To be able to sell your products on CopeCart, you must select the correct product type. Your product must comply with CopeCart's guidelines, otherwise it will be blocked. Your product must not violate any laws or legal regulations. It must also not endanger the health and safety of persons. All questions related to this topic are answered in our FAQ.
This step-by-step guide will show you how to create your product and what you need to bear in mind.
Even after creating your product, you can change the product type.
If you need help categorizing your product, please use our chat function.
The vendor is responsible for selecting the correct product type.
Digital Products
Digital Products
Digital content represents data that is created and made available in digital form. The spectrum ranges from computer programs, apps, video and music files.
Digital databases enable the use of and interaction with digital content. These include streaming services, digital television services, databases, cloud services and social media.
Note: E-book is a separate product type.
Physical Products
Physical Products
Physical products are products that are sent by post or by a delivery service. Basically, this means anything that can be shipped, including but not limited to: Clothing, shoes, tools, furniture, accessories, jewelry, art, etc.
Printed books and magazines, even if they are considered physical products, are a separate product type.
Currently, physical products can only be sold and shipped from Germany.
Note: When purchasing physical products, the standard VAT rate of the recipient country applies.
Printed Books
Printed Books
This includes books and/or magazines that are sent by post or delivery service. Currently, physical books can only be sold and shipped from Germany.
Note: When purchasing printed books, the (reduced) VAT rate of the recipient country applies.
E-Books
E-Books
E-books in all supported formats can either be downloaded or used online. Due to specific tax regulations, e-books are not considered digital products.
Note: When purchasing e-books, the reduced VAT rate of the country of purchase applies.
Seminars/ Events
Seminars/ Events
This product type requires the physical presence of the event attendees. For the time being, CopeCart can only sell seminars and events that take place in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
IMPORTANT: For events and seminars, please ensure that the place of fulfillment (and therefore also the tax rate) is selected when creating the product.
Please also make sure that you specify a clear time and exact location for your seminar or event in the product description.
Note: When purchasing this type of product, the standard VAT rate of the seminar or event country applies.
Other (physical) Services
Other (physical) Services
Physical services are based on direct personal interaction (e.g. by telephone, email, etc.) or require an on-site presence. They can be provided at a fixed location or be location-independent. The service is therefore not performed digitally, but can be created digitally.
An example of this is the creation of a website as a service, where the collaboration between the service provider and the customer takes place in person on site or via other communication channels, such as telephone, email, etc.
This is also the difference to services with digital content, such as the provision of online coaching, which are usually provided entirely via digital platforms without the need for direct physical interaction.
If you provide services in a country different from where your business is registered, you must pay VAT according to the respective national laws. Currently, only services in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland can be sold through CopeCart.
Distance Learning
Distance Learning
Distance learning is a form of continuing education in which
teachers and learners are exclusively or predominantly physically separated and
the learning success is individually monitored.
This can be realized using various technologies such as online platforms, video conferencing, e-learning systems or printed materials. Distance learning allows learners to learn flexibly, regardless of their geographical location and schedules. It is important that learning success is monitored to ensure that learning objectives are achieved and that students can be adequately supported.
Since the German Distance Learning Protection Act (FernUSG) came into force on January 1, 1977, all distance learning courses have been subject to mandatory accreditation, i.e. all distance learning courses must be state-approved before they can be offered.
Approval is granted by the State Central Agency for Distance Learning (ZFU), which acts on behalf of the 16 federal states.
You can also find further information here: https://zfu.de/veranstaltende/fernunterricht
The product category "Distance learning" is grayed out in the account during product creation because distance learning courses may only be sold with a valid license in accordance with FernUSG.
Please send us your license to support-eu@copecart.com or share it via our Slack channel so that we can check it and release the product category for you.
Prohibited Products
Prohibited Products
If a product violates a law or the rules of CopeCart, it cannot be sold on CopeCart.According to CopeCart's Terms and Conditions, the following products are prohibited:
Illegal Drugs and Controlled Substances
Illegal Drugs: Any form of illegal drugs, including but not limited to marijuana (in regions where it is illegal), cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, synthetic cannabinoids, and all other substances classified as illegal under federal or state law.
Controlled Substances: (Prescription) medications, steroids, and other controlled substances.Drug Paraphernalia: Equipment or products primarily intended for the manufacture, use, or concealment of illegal drugs, including bongs, pipes, syringes, and other paraphernalia.
Weapons and Explosives
Firearms and Ammunition: Sale or distribution of firearms, firearm parts, ammunition, or magazines.
