There are some items which Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide are unable to carry for legal or health and safety reasons. This comprehensive A-Z guide gives you detailed information about the things you cannot post, as well as highlighting the areas where there may be exceptions.
Failure to comply with these regulations could result in prosecution. You are responsible for checking whether or not an item is prohibited.
There are also items that we do carry but with restrictions. Where appropriate these are indicated in the table below. For more information please see the Restricted Goods section below.
If you are not sure about the item you wish to post, please call Royal Mail Customer Services on 08457 740 740. Textphone users should call 0845Call costs may vary depending on your service provider. Calls may be monitored or recorded for training and compliance purposes. 600 0606.
Prohibited Goods
The table below covers all Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide UK mail services including First Class, Second Class and Special Delivery®.
International customers should note that other postal administrations may have different prohibitions. Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to items if the articles inside are prohibited in the country you’re posting them to. If you need to know more go to Royal Mail’s A-Z guide of country specific information. For more information, download the international prohibitions and restrictions leaflet.
| Prohibited itemWe reserve the right to refuse any other item banned by law or that in our opinion may be harmful or dangerous to our customers or employees. If you send dangerous goods and do not comply with the applicable terms and conditions and legal requirements then we may deal with the goods as we see fit including destroying or disposing of the relevant goods. | Detailed information |
|---|---|
| Aerosols | Including spray paints, lacquers, solvents, air fresheners, oven cleaners, deodorants, body sprays, hair sprays, shaving and hair removal creams. Inhalers with a volume of 50ml or less are allowed. Please see the Restricted Goods section below. |
| Alcoholic beverages | With an alcohol content greater than 24% ABV including spirits such as gin, vodka and whisky. Alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content no greater than 24% ABV including beer, lager, wine and champagne, are allowed. Please see the Restricted Goods section below. |
| Ammunition | Except lead pellets |
| Asbestos | Except when sent as a sample fixed in a resin, plastic or glass matrix. |
| Batteries | Batteries that are classed as dangerous goodsClassified in the latest edition of the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Technical Instructions.
by the latest edition of the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Technical Instructions are prohibited. This includes lithium ion/polymer/metal/alloy batteries sent in isolation or with equipment such as mobile phone, digital camera or laptop. Lead acid batteries (e.g. car batteries) and sealed lead acid batteries are also prohibited. Alkaline, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries may only be sent when new and in their original packaging. Please see the Restricted Goods section below. |
| Clinical and medical waste | For example contaminated dressings, bandages and needles. |
| Controlled drugs and narcotics | Including cannabis, cocaine, heroin, LSD, opium and amyl nitrate. |
| Corrosive substances | Substances which can cause severe damage to living tissue, other freight or transport by its chemical action are prohibited including aluminium chloride, caustic soda, corrosive cleaning fluid, dyes, acids, corrosive paint and rust removers, mercury and gallium metal. |
| Counterfeit currency, bank notes and postage stamps | Including any false instrument, or copy of a false instrument within the meaning of section 5 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981) except copies of old denominations, which are now obsolete and worthless except for collectable value and cannot be passed as tender. Please see the Restricted Goods section below. |
| Dry ice | For example UN1845 when used as a coolant for UN3373 or for other perishable items. |
| Environmental waste | Including used batteries and used engine oil. |
| Electronic items containing any batteries exceeding 100Wh | Including some high performance laptops and power tools. |
| 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, certain alcoholic beverages, certain perfumes and aftershaves, varnishes and enamels including nail varnish. |
| 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, fire lighters, matches, metallic magnesium, nitro-cellulose based film, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, sodium hydride, zinc powder, zirconium hydride. |
| Frozen water | Including packs of ice |
| 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. 1. All flammable compressed gases are prohibited e.g. blowlamps; butane; lighters and refills containing flammable liquid or gas; 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; scuba tanks, carbon dioxide; fire extinguishers; neon and nitrogen. |
| Goods made in foreign prisons | Except those imported for a non-commercial purpose, of a kind not manufactured in the UK, or those in transit. |
| Human and animal remains | Including ashes. |
