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If you're a business customer, please visit royalmail.com/prohibitedgoods/business for information on what you can and cannot send in the mail.
To comply with national and international regulations governing the carriage of mail, and ensure that mail in transport does not present a danger to the general public, we restrict or prohibit certain items from our network.
We want to ensure the mail is safe for everyone. Many everyday items, such as aerosols, nail varnish and perfumes are considered dangerous goods under transport legislation. You are responsible for checking whether or not an item is prohibited or restricted.
Prohibited items must never be sent in the post.
Restricted items may be sent in the post, but restrictions will apply. Items can be restricted due to packaging, volume, quantity, labelling or the product that can be used. These conditions must be met when posting both within the UK and Internationally.
If you're sending your item at the Post Office®, you may be asked at the counter what the contents of your parcel are to make sure the items are safe to post.
For a brief overview download our prohibitions and restrictions leaflet.
If you're posting items overseas other postal administrations may have different prohibitions, see our Country Guides.
In addition, a number of countries and international organisations, including the United Kingdom and the European Union, impose certain restrictions, also known as sanctions, on what you can send to certain individuals, organisations or countries.
If you send prohibited goods or restricted goods (and you do not comply with the relevant terms and conditions), we may deal with your items as we see fit, including but not limited to, disposing of the parcels concerned (in whole or in part). In order to comply with aviation security regulations, items destined for air transport will go through certain aviation security controls. There may be instances where we are unable to clear certain items and these will be returned to the sender where it is safe to do so. Please note consequential loss cover is not available when posting any restricted items.
The comprehensive A-Z list below gives you detailed information about the things you cannot post with us, or where restrictions are in place and covers all our UK mail and International mail services.
If you are not sure about the item you wish to post, please call Customer Services on 03457 740 740. If you want to contact us using the Relay UK service, dial 18001 0345 266 0075.
Products bearing consumer warning symbols ARE dangerous goods and are prohibited unless specifically permitted below.
Note 1: A product bearing only the corrosive marking (depicted bottom right above) is NOT classified as dangerous goods if the signal word and hazard statement ‘Danger - causes serious eye damage’ applies.
Note 2: Environmentally hazardous substances are prohibited for items which exceed 5 litres/5kg.
Please be aware there are changes to the Offensive Weapons Act. To find out more please visit
The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 (Commencement No. 2 and Saving Provision) Regulations 2022 (legislation.gov.uk)
and
The Sentencing Act 2020 (Commencement No. 1) (England and Wales) Regulations 2022 (legislation.gov.uk)
Aerosols for toiletry or medicinal purposes (including deodorants, body sprays, hair sprays, shaving and hair removal creams and medicinal aerosols for prevention or cure such as flea sprays). - for Asthma inhalers see Prescription medicines
Aerosols for any other purpose (including spray paints, lacquers, solvents, air fresheners, oven cleaners, etc)
Alcoholic beverages and liquids containing more than 70% alcohol by volume (ABV)
Alcoholic beverages and liquids containing more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol by volume (ABV) (e.g. gin, rum, vodka, whisky)
Additional general advice: Place in a suitable rigid outer container.
Alcoholic beverages and liquids containing 24% alcohol by volume (ABV) or less (including beer, lager, wine and champagne)
Additional general advice: Place in a suitable rigid outer container.
Ammunition (excluding lead pellets and other airgun and airsoft projectiles)
Balance Boards (including Hoverboards, electric scooters, electric bicycles and all battery powered vehicles and equipment (UN3171))
Balloons filled with non-flammable gases
Additional general advice: Ensure adequate cushioning material and place in a suitable rigid outer container.
Batteries including those sent with/without or connected to an electronic device
Batteries that are classified as dangerous goods by the latest edition of the Technical Instructions for Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air published by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) including wet spillable lead acid/ lead alkaline batteries (such as car batteries), lithium batteries when not sent with or contained in equipment, used alkaline metal, nickel metal hydride (NiMH), nickel cadmium (NiCd) and zinc-air batteries, and damaged batteries of any type. Please note this includes power banks.
