What Can You Ship? A Complete Guide to Luggage Shipping Restrictions

Two Types of Restrictions — Carrier Rules vs. Customs Rules

Understanding why restrictions exist makes them easier to remember and apply.

Type 1: Carrier / IATA hazardous materials rules

These restrictions apply to every courier shipment regardless of destination. They exist primarily for aviation safety — specific items create fire, explosion, or toxic hazard risks when transported by air, and the rules governing them are set by IATA (International Air Transport Association) and national civil aviation authorities including India’s DGCA.

No reputable courier — FedEx, DHL, UPS, Aramex, or any domestic carrier — will knowingly transport items on this list. Attempting to ship prohibited hazardous materials can result in your shipment being intercepted and destroyed, substantial fines, and in serious cases, criminal liability.

Type 2: Destination country customs restrictions

These restrictions are set by the customs authority of the destination country. They exist for a range of reasons: biosecurity (protecting agricultural ecosystems from foreign pests and diseases), public safety (restricting weapons and dangerous goods), cultural or religious law (UAE restrictions on pork products and alcohol), or trade protection (restrictions on counterfeit goods).

These vary significantly by country. Something entirely legal to ship from India to the UK may be prohibited or restricted in Australia, the UAE, or the USA. Destination-specific customs rules are where most first-time shippers encounter problems — not because they’re trying to break rules, but because they’re unaware that the rules exist.

Universally Prohibited Items — No Courier Will Ship These

The following items cannot be shipped via any professional courier service by air, domestically or internationally, under any circumstances:

Batteries and battery-containing items

⚠  This is the most commonly misunderstood restriction

• Loose lithium batteries: Cannot be shipped as cargo by any courier, under any circumstances. This includes spare power banks, spare laptop batteries, spare phone batteries, and all uninstalled lithium cells. Aviation regulations prohibit loose lithium batteries in cargo holds due to fire risk
• Power banks: Cannot be shipped. Period. Even new, sealed, in original packaging. Take them in your carry-on luggage
• Lithium batteries installed in devices: Devices with batteries fitted (laptops, phones, tablets, cameras) CAN be shipped but must be switched off and protected from short circuit. There are limits on battery capacity — commercial-grade batteries above 100Wh require special handling; batteries above 300Wh are generally prohibited for air cargo
• Non-lithium batteries: Wet-cell car batteries and other liquid electrolyte batteries are prohibited. Dry-cell alkaline batteries (standard AA, AAA) are generally permitted when installed in devices

Flammable and combustible items

• Petrol, diesel, and all flammable liquid fuels
• Lighters (disposable lighters are sometimes permitted in limited quantities in personal luggage but not in courier shipments)
• Aerosols in pressurised containers — hair spray, deodorant, spray paint
• Alcohol-based goods above a certain percentage — high-proof alcohol, hand sanitiser in large quantities
• Matches
• Flammable adhesives and solvents

Explosives and weapons

• Explosives, fireworks, flares, and pyrotechnics of any kind
• Firearms, ammunition, and replica weapons
• All offensive weapons — knuckledusters, batons, tasers, pepper spray
• Detonators and propellants

Toxic and corrosive materials

• Mercury and mercury-containing devices (older thermometers, fluorescent lights)
• Strong acids and alkalis (concentrated bleach, industrial cleaners)
• Pesticides and insecticides above domestic concentrations
• Radioactive materials
• Infectious biological substances and medical waste

Other universal prohibitions

• Narcotics and controlled substances: No exceptions. This includes cannabis products including CBD oils in many jurisdictions, regardless of legal status in origin country
• Counterfeit goods and pirated material: Fake branded goods, pirated software, counterfeit currency — prohibited and subject to seizure
• Human remains: Subject to entirely separate regulations outside standard courier frameworks
• Live animals: Cannot be shipped via standard courier — separate specialist services with CITES documentation are required for legal animal transport
• Currency above export limits: Indian regulations permit export of up to ₹25,000 in Indian rupees. Foreign currency above USD 5,000 in cash must be declared. Undeclared currency above these limits is subject to confiscation

Items That Can Be Shipped — With Proper Handling

Many items that people assume are restricted can actually be shipped — they just require correct declaration, appropriate packaging, or carrier pre-approval. Here’s the most commonly misunderstood category:

Electronics and technology

• Laptops and tablets: Can be shipped. Battery must be installed and device switched off. Declare at accurate current value. Insure for declared value. Pack in rigid box with foam or bubble wrap — no hard foam-free packing
• Mobile phones: Can be shipped. Same rules as laptops. Declare accurately — customs authorities cross-check declared values against market prices for high-value electronics
• Cameras and photography equipment: Can be shipped with proper packaging. Lenses require foam-wrapped individual protection. Declare camera body and lenses as separate declared values for accurate insurance coverage
• Hard drives and storage media: Can be shipped. Wrap in anti-static bubble wrap. For portable drives, no special restrictions. For server-grade equipment, check carrier rules
• Desktop computers: Can be shipped disassembled where possible; full desktop PCs are large and heavy — confirm with MBE Delhi on carrier restrictions for size and weight
• New electronics in sealed packaging: Technically shippable but likely to attract customs duty at the destination as commercial goods rather than personal effects. Declare accurately and be prepared for duty assessment

