You can send almost anything with Stasher. You can even send unexpected bulky items that would never be permitted on a plane and would be prohibitively expensive by ground and sea, like musical equipment and bicycles.
However for safety reasons, there are some items that are still prohibited or restricted to ship. Restricted items will be allowed under certain conditions, for example with the correct packaging, but prohibited items will be taken away by customs control.
Fear not, we have outlined all the items that are restricted or prohibited on this page to demystify the regulations and help simplify your packing.
Which items have restrictions on them?
Some items have restrictions on them for domestic or international shipping, particularly food and drink items. Check before sending what restrictions apply to your goods.
Bear in mind that the restrictions on these items will be different depending on whether you are a company or an individual.
Alcohol
Within the EU: It is completely legal to receive alcoholic beverages by post, yet alcohol is normally listed as a restricted item by courier companies. People often choose to send it anyway in small amounts, for example as a gift or souvenir, but do so at their own risk as no reimbursement will be given should the parcel be confiscated or damaged in transit.
From the EU to the USA: It is illegal to ship alcohol as an individual from Europe to the United States unless you have an official resellers or producers licence.
Tobacco
It is illegal to send tobacco between individuals in most countries, this includes cigarettes, cigars, and tobacco leaf. To send packages sending tobacco is to do so at your own risk.
Liquids
Small quantities of liquids are allowed to be sent in some countries, but the rules vary from country to country, so make sure you check the rules for your destination country before sending.
Batteries
You are allowed to send lithium batteries, both on their own and in devices. The maximum amount of batteries in one package for single cell batteries is 20Wh (2 cells) or 100Wh for multi-cell batteries (4 cells).
Perishables
Fresh food and other perishable items are not permitted to be sent by individuals, because of the high likelihood that they will be damaged in transportation and damage other parcels. If you do want to send a box of homemade cookies to your friend then you should be aware of the likelihood of them being broken in transportation.
Fragile items
There are no rules against shipping fragile items, but we do not recommend it as there is a likelihood that they will be damaged in transport.
If you do decide to send fragile items, make sure to wrap them well in bubble wrap or tissue paper so that they can’t rattle around in the box.
Toxics
It is illegal to send toxic, flammable, or hazardous items. Businesses advertising to ship such items should have a licence to do so.
Arms
There are strict regulations in place to control the shipping of arms and ammunition. Only authorised businesses are allowed to ship arms through specialised and licensed providers, and it is illegal for individuals to ship arms and ammunition.
| Restricted Items | Prohibited Items |
| Alcoholic Beverages Electronic cigarettes WatchesCigarettes and tobacco products Medical cannabis Perfumes Food Fragile items Articles of high/unusual value Biological substances, Category B and exempt human or animal specimens Dangerous goods Firearms and weapons (including inert and replica explosive weapons) Objects with sentimental value Flowers or other plants Seeds Items that can damage other parcels during the transport Prescription drugs | Ammunition Fireworks Hazardous waste Bank bills, notes or currency (other than coins) Bullion Loose precious and semi-precious stones Human remains Live animals Animal parts and trophies Narcotics Illegal objects Pornography Gold Fur |
What happens if there are restricted items in my parcel?
In general, the contents of parcels are not checked for domestic parcels or parcels sent within the EU. However, random checks are carried out on parcels, and parcels being sent abroad are checked more frequently.
If prohibited items are found in your parcel, either at customs or by the courier, then your parcel will be stopped. At this point the contents of the parcel will either be returned to you or confiscated or even destroyed. Be careful of sending counterfeit goods, as even if you didn’t realise they were counterfeit, if stopped by customs they may be destroyed and you will not receive reimbursement.
Have a question?
If you have any questions regarding prohibited or restricted items, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our dedicated customer support team who are on hand to help with any questions you may have.
