Animals And Wildlife

Animals and Products

The following is allowed:

• Live bait such as minnows, shiners, earthworms, and mealworms.
• Composting worms.
• Live insects, and crickets used as bait or feeder food for pets.
• Shellfish, such as crabs and lobsters, that are live when sold but intended for human consumption.
• Aquarium or pond fish (up to 5cm long), snails, tadpoles, live Rock, live plants, live coral, (that aren't endangered or threatened species) or similar creatures.
• Aquarium or pond fish longer than 5cm may be listed with the collection in-person option.
• Hatching eggs for some animals are permitted provided the seller offers next-day delivery within the UK and Ireland.
• Mice sold specifically as food for pets.


The following is Prohibited:

(Not to be listed on BNSBids at all at any time)

• We do not allow any other pet animals to be listed for sale on BNSBids.

Animal Wildlife Products

The following is Restricted:

• Animal parts, pelts or skin from non-endangered species may be listed on BNSBids (apart from cats and dogs), if not in breach of local laws.
• Trade in CITES Annex B species is legal provided the formalities of the law are complied with including obtaining important and export permits. Please review CITES guidance on imports and exports for further information.
• Faux productions of animal products can be sold. Items must be clearly listed as faux in the title and description.

The following is Prohibited:

(Not to be listed on BNSBids at all at any time)

• No Items made from endangered or threatened species or species listed on CITES Appendix I
• No Items found in the policy from the Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking
• No Ivory or bones from ivory-producing animals.
• No Items made from bears.
• No Items made from marine mammals.
• No Items made from protected turtles or tortoises.
• No Eggs from wild birds regardless of age and condition.
• No Items made from domesticated cats or dogs.
• No Items made from snake venom.
• Animal parts from animal species listed in Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, or the Schedules to the Wildlife Acts 1976-2000, may be listed unless the seller has documentation proving the animal was not taken from the wild illegally.
• Any animal part from an endangered species listed on Annex A of the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations must not be listed on BNSBids unless accompanied by an Article 10 certificate as issued by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, or the Irish Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Note, The above-prohibited list is not only limited to these so make sure you follow our policies and local or international laws.

Ivory and Bone Products

BNSBids does not allow listings for any products made from ivory and bone. Although there are exceptions, most ivory and bone products have various international trade restrictions. Due to demands of the ivory market, many species from which the ivory is harvested are endangered or protected. Visit IFAW or WWF for more information on the global ivory trade.

The following is allowed:  

• Pre-1947 pianos and furniture with ivory elements. Must be advertised with proof of age from an antique expert
• Man-made ivory including vegetable ivory and French ivory. The material of the item must be clearly stated in the description.
• Bone from non-ivory producing animals (e.g. bison, buffalo, and oxen). The animal origin must be stated clearly in the description.
• Fossilized bone. The species and origin must be listed clearly in the description.


The following is Prohibited:

(Not to be listed on BNSBids at all at any time)

Any items made from real ivory and bones from ivory-producing species. This includes:

• Elephants.
• Walruses.
• Sperm and Killer whales.
• Narwhals.
• Hippopotamus.
• Wart hog.

Note, The above-prohibited list is not only limited to these so make sure you follow our policies and local or international laws.