Prohibited and Restricted Items

ParcelWorks operates a strict no dangerous goods policy, and further ask all customers to ensure they comply not only with our list of prohibited and restricted items (below) but also comply with any restrictions specific to the country you are sending your item to.

It is difficult to maintain a list of every item which is NOT allowed so assume this is just a guide and please complete your own checks when sending any items you are unsure of.

If you contact us before shipping we can check whether the item you wish to ship is allowed on the transportation required for that country.

 

Prohibited and Restricted Items Guide

Inlcuding but not limited to:-

Firearms and firearm parts (real or imitation!)
Ammunition
Explosives
Pyrotechnics
Gasses
Liquids
Dangerous / hazardous goods including but not limited to perfumes, aftershaves, aerosols, flammable substances, dry ice, biological substances,
UN classified dangerous goods and any goods specified as such under International Air Transport Association regulations (“IATA”), the Agreement on Dangerous Goods by Road (“ADR”) or International Maritime Dangerous Goods (“IMDG”) regulations.
Batteries – Lithium battery devices.
Furs and ivory
All illegal goods, counterfeit goods and narcotics.
Laptop Computers – No more than 1 laptop computer per package. Each package may not contain more than 1 lithium battery which must be contained within the laptop.
All Live ‘animals’ & livestock
Clinical and or Biological samples (including but not limited to bodily fluids and tissue samples)
Perishable goods
Pornography
Tobacco/cigarettes & related products
Antiques, works of art and fine art over the value of £50
Bullion, cash (notes and coins) and travellers cheques
Human remains or ashes

 

Restrictions By Country

Please note if the country you wish to ship to is not listed below it does NOT mean there are no prohibited and restricted items. It is up to you to check prior to shipping whether your item can be sent to your chosen destination. As above this list is just a guide and further due diligence should be made. ParcelWorks will endeavour to help you as much as possible. Please contact support for further information.

Australia

Prohibited and Restricted Articles.

• No Drugs
• No firearms
• No explosives
• No Pornography
• No counterfeit currency
• Antibiotics, growth hormones and substances of human or animal origin. Chewing tobacco and oral snuff. Tobacco-unmanufactured leaf, Therapeutic drugs and substances, Cigarette lighters.
• Australian flag and coats of arms, cultural and heritage goods-general, cultural and heritage goods from Papua New Guinea, woolpacks.
• Cat and dog fur products, dog collars-protrusion, dogs-dangerous breeds. Fish and toothfish.
• Incandescent lamps, Ceramic ware-glazed, toys-toxic materials, Erasers-novelty. Cosmetic-toxic materials. Money boxes novelty- toxic materials, Diamonds- from cote d’ivoire. Laser pointers, Pencil and paintbrushes-toxic material.

USA

Prohibited/Restricted Articles.

• No drugs or psychotropic substances.
• No firecrackers.
• No firearms.
• No pornography.
• No alcohol or alcoholic beverages.
• Automobiles
• Biological products.
• Ceramic tableware.
• Cultural artifacts and cultural property.
• Defence articles or items with Military or Proliferation applications.
• Dog and Cat fur.
• Fish and Wildlife.
• Food products (prepared.)
• Prior notice for food importation.
• Fruit and Vegetables.
• Game or Hunting trophies.
• Gold.
• Haitian animal hide drums.
• Medication.
• Merchandise from embargoed countries Cuba, Iran, Burma (Myanmar) or most of Sudan.
• Pets.
• Plant and seeds.
• Soil.
• Textiles and clothing.
• Trademarked and Copyrighted articles.

United Arab Emirates

Prohibited Articles

• No drugs.
• No Ammunition.
• No human remains, including ashes, Animals, Plants, Food items and perishables.
• No chemical and nuclear waste.
• No counterfeit currency.
• Publications that is offensive to religions, morals, human rights or aims to cause corruption and disorder.
• Gambling related games or items.
• Counterfeit goods covering all brands of clothes, machinery, shoes, electronics, watches etc.
• Fireworks.
• Ivory and ivory products.
• Furs
• Jewelry, precious metals, stones, articles or antiques of exceptional high value.
• Bullion.
• Products labeled made in Israel.
• Hazardous as defined in IATA regulations.

Restricted articles

• Pharmaceutical products require approval from Ministry of Health.
• Frozen and Fresh meat products require approval from Ministry of Health and Halal Certificate.
• Live animals and plants require approval from Ministry of Agriculture.
• Electronics and technology products require approval from telecommunication Regulatory Authority.

South Korea

Prohibited Articles and Restricted Articles.

