Shipping regulations exist to keep goods moving safely from origin to destination. To ship dangerous, prohibited, or hazardous items, you'll need to comply with carrier rules and applicable law in both the origin and destination countries. Here's what counts as dangerous, prohibited, or hazardous, and what we expect from you to stay compliant.
Carriers may allow some of these items under specific circumstances and safety precautions. Always check the carrier's terms and requirements for your jurisdiction before shipping.
Prohibited items
Note: Attempting to ship these can result in immediate action, including listing removal, account suspension, and legal consequences. |
Common prohibited items include:
- Weapons: firearms, ammunition, explosives, knives, stun guns, and replicas
- Illegal substances: controlled drugs, paraphernalia, or anything that violates federal, state, or local law
- Alcohol, tobacco, and vaping products: including e-cigarettes, cigars, and liquor
- Human remains: ashes, body parts, or any products derived from the human body
- Stolen goods or counterfeit products
- Animals and insects, alive or dead
- Recalled items
If you're unsure whether your item is allowed, check the carrier's prohibited items policy or contact support before shipping.
Hazardous and dangerous materials
Note: Some materials can ship under special circumstances but are considered hazardous and require careful attention. These may need additional packaging, identification, or labeling due to shipping restrictions or safety concerns, and can include substances that are flammable, toxic, corrosive, or reactive. |
Examples of hazardous goods:
- Flammable products: perfume, nail polish, lighters, or aerosol sprays
- Batteries: especially lithium-ion, which can pose fire risks if damaged
- Cleaning supplies and chemicals: products with corrosive or toxic content
- Paints and solvents: flammable liquids and thinners
Best practices for shipping safely
- Know your item. Understand whether your product is hazardous or prohibited under any relevant jurisdiction or carrier rule.
- Follow carrier guidelines. Always check with the carrier for restrictions and packaging requirements before you ship.
- Label appropriately. Hazardous items need to be clearly marked with the correct warning labels.
- Use approved packaging. Some materials need specific containment, like leak-proof containers or flame-resistant packaging.
- Don't misrepresent contents. Never hide, omit, or mislabel what's inside a package to bypass shipping rules. This can lead to fines, carrier bans, or account penalties.
- Ship by ground when required. Items like perfumes or lithium batteries often need to ship via ground transportation, never air.
What happens if you don't comply
Violating hazardous or prohibited item policies can result in:
- Immediate cancellation of shipments
- Removal of listings
- Permanent bans from platforms and/or carriers
- Legal repercussions
Need help?
If you're not sure whether you can ship your item safely, or you need help with labeling, packaging, or compliance:
- If you use your own carrier account, check the terms in your contract with that carrier.
- Review carrier rules and regulations directly: Canada Post · Chronopost · Colissimo · Correos · Deutsche Post · DHL Express · DPD DE · DPD UK · Evri UK · FedEx · GLS US · LaPoste · Mondial Relay · Poste Italiane · UPS · USPS
- If your carrier isn't listed above, reach out to them directly or contact our support team.
- Check origin and destination country rules and regulations: Universal Postal Union - List of Prohibited Imported Items per Country, Universal Postal Union - Country-Specific List of Prohibited and Restricted Articles
- See our How to Ship HAZMAT with Shippo article for USPS-specific guidance.
- Reach out to our support team for guidance before you ship.