Before you ship
What we cannot ship
Air carriers and customs apply strict rules about what may travel inside a parcel. Check this list before requesting a quote — it saves us both time and keeps your shipment from being held, destroyed or fined.
Never accepted
We do not accept these items under any circumstances, even when declared. If they surface during an inspection, the shipment stops and the sender is liable.
Explosives and pyrotechnics
- Fireworks, firecrackers and flares
- Ammunition, cartridges and primers
- Detonators, fuses and explosive material of any kind
- Airbags and seatbelt pretensioners that have not been deactivated
Weapons
- Firearms, their parts and realistic replicas
- Air guns and blank-firing pistols
- Switchblades, butterfly knives and combat blades
- Pepper spray, tasers and stun devices
Flammable gases and liquids
- Aerosols, gas bottles and camping cartridges
- Fire extinguishers and pressurised equipment
- Petrol, solvents, paint, varnish and flammable adhesives
- Lighters, gas refills and matches
Hazardous chemicals
- Acids, alkalis and corrosive products
- Mercury, mercury thermometers and lead-acid batteries
- Oxidisers, peroxides and industrial bleaches
- Pesticides, herbicides and toxic substances
- Radioactive material and strongly magnetised goods
Medicines and controlled substances
- Narcotics and psychotropic substances
- Cannabis, CBD and derivatives, even where legal at origin
- Prescription medicines sent to a third party
- Medicines without original packaging and patient leaflet
- Vapes, e-cigarettes and refill liquids
Living things, food and remains
- Live animals, insects and fertile eggs
- Plants, seeds and soil without a phytosanitary certificate
- Meat, fish, dairy and perishable fresh produce
- Human or animal remains, ashes and biological samples
Money, valuables and documents
- Cash, bearer cheques and active bank cards
- Precious metal bullion and loose gemstones
- Passports and original identity documents
- Lottery tickets, betting slips and negotiable instruments
Illegal or protected goods
- Counterfeits and goods infringing registered trademarks
- Ivory, furs and species protected under CITES
- Cultural and archaeological goods without an export permit
- Illegal pornographic material or content banned at destination
Lithium batteries: the exact limits
This is the most common reason for refusal, and the limit is measured in watt-hours (Wh), not kilowatts. The figure is printed on the battery itself.
- Loose spare batteries and power banks: never accepted by air, without exception.
- Lithium battery installed inside the device, up to 100 Wh: normally accepted (phones, laptops, cameras).
- Between 100 Wh and 160 Wh: only with prior carrier approval and specific packaging.
- Above 160 Wh: not accepted (e-scooters, e-bikes, large tool batteries).
- Lithium metal batteries: maximum 2 g of lithium content per cell.
- The device must travel switched off, protected against accidental activation, with no damaged or swollen cells.
Restricted: possible with conditions
These items can be shipped, but they need paperwork, specific packaging or duty payments. Ask us first — in most cases we handle it for you.
- Electronics with an installed battery within the limits above
- Alcohol and tobacco, subject to excise duty and per-country limits
- Perfume and alcohol-based cosmetics, in limited quantities
- Packaged, non-perishable food sealed at origin
- Personal prescription medicines in a justified quantity
- Jewellery and watches within the insured limit we agree
- Antiques and artwork with an export permit
- Vehicle parts that are clean and free of fuel and oil residue
- Drones, subject to the destination country's rules
Your responsibility as sender
- Declare the contents fully and truthfully, omitting nothing.
- Tell us about any item you are unsure of before shipping.
- Cover any fines, seizures and destruction costs caused by a false declaration.
- Accept that we may open, inspect or refuse a shipment if prohibited content is suspected.
This list is not exhaustive. Each destination country applies its own rules and these can change without notice. Final acceptance rests with the carrier and the relevant customs authority. If your item is not listed here, ask us before sending it.
Not sure about your item?
Send us a description or the product link. We will tell you whether it can travel and how, before you pack anything.