• No firearms or replicas.
• No explosives.
• No toxic substances
• No counterfeit currency.
• Books, photographs, videotapes, films, LDs, Cds, Cd-roms, and other items of a similar nature that may either be in violation of constitutional orders or be harmful to public security or customs.
• Goods which reveal confidential Government information or which may be used for intelligence activities.
• Those who intend to import guns and munitions must obtain prior approval from the Commissioner General of National Police agency for every trip.
• Narcotics including opium and cocaine; psychotropic agents and hemp related products.
• Endangered wildlife, wildlife protected under CITIES, and products made from protected animals.
• Animal based tradition medicine, including bear gall bladders and musk.
• Means of payment (promissory notes, bills of exchange, and L/Cs not included)domestic currency (Korean Won) and Won-denominated travelers checks in excess of $10,000 USD.
• Plant based traditional medicine, including scabwort, cibotii rhizome and gastrodia elata blume.
• Cashiers checks, overdraft checks, postal money orders etc.
• Jewelry (gold rings or necklaces used daily not included) and securities.
• Goods subject to the Fishery Act and rules on on migration and approval of marine animals and plants.
• Goods that may threaten the quality of marine resources and growth of saplings for culturing.
• Goods designated as natural assets.
• Specialty of rare goods from Korea.
• Goods and materials subject to laws and movement and treatment of wastes between countries.
• Plants, fruits and vegetables and agricultural and forestry products.

Singapore

Prohibited Articles

• No drugs or psychotic substances.
• No firecrackers.
• No cigarette lighters pistol or revolver shape.
• No obscene articles, publications, video tapes/disks and software.
• Chewing gum (except oral or dental and medicated gum.)
• Chewing tobacco imitation tobacco products (e.g. electronic cigarettes.)
• Endangered wildlife and their products.
• Copyright of copyright publications, video tapes, video compact discs, laser discs, records or cassettes.
• Seditious and treasonable materials.

Restricted articles.

• Animals, birds and their products.
• Endangered species of wildlife and their by-products.
• Meat and meat products.
• Fish, seafood products, fruits and vegetables.
• Arms, explosives and bullet proof clothing.
• Toy guns, pistols, revolvers and walkie-talkies.
• Weapon, spears and swords.
• Films, video, video games, publications and audio records.
• Telecommunication and radio communication and equipment.
• Pharmaceuticals, medicines and poisons.

Saudi Arabia

Prohibited Articles

• No Drugs.
• No ammunition.
• No human remains including ashes, animals, plants food items and perishables.
• Chemical and nuclear waste.
• No counterfeit currency.
• No pornographic related materials or offensive publications.
• Monetary items.
• Gambling related games or items.
• Counterfeit goods.
• Fireworks
• Ivory and ivory products.
• Furs.
• Jewelry, precious metals stones, articles or antiques of exceptional high value.
• Bullion.
• Hazardous as defined in IATA regulations.
• Christmas trees.
• Laser pens or pointers.
• Used tires or rethread tires.
• Toys or statuettes representing animals or human beings.
• Products labeled made in Israel.
• Pork meat in any shape or form.
• The holy Quran (allowed for exporting.)
• Articles representing and/or depicting members of the royal family or the Saudi armed forces.
• All kinds of alcohol beverages, or items containing alcohol ingredients.

Restricted Articles
• Books, magazines, computer games, DVDS, CDS, and photographic media require approval from Ministry of information.
• Ink products and toners require approval from the Ministry of interior.
• Cosmetics, perfumes, supplement vitamins, laboratory chemicals, medications, pharmaceuticals (prescription and non-prescription.) require approval from the Saudi food and Drug Authority.
• GPS, satellite communication, wireless computer, networking, and wireless telecommunications equipment require approval from Communications and Information technology Commission.
• Food items require approval rom Saudi Food and Drug authority.

Any violation of the above prohibitions may cause the following.
• Confiscating the goods.
• Penalty starting from SAR 75,000 (equivalent to 20,000 USD.)
• Both importer and exported may be black listed in Saudi Arabia.

Russia

Prohibited and Restricted Articles

• No Drugs
• No firearms.
• No human organs, tissues, blood or any of its components.
• Printed audiovisual and other information banned from the import, export and transit through the customs territory of the Customs Union.
• Service and civilian weapons, their major parts and ammunition banned from the import, export and transit through the customs territory of the Customs Union.
• Hazardous waste banned from the import and/or restricted from import and/or export.
• Undercover surveillance and intelligence gathering equipment which import and export from the Customs Union is restricted.
• Ozone depleting substances, which import to the Customs Union is banned.
• Plant protection agents which import to the Union is banned under the Stockholm convention on Persistent Organic pollutants of 22 May 2001.
• Fishing tools which import to the Customs Union is banned.
• Over 5 liters of ethanol and alcoholic products by a person over 18.
• Over 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco or a set of these products.
• Weighing over 250g one person over 18.
• Alcohol beverages, ethanol and beer.
• All types of tobacco products and smoking mixes.
• Radioactive material.
• Cultural valuables.
• Perishable goods.
• Living animals, except for bees, leeches and silkworms.
• Plants in any form or condition, seeds.
• Precious stones in any form or condition, natural diamonds, except for jewelry.
• Ozone depleting substances.

