✅  Quick Answer: Yes, It Is Legal

Selling unused, factory-sealed diabetic test strips is completely legal for private individuals in the United States. There are no federal laws prohibiting the resale of test strips you legitimately own, as long as they are unexpired, sealed, and not obtained fraudulently.

If you’ve ever found yourself with a drawer full of extra diabetic test strips, because your doctor changed your prescription, your insurance switched brands, your meter was upgraded, or a loved one has passed, you may be wondering: is it actually legal to sell them?

The short answer is yes. But like anything involving medical products, the details matter. This guide will walk you through exactly what the law says, what makes a sale legal, what conditions would make it not legal, and how to sell your unused diabetic test strips safely, legally, and for the most cash possible.

What Does the Law Actually Say About Selling Test Strips?

In the United States, there is no federal law that prohibits a private individual from selling unused diabetic test strips that they legitimately own. Test strips are considered over-the-counter medical devices. They do not require a prescription to purchase at retail, and there is no law against reselling them privately.

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulates the manufacture and distribution of test strips, but it does not prohibit the secondary resale of legitimately owned, unexpired, factory-sealed strips by private individuals. This is similar to how you can legally sell a bottle of over-the-counter medication at a garage sale, as long as it’s sealed, unexpired, and yours to sell.

The key legal principle here is that ownership transfers the right to resell. If you received test strips through your insurance, purchased them out of pocket, or inherited them, they are your property and you are entitled to sell them.

When Is It Legal to Sell Diabetic Test Strips?

For a test strip sale to be completely legal, the strips must meet several conditions. More Cash For Test Strips and any reputable buyer will only purchase strips that satisfy all of the following:

• Factory sealed and unopened. The original packaging must be intact. Opened boxes cannot be resold.
• Not expired (or within acceptable date range). Strips must have a valid expiration date with sufficient time remaining.
• Legitimately obtained. The strips must have been purchased legally or provided through insurance, not stolen, fraudulently obtained, or acquired through Medicare/Medicaid (more on this below).
• Not repackaged or tampered with. The strips must be in their original manufacturer’s packaging, no relabeling, repackaging, or alterations.
• Labeled for sale in the U.S. Strips must be domestic products with U.S. labeling, not imported foreign-market strips.

If all five conditions are met, your sale is completely legal.

When Is It NOT Legal to Sell Diabetic Test Strips?

While private resale is generally legal, there are important exceptions. Selling test strips is illegal in the following situations:

1. Strips Obtained Through Medicare or Medicaid

This is the most critical legal boundary. If your test strips were paid for, in whole or in part, by Medicare, Medicaid, or any other federal or state health program, selling them is a federal crime. This is considered healthcare fraud and can result in significant penalties, including fines and criminal charges.

The rule is simple: if taxpayer money paid for your strips, you cannot sell them. This applies even if you have more strips than you need and even if the strips are sealed and unexpired.

Reputable buyers like More Cash For Test Strips take this seriously and will not purchase strips that were obtained through government health programs. By selling to us, you are certifying that your strips were not paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, or similar programs.

2. Stolen or Fraudulently Obtained Strips

If the strips were stolen from a pharmacy, hospital, or another individual, selling them is receiving and selling stolen property, a criminal offense. Similarly, strips obtained through insurance fraud (e.g., billing insurance for strips you didn’t actually need or receive) cannot be legally resold.

3. Expired or Tampered Strips

Selling expired or tampered test strips, even if unintentionally, can expose you to consumer protection liability. Reputable buyers inspect all incoming strips carefully and will reject anything that appears expired, damaged, or altered.

4. Commercial Resale Without Proper Licensing

There is a difference between private individuals selling their own surplus strips (legal) and operating as an unlicensed medical device distributor (potentially regulated). If you are buying strips in bulk from others and reselling them for profit as a business, you may need to comply with FDA distributor regulations. This does not apply to individual sellers who are simply selling their own unused supplies.

What About Selling Through Reputable Buyers Like More Cash For Test Strips?

Companies like More Cash For Test Strips operate within a well-established and legal secondary market for unused diabetic supplies. We have been in business for nearly a decade, hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and have a 4.9-star Trustpilot rating from hundreds of verified sellers.

When you sell to us, the process is straightforward:

1. You check our price list and get an instant quote for your brands and quantities.
2. You complete a simple online form and receive a free prepaid shipping label, no cost to you.
3. You ship your sealed, unexpired strips to us.
4. We inspect the strips and issue same-day payment via PayPal, Zelle, Cash App, check, or wire transfer.

By certifying at the time of sale that your strips were not obtained through Medicare, Medicaid, or government programs, and that they are legitimately yours to sell, the transaction is fully legal and straightforward. For a full walkthrough, see our step-by-step guide to selling diabetic supplies online.