Alkaline metal, nickel metal hydride (NiMH), nickel cadmium (NiCd), zinc-air and zinc chloride batteries sent without equipment / devices >>
(Including D, C, 9V, AA, AAA and AAAA alkaline batteries)
International & UK destinations - Allowed in the mail, with restrictions and packaging guidelines below:
Batteries - new wet, non-spillable >>
(for example sealed lead acid batteries, absorbed glass mat and gel cell batteries)
Lithium ion / polymer batteries or cells - sent with equipment / devices >>
(for example rechargeable batteries / cells found in portable electronics such as laptops, mobile phones, iPads, camcorders, cordless power tools etc. Includes mains powered battery chargers but excludes battery packs)
Lithium ion / polymer batteries - contained in / connected to equipment / devices >>
(for example rechargeable batteries/cells found in portable electronics such as laptops, mobile phones, iPads, camcorders, cordless power tools etc.)
International & UK destinations - Allowed in the mail, with restrictions and packaging guidelines below:
Lithium metal / alloy batteries or cells - sent with equipment / devices >>
(for example non-rechargeable batteries commonly used in electronic equipment/devices such as cameras, smoke detectors etc.)
Lithium metal / alloy batteries or cells - contained in / connected to equipment / devices >>
(for example non-rechargeable batteries commonly used in electronic equipment/devices such as cameras, smoke detectors etc.)
International & UK destinations - Allowed in the mail, with restrictions and packaging guidelines below:
Sodium ion batteries >>
(including those sent with/without or connected to an electronic device)
Biological substances (Category B) (diagnostic specimens including urine, faeces, livestock and equine semen collection and animal remains. Excludes blood spot and hair samples)
UN3373 Biological Substances Category B as detailed in the latest edition of the Technical Instructions for Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air published by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
UK destinations - see prohibitions, restrictions, and packaging guidelines below.
Prohibited Bladed Items
Hunting/combat/survival type knives, daggers, movie knives that promote violence (such as Rambo or Crocodile Dundee style knives), replica fighting knives, throwing knives, machetes, swords, fantasy knives, knives with images or words that suggest use for violence, stiletto knives, battle axes, open razors/folding razors and any similar items are prohibited and cannot be sent . Also see Weapons
The following are not prohibited and will instead be treated as Restricted Bladed Items, provided the only intended use is one of the permitted uses listed below:
Bladed items that are: commonly used for sporting activities; commonly used for religious or ceremonial purposes (must be blunted); sgian dubhs (must be blunted and for ornamental purposes); being sent to a recognised museum; commonly used in historical re-enactment (must be blunted); commonly used in theatrical productions (must be blunted); and antiques. Note: in order to avoid your item being treated as prohibited, in the event of any checks it would be helpful to include supporting documentation to enable us to verify the relevant permitted use listed above.
Important: Items intended by the person sending or receiving it to cause injury to a person are always prohibited and will be treated/handled as such regardless of whether or not they fall into one of the permitted uses above. In addition, see Weapons which are also prohibited regardless of whether or not they fall into one of the permitted uses above.
Restricted Bladed Items
Prohibited Bladed Items cannot be sent. However, other Knives or Blades as defined by s141A Criminal Justice Act 1988 or ‘Bladed Products’ as defined by s41 of the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 can be sent, provided certain conditions are met. These include but are not limited to any knife or knife blade, including cutlery knives, bread knives, knives that can be used for hobbies and trades (for instance, utility knives and snap-off cutters, gardening, camping, lock knives, bushcraft and farming tools with a blade or any other trade tool that could commonly be described as a knife), butcher knives (including meat cleavers), felling axes and razor blades.
Note: this excludes folding pocket knives where the cutting edge of its blade does not exceed 3 inches (7.62cm) or razor blades permanently enclosed in a cartridge or housing where less than 2mm is exposed which can be sent without using Age verification service.
Please Note: It is the senders’ responsibility to ensure compliance with the law.
