Shipping Dangerous, Prohibited, and Hazardous Goods

Complying with shipping regulations is critical to ensuring that goods can be safely transported from origin to destination. In order to ship dangerous, prohibited, or hazardous goods, you need to comply with carrier rules and applicable law in the origin and destination countries. This article outlines what constitutes dangerous, prohibited, or hazardous goods and what actions are expected from shippers to remain compliant with shipping policies.

There are exceptions where carriers may allow some of the below items under specific circumstances and safety precautions. It is best for the shipper to ensure they comply with applicable carrier shipping terms and requirements in their jurisdiction.

Prohibited Items

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 laws
• 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: Whether alive or dead
• Recalled Items

Tip: If you're unsure whether your item is allowed, check directly with the carrier’s prohibited items policy or contact support before shipping.

Hazardous & Dangerous Materials

Examples of hazardous goods:

• Flammable Products: Perfume, nail polish, lighters, or aerosol sprays
• Batteries: Especially lithium-ion batteries, which can pose fire risks if damaged
• Cleaning Supplies & Chemicals: Products with corrosive or toxic content
• Paints and Solvents: Flammable liquids and thinners

Best Practices for Shipping Safely

1. Know Your Item: Understand whether your product is considered hazardous or prohibited under any jurisdiction or carrier rule.
2. Follow Carrier Guidelines: Always check with the carrier for shipping restrictions and packaging requirements for hazardous materials.
3. Label Appropriately: Hazardous items must be clearly marked with the correct warning labels.
4. Use Approved Packaging: Some materials require specific containment, such as leak-proof containers or flame-resistant packaging.
5. Do Not Misrepresent Contents: Never try to bypass shipping rules by hiding, omitting, or mislabeling what’s inside a package. This could lead to fines, carrier bans, or account penalties.
6. Ground Shipping: Items like perfumes or lithium batteries must often ship via ground transportation—never air.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Violations of 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 unsure whether your item can be shipped safely, or if you need help with labeling, packaging, or compliance, check:

1. If you are using your own carrier account, review the carrier terms that are included in your contract with the carrier.
2. Carrier rules and regulations
   1. Canada Post
   2. Chronopost
   3. Colissimo
   4. Correos
   5. Deutsche Post
   6. DHL Express
   7. DPD DE
   8. DPD UK
   9. Evri UK
   10. FedEx
   11. GLS US
   12. LaPoste
   13. Mondial Relay
   14. Poste Italiane
   15. UPS
   16. USPS
   17. If you’re using a carrier that’s not listed above, please reach out to the carrier directly or contact Shippo’s support team for more information.
3. Origin and Destination countries' rules and regulations
   1. Universal Postal Union - List of Prohibited imported items per country
   2. Universal Postal Union - Country-specific list of prohibited and restricted articles
4. Shippo Help Desk
   1. How to Ship HAZMAT with USPS
5. Reach out to the support team for guidance before shipping.