Food and consumables

• Commercially packaged, sealed dry food: Generally permitted for most destinations when declared. Spices, dried lentils, packaged snacks, rice — in sealed original commercial packaging with ingredient labels. Must be declared on customs forms
• Pickles and preserved foods in sealed jars: Generally permitted for UK, USA, Canada, UAE. Restrictions apply in Australia and New Zealand for anything organic or homemade
• Homemade or bulk food without commercial packaging: Much higher risk of customs issues. Australia and New Zealand prohibit most non-commercially packaged food. Even for permissive destinations, undeclared food is a problem
• Chocolate and confectionery: Generally permitted when commercially packaged and declared
• Tea and coffee: Generally permitted when commercially packaged and declared

Medicines and health products

• Personal prescription medicines: Can be shipped with a copy of the prescription. Many destination countries require documentation for controlled prescription medicines. Some Indian prescription drugs contain substances classified as controlled in the UAE, Singapore, or USA — verify before including
• Over-the-counter medicines: Generally permitted in reasonable personal-use quantities with declaration. Do not ship in large commercial quantities as they may be reclassified as commercial goods
• Ayurvedic and herbal preparations: Generally permitted as personal effects. Preparations containing controlled plant extracts may be restricted in some destinations — when in doubt, carry in your hand luggage or check with the destination country’s customs authority

Alcohol

• Within India (domestic): Alcohol shipments are governed by state excise laws in India. Some states prohibit alcohol import entirely (Bihar, Gujarat, Nagaland). Domestic courier shipping of alcohol is generally not standard practice
• Internationally: Alcohol can be shipped internationally but is highly destination-dependent. UAE (certain emirates), Saudi Arabia, and some other Gulf destinations prohibit alcohol entirely. UK, USA, Canada, Germany allow alcohol imports within quantity limits — subject to import duty and alcohol-specific customs procedures. Specialist handling and documentation required

Plants and organic material

• Dried herbs and plant material (non-food): Subject to phytosanitary (plant health) regulations. Require phytosanitary certificate from India’s NPPO (National Plant Protection Organisation). Australia and New Zealand are exceptionally strict
• Seeds: Require phytosanitary certificate. Prohibited in Australia and New Zealand without special import permit
• Wooden items: Wooden handicrafts, furniture items, musical instruments with wooden components — may require ISPM 15 treatment (heat treatment) for international shipping, particularly to Australia, USA, and EU. Confirm requirements before shipping

The simple test for uncertain items: If you’re not sure whether an item can be shipped to your specific destination, ask MBE Delhi before you pack it. It takes 30 seconds to ask and can prevent a customs hold, a confiscated item, or a fine at the destination. We’d rather tell you upfront than have your shipment delayed.

Destination-Specific Customs Restrictions: Country by Country

This is where the rules get location-specific. The same item that ships without comment to the UK may be seized, fined, or require pre-approval in Australia or the UAE. Here is a clear reference for India’s most common shipping destinations.

United Kingdom

• Prohibited: Offensive weapons including replicas; fireworks; endangered species products (ivory, fur, certain wildlife products covered by CITES); obscene material; unlicensed firearms
• Restricted (require documentation): Prescription medicines (carry documentation); food items of animal origin above certain quantities; certain plants and plant products requiring phytosanitary certificates
• Generally permitted from India: Commercially packaged food, clothing, electronics (declared accurately), books, household goods, personal effects for relocating residents under ToR Relief
• Key note: Post-Brexit, UK customs now applies to EU-originating goods as well as non-EU. For Indian shippers this means UK clearance rather than EU clearance — ToR procedures are UK-specific, not EU

United States

• Prohibited: Items made from endangered species (CITES); certain agricultural products (fresh fruit, vegetables, soil, live plants — complex rules by state and product); Cuban cigars (historical restrictions, partially relaxed but verify current rules); certain firearms and replica weapons
• Restricted: Prescription medicines (limited quantities with documentation); alcohol (import duty and state-level permits may apply); food of animal origin; wooden items (may require ISPM 15 heat treatment)
• FDA-regulated products: Cosmetics, food supplements, and health products may be subject to FDA import oversight — commercial quantities may require prior notice and import entry
• State-level biosecurity: California, Hawaii, Florida, and several other states have stricter agricultural restrictions than federal rules. Check state-specific rules if your destination is in a biosecurity-active state
• Key note: US CBP inspects a high proportion of incoming international shipments. Declaration accuracy is critical — incomplete or inconsistent customs forms lead to holds and potential penalties

