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International Prohibited Goods - CouriersPlease

Prohibited Goods

Our Services

Prohibited Goods - International

This information outlines what can and can't be imported or exported internationally. You can contact us if you aren't sure, or would like more information about prohibited items or our international service.

This page lists goods prohibited for international delivery. You can read the guidelines for dangerous goods on Domestic services here.

International Prohibited Goods

Please read the list of Prohibited Goods below before booking an international delivery. CouriersPlease will not transport prohibited goods.

This page lists goods prohibited for International delivery. Click here to read the guidelines for dangerous goods on Domestic services.

If you are importing into Australia with CouriersPlease, do not risk your goods being seized by customs on arrival. Check the full list of goods prohibited for import on the Department of Immigration and Border Protection website.

If you are sure that your shipment does not contain Prohibited goods, you can export and import now via our website.

Prohibited Goods:

  • Computers and Laptops

  • Power banks & no batteries in any form

  • Explosives - safety devices, fireworks, ammunition, detonator

  • Flammable Gases butane, propane, gas for lighters, aerosol spray

  • Non-Flammable, Non-Toxic Gases argon, compressed oxygen, refrigerated liquefied nitrogen

  • Toxic Gases tear gas, insecticide gas

  • Flammable Liquids motor spirit, alcohol, perfume, oil based paint, acetone, fuel

  • Flammable Solids sulphur, safety matches

  • Spontaneously Combustible white or yellow phosphorus

  • Dangerous When Wet lithium, calcium carbide, magnesium powder

  • Oxidizer oxygen generator, washing powder, hair bleacher

  • Organic Peroxides two component adhesives, hardeners

  • Toxic Substances arsenic, strychnine, pesticides

  • Infectious Substances blood or tissue samples, cultures

  • Radioactive Materials X-ray unit, cancer treatments

  • Corrosives sulphuric acid, mercury, ammonium solution, wet car batteries

  • Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances and Articles, Including Environmentally Hazardous

  • Substances dry ice, polymeric beads, environmentally hazardous substances, consumer commodities, genetically modified (micro) Organisms, magnetised material, lifesaving appliances

  • Live animals (Including mammals, reptiles, fish, invertebrates, amphibians insects and birds)

  • Hunting (Animal) trophies, animal parts such as ivory and sharks fin, animal remains, or Animalby-Products and derived products not intended for human consumption, prohibited for movement by the CITES Convention and/or local law.

  • Human remains or ashes in any form

  • Bullion (of any precious metal) (Usually, but not limited to gold or silver in mass e.g. gold bars or ingots)

  • Cash (current legal tender) (bank notes, currency notes and coins)

  • Loose precious and semiprecious stones (Cut or un-cut, polished or un-polished)

  • Complete firearms, ammunition, explosives / explosive devices including inert explosives and test pieces, air guns, replica and imitation firearms

  • Illegal goods, such as narcotics

  • Counterfeit goods in breach of IPR Counterfeit goods in breach of intellectual property rights (IPR)

  • Toy guns, firearm parts, Tasers, and replica ammunition

  • Antiques and works of art

  • Banderols / tax stickers (Usually used on cigarettes or alcohol to indicate that duties and/or taxes have been paid)

  • Cigarettes, Cigars, Tobacco products, and *electronic cigarettes

  • Financial and monetary commodities -Examples include activated SIM cards for mobile telephones, blank or activated credit or cash dispenser cards, blank checks, gift cards, event tickets, lottery tickets, money or postal orders, pre-paid phone cards, tickets (blank stock), traveller’s cheques, vouchers/tokens, unused stamps etc.

  • Jewellery and watches

  • Commemorative Coins and Medals

  • Cannabis

  • Dangerous goods, including but not restricted to:

    • Explosives - E.g. ammunition, fireworks, inters, fuses and caps for toy firearms

    • Compressed Gas (flammable & non-flammable) - E.g. aerosol products, charged butane cigarette lighters and fire extinguishers

    • Liquids - Flammable liquids in any form - E.g. gasoline, flammable solvents, paints and varnish removers

    • Flammable solids - E.g. matches of all kinds and cellulose nitrate films/substances which become dangerous when wet

    • Oxidising Materials - E.g. substances which yield oxygen readily, selected hair/textile dyes, bleaching powders and adhesives

    • Toxic & Infectious Substances - E.g. drugs and medicines (except samples of poisons/toxins /drugs/medicines in prescription quantities which are packed and transmitted in the prescribed manner)

    • Radioactive Materials - E.g. medical or research samples containing substances

    • Corrosives - E.g. corrosive cleaning liquids, rust removers or preventative instruments containing mercury/battery fluid

Liquids

Please note liquids (other than dangerous goods) are permissible to send via DHL and NZ Post, but ensure they are packaged correctly. Liquids are not permissible if sent via Singpost.

Cosmetics and foodstuffs importation to Indonesia

Indonesia's National Agency of Drug and Food has implemented strict controls for the importation of cosmetics and foodstuffs. Both commodities are restricted and prohibited as follows:

  • Personal importation of cosmetics and foodstuffs is prohibited regardless of quantity, weight, value and purpose of shipping. Any such shipments arriving into Indonesia will be returned to the point of origin.

  • Importation of cosmetics by a business entity is restricted, and a permit is required from the National Agency of Drug & Food Control (BPOM). The consignee is required to apply for such permit.

  • A certificate of inspection from the point of origin is required for an FOB shipment in excess of USD 1,500.

Textile products - South Africa

South African customs has implemented the following measures relating to the importation of sample or commercial shipments of textiles:

  • Shipments containing textile products are more likely to be stopped for inspection;

  • Textile, wearing apparel and flat goods are considered ‘trade sensitive” commodities by the Government and require special documentation and processing;

  • Specific documents and comprehensive information about the shipment is a requirement to ensure effective release by Customs;

  • To stop illegal textile shipments from entering South Africa, Customs has instituted stringent but practical processes aimed at delivering efficient service to Bona Fide exporters;

  • Textiles or clothing shipments are currently targeted and South African Customs reserves the right to stop any shipment for physical examination.

For further information, please refer to the following guide.

Smoking products - Hong Kong

Shipping to Hong Kong - New Prohibitions to Import of Smoking Products Effective from 30 April 2022:

  • A device that is capable of generating an aerosol, other than by means of direct lighting, from any substances and being used for imitating conventional smoking; its component or accessory;

  • Any substance suitable for use with a device described in (1) to generate an aerosol from that substance. Examples include heated tobacco sticks and “e-liquid”;

  • Any plant material rolled up in any material for immediate use for imitating conventional smoking (i.e. herbal cigarettes);

Smoking Products

 

Any of the above products imported into Hong Kong will result in shipment seizure by the HK Customs. The person who commits the offence is liable to summary conviction to a fine of HK$50,000 and imprisonment for 6 months.

In addition to the Prohibited Items above, when importing into Australia please check the Australian border protection website Can I Bring It back.