Parcelforce Worldwide complies with strict transport regulations. We will not carry certain goods and substances. Please check our guidelines on prohibited goods before you arrange despatch.

In addition to our general prohibitions and restrictions, there are also country specific prohibitions and restrictions to meet our delivery partner’s requirements. Please visit our Worldwide directory for specific country information. It is your responsibility to check any prohibitions and restrictions set by governments for the types of goods you are shipping.  We have provided some top tips in our Worldwide Directory for major destinations.

To comply with strict regulations Parcelforce Worldwide does not carry any goods classified as dangerous in the latest edition of the Civil Aviation Organisation's Technical Instructions.

There are nine hazard classes which cover these and the examples quoted below must not be taken as full lists of all dangerous goods. We will not accept other materials and products that may be hazardous to our handling staff.

Dangerous goods are defined as those goods which meet the criteria of one or more of the nine UN hazard classes. These classes relate to the type of hazard and are detailed below.

All dangerous goods are prohibited goods.

Class 1: Explosives:  Any chemical compound, mixture or device capable of producing an explosive-pyrotechnic effect, with substantial instantaneous release of heat and gas. All explosives are prohibited. Examples: Nitroglycerine; Fireworks; Blasting caps; Christmas Cracker Snaps; Igniters; Fuses; Flares; Ammunition, etc.

Class 2: Gases compressed, liquified or dissolved under pressure: Permanent gases which cannot be liquified at ambient temperatures; liquified gases, which become liquid under pressure at ambient temperatures; dissolved gases which are dissolved under pressure in a solvent.

1. All flammable compressed gases are prohibited. Examples: Hydrogen; Ethane; Methane; Propane; Butane; Cigarette lighters; Gas Cylinders for camping stoves, blowlamps, etc.
2. All toxic compressed gases are prohibited. Examples: Chlorine; Flourine,etc.
3. All non-flammable compressed gases are prohibited. Examples: Carbon Dioxide; Nitrogen; Neon; Fire Extinguishers containing such gases, etc.
4. All aerosols are prohibited.

Class 3: Flammable Liquids: Liquids, 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. Examples: Acetone; Benzene; Cleaning Compounds; Gasoline; Lighter Fuel; Paint Thinners and Removers; Petroleum; Solvents, etc.

Class 4.1: Flammable solids, self-reactive substances and solid desensitized explosives.
Class 4.2: Substances liable to spontaneous combustion and
Class 4.3: Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases:
Substances liable to spontaneous combustion. Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases. 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. Examples: Matches (any type inc. safety); Calcium Carbide; Cellulose Nitrate products; Metallic Magnesium; Nitro-cellulose based film; Phosphorous; Potassium; Sodium; Sodium Hydride; Zinc Powder; Zirconium Hydride, etc.

Class 5.1: Oxidizing substances and Class 5.2: Organic peroxides:
Though not necessarily combustable themselves, these substances may cause or contribute to combustion of other substances. They may also be liable to explosive decomposition, react dangerously with other substances, and be injurious to health. All oxidising substances and organic peroxides are prohibited. Examples: Bromates; Chlorates; Components of Fibreglass repair kits; Nitrates; Perchlorates; Permangamates; Peroxides, etc.
Class 5: Oxidising Substances and Organic Peroxides:

Class 6.1: Toxic substances and Class 6.2: Infectious substances: Substances liable to cause death or injury if swallowed or inhaled, or by skin contact. All toxic substances are prohibited. Examples: arsenic, beryllium, cyanide, fluorine, hydrogen solenoid, infectious substance containing microorganisms or their toxins which are known or suspected to cause disease,mercury, mercury salts, mustard gas, nitrobenzene, nitrogen dioxide, pesticides,poisons, rat poison. Infectious substances assigned to Category A are prohibited. Examples: ebola, foot and mouth disease, UN3291 clinical waste is prohibited.

Class 7: Radioactive material: All materials and samples that are classified as radioactive using Table 2-12 of the latest edition of the International Civil Aviation Organisation's Technical Instructions. Examples: Fissile Material (Uranium 235,etc.); Radioactive Waste Material; Uranium or Thorium Ores, etc.

