You can sell unused diabetic test strips through online buyback companies, local buyers found on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, or general selling platforms like eBay. Most people use dedicated buyback websites because they’re the simplest option: you ship your boxes in and receive payment, typically $5 to $40 per box depending on the brand and expiration date. But the process has real pitfalls, including scam companies and legal gray areas worth understanding before you ship anything.
Online Buyback Companies
The most common way to sell test strips is through websites specifically built to buy them. These companies purchase your unused boxes, verify the contents and condition, then resell them at a discount to people who need affordable strips. Several have established track records with hundreds or thousands of reviews on Trustpilot. Diabetic Exchange USA, for example, carries a 4.7 rating from over 1,000 reviews. Test Strip Search and Diabetic Buy Back both hold ratings around 4 out of 5.
The typical process works like this: you visit the site, get a quote based on the brand and quantity, ship your boxes using a prepaid label, and receive payment after the company inspects your shipment. Payment methods vary by company but commonly include PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, or mailed checks. Many sites advertise payment within 24 hours of receiving your package.
That said, the Better Business Bureau has flagged problems in this space. One Chicago-area buyback operation racked up over 244 complaints in three years, with most sellers reporting they never received payment or waited months for money they were promised within 24 hours. One customer waited nearly five months to get paid. Before choosing a buyer, check their BBB profile and read recent reviews, not just overall ratings. A company with glowing older reviews but a string of recent complaints is a red flag.
eBay and Facebook Marketplace
Some sellers prefer to list test strips directly on eBay or Facebook Marketplace, where they can set their own prices and potentially earn more per box than a buyback company offers. eBay has historically allowed listings for sealed, unexpired test strips, though listings can be removed if they violate the platform’s medical device policies. You’ll also pay eBay’s seller fees, which cut into your margin.
Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist let you sell locally for cash, avoiding shipping costs and the risk of a buyback company ghosting you. The tradeoff is a smaller pool of buyers and the inconvenience of arranging meetups. Local diabetes support groups on Facebook can also be a source of interested buyers.
What Buyers Require
Regardless of where you sell, your test strips need to meet a few basic conditions to be worth anything. Boxes must be factory-sealed and unopened. No rips, dents, water damage, or missing packaging. The expiration date matters more than almost anything else. Most buyers want at least six months of shelf life remaining, and longer dates command higher prices. A box expiring in two years will fetch significantly more than one expiring in three months.
Popular brands like FreeStyle, OneTouch, Accu-Chek, and Contour tend to bring the best prices because demand is highest. Less common brands may be harder to sell or bring lower offers. If you have multiple boxes of the same brand with long expiration dates, you’re in the strongest position to negotiate or shop around for quotes.
Legal Risks to Know About
Selling your own unused, personally purchased test strips is generally legal in the United States. There is no federal law that flatly prohibits an individual from reselling over-the-counter medical supplies they own. However, the legal picture gets more complicated in a few specific situations.
If your test strips were paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, or another federal health program, reselling them can cross into fraud territory. The False Claims Act imposes fines of up to three times the government’s loss plus $11,000 per false claim. Criminal penalties can include prison time. The government doesn’t need to prove you intended to commit fraud. Acting in “deliberate ignorance or reckless disregard” of the rules is enough. The Anti-Kickback Statute adds another layer, with penalties up to $50,000 per violation for anyone who profits from items paid for by federal health programs.
Some states also require wholesaler or distributor licenses for anyone selling prescription medical devices. Tennessee, for example, requires licensing before distributing prescription devices in the state. If your test strip boxes are labeled “prescription only,” selling them without a prescription being involved may make those products unauthorized for sale, according to the FDA.
The FDA’s Safety Warning
The FDA has issued a public warning about pre-owned or resold test strips, noting they can potentially cause infection or produce inaccurate readings, which the agency says can lead to “serious harm, including death.” Their concern centers on strips that have been previously opened, stored improperly, or that entered the U.S. market without authorization. This warning is aimed more at buyers than sellers, but it shapes the regulatory environment around the entire resale market. Strips that have been exposed to extreme temperatures, humidity, or contamination can give dangerously wrong blood sugar readings.
For sellers, the practical takeaway is straightforward: only sell strips that are factory-sealed, properly stored, and well within their expiration date. Selling opened vials or strips you’ve handled puts buyers at genuine medical risk.
How to Protect Yourself
If you decide to sell, a few steps reduce your risk of getting scammed or running into legal trouble. First, get quotes from at least two or three buyback companies before committing. Prices can vary by $10 or more per box for the same product. Second, never ship strips without a tracking number. If a company doesn’t provide a prepaid shipping label with tracking, that’s a warning sign. Third, take photos of every box you ship, including the expiration dates and lot numbers, so you have documentation if a dispute arises.
For larger quantities, consider splitting shipments between two companies rather than sending everything to one buyer. This limits your exposure if a company delays payment or disappears. And if your strips were covered by any government insurance program, the safest move is to donate them to a charitable organization rather than sell them. Several nonprofits accept unused strips and distribute them to uninsured people who need them.