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List of Prohibited Goods

We urge you to read the table below outlining what you can and cannot send. If any "Prohibited Goods" have to be removed from your shipment, we will hold them for a period of 60 days. If they are not claimed within 60 days, we will have no choice but to dispose of them.
TIP: Please ensure your inventory matches your shipment and that box numbers are labelled correctly when using our removals or shipping services.

Items in storage:
Please note that if you are putting items into storage that are not being shipped or transported internationally, the items that are prohibited to pack are listed within the 'Domestic LAND Service' column.

 

  • All food and drink items are prohibited across all services worldwide.
  • Depending on your origin and destination countries, you might need an import and export permit when shipping some items. Please check the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) website before packing.

cross  Cannot be transportedtick  Can be transported

Alcoholic beverages and medical alcohol are only allowed by LAND service
(Excluding UK to Europe/Europe to UK)

Packaging guidelines: Volume must not exceed 1 litre per item. No more than two items in any one parcel. Wrap in polythene and seal with tape. Surround with absorbent material and cushioning to prevent breakage.

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Aerosols for toiletry or medicinal purposes
(Including deodorants, body sprays, hair sprays, shaving and hair removal creams and medicinal aerosols for prevention or cure such as flea sprays).

Packaging guidelines: Valves must be protected to prevent inadvertent release of the contents. Volume per item must not exceed 500ml. No more than two items in any one parcel, tightly packed.

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Aerosols for any other purpose
(Including spray paints, air fresheners, etc.)

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Ammunition
Including empty shell casings but excluding lead pellets and other airgun and airsoft projectiles.

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Animals products or organisms of any form

Including stuffed animals and certain articles derived from animals including fur, skins, bone, vertebrae, horn, ivory of any kind, reptile leather, stony corals and goods made from them are restricted and may only be imported with special permit/CITES certification, please refer to your destination country customs/quarantine department.

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Batteries and items containing built-in batteries

Batteries sent by air

No batteries are permitted on any of our air services. We would advise customers who wish to transport batteries built into small electronic items by air to add the items to their hand luggage allowance.

Batteries sent by sea and land

The following Lithium-Ion batteries (generally used for cordless tools) can be sent via our sea and land services:
12 Volt 4amp Lithium-Ion Battery
14.4 Volt 3amp Battery
18 Volt 6amp Lithium-Ion Battery
18 Volt 1.5amp Lithium-Ion Battery
18 Volt 3amp Lithium-Ion Battery

Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries, including household AA and AAA batteries, can be sent via sea and land but must be new and sent unopened in their original retail packaging surrounded with cushioning material, e.g. bubble wrap.

Nickel metal hydride (NiMH), nickel cadmium (NiCd), lithium ion (Li-ion), and lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries within small electronic devices such as laptops are allowed by sea and land.

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Bikes into Indonesia
(Including road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid/commuter bikes, cyclocross bikes, folding bikes, electric bikes, touring bikes).

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TVs and bikes into South Korea

TVs and bikes (including road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid/commuter bikes, cyclocross bikes, folding bikes, electric bikes and touring bikes).

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Biological substances / samples
(Diagnostic specimens including urine, blood, faeces and animal remains).

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Books into China
A maximum of 50 books (any kind of book) can be imported into China. A collection of more than 50 books will be classified as commercial books and will not be allowed into the country without a Certificate of High Level Talents, which is part of the visa programme that facilitates the entry of highly skilled or talented people into China.

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Candles into Australia and New Zealand

Scented and non-Scented candles, even if they have not been lit or are packaged are now prohibited from being transported into Australia and New Zealand by air.

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CBD (cannabidiol) and cannabis-derived products

All natural and synthetic cannabinoids are prohibited.
Products, including foods and drinks, containing cannabinoids, are also prohibited. All synthetic cannabinoids that mimic the effects of THC are prohibited.

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Currency /money
(Including Cash, Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Coins, Cheques, Vouchers, Tickets, Lottery Tickets, Stamps (Unless Franked) Etc)

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Christmas crackers
(Including party popper, party cannons, twist poppers, bon-bons, etc)

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Christmas decorations (organic materials) importing into Australia and New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand have strict regulations on importing of all organic materials including, Wreaths, Pine Cones, fresh mistletoe, holly and conifer including the ones that have been treated.

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Controlled drugs and narcotics
(such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin, LSD, opium and amyl nitrate)

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Corrosives
(including dyes, acids, corrosive paint and rust removers, caustic soda, mercury and gallium metal).

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Counterfeit or pirated goods
(All counterfeit goods are prohibited).

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COVID-19 clinical testing kits & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

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Electrical items into South Africa
The NRCS (National Regulator Compulsory Specifications) Border Enforcement, is using a piece of legislation which should only be applied to commercial cargo imported into South Africa for resale. This is being challenged by the SA removal industry trade body. The implications are that all electrical goods from an electric shaver, hair dryers, TVs and washing machines should not be shipped to South Africa by sea.

Instead, until this situation is resolved we suggest that you take the smaller electrical items with you when you are travelling to South Africa or use our door to door, Air Economy service to send those specific items.

