Prohibited goods shipping: what is allowed and what isn’t?

Want to ship a parcel with MyParcel? Then it’s good to know that not all goods are allowed. Different carriers and destinations have their own rules, especially for international shipments. On this page, we explain which goods you cannot ship and what to watch out for.

What are prohibited goods?
Prohibited goods are products that cannot be shipped with carriers available through MyParcel. These shipments are stopped in the network or by customs.

❌ Examples include:

• Firearms and ammunition

• Animal fur and ivory

• Fresh or perishable goods (without a permit)

• Alcohol and tobacco (without a special contract)

• Live plants and seeds

• Dangerous goods (according to ADR/IATA regulations)

Important: MyParcel does not support shipping dangerous goods through its platform.

Dangerous goods (not allowed).
Dangerous goods fall under international regulations (such as ADR for road transport and IATA for air transport) and cannot be shipped via MyParcel.

❌ For example:

• Flammable, explosive or chemical substances

• Toxic or harmful materials

• Materials with narcotic or nauseating effects

• Magnets

• Lithium batteries (see exception below)

Lithium batteries.
Lithium batteries are classified as dangerous goods and are therefore generally not allowed.

✅ Exception
Only small lithium batteries (IATA Section II / ADR SP 188), provided that:

• They are installed in equipment or packed with it

• They are correctly packaged according to applicable regulations

• They are not damaged or defective

❌ Not allowed

• Loose batteries (such as UN3480)

• Larger batteries

• Damaged or defective batteries (always prohibited)

• Shipments that require a special agreement with UPS

Not sure about your product?
Always check the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) of your product. If in doubt, also consult the guidelines of the carrier you are shipping with.

Goods with special conditions.
Some products are not prohibited, but can only be shipped if they meet specific rules or documentation requirements from the carrier and customs.
This applies, for example, to:

• Cosmetics and food supplements

• Alcoholic beverages

• Food products

These products can only be shipped if they meet all applicable conditions.

Your responsibility as a sender.
As a sender, you are always responsible for:

• The contents of your shipment

• Correctly classifying your products

• Complying with carrier conditions and regulations

If you ship prohibited goods anyway, this can lead to:

• Blocked shipping options

• Additional costs or fines

• Liability for damage or safety risks

Want to know more?
For more information, check:

• The conditions of your carrier (prohibited goods via PostNL, DHL, UPS, DPD)

• Lists of prohibited or regulated goods per carrier

• Guidelines for international shipping

Still unsure? Contact us. We’ll think along with you and make sure your shipment is good to go.