Why Is There a Market for Unused Diabetic Test Strips?

Millions of Americans with diabetes receive more test strips than they actually use each month through their insurance. At the same time, millions of uninsured or underinsured diabetics cannot afford retail prices for the strips they desperately need.

The secondary market for test strips bridges this gap ethically and legally. Sellers get cash for supplies they would otherwise throw away, and buyers access life-saving medical supplies at prices they can afford. It is a win-win for everyone involved. Provided the transaction is conducted honestly and legally.

Read more about why selling your extra diabetic test strips is a smart financial move and why selling is better than letting them expire.

What Brands of Test Strips Can You Legally Sell?

You can legally sell any brand of factory-sealed, unexpired diabetic test strips that you legitimately own. The most commonly sold brands include:

• Accu-Chek (Aviva, Guide, Instant, Performa)
• FreeStyle (Lite, Freedom, Precision, Libre sensors)
• OneTouch (Ultra, Verio, Select Plus)
• Contour (Contour Next, Contour Next One, Contour Plus)
• Dexcom (G6 receivers, G7 supplies)
• Omnipod supplies (pods, PDM, accessories)
• TRUEresult, ReliOn, Prodigy, and many more

Visit our price list page to see all accepted brands and get an instant quote on your specific supplies.

Common Questions About the Legality of Selling Test Strips

Can I sell test strips I got from my insurance?

Yes, as long as your insurance is private insurance (not Medicare or Medicaid). If you have private insurance through your employer or the marketplace, the strips belong to you once dispensed, and you may legally sell the ones you don’t use.

Can I sell strips that belonged to a deceased family member?

Yes, in most cases. If a family member has passed away and left behind unused, sealed diabetic supplies, you can generally sell them, provided they were not obtained through Medicare or Medicaid. This is one of the most common and completely understandable reasons people sell test strips. Read our dedicated post on selling diabetic supplies after a loved one passes for more guidance.

Do I need to report the income from selling test strips?

Generally, occasional personal property sales are not taxable income. However, if you are selling large quantities regularly, you should consult a tax professional. We recommend keeping a simple record of your sales for your own peace of mind. Note: We are not tax advisors. Always consult a professional for tax questions specific to your situation.

Is it legal to sell test strips on eBay or Amazon?

Both eBay and Amazon have their own policies restricting the resale of medical devices, and listings for test strips are frequently removed. Beyond the policy issue, selling on these platforms means lower prices, fees up to 15%, and no guarantee of payment. Selling to a dedicated buyer like More Cash For Test Strips is faster, safer, and more profitable. See our comparison of selling to us vs. selling on eBay for the full breakdown.

What happens if I accidentally sell expired strips?

Reputable buyers inspect every shipment and will identify expired strips before processing payment. If your strips are close to expiration, check our price list first, strips with less than 6 months remaining may receive a reduced rate or not be accepted. The key is to always check your expiration dates before shipping. Learn more about the best time to sell your unused diabetic test strips.

How to Make Sure Your Sale Is 100% Legal

Follow this simple checklist before selling:

• Your strips were NOT paid for by Medicare or Medicaid. Only private insurance or out-of-pocket purchases.
• Boxes are factory sealed. Original packaging, unbroken seal, never opened.
• Strips are not expired.  Check the expiration date on every box.
• Strips are in original, unaltered packaging. No relabeling, repackaging, or writing on the boxes.
• You are the rightful owner. The strips were prescribed to you or legitimately inherited.
• You are selling to a reputable, established buyer. Not on unverified platforms or to unknown individuals.

If you can check all six boxes, you are good to go. For more tips on how to avoid common pitfalls, read our post on common mistakes to avoid when selling diabetic test strips online.

Ready to Sell? Get Your Free Quote Today

Now that you know selling unused diabetic test strips is completely legal, provided you follow the straightforward guidelines above, there’s no reason to let valuable supplies sit in a drawer or end up in the trash.

More Cash For Test Strips makes the process fast, simple, and rewarding:

• Highest payouts in the industry. Compare our rates and see for yourself.
• Free prepaid shipping. No out-of-pocket cost to send your supplies.
• Same-day payment. Via PayPal, Zelle, Cash App, check, or wire.
• BBB A+ rated with a 4.9-star Trustpilot rating.
• We buy all major brands. Accu-Chek, Contour, FreeStyle, OneTouch, Dexcom, Omnipod, and more.

Don’t let your unused diabetic test strips go to waste. Get your free instant quote now. It takes less than a minute, and you could have cash in your account today.

 

Legal Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws may vary by state. If you have specific legal questions about your situation, please consult a qualified attorney.