Canada

• Prohibited: Endangered species products; certain weapons; hate speech material; obscene material
• Restricted: Prescription medicines (documentation required); certain food products of animal origin; alcohol (provincial liquor board regulations apply — import of alcohol for personal use is regulated by province)
• Food items: CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) regulates food imports. Many commercially packaged Indian food items are permitted — however, fresh produce, meat, and dairy are restricted. Declare all food items
• Key note: Canada’s personal effects provisions (CBSA Form B4) are important for relocation shipments — establish your ‘goods to follow’ list at first border entry. See our relocation guide for details

Australia — the most restrictive destination for Indian shippers

⚠  Australia has the strictest biosecurity regime of any major destination country. Read this section carefully before shipping anything to Australia.

• Prohibited (biosecurity): Fresh fruit and vegetables; seeds; soil and sand; plant material including dried flowers and leaves; honey; dairy products; raw, dried, or processed meat including jerky; straw and plant-based packaging material; wooden items with bark or soil; most organic material of plant or animal origin
• Permitted with declaration: Commercially packaged, sealed food items in original labelled packaging (must still be declared); new wooden items with ISPM 15 heat treatment certificate; prescription medicines with documentation
• CITES: Strict enforcement of CITES restrictions on endangered species products — more rigorously enforced at Australian customs than most other destinations
• The declaration rule: When shipping to Australia, declare every food item without exception. ‘When in doubt, declare’ is not just advice — it’s the difference between a shipment that clears and a fine starting at AUD 420. Non-declaration is treated as deliberate concealment regardless of intent
• What commonly gets caught: Indian spices in non-commercial packaging; homemade snacks and sweets; dried lentils and legumes in non-original packaging; wooden handicrafts without heat treatment certificate; fabric with seed-containing decoration; traditional Indian sweets (mithai)

UAE

• Prohibited: Pork products and pork derivatives; pornographic material; content deemed offensive to Islam; gambling-related items; Israeli-origin goods; certain pharmaceutical products (includes some common Indian medicines — check before shipping)
• Restricted: Alcohol (subject to emirate-specific rules; Dubai permits limited personal import; Sharjah and some other emirates prohibit entirely); prescription medicines (verify UAE pharmaceutical import rules for specific drugs); certain religious items; VoIP equipment
• Key note for Indian shippers: Several medicines commonly prescribed and purchased over-the-counter in India contain ingredients classified as controlled substances in the UAE. This includes some pain medications, certain sedatives, and specific prescription drugs. Always check UAE MOH (Ministry of Health) import guidelines for any medicine before shipping
• Prohibited content: Books, printed materials, and media that contradict UAE laws or Islamic principles may be confiscated. Declare all books and printed materials accurately

Germany and the European Union

• Prohibited: Nazi and extremist symbols and materials; certain weapons; endangered species products (CITES strictly enforced in EU); counterfeit goods
• Restricted: Prescription medicines (documentation required); food products of animal origin above certain quantities; alcohol above duty-free allowances; plants and plant products (phytosanitary certificates for certain items); wooden items may require ISPM 15
• EU customs for personal effects: ToR (Transfer of Residence) provisions allow duty and VAT-free import of personal effects for people relocating — but new items and commercial goods are assessed. Declare all items accurately
• Key note: German Zoll (customs) is efficient and thorough. Incomplete declarations are a common cause of delays. Itemise your packing list fully

Singapore

• Prohibited: Chewing gum (sale and import restricted); endangered species products; certain publications and media; all forms of tobacco products above duty-free allowances
• Restricted: Medicines (especially traditional medicines containing undeclared ingredients); food items must comply with Singapore Food Agency rules; alcohol above duty-free quantities is subject to import duty; firearms and replica weapons
• Key note: Singapore customs is highly efficient but very literal about declarations. Accurate, item-level customs forms are essential. Undeclared items are treated seriously even if unintentional

Gulf states: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain

• All GCC countries: Prohibit pork products, pornographic material, and items contrary to Islamic law. Alcohol is completely prohibited in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and (largely) Bahrain and Qatar. Firearms and weapons prohibited
• Saudi Arabia specifically: Among the strictest customs regimes in the GCC. Religious materials, political content, and media not aligned with Saudi regulations may be confiscated. Verify current prohibited items list for Saudi Arabia before any shipment
• Qatar and Bahrain: More permissive than Saudi Arabia on some items but still subject to Islamic law prohibitions. Verify current rules for your specific emirate or country
• Key note: Indian expats are among the largest communities in every GCC country. Common Indian items that cause problems: ayurvedic preparations containing restricted ingredients; certain Indian pickles with alcohol content; religious iconography in some countries

Quick Reference: Common Items — Can They Be Shipped?