| Infectious substances UN2814 or UN2900 | Category A Infectious Substances are prohibited e.g. Ebola, Anthrax, Foot and Mouth disease as detailed in the latest edition of the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Technical Instructions. For more information please see the IATA Guidance Document on Infectious Substances. |
| Lighters and refills containing flammable liquid or gas | Including used butane and petrol cigar and cigarette lighters. New and unused empty lighters are allowed. Please see the Restricted Goods section below. |
| Liquids above 1 litre | When sent in international post. |
| Living creaturesSuch as insects used to feed exotic pets. , animals and reptiles | Except certain insects and invertebrates. Please see the Restricted Goods section below. |
| 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, including safety and windproof matches |
| Obscene publications and unlawful indecent images | Including obscene or extreme 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 |
| Oxidising materials and organic peroxides | 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 e.g. bromides, chlorates, components of fibreglass repair kits, disinfectants, nitrates, per chlorates, permanganates and peroxides, including hair dyes and colourants containing peroxide. |
| Pesticides | Including weed killer and any chemical that is used to kill pests and insects such as fly sprays |
| Poisonous, toxic liquids, solids or gases | Including substances that are liable to cause death or injury if swallowed or inhaled or by skin contact, such as arsenic, beryllium, cyanide, fluorine, rat poison. |
| 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' Technical Instructions e.g. fissile material (uranium 235, etc), radioactive waste material, thorium or uranium ores and luminous dials from aircraft. |
| Solvent-based paints, wood varnishes and enamels | Including gloss paint. |
| Tickets and related advertisements for illegal lotteries | |
| Waste, dirt, filth or refuse | Including household waste or rubbish |
| Weapons |
Including Section 5 firearms, CS gas and pepper sprays, flick knives, tasers and stun guns. Items that appear to be prohibited weapons may be subject to additional checks and delays. Guns for sporting use, including Section 1, Section 2 firearms and low-powered airguns are allowed, subject to any applicable controls on the possession of firearms. Please see the Restricted Goods section below. |
Restricted Goods
The table below covers all Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worlwide’s UK mail services including First Class, Second Class and Special Delivery®.
International customers should note that other postal administrations may have different restrictions. Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to items if the articles inside are restricted in the country you’re posting them to. If you need to know more go to Royal Mail’s A-Z guide of country specific information. For more information, download the international prohibitions and restrictions leaflet.
| Restricted itemWe reserve the right to refuse any other item banned by law or that in our opinion may be harmful or dangerous to our customers or employees. If you send dangerous goods and do not comply with the applicable terms and conditions and legal requirements then we may deal with the goods as we see fit including destroying or disposing of the relevant goods. | Detailed information |
|---|---|
| Aerosols | Inhalers with a volume of 50ml or less are allowed. |
| Alcoholic beverages and liquid | Including beer, lager, wine and champagne, with an alcohol content no greater than 24% ABV. Wrap in polythene and seal with tape. Surround with absorbent material such as newspaper and sufficient cushioning material to protect each item from breakage. Volume should not exceed 1 Litre per item. Mark as ‘FRAGILE’ when sending glass bottles. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. Any alcoholic beverage with alcohol content greater than 24% ABV is prohibited. Please see the Prohibited Goods section above. |
| Balloons | Balloons filled with any type of gas are not allowed in international mail. For UK destinations, balloons filled with non-flammable gases are permitted but these must be clearly marked on the outer packaging with the words ’BALLOONS FILLED WITH NON-FLAMMABLE GAS’. |
| Batteries - new alkaline, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) or nickel cadmium (NiCd) | Including D, C, 9V, AA, AAA and AAAA alkaline batteries. Must be new and sent unopened in their original retail packaging. Surround with cushioning material e.g. bubble wrap. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. |
| Biological Substances (Category B | Human or animal material including, but not limited to, excreta, secreta, blood and its components, tissue and tissue fluids. These items are prohibited in international post, but may be carried within the UK provided the following conditions are met. May only be sent by, or at the specific request of, a qualified medical practitioner, registered dental practitioner, veterinary surgeon, registered nurse or a recognised laboratory or institution. The total sample volume/mass in any parcel must not exceed 50ml/50g. All biological substances must be posted in packaging that complies with Packaging Instruction 650, such as our Safebox product. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. |
