Black market trading items for when SHTF

Black market trading items are vital for preppers and survivalists.

The black market has a long history because not everyone wants to go through government-sanctioned marketing means to get what they want.

Usually, governments have made black market trading illegal because either they are not getting their fair share or people are paying more than they should for products.

But when catastrophes take place and normal government channels for trading (money for goods) are broken, having black market items to trade is something you should consider.

As long as you will not need an item, you can use it for black market trading and get those products you need right now.

There is a difference between black and gray markets, with the latter being more government-friendly.

Can the black market be good?

In many cases, yes, it can.

While it is a marketing option where people are often greedy and overcharge their customers, the black market is often the only place to get those products you desperately need.

That means that the black market often serves a good purpose as it gets needed items to the people who need them the most.

These markets usually fill the void when the regular markets are closed due to economic, societal, or government collapse.

But there is a drawback to frequenting a black market area.

It is not usually safe, as no one is playing by any rules except their own.

You can be at risk of personal harm if you are not careful.

Also, the products you are getting may not be safe to eat or use. You are taking a big chance when you deal with black market trading.

It is also a market where supply and demand dictate the cost of any product.

You really have to be on your toes and have good things to trade when SHTF situations arise.

The black market is bartering

That is the type of market you are entering when SHTF situations hit your country.

To get the best deal possible, you need good items that people will want or need.

Three rules to follow when venturing into the world of trading on the black market:

#1. Buy items that do not cost a lot when bought in large amounts.

#2. Those products must have a long shelf life.

#3. They need to be easy to store, lightweight, small, and easy to handle.

Meet those rules, and you should have some great barter items you can trade on the black market.

High-Value Black Market Trading Items

Water purification tablets and filters

When the catastrophe is going to take a long time to recover from, you will find that these two items will be popular and in demand.

Over-the-counter medications

Aspirin, peroxide, and other medications you can buy off the shelf without a prescription will help a lot of people when they have medical problems.

These are good trading items.

Don’t forget bandages, band-aids, gauze, and similar products.

Ground coffee, coffee beans, filters, and teas

These may not be needs, but they certainly are wants that help people calm down and feel normal in bad situations.

Trading these can get you something important you do need.

Army pocket can opener

They are small, easy to use, and very easy to store.

If someone needs to open a can, these come in handy as a good trading item.

Just do not go overboard when stocking them.

Seeds

These are usually called heirloom seeds because they have been passed down without having any genetic modifications made to them.

They are more nutritious than hybrid seeds and can be very popular.

Clothing

You can stock up on some clothing items for all ages.

People will need new clothes after a while, and these items may also give you something you are lacking.

Personal hygiene products

Feminine products, such as soaps, toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and so on, will make nice trading items.

Keeping people clean is important so that disease will not spread.

Tobacco and alcohol

People will still want their vices.

No matter how hard the government tries to stamp these vices out, they just keep finding a way to stay relevant.

Even in POW camps, tobacco was the favorite bartering item.

People will want to drink so that they can find some relief for a few short hours during a catastrophe.

Fishing gear

Food is going to be hard to come by and eat.

Fishing is one of the natural sources of food, and fishermen lose hooks, weights, poles, and so on.

You will want a supply for yourself if you want to keep eating while there is no food production.

Parts for repair

Any item you use has the potential to and will break.

The sad thing is that during an SHTF situation, you can’t go to the nearest store to find spare parts.

Make sure you have more than enough spare parts for those pieces of equipment that can break down.

Once something is broken, it is no good to you and is just taking up valuable space unless you have spare parts or can find some.

Hand tools and sharpeners

Power tools may not be of much use when the power is out, and it is not going to be restored any time soon.

Hammers, axes, hatchets, crowbars, saws, old hand crank drills, etc., can come in handy when you need to make repairs or build a shelter or some other item.

These items are cheap and can be stored easily on the walls or in a box.

Sharpeners, also called honing stones, will come in handy.

Blades will get dull, and you will need a way to sharpen them to keep them useful.

Rope

It always comes in handy and has many uses.

Just make sure to stock the right rope and that it is going to be strong enough to handle the application you need it for.

Some people say paracord is the best, but it may not be heavy enough for some uses.

Also, learn to tie knots so you can secure the rope correctly.

Work gloves and shoes

Both make good trading items, but you may need some extras for your survival situation as well.

Shoes and gloves do wear out, so you should keep enough on hand to make sure you do not have to trade anything valuable when you need to replace yours.

Charcoal

It is for more than just cooking.

While it does make a good heat source and you can cook as well as stay warm with a charcoal fire, it serves other legitimate purposes.

Charcoal is known to filter water, heal wounds, absorb odors, and get rid of poisons and toxins in your body.

It makes an excellent barter item because most people will use it to keep warm and cook over.

Insect repellent, pest control sprays, and mosquito nets

These small creatures spread disease.

You will want to protect yourself and your family from them, and these products will do just that.

Plus, if you have extra, they will help you trade for something you need at the moment.

Mosquito netting helps others get a good night’s sleep and may keep them calmer as the situation takes longer to solve.

Having fearful, agitated, or diseased people around you is not a good survival tactic.

Condoms

No, not for a night of romance.

This product has many other uses besides keeping your family from growing.

They can be used for waterproofing, as a tourniquet, for water storage, and as a fire starter.

The good news is that you can stock up on this item and have more than you need.

They will make a great barter item when you explain their alternative uses.

Waterproofing products

The rain will come eventually, and if you are not prepared, your stored items can get soaked and ruined.

Or if you have leaks, plastic tarps or sheeting can prevent those leaks and keep your home or shelter in good shape.

Wax makes a good waterproofing agent for matches, so having candles around can help protect your fire starters or give you something else to trade.

Duct tape plus

You can never have enough duct tape, bungee cords, clothespins, clamps, and glue around.

You never know what will break or what other people may need.

Having a way to fix a broken needed item saves you the trouble and time of finding these items for yourself.

You never know what will break or what other people may need.

Having a way to repair a broken necessary item saves you the trouble and time of looking for these items on your own.

Before You Leave

This is just a brief list to get you started on stocking up on lightweight and small items you can use for bartering.

Hopefully, the SHTF situation will not be so bad and you will not have to delve into the black market world.

But be like a boy scout and be prepared in case it does, and you do.

You never know when you’ll run out of a necessary item and have to do some good horse trading to obtain it from someone else. 

Originally posted 2023-01-02 09:51:35.