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Prohibited & Restricted Items

When shipping worldwide there may be items that are restricted or in some cases prohibited.

It is always best to know in advance what you cannot send in order to avoid your items being disposed of or destroyed.

Find below lists of prohibited and restricted items.

Click below to expand.

Prohibited Items
A

Aerosols  

Including spray paints, lacquers, solvents, air fresheners, oven cleaners, deodorants, body sprays, hairsprays, shaving and hair removal creams 

Alcoholic beverages 

With an alcohol content greater than 24% ABV including spirits such as gin, vodka and whisky. 

Alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content no greater than 24% ABV including beer, lager, wine and champagne, are allowed. Please see Restricted Goods. 

Ammunition  

Except lead pellets and other airgun and airsoft projectiles. 

Asbestos 

B

Balloons filled with non-flammable gas 

Batteries  

Batteries that are classed as dangerous goods by the latest edition of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Technical Instructions are prohibited. This includes lithium ion/polymer/metal/alloy batteries sent in isolation, contained in or with equipment. 

Lead acid batteries (e.g. car batteries) and sealed lead acid batteries are also prohibited. 

Alkaline, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries may only be sent when new and in their original packaging. Please see Restricted Goods. 

Biological Substances 

(Category B) 

Human or animal material including, but not limited to, excreta, secreta, blood and its components, tissue and tissue fluids. Clinical and Medical Waste For example contaminated dressings, bandages and needles. 

C

Controlled drugs and narcotics  

Including cannabis, cocaine, heroin, LSD, opium and amyl nitrate. 

Corrosives Substances  

Which can cause severe damage to living tissue, other freight or transport by its chemical action are prohibited including aluminium chloride, caustic soda, corrosive cleaning fluid, dyes, acids, corrosive paint and rust removers, mercury and gallium metal. 

Counterfeit currency, banknotes and postage stamps 

Including any false instrument, or copy of a false instrument (within the meaning of section 5 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981) except copies of old denominations, which are now obsolete and worthless except for collectable value and cannot be passed as tender. Please see Restricted Goods 

D

Dry ice  

For example UN1845 when used as a coolant for UN3373 or for other perishable items. 

E

Electronic items  

Electronic items sent with lithium ion/polymer/metal/alloy batteries are prohibited. 

Electronic items containing any batteries exceeding 100Wh including electric bicycles and some high-performance laptops 

Environmental waste  

Including used batteries and used engine oil 

Explosives  

Any chemical compound, mixture or device capable of producing an explosive or pyrotechnic effect with substantial instantaneous release of heat and gas is prohibited e.g. ammunition, blasting caps, fireworks, flares, fuses, igniters and nitro-glycerine. Items that appear to be prohibited explosive ordnance may be subject to additional checks and delays. 

F

Flammable liquids  

This includes mixtures of liquids or liquids containing solids in solution or suspension which give off a flammable vapour. Any liquid with a closed cup flash point below 60.5° C is prohibited e.g. acetone, benzene, cleaning compounds, gasoline, lighter fuel, paint thinners and removers, petroleum and solvents, certain alcoholic beverages, perfumes and aftershaves, varnishes and enamels including nail varnish. 

Flammable solids  

Solid materials which are liable to cause fire by friction, absorption of water, spontaneous chemical changes or retained heat from manufacturing or processing, or which can be readily ignited and burn vigorously e.g. adhesives, calcium carbide, cellulose nitrate products, fire lighters, matches, metallic magnesium, nitro-cellulose based film, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, sodium hydride, zinc powder, zirconium hydride. 

Frozen water  

Including packs of ice. 

G

Gases  

Gases that are compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure, permanent gases which cannot be liquefied at ambient temperatures, liquefied gases which become liquid under pressure at ambient temperatures, dissolved gases which are dissolved under pressure in a solvent. 

1. All flammable compressed gases are prohibited e.g. blowlamps; butane; lighters and refills containing flammable liquid or gas; ethane; gas cylinders for camping stoves; hydrogen; methane and propane. 

2. All toxic compressed gases are prohibited e.g. chlorine; fluorine etc. 

3. All non-flammable compressed gases are prohibited e.g. air bags; scuba tanks, carbon dioxide; fire extinguishers; neon and nitrogen. 

Goods made in foreign prisons Except those imported for a non-commercial purpose, of a kind not manufactured in the UK, or those in transit. 

H

Human and animal remains Including ashes. 

I

Infectious substances UN2814 or UN2900 

Category A Infectious Substances are prohibited e.g. Ebola, Anthrax, Foot and Mouth disease as detailed in the latest edition of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Technical Instructions. For more information, please see the IATA Guidance Document on Infectious Substances. 

L

Lighters and refills containing flammable liquid or gas 

Including used butane and petrol cigar and cigarette lighters. 

New and unused empty lighters are allowed. Please see Restricted Goods 

Liquids over 1 litre 

Living creatures, animals and reptiles 

Except certain insects and invertebrates. Please see Restricted Goods. 

Lottery tickets 

M

Magnetised material  

Magnetised material with a magnetic field strength of 0.159A/m or more at a distance of 2.1m from the outside of the package. 

Matches of any kind, including safety and windproof matches. 

O

Obscene publications and pornography 

Including pornography as detailed in Part 5 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 and indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child as detailed in section 160 and 161 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. 

