Although every country has different requirements in terms of what can and cannot be shipped to its borders, there are some categories of items that simply are not permitted to be shipped at all. In other cases, certain restrictions apply to international parcel shipping and this is something you need to be aware of when you want to send an international package. This is irrespective of whether you’re sending the package for business/commercial or private purposes. With this in mind, let’s explore some of these restrictions and limitations so that you save yourself a lot of hassle and time going forward.
Prohibited items
Prohibited items refer to items that are not permitted to be shipped internationally under any circumstances. No courier or shipment partner will accept such items and it would be at your own loss and risk if you were to attempt to ship these items in the first place. The list of globally prohibited items includes the following:
- Live animals
- Hunting (animal) trophies, animal parts such as ivory and shark fins, animal remains, or animal-by-products and derived products not intended for human consumption, prohibited for movement by the CITES Convention and/or local law.
- Human remains or ashes
- Bullion
- Cash
- Loose precious and semi-precious stones
- Complete firearms, ammunition, explosives / explosive devices
- Illegal goods, such as counterfeit goods and narcotics
- Aerosols
- Air bags
- Alcoholic beverages
- Cigarettes
- Dry ice
- Hemp-based products (including cannabidiol [CBD])
- Marijuana (medical or otherwise)
- Nail Polish
- Perfumes (containing alcohol)
- Poisons
Restricted items
Although there may be restrictions on the items mentioned below, some can be shipped subject to certain conditions. These could include limitations on quantities or packaging. Furthermore, you’re likely to require an exclusive licence or permit in order to proceed with their exports.
- Class 3 Flammable Liquids
- Explosives (e.g., airbags, small arms ammunition, and model rocket motors)
- Non-Flammable, Non-Toxic Gas
- Flammable Solids
- Any transaction involving International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or other commodities subject to import licences
- Artwork, archeological artefacts and antiquities
- Biological agents, etiological agents, and hosts and vectors of human disease
- Class 8 Corrosives
- Class 9 Miscellaneous (e.g., self-inflating life rafts, lithium batteries, and dry ice)
- Flammable gas
- Spontaneously combustible flammable solids
- Dangerous when wet flammable solids
- Oxidisers
- Organic Peroxides
- Toxic substances (solid or liquid)
- Flowers
- Fresh foodstuffs
- Gems (cut or uncut)
- Hazardous materials/dangerous goods and radioactive materials
- Household goods and personal effects
- Lithium ion and lithium metal batteries
- Medical Devices
- irreplaceable articles such as artwork valued between US$250,000 and US$500,000 each and other single items valued at US$250,000 and higher
- Other perishables
- Pharmaceuticals
- Precious metals
- Industrial preparations
- Jewellery
- Project cargo
- Retail tobacco products
- Tranquilising guns and ammunition
Dangerous items
These items require very careful handling because they have the potential to cause harm. They include but are not limited to:
- Aerosols (hairspray and deodorants)
- Airbag inflators and modules or seat-belt pretensioners
- Alcoholic beverages containing > 24% alcohol by volume
- Batteries classified as dangerous
- Batteries/cells including lithium-ion/polymer/metal
- Carbon dioxide (dry ice)
- Corrosives (acids, corrosive paint, dyes, rust removers)
- Environmental (used engine oil and used or damaged batteries)
- Explosives or ammunition (fireworks, flares and sparklers)
- Flammable liquids (acetone, lighter fluid, solvent-based paints)
- Flammable solids (magnesium and potassium)
- Gases (flammable, non-flammable, compressed and toxic gases)
- Infectious and/or biological substances expected to contain pathogens or other agents such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, prions
- Matches, lighters or lighter refills (cigarette lighters containing petrol and butane lighters)
- Oxidising materials or organic peroxides (disinfectants and hair dyes)
- Pesticides, toxic herbicides and insecticides or poisons toxic substances
Other restricted items
The list does not end there, however, as there are numerous other restrictions in terms of international shipments from Spain or to Spain. These include:
- Brazilian Rosewood
- Stem cell treatments, human growth cells, or steroids, including synthetic versions
- Pesticides and fungicides
- Self-balancing boards (hoverboards) or other self-propelled vehicles
- Damaged batteries
- Lottery tickets
- Items related to gambling
- Toxic or poisonous substances
- Coral
- Meals ready to eat (MRE)
- Beluga or sturgeon caviar
- Any items that are difficult or impossible to identify
It’s highly advisable that you check the destination country’s restrictions on international shipping so that you do not fall afoul of the law and legal regulations.
DRG- Solutions: Your go-to professional courier service in Barcelona
Looking for courier companies in Barcelona? Let DRG-Solutions help you with any international courier services from Barcelona to practically any location around the world. With years of experience behind our back and trusted, friendly and professional services, we’ll ensure that you get the best advice on what to ship, where to ship it and how to ship it for maximum efficiency and more peace of mind.