Qatar

Prohibited Articles

• No drugs.
• No ammunition.
• No human remains, including ashes, animals, plants food items and perishables.
• Chemical and nuclear waste.
• No counterfeit currency.
• No pornographic related materials or offensive publications.
• Gambling games or related items.
• Counterfeit goods covering all brand of clothes, machinery, shoes, electronics and watches etc.
• Fireworks.
• Ivory and ivory products.
• Furs.
• Jewelry, precious metals, stones, articles or antiques f exceptional high values.
• Bullion
• Hazardous as defined in IATA Regulations
• All kinds of alcoholic beverages, or containing alcohol as an ingredient.
• Products labeled made in Israel.

Restricted Articles

• Food, cosmetics and medicines require approval from the Supreme Council of Health.
• Electronics and technology products require approval from Supreme Council of Information Communication Technology.
• Educational books require approval from the Supreme Educational Council.
• CDS, DVDS and video tapes require approval from the Ministry of Culture Arts and Heritage.
• Marbles and tiles require approval from Ministry of Municipality & Urban Planning.
• Chemical items and printing ink require approval from The Ministry of Environment.
• Jewelry, precious metals, stones, articles or antiques f exceptional high values.
• Bullion
• Products made in Isarel.

Oman

Prohibited Articles

• No Drugs.
• No Ammunition.
• No human remains, including ashes, animals, plants food items and perishables.
• No chemical or nuclear waste.
• No counterfeit currency.
• Publications that are offensive to religious, morals, human rights or to cause corruption and disorder.
• Gambling related games or items.
• Counterfeit goods covering all brands of clothes, machinery, shoes, electronics, washes etc.
• Fireworks
• Ivory or Ivory products.
• Furs.
• Hazardous as defined in IATA Regulations.

Restricted Articles

• Pharmaceutical products require approval from the Ministry of Health.
• Frozen or fresh meat products require approval from Ministry of health and Halal Certificate.
• Live animals and plants require approval from Ministry of Agriculture.
• Electronics and technology products require approval from Telecommunication Regulatory Authority.

New Zealand

Prohibited and Restricted Articles

• No drugs
• No firearms
• No explosives.
• No pornography.
• No counterfeit currency.
• Children’s clothing nightwear and toys, pistols, crossbows, cots, candles, containing lead, baby walker etc. Children’s crayons, finger paints, and water paints, rubber and plastic hot water bottles.
• Lighters with a custom value of less than $3.50.
• Chewing tobacco.
• Fire extinguishers containing halons, temperatures control device and water coolers containing CFCS. Goods bearing false or misleading labels, high powered magnets, infringing trade marks, radioactive substances, radio jamming equipment, pirated copyright goods.
• Arms and weapons from Iran, Flick knives/flick guns, Gravity knives or butterfly knives, bayonets, knuckle-dusters, sword sticks and any weapon disguised to give the appearance of another article.
• Motor vehicles with an odometer reading that does not correctly record the distance the vehicle ahs been driven: motor vehicles imported without an odometer.
• Plastic foams manufactured using any CFCS, extruded polystyrene foam; Thermo formed plastic packaging, food.
• Refrigerators, freezers and other goods that contain ozone depleting substances when imported from countries that are not members of the Montreal Protocol, rough diamonds, Tyres, multipurpose ladders and chainsaws.

Libya

Restricted Items

• No drugs.
• No ammunition.
• No human remains, ashes, animals, plans food items and perishables.
• No chemical or nuclear waste.
• No counterfeit currency.
• No pornographic related materials or offensive publications.
• No counterfeit goods covering all brands of clothes, machinery, shoes, electronics, watches etc.
• Fireworks.
• Ivory and Ivory products.
• Furs.
• Jewelry, precious metals, stones, articles or antiques of exceptional high value.
• Bullion.
• Hazardous as defined in IATA Regulations
• Medication (non-prescription.)

Restricted Items

• Pharmaceutical products require approval
• Frozen and Fresh meat products.
• Live animals and plants.
• Electronics and technology products.