Class 8: Corrosive substances: Substances which can cause severe damage by chemical action to living tissue, other freight, or the means of transport. All corrosive substances are prohibited. Examples: Aluminium Chloride; Caustic Soda; Corrosive Cleaning Fluid; Corrosive Rust Remover/ Preventative; Corrosive Paint Remover; Electric Storage Batteries; Hydrochloric Acid; Nitric Acid; Sulphuric Acid, etc.

Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles : Substances which present dangers not covered elsewhere. Examples: Asbestos; Dry Ice (solid carbon dioxide); Magnetised Material with a magnetic field strength of 0.159 A/m or more at a distance of 2.1m from the outside of the parcel.

All types of ammunition are prohibited from being sent using any of the Services. Section 1 and 2 arms and firearms may be permitted for Zone 1 to Zone 1 collections and deliveries for account Customers only, subject to prior written agreement being provided by Parcelforce Worldwide to the Customer, such agreement to be given at Parcelforce Worldwide's absolute discretion.

Zone 1 to Zone 1 Collections and deliveries of Section 1 and 2 arms and firearms will only be accepted where it can be shown to Parcelforce Worldwide's satisfaction that both the Customer and the addressee are registered firearm dealers. All types of firearms are prohibited from import and export to and from the UK.

Further information about UK firearms law can be obtained from the Home Office.
Tel: 020 7035 4848

Drugs
Controlled drugs may not be sent by any Parcelforce Worldwide service. Those discovered in transit will be stopped, and handed to Customs or the Police, who may take legal action against the sender and/or recipient. Examples: Cocaine, Cannabis resin, LSD, Narcotics, Morphine, Opium, Psychotropic substances etc.

Filth
Foul or disgusting material is prohibited.

Indecent, obscene or offensive articles
Indecent, obscene or offensive communications, prints, photographs, books or other articles, and packets bearing grossly offensive, indecent or obscene words, marks or designs are prohibited. Those discovered in transit will be stopped, and handed to Customs or the Police, who may take legal action against the sender and/or recipient.

Lottery tickets
Tickets and related advertisements for illegal lotteries are prohibited.

Miscellaneous manufactured articles
Goods made in foreign prisons, except those imported for a non-commercial purpose of a kind not manufactured in the United Kingdom , or those in transit.

Alcoholic beverages

Alcoholic content should not be greater than 70%. Alcohol that will result in excise duty cannot be sent on the globalexpress service and to certain destinations on the globalpriority and globalvalue services.

Batteries
These articles may only be posted in their retail packaging, still sealed and in good condition.

Biological Substance, Category B
All Infectious Substances assigned to Category B must be posted in packaging that complies with Packing Instructions 650. The total sample volume/mass in any package shall not exceed 50ml/g. Infectious Substances assigned to Category B are only permitted for destinations within the United Kingdom.

Christmas crackers
May only be posted in complete made-up form and in their retail packaging. If posting using a BFPO service all crackers should have their 'bangers' removed.

Counterfeit currency and postage stamps
Counterfeit currency is prohibited. Postage stamps are prohibited unless franked or no longer usable for postage purposes.

Diagnostic specimens
All diagnostic specimens must be posted in packaging that complies with Packing Instructions 650. The total sample volume/mass in any package shall not exceed 50ml/g. Diagnostic specimens are only permitted for destinations within the United Kingdom.

Infectious substances
Infectious substances assigned to Category A are prohibited.

International export licences and international packaging
Items requiring Parcelforce Worldwide to obtain any special licence or permit for transportation, importation or exportation; or consignments with a declared value for customs in excess of that permitted for the particular destination should not be sent on any international service. Please note: Any items that are wet, leaking or emit an odour of any kind cannot be sent on any of our globalexpress services. Any items packaged in Kraft paper cannot be sent via our globalexpress service.


Living creatures
Certain living creatures are accepted only if enclosed in packs constructed so as to prevent injury to Parcelforce Worldwide staff, its agents or damage to other packages.

The following are accepted: Bees, Destroyers of noxious pests and other insects sent to or from officially recognized institutions, leeches and certain parasites, silkworms.

In addition the following may be sent to destinations in Zones 1 to 3: Caterpillars, Earthworms, Fish fry and eggs, Lugworms, Maggots, Mealworms, Pupae and chrysalides and Ragworms. To send any of the above, express9, express10, expressAM or express24 services must be used for Zones 1 to 3. No other living creatures are acceptable. No living creatures can be sent through the globalexpress service and to certain destinations on the globalpriority and globalvalue services.

