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Prohibited Goods

Lady opening mail

We take all legal and safety issues very seriously, and we refuse to carry any of the illegal or harmful items listed below. If they are found in the post, we will return them to the sender or dispose of them.  In some cases, the sender may face prosecution. These restrictions apply throughout our UK and International postal service.

We cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to international items which contain articles that are prohibited in the destination country.

If you are not sure about what you cannot send, please call our Customer Service Centre on 08457 740 740. Textphone users should call on 0845 600 0606.


AerosolsExcept inhalers with a volume of 50ml or less.
Alcoholic liquidsWith alcohol content higher than 70%vol.
BatteriesBatteries which are classed as dangerous goods by the latest edition of the International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) Technical Instructions.
Butane lightersFilled or refills
Clinical and medical wasteFor example used dressings, bandages, needles, cotton wool.
DrugsExcept emergency drugs for medical or scientific purposes. For prescription and over-the-counter medicines please refer to the list of Restricted items.
Corrosive substancesSubstances which can cause severe damage to living tissue, other freight, or transport by its chemical action. All corrosive substances are prohibited such as; Aluminium Chloride; Caustic Soda; Corrosive Cleaning Fluid; Corrosive Rust Remover/Preventative; Corrosive Paint Remover; Electric Storage Batteries; Hydrochloric Acid; Nitric Acid; Sulphuric Acid, etc.
Counterfeit currency, bank notes and postage stampsExcept copies of old denominations, which are now obsolete and worthless except for collectable value and cannot be passed as tender.
Dry IceDry Ice is solid carbon dioxide.
Environmental WasteE.g. used engine oil or used batteries.
Explosives

Any chemical compound, mixture or device capable of producing an explosive-pyrotechnic effect, with substantial instantaneous release of heat and gas. 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, will be subject to closer scrutiny which will cause delay; and they will be transported


FilthE.g. dirt, waste or refuse.
Flammable liquidsMixtures 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; Solvents etc.
Flammable solidsSolid 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

Gasses 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.

1. All flammable compressed gases are prohibited

 E.g. Blowlamps; Butane; Cigarette Lighters; Ethane; Gas Cylinders for camping stoves; Hydrogen; Methane and Propane.

2. All toxic compressed gases are prohibited

E.g. Chlorine; Fluorine etc.

3. All non-flammable compressed gases are prohibited

E.g. Air Bags; Carbon Dioxide; Fire Extinguishers containing such gases; Neon and Nitrogen.

Indecent, obscene or offensive materialE.g. pornographic material.
Living creaturesExcept certain insects - see Restricted Goods
Lottery ticketsExcept UK lottery tickets.

Magnetised materialMagnetised 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 kindSee the ‘Flammable solids list’ above for more examples.
Flammable solidsSolid 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.
Oxidising substances and organic peroxideThese are substances such as disinfectants and 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.
PathogensThings that can cause disease, such as a virus. Pathogens in the Risk Group 4 and selected Risk Group 3 listed in Schedule 9, Part 5 of the latest edition of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations are prohibited. E.g. Clinical; Environmental and Medical Waste; Ebola, Anthrax and Foot and Mouth Disease.
Perfumes and AftershavesPerfumes and Aftershaves that are classed as flammable are prohibited. Non-flammable items may be accepted but there are restrictions based on alcoholic content.
Poisonous (toxic) and infectious substancesSubstances 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.
PesticidesAny chemical that is used to kill pests and insects.
Radioactive materialsRadioactive 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 InstrumentsSharp instruments e.g. knives, gardening and household tools, unless they are properly protected.
Solvent-Based Paints and InksThese are varnishes (including nail varnish), enamels and similar substances.
UN2814 or UN2900 Infectious SubstancesThese are classified at Division 6.2 of the 2005-2006 Edition Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air published by International Civil Aviation Organisation, (ICAO).
Water-Based Paints and InksWater-based Paints and Inks, such as household paint and inks over the volume of 150ml.

If you are not sure about what you cannot send, please call our Customer Service Centre on 08457 740 740. Textphone users should call on 0845 600 0606.

Further information