Explosives: Explosive materials such as bombs, grenades, fireworks, as well as components or instructions for making explosive devices.
Knives and Dangerous Items: Certain types of knives (switchblades, butterfly knives, etc.), tasers, stun guns, and any items designed to cause bodily harm or used as weapons in prohibited contexts.
Hazardous and Risky Goods
Toxic Substances: Chemicals and materials that pose a significant risk to human health or the environment, such as mercury, asbestos, radioactive materials, and industrial chemicals not approved for consumer use.
Counterfeit Products: Fake or imitation items intended to deceive customers, including counterfeit designer goods, fake currency, and fraudulent certificates or licenses.
Adult Content and Explicit Material
Pornography and Sexually Explicit Content: Pornographic materials, services, or content that involve or depict explicit sexual acts, violence, or exploitation. This includes prostitution and escort services.
Endangered or Protected Wildlife and Animal Products
Endangered Species: Products derived from or affecting endangered or protected species (e.g., ivory, shark fins, tiger skins), including the trade of live animals or animal parts in violation of wildlife and conservation laws.
Animal Products: Items that involve cruel or unethical practices, such as furs from prohibited sources or unethical hunting methods.
Hate Speech, Offensive Material, and Violent Content
Hate Speech and Discrimination: Articles or content that promote hate speech, violence, discrimination, or harmful stereotypes based on race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or other protected characteristics.
Violent and Offensive Content: Videos, images, games, or content that glorify or promote violence, terrorism, or illegal activities.
Fraudulent, Deceptive, and Unreliable Items
Pyramid Schemes and Scams: Products or services associated with fraudulent systems or misleading marketing practices.
Counterfeit and Stolen Goods: Sale of stolen items, unauthorized goods, or unlawfully appropriated services, including counterfeit documents, pirated software, and hacked accounts, as well as products that infringe on third-party rights (especially trademarks, patents, or other intellectual property rights).
Human Exploitation and Modern Slavery
Human Trafficking and Exploitation: Any form of human trafficking, exploitation of minors, forced labor, and items or services associated with modern slavery.
Materials for the Exploitation of Children: Strict prohibitions on any material, product, or service related to the exploitation of minors, including child pornography or services that promote child labor or abuse.
Gambling and Illegal Betting Services
Gambling Services: Sale of online gambling services, lotteries, or betting platforms that are not licensed and regulated according to applicable regulations.
Illegal Lotteries: Advertising for or selling unauthorized lottery tickets or participating in unregulated lotteries and betting pools.
Unauthorized or Restricted Medical Services and Devices
Unapproved Medical Products: Sale of unapproved medical devices, medications, or products with false health claims, including those not approved by competent health authorities such as the FDA or WHO.
Alternative Medical Practices: Services that involve unproven, dangerous, or unapproved medical procedures, treatments, or supplements, as well as spiritual healing, various alternative medical, esoteric, religious, or magical treatment methods.
Infringing and Unauthorized Digital Goods
Copyright-Infringing Content: Sale or distribution of software, media, or digital goods that infringe copyrights, patents, or intellectual property rights.
Unauthorized Access Tools: Products that enable unauthorized access to networks, devices, or digital services, including hacking tools, keyloggers, and spyware.
Currencies and Financial Instruments
Counterfeit Money: Sale of counterfeit money, banknotes, coins, or unauthorized financial instruments.
Money Laundering and Fraudulent Services: Services that facilitate money laundering, fraudulent schemes, and activities related to unauthorized financial transactions.
Electronic Goods
Alcohol, Tobacco
Products that are subject to legal advertising bans or restrictions.
User Data: User data must not be sold through CopeCart, except for lead generation services.
Products Applied to the Skin or Ingested
Hosting, Domains
Vouchers
Products that may only be sold to end customers after age verification (e.g., age-restricted content).
CopeCart reserves the right to block any products that may pose a danger that cannot be assessed without reviewing the product.
Service with digital content
Service with digital content
This category includes, for example, 1:1 coaching and mentoring, as well as services with digital (interactive) customer interactions, provided they do not fall under the category of "distance learning". A webinar that is held live and does not include a Q&A session is therefore also generally classified as a service with digital content.
This means that although these services include digital content and interactions, they are not primarily aimed at conveying educational content or achieving learning objectives, as is the case with distance learning. Instead, they focus on personal support, advice or customer-specific interactions that are delivered digitally.
Best regards
Your CopeCart Team