Can I donate it?

All charities

British Red Cross

~300 shops Website ↗ Their donation guidance ↗ verified 10 Jul 2026

Shops keep an age 'refusal register': knives, blades and age-rated films/games are sold with age checks. Each shop reserves the right to refuse items not on this list.

Baby & children

Furniture

  • Can't accept Upholstered furniture without a fire label

    Applies to nursery furniture and all upholstered/foam-filled furniture; pre-1950 items exempt.

    Their wording
    “complies with The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 and has the relevant label attached, or predates 1950”
  • Check first Mattresses

    Only accepted in new, unused condition.

    Their wording
    “Mattresses, pillows and quilts that are not in new, unused, condition”

Electrical

  • Can't accept Computers, phones and other data-holding devices

    Copyright law forbids the resale of computers containing software.

    Their wording
    “Computer hard drives”
  • Can't accept Gas appliances

    Includes cookers, fires, lighters and hair-styling tools.

    Their wording
    “Mains or bottled gas appliances”
  • Can't accept Large appliances and white goods

    Microwaves are costly to test — standard appliance testers may not be qualified for the radiation tests.

    Their wording
    “Microwaves”
  • Can't accept Microwave ovens

    Microwaves are costly to test — standard appliance testers may not be qualified for the radiation tests.

    Their wording
    “Microwaves”
  • Can't accept Oil, paraffin and petrol heaters
    Their wording
    “Oil heaters”
  • Can't accept Vapes and e-cigarettes
    Their wording
    “Includes electronic cigarettes, vaporizers and their accessories.”

Safety equipment

  • Can't accept Helmets and safety headgear

    Cycle helmets, motorbike helmets, riding hats, hard hats.

    Their wording
    “All types of protective headgear”

Mobility & medical

Health & beauty

  • Can't accept Prescription glasses
    Their wording
    “Prescription glasses”
  • Can't accept Used or opened cosmetics and toiletries

    New, unused cosmetics, aftershaves and perfumes ARE accepted if sealed in original packaging.

    Their wording
    “We can accept new, unused cosmetics, aftershaves and perfumes if they remain sealed in their original packaging.”

Sharps & weapons

Hazardous materials

Food & drink

  • Can't accept Alcohol
    Their wording
    “Alcohol”
  • Can't accept Food and drink

    A Food Standards Agency licence would be needed.

    Their wording
    “Foodstuffs”

Media & books

Restricted materials

  • Can't accept Ivory, fur and taxidermy

    Also bone, turtle/tortoiseshell and CITES-listed endangered-species products; pre-1900 ivory inlays exempt.

    Their wording
    “The trade in ivory is banned, except for pre-1900 furniture, wooden items or pianos with ivory inlays or keys”
  • Can't accept Military uniforms and medals

    Also police/emergency services/government ID, uniforms, decorations and vehicle licence plates.

    Their wording
    “Includes police, emergency services or government identification, uniforms and vehicle license plates.”
  • Can't accept Tobacco, lighters and smoking accessories
    Their wording
    “Cigarettes, tobacco and related products”

Bedding & textiles

  • Check first Duvets and pillows

    Pillows and quilts only accepted new and unused.

    Their wording
    “Mattresses, pillows and quilts that are not in new, unused, condition”

Clothing & accessories

Sport & outdoor

  • Can't accept Bicycles

    Selling an unsafe bicycle is against the law and can result in a large fine.

    Their wording
    “Bicycles”

Additional source wording

Specific restrictions that have not yet been consolidated into their own item pages:

  • Electric fires
  • Dentures and prosthetics
  • Earrings/jewellery for pierced body parts
  • Second-hand children's shoes (except unworn wellies, jellies, flip flops)
  • Used breast pumps, sterilisers, baby monitors (only brand new & PAT tested)
  • Religious items (crucifixes, menorahs, Buddha statues, rosaries, nativity sets)
  • Golliwog-related items (dolls, toys, badges, books)
  • Sex aids or sex toys (any condition)