Prohibited and restricted items

(for example UN1845 when used as a coolant for UN3373 or for other perishable items)

• International – not allowed in the mail
• UK – not allowed in the mail

(including mobile phones, digital cameras, etc)

Electronic devices sent with lithium batteries (including mobile phones, digital cameras, etc) where the battery is not connected to the device

• International – not allowed in the mail
• UK – allowed in the mail, with restrictions and packaging guidelines below:

1. Cells or batteries that are defective or damaged are forbidden
2. The maximum number of lithium batteries allowed in each parcel is the minimum number required to power the device plus two spares
3. For lithium ion/polymer batteries the Watt-hour rating must not exceed 20Wh per cell or 100Wh per battery
4. For lithium metal/alloy batteries the lithium content must not be more than 1g per cell or 2g per battery
5. The maximum net quantity of cells or batteries is 5kg per parcel
6. Each cell and battery must be of a type proven to meet the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, section 38.3
7. Cells and batteries must be packed in inner packaging that completely encloses the cell or battery and protects them from short circuit
8. The equipment sent with cells or batteries must be packed in strong rigid packaging and must be secured against movement within the outer packaging and packed to prevent accidental activation
9. These items must be presented at a Post Office® counter
10. Sender's name and address must be visible on the parcel
11. Please see our wrapping and packaging advice for additional guidance on sending electronic items

Electronic devices connected to lithium batteries (including mobile phones, digital cameras, etc) where the battery is connected to the device

• UK & International – allowed in the mail, see restrictions and packaging guidelines below:

1. Cells or batteries that are defective or damaged are forbidden
2. Each parcel must contain no more than four cells or two batteries installed in a device
3. For lithium ion/polymer batteries the Watt-hour rating must not exceed 20Wh per cell or 100Wh per battery
4. For lithium metal/alloy batteries the lithium content must not be more than 1g per cell or 2g per battery
5. The maximum net quantity of cells or batteries is 5kg per parcel
6. Each cell and battery must be of a type proven to meet the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, section 38.3
7. The equipment containing cells or batteries must be packed in strong rigid packaging and must be secured against movement within the outer packaging and packed to prevent accidental activation
8. These items must be presented at a Post Office® counter
9. Sender's name and address must be visible on the parcel
10. Please see our wrapping and packaging advice for additional guidance on sending electronic items

Electronic devices sent with new alkaline metal, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) or nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries where the battery is not connected to the device

• UK & International – allowed in the mail, see restrictions and packaging guidelines below:

1. Must be new and sent unopened in their original retail packaging
2. Surround with sufficient cushioning material to protect each item from damage
3. Wrap each item, including plugs, individually
4. Place item in a rigid container and cushion to avoid movement
5. Any equipment sent with batteries or cells must be secured against movement within the outer packaging and must be packed to prevent accidental activation
6. The sender's name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging
7. Please see our wrapping and packaging advice for additional guidance on sending electronic items

• International – not allowed in the mail
• UK – allowed in the mail, see restrictions and packaging guidelines below:

1. Samples must not exceed 5litres/5kgs
2. Pack in a leak-proof or sift-proof inner and protect by cushioning material in rigid outer packaging

(including used batteries and used engine oil)

• International – not allowed in the mail
• UK – not allowed in the mail

(including fireworks, flares, blasting caps, party poppers, Christmas cracker snaps)

Any chemical compound, mixture or device capable of producing an explosive or pyrotechnic effect with substantial instantaneous release of heat and gas is prohibited eg ammunition, blasting caps, Christmas cracker snaps, fireworks, flares, fuses, igniters, nitro-glycerine and party poppers

• International – not allowed in the mail
• UK – not allowed in the mail
• Items that appear to be prohibited explosive ordnance may be subject to additional checks and delays

(including petroleum, lighter fluid, certain adhesives, solvent based paints, wood varnish, enamels, acetone and all nail varnish removers)

This includes mixtures of liquids or liquids containing solids in solution or suspension which give off a flammable vapour and includes acetone, benzene, cleaning compounds, lighter fuel, paint thinners and removers, petroleum, solvents, varnishes, enamels and nail varnish removers

International – not allowed in the mail

UK – not allowed in the mail

(including magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, zinc powder, sparklers and fire lighters)

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 eg adhesives, calcium carbide, cellulose nitrate products, fire lighters, matches, metallic magnesium, nitro-cellulose based film, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, sodium hydride, sparklers, zinc powder, zirconium hydride

• International – not allowed in the mail
• UK – not allowed in the mail

(including packs of ice)