| Christmas crackers | Crackers can only be sent in their complete made-up form and in their original retail packaging. |
| Counterfeit currency and stamps | Restricted to copies of old denominations or pre decimalisation postage stamps which are now obsolete and worthless except for collectable value and cannot be passed as tender. Any false instrument or copy of a false instrument within the meaning of section 5 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981) is prohibited. Please see the Prohibited Goods section above. |
| Electronic items sent with new alkaline, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) or nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries | Must be new and sent unopened in their original retail packaging. Surround with sufficient cushioning material to protect each item from damage. Wrap each item, including plugs, individually. Place item in a rigid container and cushion to avoid movement. Any equipment sent with batteries or cells must be secured against movement within the outer packaging and must be packed to prevent accidental activation. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. |
| Guns for sporting use |
Guns intended for sporting purposes - including Section 1 and Section 2 firearms, low-powered air guns and their component parts - may be sent in compliance with UK law and subject to subject to any applicable controls on the possession of firearms. Use 1st Class as the minimum service. The sender’s name and address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. |
| Lighters | New and unused empty lighters may be sent unopened in their original retail packaging. Lighters and refills containing flammable liquid or gas (including used butane and petrol cigar and cigarette lighters) are prohibited. Please see the Prohibited Goods section above. |
| Living creaturesSuch as insects used to feed exotic pets. , insects and invertebrates | Including bees, caterpillars, cockroaches, crickets, destroyers of noxious pests, earthworms, fish fry and eggs, leeches and other parasites, lugworms, maggots, mealworms, pupae and chrysalides, rag worms, silkworms, spiders and stick insects. Must be boxed and packaged to protect the creatures, our staff and our customers from harm. Use 1st Class as the minimum service. Items must be clearly marked ‘URGENT – LIVING CREATURESSuch as insects used to feed exotic pets. - HANDLE WITH CARE’. The sender’s name and address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. Live animals and reptiles are prohibited, as are any creatures or insects classified as dangerous within the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (including certain venomous spiders). Please see the Prohibited Goods section above. |
| Magnetised materials | Should be wrapped in soft packaging at least 2cm thick around each item. The sender’s name and address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. 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 are prohibited, Please see the Prohibited Goods section above. |
| Perishable items | Including flowers, fresh fruit, vegetables and frozen or chilled foodstuffs. Should be able to withstand a journey of up to 48 hours. Use 1st Class as the minimum service. Must be suitably sealed to prevent leakage or tainting of other items such as in sealed vacuum packs. Strong corrugated board box or purpose designed polystyrene pack. The senders name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. |
| Prescription medicines and drugs sent for scientific purposes | May only be sent by, or at the specific request of, a qualified medical practitioner, registered dental practitioner, veterinary surgeon, registered nurse or a recognised laboratory or institution. Medicines classified as non-flammable or non-toxic can be sent in the UK and international post. The medicines must be securely closed and placed in a leak-proof container such as a sealed polythene bag (for liquids) or a siftproof container (for solids). Must be tightly packed in strong outer packaging and must be secured or cushioned to prevent any damage. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. Medicines classified as flammable, toxic or flammable and toxic are prohibited. Please see the Prohibited Goods section above. |
| Sharp objects | Sharp objects like knives, kitchen utensils and gardening tools may only be posted if they are packaged appropriately so that they are no risk to employees, other postal items or recipients. |
| Vaccines | May only be sent by, or at the specific request of, a qualified medical practitioner, registered dental practitioner, veterinary surgeon, registered nurse or a recognised laboratory or institution. The vaccines must be securely closed and placed in a leak-proof liner such as a sealed polythene bag (for liquids) or a sift-proof container (for solids). Must be tightly packed in strong outer packaging and must be secured or cushioned to prevent any damage. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. |
| Water-based paints, wood varnishes and enamels | Water-based paints, wood varnishes and enamels with a volume less than 150ml, must be sent in sealed tins or bottles, placed in polythene and sealed again. The items must be surrounded with sufficient absorbent material to soak up any leakage and must be packed in strong fibreboard or polystyrene. |
