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We’re discussing car seats. While regulations differ, every state in the U.S. and the District of Columbia mandates forward-facing child car seats. Furthermore, many states require rear-facing seats for a certain period in an infant’s life to ensure the safety of babies, toddlers, and young children during travel. With approximately 3.6 million babies born each year in the United States, this item remains in high demand, even when parents decide to reuse the car seats they own for multiple children.
Car seats can be quite costly, with premium models sometimes priced over $800 by 2025. Additionally, due to tariffs in 2025, with over 85% of car seats produced in China, the prices are rising. Consequently, while parents might prefer to purchase new car seats, budget constraints might lead them to consider the market for used car seats. In June 2025, Amazon lists resale car seats with prices starting from $155 or more.
Amazon policies for selling car safety seats
Selling car seats on Amazon is not straightforward. Ensuring a safe restraint system is critical for the protection of babies and young children, and Amazon enforces specific requirements for car seats sold on their platform. This includes the ban on fabric restraint systems in child safety seats.
Amazon’s listings must feature the manufacturer or brand name along with the model number. For child restraint systems (either forward- or rear-facing), a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 13 test report is required, which can be from either an internal or external lab. This requirement also applies to belt-positioning and backless car booster seats. For handheld infant carriers, in addition to the FMVSS No. 13 report, sellers must provide an ASTM F2050-19 report from a Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC) lab. For convertible systems, besides these two reports, sellers must also submit an ASTM F833-19 report from a CPSC-accepted lab. Listings must include a manufacturer’s statement (self-attestation) that affirms compliance with all laws and must include lead testing information. Documentation submitted to Amazon for selling a car seat must be original, unaltered forms and must match the listing details. Car seat listings on Amazon also require clear images showing the model number, manufacturer name and address, registration card, product labels, compliance markings, hazard warnings, and product instructions.
More about selling used items
Selling used car seats on Amazon involves significant effort and paperwork. If this process feels overwhelming, reconsider your goals for selling items. Is it time to declutter and earn immediate cash? If so, focus on selling other items on Amazon that have fewer requirements than car seats. What high-demand items have you decluttered and are willing to sell? These might include electronics, clothing, tools, video games, and more.
If the goal is to sell household items to reduce debt, identify possessions that could generate substantial income. For instance, if your household has two cars, consider selling one while maintaining necessary transportation. If there is an outstanding loan on a vehicle, the loan must be fully paid off before completing the sale. The proceeds could then be used to settle urgent debts or reduce the balance. Selling a car is just one example; selling collectibles and other high-value items could also provide cash to reduce debt.