• International – not allowed in the mail
• UK – not allowed in the mail

(including flammable, non-flammable, toxic and compressed gases, new or used and empty gas cylinders, ethane, butane, refills for lighters, fire extinguishers and scuba tanks, life jackets, nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide canisters including culinary foaming devices and SodaStream)

• International – not allowed in the mail
• UK – not allowed in the mail

1. All flammable compressed gases are prohibited* eg 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* eg chlorine; fluorine etc
3. All non-flammable compressed gases are prohibited* eg air bags; scuba tanks, carbon dioxide; fire extinguishers; neon and nitrogen

*includes new, used and empty gas cylinders

(except those imported for a non-commercial purpose, of a kind not manufactured in the UK, or those in transit)

• International – not allowed in the mail
• UK – not allowed in the mail

• International – allowed in the mail, see restrictions and packaging guidelines below:

1. 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 applicable export controls on the shipment of firearms
2. Items that appear to be prohibited weapons may be subject to additional checks and delays
3. Sender's name and address must be visible on the parcel

• UK – allowed in the mail, see restrictions and packaging guidelines below:

1. Guns intended for sporting purposes – including Section 1 (eg hunting rifles) and Section 2 (eg shotguns) firearms, low-powered air weapons and their component parts – may be sent in compliance with UK law and subject to domestic controls on the possession of firearms
2. Antique, deactivated and imitation firearms are also permitted. When sending deactivated firearms include proof of deactivation
3. Items that appear to be prohibited weapons may be subject to additional checks and delays
4. Use 1st Class as the minimum service
5. Only low-powered air weapons are accepted by Parcelforce Worldwide and must be sent using express48 via the Post Office
6. Sender's name and address must be visible on the parcel

• UK & International – allowed in the mail, see restrictions and packaging guidelines below:

1. Volume per item must not exceed 50g
2. 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
3. The sender's name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging

(including used butane, petrol cigar and cigarette lighters)

• International – not allowed in the mail
• UK – not allowed in the mail

• UK & International – allowed in the mail, see restrictions and packaging guidelines below:

1. Must be unopened and in their original retail packaging
2. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging

Lighters considered to contain residual fuel may be disposed of

Liquids over 1 litre

• International – not allowed in the mail
• UK – allowed in the mail, see restrictions and packaging guidelines below:

1. 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
2. Mark as "FRAGILE" when sending glass bottles
3. Customers posting via Parcelforce Worldwide, maximum 5 litres per container, must be sent using express48

Liquids under 1 litre

• UK & International – allowed in the mail, see restrictions and packaging guidelines below:

1. 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
2. Mark as "FRAGILE" when sending glass bottles

(including bees, caterpillars, cockroaches, crickets, destroyers of noxious pests, earthworms, leeches and other parasites, lugworms, maggots, mealworms, pupae and chrysalides, rag worms, silkworms, spiders and stick insects)

• UK & International – allowed in the mail, see restrictions and packaging guidelines below:

1. 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)
2. Must be boxed and packaged to protect the creatures, our staff and our customers from harm
3. Use 1st Class as the minimum service
4. Items must be clearly marked "URGENT - LIVING CREATURES - HANDLE WITH CARE"
5. The sender's name and address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging
6. Dead insects, sent as collectables, are allowed

• International – not allowed in the mail
• UK – not allowed in the mail (except UK lottery tickets)

Magnetised material with a field strength of 0.418A/metre or more at a distance of 4.6 metres from the outside of the package

• International – not allowed in the mail
• UK – not allowed in the mail

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

• UK & International – allowed in the mail, see packaging guidelines below:

1. Should be wrapped in soft packaging at least 2cm thick around each item
2. The sender's name and address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging

Additional general advice: send individually as magnets can damage other items they travel with, ie discs, tapes, etc. Outer packaging – use a strong corrugated board box or purpose-designed polystyrene pack

(including safety matches and windproof matches)

• International – not allowed in the mail

• UK – not allowed in the mail

(solvent and water-based)

• International – not allowed in the mail
• UK – allowed in the mail, see restrictions and packaging guidelines below:

1. Volume per item must not exceed 30ml
2. No more than four items in any one parcel
3. Bottles of nail varnish must be placed in strong outer packaging and be packed, secured or cushioned in such a way that they cannot break, be punctured or leak their contents into the outer packaging
4. An ID8000 label must be applied (see an example of an ID8000 label)
5. The sender's name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging
6. These items must be presented at a Post Office® counter

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

• International – not allowed in the mail
• UK – not allowed in the mail

(including disinfectants, nitrates and hair dyes or colourants containing 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 eg bromides, chlorates, components of fibreglass repair kits, disinfectants, nitrates, perchlorates, permanganates and peroxides, including hair dyes and colourants containing peroxide

• International – not allowed in the mail
• UK – not allowed in the mail