China

Prohibited Articles.

• No firecrackers and flares.
• No cigarette lighters or toys in the shape of pistols or revolvers.
• No oxidizing substances. e.g. bleaching powder.
• Security type cases/boxes incorporating goods such as lithium batteries or pyrotechnics.
• Compressed gases (flammable. Non-flammable. Or poisonous) such as butane, propane, scuba diving cylinders, lighter fuels or refills.
• Oxidizing substances such as bleaching powder and peroxides.
• Flammable liquids such as paints and adhesives.
• Poisons such as arsenic, cyanide or insecticide.
• Radioactive materials
• Corrosive metals such as mercury (which may be contained in thermometers or blood pressure gauges,) acids, alkalis, and wet cell batteries.

Restricted Articles

• Knives (including hunting knives, swords, and pocket knives.)
• Scissors and other sharp/bladed objects such as ice picks and nail clippers.
• Weapons such as whips, nan-chakus, batons or stun guns.
• Sporting equipment such as baseball/cricket bats, gold clubs, hockey sticks and billiard cues.
• Devices with spill able batteries.
• Aerosols (hair sprays, perfumes, medicines containing alcohol) not exceeding 0.5 G/L per article and 2.0G/L I total weight.
• Any other items which are deemed a security hazard by the local law.
• Any items that resemble or have any similar functions to the above items.

Eygpt

Prohibited Articles

• No drugs.
• No ammunition.
• No human remains, ashes, animals, plans food items and perishables.
• No chemical or nuclear waste.
• No counterfeit currency.
• No pornographic related materials or offensive publications.
• No counterfeit goods covering all brands of clothes, machinery, shoes, electronics, watches etc.
• Fireworks.
• Ivory and Ivory products.
• Furs.
• Jewelry, precious metals, stones, articles or antiques of exceptional high value.
• Bullion.
• Hazardous as defined in IATA Regulations.
• Electronic cigarette.
• Honey.
• Poisons.
• Magic jack and router vanish.
• Spy glasses.
• Pens/watches with cameras.
• Used PC/ Laptops (allowed for exporting.)

Restricted Articles

• Supplements, cosmetics and food all require approval from the Ministry of Health.
• Tapes for cinema or TV, audio materials, art materials require approval form the Ministry of Culture.
• Routers, mobiles, Internet equipment and communication electronic devices require approval from National Telecommunication Authority.
• Stones, statues require approval form Ministry of Monuments.

India

Prohibited and Restricted Articles

• No drugs.
• No Firearms.
• No explosives.
• No pornographic related materials or offensive publications.
• No counterfeit goods covering all brands of clothes, machinery, shoes, electronics, watches etc.
• Maps and literature where Indian external boundaries have been shown incorrectly.
• Chemicals mentioned in Schedule 1 to the chemical Weapons Convention of U.N. 1993.
• Wild life including its products and endangered species of plants and animals whether alive or dead.
• Specified live birds and animals, wild animals, their parts and products, exotic birds except a few specified ones.
• Import of beef or any product which contains beef.
• Specified seashells and reptiles skin.
• Human skeleton.
• Sex determination kits.
• Import of mobile phones without IMEI number or with all zeros IMEI and CDMA mobile phones without electronic serial number(ESN)/mobile equipment identifier (MEID) or with all zeros as ESN/MEID.
• Draw of foreign exchange for travel to Nepal and/or Bhutan.

Prohibited Articles

• Radio transmitters not approved for normal usage.
• Arms and ammunition.
• Medicines and drugs.
• Vintage products, replicas of antiques or weapons.
• Whole human blood plasma and certain products derived from human blood.
• Sandal wood (except hand crafted products and oil.)
• Import of Multichannel GSM/CDMA receivers, transmitters and trans receivers capable of receiving or transmitting or both in two or more frequencies simultaneously.
• Any goods in trade quantity brought as part of passenger’s baggage for commercial purpose, profit or gain.
• Export and Import of Indian currency in excess of permissible limits.

Japan

Prohibited Articles

• No drugs.
• No firearms.
• No Germs.
• No Explosives.
• No counterfeit currency.
• No pornographic related materials or offensive publications.

Restricted Articles

• Plants, plant products including many foods, animal meat, eggs and other animal products must be presented to the plant or animal quarantine officer for inspection prior to customs examination.
• Imported medications and cosmetics are restricted by quantity. Additionally, some medications require special permits for import.
• Hunting guns, air guns, swords and other weapons are prohibited in Japan without permit posses.

