Restricted Items

Restricted items can be shipped internationally, but only with specific documentation, permits, or handling conditions attached. Unlike prohibited items, there's no absolute ban — you just need to meet the specific requirement first.

Common categories that are restricted (not prohibited)

Food items. Many packaged, shelf-stable foods can be shipped, but often require ingredient labelling compliance in the destination country, and fresh produce, meat, and dairy are typically not shippable through standard courier channels at all (effectively prohibited for practical courier purposes even where not on a formal prohibited list).

Cosmetics and personal care products. Generally shippable, but specific ingredients can trigger regulatory review in the destination country (for example, FDA review for US-bound cosmetics).

Electronics with batteries. Lithium-battery-containing devices are shippable but must be correctly declared and packaged under IATA dangerous goods rules — undeclared battery items are a common cause of holds, not because they're banned but because they weren't properly declared.

Jewellery and precious metals. Fully shippable, but benefits from (and in the case of rough diamonds, requires) specific documentation — see Jewellery Export Documentation.

Plant and agricultural products. Often require phytosanitary certification, since most countries restrict agricultural imports to prevent pest/disease introduction.

High-value commercial samples. Not restricted by content, but need accurate, defensible valuation documentation to avoid customs disputes over declared value.

How to ship a restricted item correctly

1. Identify exactly which permit, certificate, or declaration applies to your specific item and destination country
2. Obtain that documentation before booking, not after — retrofitting paperwork onto an already-shipped parcel rarely works
3. Declare the item accurately and completely on your commercial invoice — don't describe a restricted item vaguely to avoid extra scrutiny; this usually causes more delay, not less
4. Confirm with your courier that they support shipping this specific restricted category to your specific destination — not every courier handles every restricted category

Restricted rules are destination-specific

What's restricted (and what documentation clears it) varies by destination country. A category that's simply restricted-with-paperwork in one country can be effectively unshippable in another. Always check the specific destination-country guide where one exists — see Restricted or Prohibited Items (USA) for a worked example.