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Shipping Prohibited Items Guide: What You Cannot Ship
Know what items are prohibited or restricted by carriers and customs before you ship to avoid seizures and penalties.
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Shipping Prohibited Items Guide: What You Cannot Ship
Shipping prohibited items can result in package seizure, fines, and legal consequences. Know the rules before you ship.
Types of Shipping Restrictions
Absolutely Prohibited
Items that cannot be shipped by any carrier:
- Illegal drugs and narcotics
- Explosives and weapons
- Counterfeit goods
- Human remains (with exceptions)
Carrier Prohibited
Items carriers refuse to transport:
- Varies by carrier
- May accept with special handling
- Different domestic vs. international
Country Prohibited
Items banned by destination country:
- Cultural restrictions
- Import bans
- Health/safety regulations
Universal Prohibitions
Items No Carrier Ships
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Illegal drugs | Marijuana (even where legal domestically), controlled substances |
| Explosives | Fireworks, ammunition, blasting caps |
| Live animals | Most carriers (exceptions exist) |
| Counterfeit goods | Fake designer items, knockoffs |
| Currency | Cash, bearer instruments |
| Stolen property | Any stolen goods |
Dangerous Goods Classifications
| Class | Type | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Explosives | Fireworks, ammunition |
| 2 | Gases | Propane, aerosols |
| 3 | Flammable liquids | Gasoline, perfume |
| 4 | Flammable solids | Matches, magnesium |
| 5 | Oxidizers | Bleach, fertilizers |
| 6 | Toxic substances | Pesticides, medical waste |
| 7 | Radioactive | Medical isotopes |
| 8 | Corrosives | Batteries, acids |
| 9 | Miscellaneous | Lithium batteries, dry ice |
Carrier-Specific Prohibitions
USPS Prohibitions
| Item | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Tobacco | Restricted | Varies |
| Firearms | Restricted | Prohibited |
| Lithium batteries | Restricted | Very restricted |
| Marijuana | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Perfume | Ground only | Restricted |
UPS Prohibitions
| Item | Policy |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Licensed shippers only |
| Tobacco | Specific requirements |
| Firearms | Restricted, licensed |
| Money | Prohibited |
| Perishables | Temperature control required |
| Live animals | Prohibited (exceptions) |
FedEx Prohibitions
| Item | Policy |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Licensed shippers only |
| Animals | Prohibited |
| Cash | Prohibited |
| Firearms | Authorized shippers only |
| Human remains | Cremated remains only |
| Marijuana | Prohibited |
International Restrictions
Common Country Bans
| Country | Common Prohibitions |
|---|---|
| Australia | Food, plants, animal products |
| Saudi Arabia | Alcohol, pork, religious items |
| Singapore | Chewing gum, weapons |
| UK | Raw meat, some plants |
| Germany | Nazi memorabilia |
| India | Beef products, gold |
Middle East Restrictions
Extra caution for:
- Religious items
- Adult content
- Alcohol
- Pork products
- Israeli-origin goods (some countries)
Asian Restrictions
Common issues:
- Food products
- Traditional medicine
- Cosmetics
- Electronics with batteries
- Cultural artifacts
Commonly Restricted Items
Lithium Batteries
| Battery Type | Air Shipping |
|---|---|
| Installed in device | Allowed with limits |
| Packed with device | Allowed with limits |
| Standalone (retail) | Restricted |
| Standalone (bulk) | Prohibited |
- UN38.3 testing
- Proper marking/labeling
- Quantity limits per package
- Documentation
Perfume & Cosmetics
| Carrier | Policy |
|---|---|
| USPS | Ground only (domestic), restricted (intl) |
| UPS | Flammable liquid rules |
| FedEx | Flammable liquid rules |
| DHL | Dangerous goods process |
Food & Perishables
Restrictions vary by:
- Type of food
- Destination country
- Agricultural regulations
- Temperature requirements
Prescription Medications
| Scenario | Generally Allowed? |
|---|---|
| Personal use, small quantity | Maybe with documentation |
| Commercial shipment | Requires licensing |
| Controlled substances | Very restricted |
Legal Consequences
Carrier Actions
- Package refusal
- Shipment return
- Account suspension
- Disposal of items
Legal Penalties
| Violation | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Mislabeling hazmat | Fines up to $500,000 |
| Shipping illegal items | Criminal prosecution |
| Customs violations | Seizure, fines |
| Export control violations | Fines, imprisonment |
Checking Before You Ship
Research Checklist
Tools for Checking
- Carrier prohibited items lists
- Destination country customs websites
- Trade compliance databases
- atoship restriction checker
atoship Compliance Features
Ship with confidence:
When in Doubt
If unsure whether you can ship something:
Conclusion
Shipping prohibited items risks seizure, fines, and legal trouble. Always verify carrier policies and destination country regulations before shipping. Use atoship to check restrictions, generate compliant documentation, and access discounted rates for items you can legally ship.
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