Kuwait

Prohibited Articles

• No drugs.
• No ammunition.
• No human remains, ashes, animals, plans food items and perishables.
• No chemical or nuclear waste.
• No counterfeit currency.
• No pornographic related materials or offensive publications.
• No counterfeit goods covering all brands of clothes, machinery, shoes, electronics, watches etc.
• Fireworks.
• Ivory and Ivory products.
• Furs.
• Jewelry, precious metals, stones, articles or antiques of exceptional high value.
• Bullion.
• Electronic cigarettes.
• Articles representing and/or depicting members of the royal family or Kuwait armed forces.

Restricted Articles

• Food requires approval from Kuwait Municipality.
• Cosmetics, and medicines require approval form ministry of health.
• Telecommunications equipment require approval from Ministry of communications.
• Electronics and toys require approval from Ministry of Commerce Industry.
• Chemical items and printing ink require approval from environmental Public Authority and chemical import license from chamber of Commerce.
• Imported goods from Japan require radiation Certificate at country of origin.

Lebanon

Prohibited Articles

• No Drugs.
• No ammunition.
• No human remains including ashes, animals, plants food items and perishables.
• Chemical and nuclear waste.
• No counterfeit currency.
• No pornographic related materials or offensive publications.
• Gambling related games or items.
• Counterfeit goods.
• Fireworks
• Ivory and ivory products.
• Furs.
• Jewelry, precious metals stones, articles or antiques of exceptional high value.
• Bullion.
• Hazardous as defined in IATA regulations.
• Products made in Israel.

Restricted Articles

• Printed matter, brochures, books, software, DVDS, and CDS require approval from General security.
• Pharmaceuticals products require approval from Ministry of Health.
• Frozen and fresh meat, vegetables, fruits, live animals, and canned food require approval from Ministry of Agriculture and/or Ministry economy and Trade.
• Live animals and plants require approval from ministry of Agricultural.
• Telephones, modems, receivers, routers, switches and similar products require approval from ministry of Telecommunication.
• Cosmetics, hair and skin care products require approval from Ministry of Health.
• Electrical appliances, food stuffs, edible oil, lube oils, chemicals, ceramic tiles, medical equipment, towels etc. require approval industrial research institute.
• Miniature remotely operated aircrafts, base stations, chemicals containing Nitro/explosives substances require approval from Ministry of Defence.

Canada

Prohibited and Restricted Articles

• No Drug
• No firearms
• No explosives.
• Tobacco products are non-mailable unless specific criteria are met.
• Intoxicating beverages.
• Perishable items such as fish, game, fruit and vegetables.
• Live animals.
• Plants.
• Articles that are obscene, indecent immoral or scurrilous.
• Any information relating to bookmaking, pool-setting, betting or waging.
• Articles relating to unlawful lottery schemes.
• Any article relating to schemes to deceive or defraud the public
• Articles or special messages sent to any person with the intention to obtain money under false pretenses.

Brazil

Prohibited Articles

• No Drugs.
• No firearms.
• No counterfeit currency.
• No pornographic related materials or offensive publications.
• Fresh fruit or Vegetables.
• Plant and plant products.
• All species of birds.
• Pets and animals- unless authorized.
• Dairy products including milk, egg and cheese.
• Fish and fish products.
• Cigarettes or alcoholic beverages of Brazilian origin.
• Hazardous materials.

Restricted Articles

• Flower, plants and plant products will require permission from the Ministry of Agriculture before being granted admission to the country.
• Second hand goods.
• Meat, eggs or fish products will also require permission from the Ministry of Agriculture before entering the country.
• Cats, dogs and other animals being imported will need an international health certificate from the country of origin whish was issues less than 10 days prior to their arrival. Pets 90 days or older will also require a Rabies vaccination certificate issued 30 days prior to the intended date of arrival.

Bahrain

Prohibited Articles

• No Drugs.
• No ammunition.
• No human remains including ashes, animals, plants food items and perishables.
• Chemical and nuclear waste.
• No counterfeit currency.
• No pornographic related materials or offensive publications.
• Gambling related games or items.
• Counterfeit goods.
• Fireworks
• Ivory and ivory products.
• Furs.
• Jewelry, precious metals stones, articles or antiques of exceptional high value.
• Bullion.
• Hazardous as defined in IATA regulations.
• Products made in Israel.
• Military devices.

Restricted Articles

• Meat and meat products require approval from Ministry of Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs.
• Food, cosmetics and medicine require approval form m
Ministry of Health.
• Printed matter, brochures, books require approval from Ministry of information.
• Telecommunications equipment require approval from telecommunication Regulatory Authority.
• Chemicals items and perfumes require approval from Ministry Environment.
• Auto spare parts and some electrical appliances require approval from Ministry of industry and Commerce.