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Electrical & electronic items into Macau
(Electrical equipment includes any machine powered by electricity or Consumer electronics or home electronics intended for everyday use).

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Endangered wood, plants and animals

Hundreds of countries and states worldwide, united by the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) agreement, have restrictions on importing endangered wood, animals and plant life, including derivatives. The aim is to combat illegal logging and protect vulnerable forests and wildlife. Members include China, the United States, the EU, Australia and Indonesia.

Depending on your origin and destination countries, you might need both an import and export permit when shipping items containing endangered animals, plants, or wood, such as a table or a guitar.

Please note: we strongly suggest double-checking that all your older furniture, including inlays, plus ornaments and jewellery, meet the requirements before shipping to avoid unwanted fines or delays.

Please check the CITES website before packing.

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Explosives
(including fireworks, flares, blasting caps, party poppers)

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E-cigarettes, vape pens, vaper cigarettes
(including refills, Cartridges).

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Firearms/replica firearms
Firearms (Including gas pistols, gas canisters, electric shock batons, stun guns and similar weapons), ammunition and explosives (Including flares incorporating a barrel and empty shell casings), low-powered air weapons and their component parts

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Flammable liquids
(Including any oil based liquids e.g. Cooking oil, sun tan oil, lighter fluid, certain adhesives, solvent based paints, wood varnish, enamels, acetone and all nail varnish removers).

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Flammable solids
(including magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, zinc powder and fire lighters).

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Food items and drinks
(including Canned and Dried food, Confectionary e.g. biscuits and chocolates, spices, cooking oils, Carbonated drinks like CocaCola, milk powder, protein powder, health or dietary powdered products, syrups and sauces).

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Gases, including flammable, non-flammable, toxic and compressed gases
(gas cylinders containing: ethane, butane, refills for lighters, fire extinguishers, full scuba tanks, life jackets, nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide canisters including culinary foaming devices & soda stream).

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Gas masks

All gas masks, whether modern or historical, due to potential contamination by poisonous gasses.

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Health or dietary supplements
(pills, capsule, or tablet, e.g. Vitamins).

Packaging guidelines: reasonable quantity for own consumption. Shipper has to declare accurately and may be subject to local regulations.

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Health or dietary supplements into Macau and China
(including pills, capsule, or tablet, e.g. Vitamins).

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High value items or articles of exceptional value
(e.g. Bullion, currency of any kind, precious metals and stones, gold and silver, including personal coin collections, ingots, jewellery and watches valued over US$1,000, works of art valued more than US$10,000).

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Hover boards, electric skateboard, electric scooter, solo wheeled scooter
(including any type of rechargeable battery-powered: self - balancing scooter, monowheel, stand-up unicycle).

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Human or animal ashes

Please note: Human or animal ashes can no longer by imported into Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Philippines, Macau, South Korea and China by either our sea or air services.

Packaging guidelines: Ashes must be placed in a sift-proof container and securely closed. Items must be tightly packed in strong outer packaging and must be secured or cushioned to prevent any damage. Supporting documents required e.g. Death certificate & Certificate of Cremation.

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Infectious substances and pathogens
(UN2814 or UN2900) as classified in the latest edition of the Technical Instructions for Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air published by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

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Knives

All knives for household use and professional knife sets e.g. chef’s knives, kitchen knives.

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Lighters
New and unused empty lighters may be sent unopened.

Lighters and refills containing flammable liquid or gas (including used butane and petrol cigar and cigarette lighters) are prohibited for all services.

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Liquids
(Containing liquids not classified as dangerous goods e.g. shampoo, detergents, etc.)

Packaging guidelines: Items must be securely closed and placed in a leak-proof inner liner, such as a sealed polythene bag and in a leak-proof outer.

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Magnetised material
(with only a field strength of 0.418A/metre or less at a distance of 4.6 metres from the outside of the package).

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Matches
(including safety matches).

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Medicines (prescribed) and drugs sent for scientific or medical purposes
(toxic, flammable or toxic and flammable).

Please note: Both prescribed and non-prescribed medicines cannot be imported into Taiwan.

Packaging guidelines: Inner packaging can be blister packs of tablets or capsules of liquid (each pack not to exceed 50ml/50g per tablet/capsule), or small bottles of liquid up to 50ml. Net quantity in any parcel not to exceed 500ml/500g. Medicines must be securely closed and placed in a sealed polythene bag (for liquids) or a siftproof container (for solids). Must be tightly packed in strong outer packaging and cushioned to prevent breakage.

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Medicines (prescribed) and drugs sent for scientific or medical purposes
(non-toxic and non-flammable including asthma inhalers).

Please note: Both prescribed and non-prescribed medicines cannot be imported into Taiwan.

Packaging guidelines: Inner packaging can be blister packs of tablets or capsules of liquid (each pack not to exceed 50ml/50g per tablet/capsule), or small bottles of liquid up to 50ml. Net quantity in any parcel not to exceed 1litre/1kg. Medicines must be securely closed and placed in a sealed polythene bag (for liquids) or a siftproof container (for solids). Must be tightly packed in strong outer packaging and cushioned to prevent breakage.

