Prohibited & restricted items
What you can’t send, what needs documents, and country rules to know before you pack.
Prohibited — never accepted
These items cannot be shipped by international courier under airline safety rules, Indian export law or destination customs law.
- Perfumes, attar, colognes and deodorant or aerosol sprays
- Power banks, loose lithium batteries and e-cigarettes / vapes
- Gold, silver, precious stones and bullion
- Cash, currency, traveller's cheques and negotiable instruments
- Fireworks, crackers, matches, lighters and explosives
- Flammable liquids and gases — petrol, paint, thinner, camphor, gas cylinders
- Weapons, ammunition, replicas and parts
- Narcotics, psychotropic substances and prescription drugs without documents
- Hazardous chemicals, corrosives, acids and poisons
- Wildlife products — ivory, animal skins, coral, shells
- Counterfeit or pirated goods
- Obscene or pornographic material
- Live animals, plants and seeds (without phytosanitary certificates)
Restricted — accepted with documents
Accepted when the conditions below are met. Handling charges may apply and are shown before you confirm.
- Medicines & ayurvedic / siddha products
- Doctor's prescription and letter, in original packing, personal quantity only. Held until documents are received.
- Phones, laptops, cameras & smartwatches
- Battery must be installed inside the device. Special handling charge applies.
- Cosmetics, creams, oils & shampoo
- Leak-proof, sealed packing. Nothing flammable.
- Pickles, ghee, honey & homemade food
- Double-sealed, air-tight packing. Destination rules apply.
- Commercial goods & samples
- Commercial invoice with GSTIN; IEC for commercial exports; HS code per item.
- Documents & certificates
- Flat, in a secure envelope. Original certificates at sender's risk — keep copies.
- Imitation jewellery & idols
- Declare material (brass, copper, alloy). No gold or silver.
Country-specific notes
Import rules change often and are decided by destination customs. Use these as a guide and check with us before shipping food, medicines or high-value items.
Food items may need FDA Prior Notice. Meat products, fresh fruit and some seeds are not allowed. Duties may apply above the duty-free threshold.
Meat and dairy products from outside the UK are not allowed in personal parcels. Gifts above the gift allowance attract duty and VAT.
Meat, dairy and some plant products are restricted. Declared value drives duties and taxes.
Strict biosecurity: seeds, nuts, spices, dairy, meat and wooden items may be inspected, treated or refused. Declare all food.
Medicines need prior approval. Some items such as e-cigarettes and certain supplements are restricted.
Meat and dairy products are not allowed in personal parcels. VAT applies from the first euro on most imports.
Not sure about an item?
Search the HS code checker or send us a photo on WhatsApp — we'll confirm before pickup.