Prohibited goods
Generally, Royal Mail cannot carry items which could be dangerous for our staff or vehicles including aeroplanes. The items listed below are prohibited from all our mail services including but not limited to First Class, Second Class, Airmail and Surface mail.
| Aerosols |
Except inhalers with a volume of 50ml or less. In addition, some aerosols may be sent using our Royal Mail Tracked service - restrictions apply. Please see www.royalmail.com/restrictedgoods and www.royalmail.com/tracked. |
| Alcoholic liquids | With an alcohol content higher than 70%vol. |
| Batteries |
Customers should check the Transport Information of the Material Safety Data Sheet to determine if the battery is classed as Dangerous Goods (UN number will be listed). Lead acid batteries (car batteries are prohibited). Lithium batteries if greater than 100 watts per hour are prohibited. However, some lithium batteries may be sent using our Royal Mail Tracked service – restrictions apply. Please see www.royalmail.com/restrictedgoods and www.royalmail.com/tracked. |
| Butane lighters | Filled or refills. |
| Clinical and medical waste | For example used dressings, bandages, needles, cotton wool. |
| Prescription drugs | Except in an emergency where prescription drugs cannot be sourced locally for medical or scientific purposes. For prescription and over-the-counter medicines please refer to the list of restricted items. |
| Corrosive substances | Substances which can cause severe damage to living tissue, other freight or transport by its chemical action are prohibited. E.g. aluminium chloride, caustic soda, corrosive cleaning fluid, corrosive rust remover/preventative, corrosive paint remover, electric storage batteries; hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and sulphuric acid. |
| Counterfeit currency, bank notes and postage stamps | Except copies of old denominations, which are now obsolete and worthless except for collectable value and cannot be passed as tender. |
| Dry ice | Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide and is prohibited. |
| Environmental waste | E.g. used engine oil or batteries. |
| Explosives |
Any chemical compound, mixture or device capable of producing an explosive or pyrotechnic effect with substantial instantaneous release of heat and gas is prohibited. E.g. ammunition, blasting caps, fireworks, flares, fuses, igniters and nitroglycerine. Items that appear to be prohibited weapons or explosive ordnance, even if incapable of being used as a weapon, are prohibited. |
| Filth | E.g. dirt, waste or refuse. |
| Flammable liquids | This includes mixtures of liquids or liquids containing solids in solution or suspension which give off a flammable vapour. Any liquid with a closed cup flash point below 60.5° C is prohibited. E.g. acetone, benzene, cleaning compounds, gasoline, lighter fuel, paint thinners and removers, petroleum and solvents. |
| Flammable solids | Solid materials which are liable to cause fire by friction, absorption of water, spontaneous chemical changes or retained heat from manufacturing or processing, or which can be readily ignited and burn vigorously. E.g. adhesives, calcium carbide, cellulose nitrate products, matches, metallic magnesium, nitro-cellulose based film, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, sodium hydride, zinc powder, zirconium hydride etc. |
| Gases |
Gases that are compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure, permanent gases which cannot be liquefied at ambient temperatures, liquefied gases which become liquid under pressure at ambient temperatures, dissolved gases which are dissolved under pressure in a solvent.
Gases that are compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure, permanent gases which cannot be liquefied at ambient temperatures, liquefied gases which become liquid under pressure at ambient temperatures, dissolved gases which are dissolved under pressure in a solvent. |
| Indecent, obscene or offensive material | E.g. pornographic material. |
| Living creatures | Except certain insects - see restricted goods |
| Lottery tickets | Except UK lottery tickets. |
| Magnetised material | Magnetised material with a magnetic field strength of 0.159A/m or more at a distance of 2.1m from the outside of the package. |
| Matches of any kind | See the ‘Flammable solids list’ above for more examples. |
| Oxidising substances and organic peroxide | These are substances such as disinfectants that may cause or contribute to combustion of other substances. They may also be liable to explosive decomposition, react dangerously with other substances and injure health. For example: bromides, chlorates, components of fibreglass repair kits, disinfectants, nitrates, per chlorates, permanganates and peroxides. |
| Perfumes and aftershaves |
Perfumes and aftershaves that are classed as flammable are prohibited. However some perfumes and aftershaves may be sent via our Royal Mail Tracked service – restrictions apply. Please see www.royalmail.com/restrictedgoods and www.royalmail.com/tracked. Non-flammable perfumes and aftershaves may be sent but there are restrictions based on alcoholic content. |
| Poisonous (toxic) and infectious substances | Substances that are liable to cause death or injury if swallowed or inhaled, or by skin contact. All toxic substances are prohibited. E.g. arsenic, beryllium, cyanide, fluorine, hydrogen selenide, infectious substances containing micro-organisms or their toxins which are known to cause (or are suspected of causing) disease, mercury, mercury salts, mustard gas, Nitrobenzene, nitrogen dioxide, pesticides, rat poison, serum and vaccines. |
| Pesticides | Any chemical that is used to kill pests and insects. |
| Radioactive materials | Radioactive materials and samples that are classified as radioactive using Table 2-12 of the latest edition of the International Civil Aviation Organisations' (ICAO) Technical Instructions. For example: fissile material, (uranium 235, etc), radioactive waste material, thorium or uranium ores, etc. |
| Sharp instruments | Sharp instruments e.g. knives, gardening and household tools (unless they are properly protected). |
| Solvent-based paints and inks | These are varnishes (including nail varnish), enamels and similar substances. However, some nail varnish is allowed via our Royal Mail Tracked service – restrictions apply. Please see www.royalmail.com/restrictedgoods and www.royalmail.com/tracked. |
| UN2814 or UN2900 Infectious substances (Catergory A) | Category A infectious substances are prohibited e.g. Ebola, Anthrax, Foot and Mouth Disease. |
| Weapons and ammunition (e.g. handguns, shotguns, pistols, flick knives, pepper sprays) | Although, weapons if intended for sporting purposes may be sent as long as accompanied by appropriate documentation required by law (e.g. a DTI Export Licence) and provided that importation is not prohibited by the destination country. |
