Selling on Shopee can be rewarding, but it also comes with strict rules that every seller must follow. One of the most serious violations is listing illegal drugs or drug-related products.

Shopee Malaysia enforces a zero-tolerance policy on this matter, and any misstep can lead to immediate account suspension or even legal consequences. To protect your business, it’s important to understand what items are prohibited and how Shopee enforces these rules.
 

Illegal Drugs Are Strictly Prohibited in Shopee Malaysia

Shopee Malaysia enforces a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to illegal drugs. Sellers are not allowed to list, sell, or even indirectly reference any substances classified as illegal under Malaysian law. These restrictions cover a wide range of drugs, whether natural, synthetic, or chemical-based.

In Malaysia, these substances are governed under two key laws:

• Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 – regulates narcotics such as heroin, opium, cannabis, and their derivatives.

• Poisons Act 1952 – controls substances that may not be immediately recognised as “drugs” but are still harmful or restricted due to their chemical properties.

Even if you think a product is “harmless” or meant for alternative purposes, if it is classified under these laws, you cannot sell it on Shopee. The platform takes enforcement seriously to protect both consumers and sellers from legal risks.

To make it clearer, here are some common items you must never list:

• Marijuana and related terms (cannabis, weed, kush, hemp) – whether in raw form, edible products, or extracts.

• Opium and heroin – including any form of narcotic-based substances.

• Steroids and controlled drugs – unless legally prescribed and authorised by proper medical channels, which Shopee does not permit for marketplace listings.

• Drug precursors – chemicals used in the production of illegal drugs, even if sold for “lab use” or “DIY purposes.”

It’s not just the products themselves that are banned. Even indirect references, such as using keywords like “weed” or “cannabis” in your product titles, descriptions, or hashtags are considered violations. Shopee’s system actively monitors listings for these terms, and your account may be flagged immediately.
 

No Drug Paraphernalia Allowed

Shopee’s restrictions don’t just cover drugs themselves, they also extend to any items associated with consuming, concealing, or producing illegal substances. These are known as drug paraphernalia, and they are just as strictly prohibited as the drugs they are connected to.

What Counts as Paraphernalia?

Paraphernalia refers to tools or accessories that are primarily designed for drug-related activities. Even if a seller tries to market them as “collectibles” or “decorations,” Shopee considers the real purpose of the item.

Some clear examples include:

• Water pipes (bongs): Glass or plastic pipes commonly used for smoking cannabis.

• Carburetor pipes, chamber pipes, and ice pipes: Smoking devices specifically designed for drug consumption.

• Concealment tools: Hidden containers or gadgets used to smuggle or store drugs discreetly.

• Marijuana grow lights and equipment: Items designed to assist in cultivating cannabis or other controlled plants.

Publications and Guides Are Also Prohibited

It’s not just physical tools that fall under this ban. Shopee also prohibits:

• Books, magazines, or online manuals that explain how to grow, produce, or use illegal drugs.

• Video guides, e-books, or downloadable media with instructions for drug production.
   

What Happens If You Violate Shopee Policy?

Shopee treats violations of its Prohibited and Restricted Items Policy with utmost seriousness. If you attempt to sell illegal drugs, paraphernalia, or related materials, the consequences can be swift and severe.

Here’s what you risk if caught:

• Immediate listing removal – Shopee’s system or compliance team will take down your product listing without prior notice once a violation is detected.

• Account suspension or permanent termination – Repeated violations or severe breaches can result in your seller account being suspended, or worse, permanently banned from the platform.

• Reporting to authorities – Shopee cooperates with Malaysian enforcement bodies. If your listing involves substances controlled under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 or Poisons Act 1952, your information may be passed to the relevant authorities.

• Legal prosecution – Beyond Shopee’s platform rules, you may face real-world consequences such as fines, court charges, or imprisonment under Malaysian law.

Stay Compliant and Manage Listings Smarter

Shopee’s zero-tolerance policy on illegal drugs and related items means sellers must pay close attention to the accuracy and compliance of their product listings. But when you’re managing multiple SKUs across different platforms, it can be easy for outdated or incorrect information to slip through.

BigSeller helps solve this challenge by giving you full control over your listings in one place. From the Product Page, you can:

• Track listing status (Live, Sold Out, Unlisted, Banned, Deleted) to immediately spot products that need action.

• Edit in bulk to update titles, descriptions, prices, attributes, or even images for multiple SKUs at once.

• Use content quality checks to refine product details and avoid policy violations.

• Sync products to keep your Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop stores consistent without manual work.

• Publish products efficiently using flexible methods, either manual, scraping, copying across stores, or via Excel upload.

With these tools, sellers can focus on growth while staying on the safe side of platform rules.
 

Register for free with BigSeller today and claim your 7-day VIP trial coupon. Keep your listings compliant, organised, and ready for more sales.