The following links to the legislation and guidance may assist but Royal Mail prohibitions and restrictions regarding the sending of bladed items must also be followed:
Criminal Justice Act 1988
Offensive Weapons Act 2019
Statutory guidance: Offensive Weapons Act 2019
CBD (cannabidiol) Products
CBD products containing more than 0.2% of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
CBD products containing 0.2% or less of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), including oils, liquids, sprays, capsules)
Christmas crackers - see Explosives for cracker snaps when not part of a made-up cracker
International & UK destinations - Allowed in the mail, with restrictions and packaging guidelines below:
Clinical and medical waste (e.g. contaminated dressings, bandages and needles)
Controlled drugs and narcotics (such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin, LSD, opium, nitrous oxide and amyl nitrate and all non- prescription Controlled Drugs)
Corrosives (including aluminium chloride, caustic soda, corrosive cleaning fluid, dyes, acids, corrosive paint and rust removers, mercury and gallium metal)
Note: certain hair dyes and associated products may be accepted provided they are not classed as dangerous goods.
Counterfeit currency, bank notes and postage stamps (except copies of old denominations, which are now obsolete and worthless except for collectable value and cannot be passed as tender)
Including any false instrument, or copy of a false instrument (within the meaning of section 5 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981)
DNA samples (limited to saliva swabs and samples. Excludes blood spot and hair samples)
Dry ice and liquid Nitrogen (For example Dry ice and liquid Nitrogen UN1845 when used as a coolant for UN3373 or for other perishable items.)
Electronic devices sent with or containing batteries (including mobile phones, digital cameras, etc) see Batteries
Environmentally hazardous substances
Environmental waste (including used batteries and used engine oil)
Explosives (including fireworks, flares, blasting caps, party poppers, 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 e.g. ammunition, blasting caps, Christmas cracker snaps, fireworks, flares, fuses, igniters, nitro-glycerine and party poppers.
Flammable liquids (including petroleum, lighter fluid, certain adhesives, solvent-based paints, wood varnish, enamels, acetone and all nail varnish removers also see; Alcoholic beverages, Perfumes and aftershaves and Nail varnish)
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, perfumes and aftershaves, varnishes and enamels including nail varnish.
Flammable solids (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 e.g. 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.
Frozen water (including packs of ice)
Gases, including flammable, non-flammable, toxic and compressed gases (including new, 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 & soda stream)
*includes new, used and empty gas cylinders
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 remains (excluding ashes)
Infectious substances and pathogens (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 Organization's (ICAO) 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, petrol cigar and cigarette lighters)
Lighters - empty, new or unused
Lighters considered to contain residual fuel may be disposed of.
Liquids not classified as dangerous goods
Liquids 1 litre and over
Liquids under 1 litre
Live animals and reptiles (including snakes, mice and rodents)
Live creatures, insects and invertebrates
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. Dead insects, sent as collectables, are allowed.
Creatures or insects classified as dangerous within the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (including certain venomous spiders).
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
Magnetised material with a field strength of less than 0.418A/metre at a distance of 4.6 metres from the outside of the package
Additional general advice:
Send individually as magnets can damage other items they travel with, i.e. discs, tapes, etc.
Outer packaging - use a strong corrugated board box or purpose designed polystyrene pack.
Matches (including safety matches and windproof matches)
Nail varnish, polish or gel (solvent and water-based)
Nicotine Solution (for use in e-cigarettes only)
Solutions containing a nicotine concentration of more than 2%.
Solutions containing a nicotine concentration of 2% or less
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 or organic peroxides (including disinfectants, nitrates and hair dyes or colourants containing peroxide)
Certain hair dyes and associated products may be accepted provided they are not classed as dangerous goods.
