Is Retail Arbitrage Legal in Canada?
Reselling products you bought legitimately is generally legal in Canada, but marketplaces and brands add their own rules.
The short answer
In general, once you buy a genuine product you are free to resell it. That is different from being allowed to sell it on a particular marketplace, which sets its own rules.
Where sellers get into trouble
- Listing a retail-bought item as "new" where the marketplace expects an authorized supply chain
- Selling brands that need approval ("gated" brands)
- Using a brand's images or trademarks in ways the brand objects to
- Ignoring product safety or labelling rules
What to do
- Keep every receipt
- Check brand and category restrictions before you buy
- Describe condition honestly
- Register for and charge sales tax when you are required to
This is general information, not legal advice. For anything specific to your business, ask a lawyer.