Prohibited & Restricted Products

Policy: Prohibited & Restricted Products
Applies to: All sellers listing on horeka.co
Version: 1.0  |  Effective: 7 August 2026

This policy defines what may and may not be listed on Horeka. It forms part of the Seller Agreement and is binding on every seller. Listing a prohibited item is a material breach and may result in immediate delisting, withholding of settlement, account termination and referral to the authorities.

Sellers are responsible for compliance. Horeka does not pre-approve every listing. The absence of enforcement action does not mean a listing is compliant.

1. Absolutely prohibited

The following may never be listed, in any form:

• Counterfeit goods — products bearing a trademark, brand name, logo or trade dress without the rights holder’s authorisation, and replicas or “first copy” goods of any kind.
• Weapons and ammunition — firearms, parts, ammunition, air guns, knives designed as weapons, and any item regulated under the Arms Act, 1959. Kitchen knives sold as kitchenware are permitted.
• Explosives and pyrotechnics other than as permitted in Section 2.
• Narcotics, psychotropic substances and drug paraphernalia.
• Tobacco, e-cigarettes and vaping products — e-cigarettes and ENDS are banned under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019.
• Alcohol and alcoholic beverages.
• Prescription medicines, medical devices requiring prescription, and unregistered drugs.
• Hazardous and banned chemicals, including asbestos, mercury-containing products, and substances restricted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Wildlife products — ivory, animal skins, and any item regulated under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Human remains, organs and bodily fluids.
• Obscene, indecent or sexually explicit material.
• Stolen goods, and any item the seller does not have lawful title to sell.
• Currency, government documents, licences and identity documents.
• Products bearing national symbols in violation of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, or the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
• Products making unsubstantiated health, medical or therapeutic claims, including claims to cure, treat or prevent any disease.
• Products recalled by their manufacturer or by any regulator.
• Surveillance and interception devices, including concealed cameras marketed for covert recording.

2. Restricted — permitted only with valid certification

These categories are central to our catalogue. They may be listed only where the seller holds and can produce, on demand and within 48 hours, the certification described.

2.1 Electrical and electronic appliances

Mandatory BIS certification under the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order and applicable Quality Control Orders. This covers, among others: electric irons (dry and steam), room heaters (halogen, quartz, OFR), immersion heaters, electric kettles, juicers and mixers, roti makers, waffle makers, sandwich makers, induction cooktops, extension cords, adapters, LED lighting and batteries.

Required: valid BIS Registration or ISI licence number; the BIS Standard Mark on product and packaging; correct wattage, voltage and rating declarations; and an Indian manufacturer or importer address on the label.

2.2 Gas stoves and LPG appliances

Mandatory ISI mark under IS 4246 for domestic LPG stoves. Required: ISI licence number, pressure-regulator compatibility declaration, and safety instructions in the box. Uncertified gas appliances are treated as an absolute prohibition.

2.3 Pressure cookers

Mandatory ISI mark under IS 2347 pursuant to the Pressure Cooker (Quality Control) Order, 2020. Required: ISI licence number and the safety-valve specification.

2.4 Food-contact articles

Cookware, tableware, storage containers, drinkware and food wrapping must be food-grade and comply with the FSS (Packaging) Regulations, 2018. Required on request: food-grade certification, migration test reports for plastics, and correct resin identification coding. Melamine and plastic articles must declare their temperature and microwave suitability accurately.

2.5 Pest control products

Insecticides and pesticides are regulated under the Insecticides Act, 1968. Required: CIB&RC registration number, a valid insecticide licence for sale, correct hazard labelling and antidote statement. Household insecticides must be registered for domestic use.

2.6 Batteries

BIS certification, plus compliance with the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022, including Extended Producer Responsibility registration where applicable.

2.7 Seasonal and festive goods

• Holi colours and gulaal — must be non-toxic, free of heavy metals and industrial dyes, and labelled with full ingredients. Herbal or food-grade certification required on demand.
• Holi smoke crackers and similar pyrotechnics — permitted only where PESO-approved under the Explosives Act, 1884 and the Explosives Rules, 2008, sold in compliance with all Supreme Court and state directions on firecrackers, and only into pin codes where their sale is lawful at that time. Sellers must suspend these listings immediately on any judicial or governmental restriction.

2.8 Cosmetics and personal care

Compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Cosmetics Rules, 2020. Required: manufacturing or import licence, complete ingredient list, batch number, manufacture date and expiry.

2.9 Children’s products

Toys must carry BIS certification under the Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020, with age grading and small-parts warnings. This includes water guns and similar Holi items marketed to children.

3. Mandatory labelling for every listing

Under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 and Rule 5 of the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, every listing must display:

• Name and address of the manufacturer, packer or importer;
• Country of origin;
• Common or generic name of the commodity;
• Net quantity in standard units;
• Month and year of manufacture, packing or import;
• Maximum Retail Price, inclusive of all taxes;
• Consumer care contact — name, telephone and email;
• Best-before or use-by date, where applicable.

4. Listing conduct rules

Sellers must not:

• Make false or misleading claims about a product’s origin, composition, capacity, material, certification or performance — including describing goods as “steel” when they are not, or overstating capacity or wattage;
• Display a false MRP or a struck-through reference price that was never a genuine selling price;
• Use images that do not depict the actual product being sold, including brand imagery for unbranded goods;
• Describe unbranded goods as branded, original or genuine;
• List used, refurbished or seconds goods as new without conspicuous disclosure;
• Engage in price gouging on essential goods during an emergency, disaster or period of scarcity.

5. Reporting a violation

Anyone — customer, competitor, brand owner or regulator — may report a listing that breaches this policy.

Email	[email protected], subject line REPORT — OFF 48% 3-Piece Non-Sti... ₹1,009.00 Original price was: ₹1,009.00.₹529.00Current price is: ₹529.00. Inclusive of all taxes Add to Compare 3-Piece Non-Stick Springform Cake Mould Set – Leak-Proof, Easy Release quantity
Include	Product URL, seller name, the specific concern, and any evidence
Acknowledgement	Within 24 hours
Action	Within 15 days; immediately where there is a credible safety risk

For counterfeit and trademark complaints specifically, use our Intellectual Property & Notice-and-Takedown Policy.

6. Enforcement

Where a listing breaches this policy we may, at our discretion and without prior notice where safety is engaged:

1. Remove or suspend the listing;
2. Withhold settlement of proceeds relating to the affected goods;
3. Cancel and refund affected orders and recall delivered goods at the seller’s cost;
4. Suspend or terminate the seller’s account;
5. Retain evidence and report the matter to the relevant authority.

Sellers may appeal any enforcement action under our Seller Performance, Suspension & Appeals Policy. We give written reasons for every action taken.

7. Changes

This list is not exhaustive and reflects the law as it stands. We update it as regulation changes, and sellers are notified of material changes at least 7 days before they take effect. Sellers remain responsible for compliance with all applicable law, whether or not a specific item appears here.