.
What's fine: a sex shop (toys, lingerie), with photos that aren't explicit. Note: WhatsApp doesn't allow them to be sold through its channel (section 6).
And never, in any form, anything sexual involving minors: besides deleting it, we report it.
5. What belongs to others or harms someone
- Stolen goods or things you don't own.
- Other people's personal data: email or phone number lists, databases.
- Accounts (Netflix, gaming, social media) and fake followers, likes or reviews.
- Documents: ID cards, diplomas, medical prescriptions, certificates.
- Money: counterfeit bills, cryptocurrencies and investments that promise returns.
- Betting, gambling and raffles without the authorization the law requires.
- Endangered animals or products made from them, and human body parts.
- Anything that discriminates against or incites violence against anyone.
- Scams: products that don't exist, bait pricing, "easy money".
Why: the law, and the rules of Mercado Pago, PayPal and WhatsApp.
6. Sold in your store, but not on WhatsApp
These things can be sold in your store. What you can't do is sell them through WhatsApp Business, because WhatsApp's rules prohibit it:
- Alcohol (wine, beer, spirits) and tobacco.
- Medical and health products.
- Live animals, such as pets.
- Adult products, like those from a sex shop.
- Dating and gambling.
If you have the Manager, it doesn't offer these products or take orders for them on WhatsApp; your customers buy them in the store. If WhatsApp sees them being sold through its channel, it can close the business's account.
7. If you see something that shouldn't be there
- If someone is selling something of yours without permission (your photos, your work, your brand, your course), or something on this list, write to us at contacto@cubobase.com with the link and, if it's yours, tell us why.
- We look into it and, if appropriate, we take it down and let the store owner know, who can give us their side.
8. What happens if something on the list is sold
- We take that product down and let the store owner know. If it happens again, or if it's serious, we may suspend the store, as set out in the terms.
- If you sell from another country, whatever your country's law prohibits also applies.
- This list may change if the law or those companies' rules change. The one that applies is the one on this page, with its date at the top.