Where can you buy second-hand baby gear in Iceland?
Short answer
You can find second-hand children's clothes and other used goods in Iceland, including at places such as Barnaloppan and sales sites such as Bland.is. Before buying baby gear, check its condition, safety standard and age. Do not buy a used child car seat from a stranger, and avoid old cribs or bassinets that do not meet current safety requirements.
Second-hand baby gear can save money, but safety comes first. A Reykjavík City document lists Barnaloppan as a second-hand children's clothing market. Bland.is is also documented by an official Icelandic source as a sales website. Official sources opened for this article do not confirm particular parent-to-parent groups as places to buy baby gear, so check those groups yourself rather than relying on them as an official source.
Start with simple items that are easy to inspect. Used children's clothing is different from safety equipment because you can check the condition directly. For toys, Heilsuvera says toys should meet the applicable EN71 standard, carry a CE mark and be suitable for the child's age. Check that a used toy is complete, intact and appropriate for the age stated by the manufacturer.
Be especially careful with cribs and bassinets. Heilsuvera says cribs and bassinets should meet the applicable EN1130 standard, and their mattresses should meet EN16890. One current Heilsuvera page says cribs and bassinets made more than 20 years ago do not meet the current safety standard and are not safe to use. Another Heilsuvera checklist says a crib or bassinet older than 25 years is not safe. Because these official pages give different age limits, do not use the age rule alone when assessing an older item.
Check the fixings before using a second-hand crib or bassinet. Heilsuvera says equipment younger than the stated age limit can be used if all fittings are present or replacement fittings can be obtained from the manufacturer. If a mattress needs replacing, the guidance says to obtain it from the crib or bassinet manufacturer so that it fits correctly and has been tested for breathability.
Avoid a used child car seat from an unknown person. Heilsuvera specifically advises against buying a used infant car seat from a stranger. Ísland.is also warns that used child car seats can be unsafe because it can be difficult to know whether a seat has been damaged, including damage hidden under the cover. The Icelandic transport guidance says the expiry period is set by the manufacturer, so check the manufacturer's instructions before using a seat.
Check a used stroller before paying for it. Heilsuvera says strollers and pushchairs should meet the applicable EN1888 standard. It also says that a stroller is intended for transporting a child and should not be used as an unattended sleep environment. If a stroller has a harness, make sure it can be attached to the stroller's designated attachment points and use a harness made for that stroller.
Check the manufacturer's information when safety depends on a specific product. This is especially important for a crib, mattress, car seat or harness. Official guidance repeatedly points you back to the manufacturer's instructions for correct use, compatibility and the product's usable life.
Inspect the item before bringing it home. Look for missing parts, damaged fittings, cracks, loose pieces and signs that the product has been modified. For equipment used for sleep or travel, do not assume that a low price makes an older item a good choice. If you cannot establish what the item is, how it should be used or whether its safety requirements are met, leave it.
Use second-hand buying for the items you can safely assess. Clothes and suitable toys can be checked for condition and age suitability. Safety equipment needs more careful checking because its history, standard, compatibility and condition can affect whether it is safe. When an official Icelandic source gives a specific warning, follow that warning rather than treating all used baby gear as equivalent.
Icelandic words in this guide
- Heilsuvera — National Health Portal
- Ísland.is — Government Digital Services Portal
What you need to do
- 1Choose an item that you can identify and inspect properly.
- 2Check the manufacturer's information and applicable safety standard.
- 3Inspect the item for damage, missing parts and altered fittings.
- 4Check the item's age when its safety depends on age or service life.
- 5Avoid a used child car seat from an unknown person.
- 6Replace a crib or bassinet mattress through its manufacturer when needed.
Questions parents ask
Can I buy a used baby crib in Iceland?
Should I buy a second-hand child car seat?
Can I buy used baby clothes?
What should I check on a used toy?
This guide is general information, not advice about your situation. Rules, costs and deadlines change — check the official source before you act on it.
Vagga is an informational planning assistant. It does not replace official government, healthcare, legal, financial, or medical advice. Always confirm deadlines and requirements with the relevant Icelandic authority or professional. Learn more →