Misleading endorsements
Parcels must not bear words, marks or designs which are unauthorised and which may reasonably lead the recipient to believe that the packet has been sent On Her Majesty's Service.

Perishable articles and foodstuffs
Fresh fruit, meat, fish and other perishable articles should be able to withstand a journey of up to 2 days and must be sent by guaranteed next day service as a minimum requirement within the UK . Packages must be clearly labelled "PERISHABLE".

Packages of fish should be smoked or chilled, and sealed in vacuum packs before consignment. In all cases they must be enclosed in adequate polystyrene containment to prevent contamination. It is the responsibility of the shipper to package all perishable articles in such a manner that during transport within the system the contents are kept at an appropriate temperature that is unlikely to give rise to a risk to health. It is prohibited to export any foodstuffs, whether perishable or not, to certain destinations on the globalpriority and globalvalue services. Perishable foodstuff cannot be sent on the globalexpress service. This includes seeds and other vegetable products intended for further processing.

Plants
Live plants cannot be exported using the globalexpress service or to certain destinations on the globalpriority and globalvalue services.

Prescription drugs
Prescription drugs sent for medical or scientific purposes, for example from a medical practitioner to a hospital, must contain the address of the sender and telephne number in case of non-delivery, so that they may be returned without delay. The properties of these drugs, should not meet any of the criteria of the 9 UN hazard classes when classified by the sender. Drugs in prescription quantities may be sent by private individuals in the case of emergencies. In all cases, the sender's address and telephone number must be included on the inside of the package.

Sharp objects
These items may only be posted if they are packaged appropriately so that they do not present a risk to employees, other packages or recipients.

Financial documents
Money - bankers drafts, current bank notes, currency notes or coins, credit cards, debit cards, uncrossed postal orders which do not state to whom they are to be paid, cheques or dividend warrants which are uncrossed and made payable to the bearer; bearer securities including share warrants, scrips, or subscription certificates, bonds or relative coupons, unfranked postage or revenue stamps, (except a revenue stamp embossed or impressed on an instrument which has been executed); coupons, vouchers, tokens, lottery tickets, scratch cards or similar documents which can be exchanged themselves or with any other document for money, goods or services; national insurance stamps; all tickets, including travel and events. None of the above can be sent on any Parcelforce Worldwide export service. They can be sent on a Parcelforce Worldwide UK service.

Works of art
Works of art cannot be exported to certain destinations on the globalpriority and globalvalue services and are excluded from compensation for loss and damage with globalexpress although they can be sent using this service.


Human and animal remains
Human and animal remains (including ashes) cannot be sent using any of our services. For account customers, human and animal remains (including ashes) can be sent only if they have prior written agreement with us, which is to be given at Parcelforce Worldwides's absolute discretion.

In addition to the prohibitions and restrictions set out and/or referred to in clause 5, the following items must not be sent through the globalexpress Product:

• foodstuffs and perishable food articles and beverages requiring refrigeration or other environmental control;
• plants and plant material, including seeds and cut flowers (cut flowers are acceptable to certain destinations, information available upon request);
• perishables  not otherwise provided for in this clause 16.);
• wet ice (frozen water)
• items requiring Parcelforce Worldwide to obtain any special licence or permit for transportation, importation or exportation;
• consignments with a declared value for customs in excess of that permitted
• parcels that are wet, leaking or emit an odour of any kind;
• parcels that are wrapped in kraft paper;
• live animals and insects
• In addition to the prohibitions set out in clause 5 and clause 16.1, the following items are excluded from our liability for compensation for globalexpress:
• Artwork, including any work created or developed by the application of skill, taste or creative talent for sale, display or collection. This includes without limitation, items such as paintings, drawings, vases, tapestries, limited-edition prints,
• fine art, statues, sculptures, collector's items, customized or personalized musical instruments or similar items.
• Film, photographic images, including photographic negatives, photographic chromes and photographic slides.
• Any commodity that by its inherent nature is particularly susceptible to damage, or the market value of which is particularly variable or difficult to ascertain.