Selling a baby cot? Here's how to list it safe and sound

Here at Trade Me, supporting a safe community is one of our top priorities. When it comes to items for pēpi (babies), this is especially important. If you’re looking to sell a new or used household baby cot, there are some crucial safety standards you need to meet.

It’s not just our rules – it’s the law.

The regulations for cots exist to protect babies from preventable hazards like suffocation, entrapment, falls, and strangulation.

Everyone selling a cot in New Zealand, from big retailers to someone selling their secondhand cot on Trade Me, must follow these rules.

Selling cots on Trade Me

It’s the seller's legal responsibility, both at law and under our terms and conditions, to ensure any cot they list is safe. When you list a cot, we’ll ask you to tick a box to confirm it meets the mandatory safety standard (AS/NZS 2172).

Our front line team will remove any listings that appear to be non-compliant. The Commerce Commission also enforces these standards and can issue heavy fines for selling a non-compliant cot.

Your pre-listing safety checklist

Before you create your listing, grab a tape measure and check that the cot meets these key safety requirements as advised by the Commerce Commission. Check out their guidelines on household cots. This is particularly important if the cot was originally purchased overseas, or you don’t know its original location of purchase.

Dimension requirements

The cot must have specific dimensions:

Space between bars must not be less than 50mm or exceed 95mm.
Distance between the edges of the mattress and any end or side of the cot must not exceed 20mm.
Distance between the bottom rails (when the cot is closed) and the mattress base cannot be less than 12mm or more than 30mm.
The distance between the floor and the cot's bottom rail at its lowest point must not be less than 50mm.

Structure and design

The cot's design and fastenings have to allow free movement of the dropside of the cot – the dropside guides have to be firmly fixed.
There must be either two fasteners or a system that requires two separate but simultaneous actions to access the cot.
The bottom edge of the lowest rails must not be higher than the top of the mattress base.
Nothing on the cot can protrude more than 5mm, unless it is designed so clothing cannot be caught on it.
There must be no structures or components that could be used by a child to get a foothold or toehold for climbing.
There must be no sharp edges or points on the cot that could risk injury to a child, or that clothing could catch on.

If the cot you want to sell doesn’t meet all these requirements, you must not list it.

What about secondhand or older cots?

Secondhand cots: These must meet the same safety standards as new cots. Even if a cot was compliant when it was new, damage or wear and tear over time might mean it no longer is.
Antique cots: Genuinely antique cots (over 100 years old) can be sold as collector's items. However, they must be listed in the ‘Antiques & Collectables’ category, and the description must clearly state that the item is a decorative piece and is not safe for a baby to sleep in.
Recalled products: Before you list, it’s a good idea to check the model hasn’t been part of a product safety recall. You can check this on the Product Recalls website.

A few final tips

Instructions: If you have the original assembly instructions, it’s a great idea to include them so the new owner can put the cot together correctly and safely.
Safe sleeping: You can also help buyers by reminding them that a safe sleep environment is just as important as a safe cot. This means keeping the cot free of pillows, bumpers, loose blankets, and large soft toys, which can be suffocation hazards.

If you’re ever in doubt about the safety of a cot, our advice is simple: don’t list it.

For more detailed information, check out the guidance on the Commerce Commission website.

If you see a cot listed on Trade Me that you believe may be unsafe, please let our team know by using the ‘Community Watch’ button at the bottom of the listing.

Author

Trust and Safety