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Medicines (prescribed) for pets

All types of prescribed medication for pets, including treatments for worms and fleas in liquid, gel or pill form.

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Medicines and supplements into Macau and China
All types of prescribed or none prescribed medicines and supplements

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Medicines and supplements into New Zealand

All types of prescribed or none prescribed medicines and supplements.

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Milk powder (formula) into China and Hong Kong
(including a dry powder that you mix with water, or a ready to feed liquid formula).

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Nail varnish, polish or gel

Packaging guidelines: Volume per item must not exceed 30ml. No more than four items in any one parcel. Must be placed in strong outer packaging and cushioned to prevent breakage.

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Negotiable documents
(Including Passports, Driving Licences Etc.).

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Obscene publications and pornography materials
Including pornography as detailed in Part 5 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 and indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child as detailed in section 160 and 161 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

Indecent and obscene material featuring children, such as books, magazines, films, video tapes, DVD’s, laser discs and software are PROHIBITED.

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Oxidising materials or organic peroxides
(including disinfectants, nitrates and hair dyes or colourants containing peroxide).

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Pain relief head bags into Australia and New Zealand

This product contains wheat and therefore cannot be shipped to either Australia or New Zealand using any of our services.

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Perfumes and aftershaves
(including eau de perfume and eau de toilette).

Packaging guidelines: Volume per item must not exceed 150ml. No more than two items in any one parcel. Must be sent in its original retail packaging, placed in strong outer packaging and cushioned to prevent breakage.

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Pesticides
(e.g. weed killer and any chemical used to kill pests and insects including fly sprays).

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Poisons, toxic liquids, solids and gases
(including substances that are liable to cause death or injury if swallowed or inhaled or by skin contact, including arsenic, cyanide, fluorine, rat poison).

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Plant/plant related produce

Plants and plant related produce including seeds, trees, shrubs, soil, vegetables, fruit, bulbs and seeds are restricted and may only be imported with special permit, please refer to your destination country customs/quarantine department.

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Radioactive materials and samples
(Classified as dangerous goods such as luminous dials from aircraft)

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Radio transmitters

Please confirm that the radio transmitters (i.e. walkie talkies) are approved in your country of destination. Please check with the manufacturer.

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Sea shells
Seven Seas Worldwide company policy does not allow the shipment of any kind of Sea Shells.

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Taxidermy animals

Hunting trophies, skin mounts and all other taxidermy items (animal bodies preserved for display) like horns, antlers and teeth are banned from importation into the UK, whether new or antique.

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Tobacco

Including cigarettes, cigars, all tobacco products and electronic cigarettes.

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Unlicensed controlled drugs

Drugs such as opium, heroin, morphine, MDMA (Ecstasy), cocaine, cannabis, amphetamines and Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) ; Water pipes/hookah pipes (bongs).

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Vehicle parts

Large Vehicle Parts Including Vehicle Panels, Spoilers, Doors, Bonnets, Bumpers, Carbon Fibre, Engines, Any Car Parts Containing Oil Or Liquids, Airbags, Steering Wheels, Containing Airbags, Etc.

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Waste, dirt, filth or refuse
(Including household waste. Note soil samples sent for analysis are permitted provided they are packaged so that any leaks and spills are contained in the outer packaging).

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Wax

All products containing Bees Wax or Soy wax.

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Weapons, replica weapons

Flick knives, bayonets, double sided swords, double sided knives, butterfly knives, belt buckle knives, pocket knifes (Swiss Armyknife), push daggers, hand and foot claws, death stars, blowpipes and blowguns, sword sticks, knuckle dusters, telescopic truncheons which extend by use of a spring or other device in, or attached to, their handles, and some types of martial arts equipment.

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This page was last updated on 17/08/2023.

Previous updates

17/08/2023 - Depending on your origin and destination countries, you might need both an import and export permit when shipping items containing endangered animals, plants, or wood, such as a table or a guitar.

08/06/2023 - No prescribed medication for pets to be imported.

03/04/2023 - Taxidermy items (animal bodies preserved for display) are banned from importation into the UK, whether new or antique. 

30/11/2022 - All gas masks, whether modern or historical, are banned from importation.  

23/09/2022 - Prescribed or none prescribed medicines can no longer be imported into New Zealand.

06/09/2022 - Bikes and TVs can no longer be imported into South Korea.

23/06/2022 - Both prescribed and non-prescribed medicines can no longer be imported into Taiwan.

28/03/2022 - Human or animal ashes can no longer be imported into Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Philippines and South Korea by either sea or air.

06/01/2022 - Human or animal ashes can no longer be imported into China by either sea or air.

26/11/2021 - Further clarification added for sending batteries by air.

09/09/2021 - Pain relief head bags are now prohibited from being transported into Australia and New Zealand because they contain wheat.

03/08/2021 - Candles (scented and non-scented) are now prohibited from being transported into Australia and New Zealand by air.

01/07/2021 - CBD (Cannabidiol) and Cannabis-Derived Products were added as restricted items that cannot be sent by International Air, Sea or Inter-Europe land services.

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