Oxidising materials and organic peroxides 

These are substances such as disinfectants that may cause or contribute to combustion of other substances. They may also be liable to explosive decomposition, react dangerously with other substances and injure health e.g. bromides, chlorates, components of fibreglass repair kits, disinfectants, nitrates, per chlorates, permanganates and peroxides, including hair dyes and colourants containing peroxide. 

P

Pesticides  

Including weed killer and any chemical that is used to kill pests and insects such as fly sprays. 

Poisonous, toxic liquids, solids or gases 

Including substances that are liable to cause death or injury if swallowed or inhaled or by skin contact, such as arsenic, beryllium, cyanide, fluorine, rat poison.

R

Radioactive materials  

Radioactive materials and samples that are classified as radioactive using Table 2-12 of the latest edition of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Technical Instructions e.g. fissile material (uranium 235, etc), radioactive waste material, thorium or uranium ores and luminous dials from aircraft. 

S

Solvent-based paints, wood varnishes and enamels 

Including gloss paint 

T

Tickets and related advertisements for illegal lotteries 

Restricted Items
A

Alcoholic beverages and liquids 

Including beer, lager, wine and champagne, with an alcohol content no greater than 24% ABV. Wrap in polythene and seal with tape. Surround with absorbent material such as newspaper and sufficient cushioning material to protect each item from breakage. Volume should not exceed 1 litre per item. Mark as ‘FRAGILE’ when sending glass bottles. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. 

Any alcoholic beverage with alcohol content greater than 24% ABV is prohibited. Please see Prohibited Goods. 

B

Batteries  

New alkaline, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) or nickel cadmium (NiCd) Including household AA and AAA batteries. Must be new and sent unopened in their original retail packaging. Surround with cushioning material e.g. bubble wrap. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. 

C

Christmas crackers  

Crackers can only be sent in their complete made-up form and in their original retail packaging. 

Counterfeit currency, bank notes and postage stamps 

Only copies of old denominations, which are now obsolete and worthless except for collectable value and cannot be passed as tender are allowed. 

Any false instrument or copy of a false instrument (within the meaning of section 5 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981) is prohibited. Please see Prohibited Goods. 

E

Electronic items  

Sent with new alkaline, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) or nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries. Must be new and sent unopened in their original retail packaging. Surround with sufficient cushioning material to protect each item from damage. Wrap each item, including plugs, individually. Place item in a rigid container and cushion to avoid movement. Any equipment sent with batteries or cells must be secured against movement within the outer packaging and must be packed to prevent accidental activation. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. 

L

Lighters  

New and unused empty lighters may be sent unopened in their original retail packaging. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. 

Lighters and refills containing flammable liquid or gas (including used butane and petrol cigar and cigarette lighters) are prohibited. Please see Prohibited Goods. 

Living creatures, insects and invertebrates 

Including bees, caterpillars, cockroaches, crickets, destroyers of noxious pests, earthworms, fish fry and eggs, leeches and other parasites, lugworms, maggots, mealworms, pupae and chrysalides, rag worms, silkworms, spiders and stick insects. 

Must be boxed and packaged to protect the creatures, our staff and our customers from harm. Items must be clearly marked ‘URGENT – LIVING CREATURES – HANDLE WITH CARE’. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. 

Live animals and reptiles are prohibited, as are any creatures or insects classified as dangerous within the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (including certain venomous spiders). Please see Prohibited Goods. 

M

Magnetised materials 

 (other than those that are prohibited) 

Should be wrapped in soft packaging at least 2cm thick around each item. The sender’s name and address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. 

Magnetised material with a magnetic field strength of 0.159A/m or more at a distance of 2.1m from the outside of the package are prohibited, Please see Prohibited Goods. 

P

Prescription medicines and drugs sent for scientific purposes 

May only be sent by, or at the specific request of, a qualified medical practitioner, registered dental practitioner, veterinary surgeon, registered nurse or a recognised laboratory or institution. 

Medicines classified as non-flammable or non-toxic must be securely closed and placed in a leak-proof container such as a sealed polythene bag (for liquids) or a sift proof container (for solids). Must be tightly packed in strong outer packaging and must be secured or cushioned to prevent any damage. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. 

Medicines classified as flammable, toxic or flammable and toxic are prohibited. Please see Prohibited Goods. 

R

Radioactive material and samples  

That are not classified as dangerous goods in the latest edition of the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air published by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) such as samples of granite rock. 

Surround with cushioning material e.g. bubble wrap. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. 

S

Sharp objects  

Sharp objects like knives, kitchen utensils and gardening tools may only be posted if they are packaged appropriately so that they are no risk to employees, other postal items or recipients.  

V

Vaccines  

May only be sent by, or at the specific request of, a qualified medical practitioner, registered dental practitioner, veterinary surgeon, registered nurse or a recognised laboratory or institution. 

The vaccines must be securely closed and placed in a leak-proof liner such as a sealed polythene bag (for liquids) or a sift-proof container (for solids). Must be tightly packed in strong outer packaging and must be secured or cushioned to prevent any damage. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. 

W

Water-based paints, wood varnishes and enamels 

The items must be securely closed and placed in a leak-proof liner, such as a sealed polythene bag, so that any inadvertent leakage is contained within the outer packaging. Surround with absorbent material such as newspaper and sufficient cushioning material to protect each item from damage. Volume per item should not exceed 150ml. No more than four items can be sent in any one package. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. 

Senders are responsible for checking whether any items sent are prohibited or restricted. Countries overseas also have their own rules on what they will and will not allow to be sent by post. Further information is available at: ListOfProhibitedArticles.pdf