Paints, wood varnishes, wood treatments and enamels
Solvent-based paints, wood varnishes, wood treatments and enamels
Water-based paints, wood varnishes, wood treatments and enamels
(including blood or urine tests to monitor cholesterol levels, blood glucose levels, hormone levels, or prostate specific antibodies (PSA); tests required to monitor organ function such as heart, liver or kidney function for humans or animals with non-infectious diseases, or therapeutic drug monitoring; tests conducted for insurance or employment purposes and are intended to determine the presence of drugs or alcohol; pregnancy tests; biopsies to detect cancer; and antibody detection in humans or animals in the absence of any concern for infection (e.g. evaluation of vaccine induced immunity, diagnosis of autoimmune disease, etc. Excludes blood spot and hair samples)
May only be sent at the specific request of a medical professional, a recognised laboratory or institution. Clear instructions should be provided to patients on how to take and assemble the packaging for posting. Sample returns should only be made in the sample kits provided. The total sample volume/mass in any parcel must not exceed 250g/250ml and
a) The specimen must be transported in a packaging which will prevent any leakage and which must be marked with the words “Exempt human specimen” or “Exempt animal specimen”, as appropriate;
b) The packaging must consist of three components:
i) a leakproof primary receptacle(s);
ii) a leakproof secondary packaging; and a
iii) an outer packaging of adequate strength for its capacity, mass and intended use, and with at least one surface having minimum dimensions of 100 mm × 100 mm and also be greater than 10mm in thickness. Any leakage from the sample receptacle should be contained within the outer packaging.
c) For liquids, absorbent material in sufficient quantity to absorb the entire contents must be placed between the primary receptacle(s) and the secondary packaging so that, during transport, any release or leak of a liquid substance will not reach the outer packaging and will not compromise the integrity of the cushioning material;
d) When multiple fragile primary receptacles are placed in a single secondary packaging, they must be either individually wrapped or separated to prevent contact between them.
Perfumes and aftershaves (including eau de parfum and eau de toilette, reed diffusers, non-aerosol body sprays, non-aerosol room sprays, essential oils. Excludes non-flammable perfumed creams, gels, oils or lotions)
Perishable items (including flowers, fresh fruit, vegetables and frozen or chilled foodstuffs)
Additional general advice:
Outer packaging - use a strong corrugated board box or purpose designed polystyrene pack.
When sending flowers, arrange in layers separated by tissue paper and use waterproof wrapping if including damp moss or phials of water.
Pesticides (e.g. weed killer and any chemical used to kill pests and insects including fly sprays)
Poisons, toxic liquids, solids and gases (including substances that are liable to cause death or injury if swallowed or inhaled or by skin contact, including arsenic, cyanide, fluorine, rat poison)
Prescription medicines and drugs sent for scientific or medical purposes
Prescription medicines and drugs sent for scientific or medical purposes - non-toxic and non-flammable including asthma inhalers
Prescription medicines and drugs sent for scientific or medical purposes - toxic, flammable or toxic and flammable
Radioactive materials and samples
Radioactive materials and samples that are classified as radioactive using Table 2-12 of the latest edition of the International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions e.g. fissile material (uranium 235, etc), radioactive waste material, thorium or uranium ores and luminous dials from aircraft.
Radioactive material and samples that are not classified as dangerous goods in the latest edition of the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air published by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) such as samples of granite rock.
Sharp or Pointed Items (formerly Sharp Objects) (excludes: (i) knives prohibited under UK law - see Weapons - and (ii) Bladed items. Includes, but not limited to scissors, mini chopper blades, food processor blades, sewing kits, knitting needles, syringes, chisels, piercing awls, saws, nails, pins, fishing hooks).
Tickets and related advertisements for illegal lotteries
Waste, dirt, filth or refuse (including household waste)
Soil samples sent for analysis are permitted provided they are packaged so that any leaks and spills are contained in the outer packaging
Weapons Includes items made for the sole purpose of causing injury to a person, items adapted for use to cause injury to a person, and any item intended by the person sending or receiving it to cause injury to a person Also including, but not limited to, Section 5 firearms, CS gas, pepper sprays, tasers and stun guns, flick knives, gravity knives, disguised knives, butterfly knives, crossbows, and other items that are banned under laws applicable in the UK or the destination country. Items that appear to be prohibited weapons may be subject to additional checks and delays.
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