Are you a small business that needs to ship items to Canada, Mexico, or another country? Or do you have relatives in a foreign country that you want to send a care package to?
You’re about to find out that shipping items internationally can be tricky.
It’s hard to tell the difference between prohibited products and what’s okay to pack and ship. even a few simple details or the wrong label can get your package stopped and confiscated.
If you need to ship something out of the country via airfreight or another delivery service, read on. we’re breaking down the international shipping restrictions you need to know about.
items you can’t send
It is important to know the specific international shipping restrictions. But first, there are some items that are always illegal to ship that you should be aware of.
many of these elements are obvious. you may not ship anything that could be a hazard in transit.
This includes explosives, ammunition and gasoline. If these items come into contact with a spark from a car accident or other incident, they could be fatal. air bags also present an explosion hazard. don’t bother trying to send them either.
Other restricted items for domestic and international shipments are not always dangerous. they violate shipping or state and international laws.
weapons and marijuana are two of those items. Laws on both items vary from state to state and country to country. therefore, it is illegal to send them.
Each of these items requires a certified commercial carrier to move them from one state to the next or to an international destination.
international shipping restrictions
The list of prohibited items for non-business mail within the United States is short. but there is a much longer list of internationally prohibited items.
first, items shipped abroad from the usa. uu. must have labels printed in English. or they need an fda-approved label if the package includes cosmetics, food, or over-the-counter drugs.
Items that are perishable can never be mailed. In addition to dangerous items that cannot be listed above, you also may not ship fire extinguishers, BB guns, stun guns, pepper spray, or related items.
Weapon accessories and military supplies such as handcuffs, shields, or batons are also prohibited.
Diseases and pests carried by wild animals or plants vary from country to country. Preventing these pests and diseases from spreading is an international goal.
For that reason, you may not ship live or dead plants, animals, insects, or any other agricultural-related items outside of the US. uu.
any item that is illicit or illegal is also restricted. this includes counterfeits, contraband, lockpicking devices, or the skin of snakes or alligators.
other international mail restricted items
In addition to the above categories of items you cannot ship internationally, there are many other items you cannot mail. these include:
- Brazilian rosewood
- treatments with stem cells, human growth cells or steroids, including synthetic versions
- pesticides and fungicides
- self-balancing boards (hoverboards) or other self-propelled vehicles
- damaged batteries
- lottery tickets
- gambling-related items
- toxic substances or poisonous
- coral
- ready-to-eat (mre) foods
- beluga or sturgeon caviar
- any item that is difficult or impossible to identify
These aren’t the only items you can’t mail overseas. some countries have restrictions on what you can and cannot import into your country that may not be on the list.
for example, mexico prohibits the importation of used clothing. this is true unless it is part of a person’s personal baggage.
Check with the country you’re shipping to to find out if your items may be restricted.
what to know about shipping food internationally
Perishable items are illegal to ship to a foreign country. but there are food options and ways to pack food that will allow you to ship it abroad.
For example, items that have a shelf life of at least 6 months may be shipped if they are in their sealed, store-bought packaging. the food cannot be something that needs refrigeration if you are going to send it by regular non-commercial mail.
It is also important to note that your packages may be exposed to changes in temperature, as well as occasional rough handling. If your item needs to stay upright, like cupcakes, to stay in good condition, it’s best not to ship it.
While non-perishable store-bought items can be shipped from the US, uu., there may be restrictions of the country that receives them.
You cannot send homemade food. But there are other ways to cheer up a loved one abroad. consider submitting store-bought ingredients and a recipe for your favorite homemade treat. so they can do it themselves!
international shipping of prescription drugs
Another large category of items that cannot be shipped internationally is prescription drugs.
To ship prescription drugs, you must go through a series of complicated procedures. drugs must also be shipped commercially by an approved carrier.
If you are an individual, you will not be able to ship prescription medications.
find the right carrier for your domestic and international shipping needs
Do you need to send something out of the country, for business or personal reasons? you must take into account international shipping restrictions.
Once you’ve followed the guidelines above, the next thing you need to do is find the right operator.
Before entrusting valuable or time-sensitive packages to the postal service, consider a carrier.
Where the postal service often has slow shipping times and many lost packages, a private carrier is a great solution. You’ll get fast shipping that fits your schedule, as well as door-to-door freight service, so you won’t have to stand in long lines at the post office just to drop off your package.
In some cases, you may even be able to choose same-day shipping for domestic destinations. some locations in Canada and some international cities are also available.
feel free to contact us for more information