Prohibited Items

Prohibited items cannot be shipped internationally under any circumstances, on either the Indian export side or the destination country's import side. Shipping a prohibited item — even by mistake — risks seizure of the parcel and potential penalties for the shipper.

Generally prohibited from Indian export

• Narcotics and psychotropic substances
• Counterfeit currency and counterfeit goods
• Items violating India's export control regulations (certain dual-use technologies, specific defence-related items)
• Antiques and artefacts restricted under India's cultural heritage protection laws without specific clearance
• Wildlife products from species protected under the Wildlife Protection Act and CITES (e.g. ivory, certain furs, some coral)

Generally prohibited for import into most destination countries

• Illegal drugs and narcotics
• Counterfeit and pirated goods
• Weapons, ammunition, and explosive materials without specific permits
• Products made from endangered species protected under CITES (ivory, certain skins, some coral and shell products — relevant for jewellery shippers in particular, see Customs Rules for Jewellery Export)
• Hazardous materials that can't be shipped via standard air courier under IATA dangerous goods rules

Prohibited vs. restricted — the difference matters

A prohibited item cannot be shipped, period — no documentation or permit changes that. A restricted item can be shipped, but only with specific documentation, permits, or under specific conditions. Confusing the two is a common and costly mistake — see Restricted Items for the distinction in practice.

This is a general guide, not a complete legal list

Both India's export prohibitions and each destination country's import prohibitions are set by their respective customs and regulatory authorities, and specific rules can change. Before shipping anything outside straightforward general merchandise, verify current rules with your courier or directly with the relevant customs authority — this is especially important for the destination country's specific list, since it varies by country (see the USA-specific list for one worked example).

What to do if you're unsure

If an item doesn't clearly fall into a well-known permitted category, check before you book rather than after — a held or seized shipment costs far more time and money than a five-minute check with your courier's customs desk beforehand.