✓ = generally permitted with declaration  ·  ✗ = prohibited  ·  Caution = declare and verify  ·  ISPM 15 = heat treatment certificate required

Indian Export Restrictions: What You Can’t Send Out of India

Restrictions work in both directions. India also has export control rules that govern what can leave the country via courier:

Currency and valuables

• Indian rupees: Maximum ₹25,000 in Indian currency may be exported by a person travelling abroad. Exporting above this amount is a violation of FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act)
• Foreign currency cash: Amounts up to USD 5,000 equivalent need not be declared. Amounts between USD 5,000–USD 10,000 must be declared on customs forms. Amounts above USD 10,000 require RBI approval
• Gold jewellery: Indian Baggage Rules 2026 govern gold export. Indian passengers who have lived abroad for more than one year can export gold jewellery up to 40g (women) / 20g (men) duty-free within value limits. Amounts beyond these limits require customs declaration and potentially duty payment

Cultural property and antiquities

• Antiques and art: Items over 100 years old are classified as antiques under the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act and may require an export permit from the Archaeological Survey of India. Shipping antiques without the required export permit is illegal
• Religious artefacts of historical significance: Subject to export controls. When in doubt about an item’s classification, consult ASI or a customs broker before shipping

Other Indian export restrictions

• Wild animals and wildlife products: India is a signatory to CITES. Export of protected species or their products — ivory, certain animal skins, live protected animals — is prohibited without specific CITES permits
• Dual-use goods: Certain technology, chemicals, and equipment with potential military applications are subject to export licensing under India’s SCOMET (Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies) list
• Seeds of certain plants: India restricts export of seeds of certain agricultural and forestry species to prevent genetic resource loss. Check APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) guidelines if shipping plant seeds

The Most Important Rule: Declare Everything

If there is one principle that applies to every international luggage shipment without exception, it is this:

Declare every item in your shipment, accurately, at its correct value.

This isn’t primarily about avoiding trouble with customs — though it is that. It’s also about what happens when something goes wrong. If a shipment is delayed, held, or an item is damaged or lost, a correctly completed customs declaration is your primary protection. Without accurate declaration, insurance claims are harder to process and customs holds take longer to resolve.

What ‘accurate declaration’ means in practice

• Item-level description: Not ‘misc clothing’ — but ‘3 formal shirts, 2 pairs of trousers, 4 pairs of socks’. Not ‘household goods’ — but ‘pressure cooker (used), 2 tawas (used), spice grinder (used)’. Customs officers process itemised lists faster and with fewer holds than vague category descriptions
• Accurate values: Declare the current market value of items — what they would cost to replace today, not what you paid for them. Deliberately undervaluing items to minimise potential duty is customs fraud, creates problems if a claim is made, and is identifiable to customs authorities who routinely check declared values against market prices
• Used vs. new: Distinguish between used personal effects (lower duty risk in most destination countries) and new items still in packaging (higher duty risk). Be honest — customs inspectors look for items that are described as ‘used’ but are clearly new
• Food items: List every food item separately, even in small quantities. ‘Assorted food items’ is not an acceptable declaration for most strict customs regimes. Australia and the USA in particular require item-level food declarations

What happens when items aren’t declared

• Customs hold: Your shipment is stopped for inspection. This can add days or weeks to transit time
• Confiscation: Non-declared prohibited items are confiscated. You don’t get them back, and the rest of your shipment may be delayed while the confiscation is processed
• Fines: Australia fines non-declaration of biosecurity risk items from AUD 420 per incident. Other countries have equivalent penalty structures
• Return of shipment: Some customs authorities return non-compliant shipments to the origin at the shipper’s cost
• In serious cases: Attempts to ship prohibited goods (narcotics, weapons, large quantities of undeclared currency) can result in criminal prosecution

MBE Delhi prepares your customs documentation: Getting customs paperwork right is the area where most people need the most help. Our international shipping team prepares accurate, item-level customs documentation for every international shipment and flags destination-specific restrictions before you seal your boxes. One conversation before you pack prevents the problems that take days to resolve at customs.

How MBE Delhi Navigates Shipping Restrictions for You

Knowing what’s restricted is one thing. Knowing how it applies to your specific shipment — your items, your destination, your timing — is where MBE Delhi’s expertise makes the practical difference.

When you contact us with a shipment, we ask about every item you’re planning to include. We flag anything that requires special handling, additional documentation, or that shouldn’t be included at all. We prepare the customs documentation so that what reaches the destination customs authority is accurate, complete, and likely to clear without a hold.

This isn’t bureaucratic caution — it’s the difference between a shipment that arrives on time and one that sits in a warehouse in Heathrow or Sydney while someone tries to figure out what’s in it.

Services relevant to restricted and specialist items

• International Courier — Door-to-door shipping to 60+ countries with full customs documentation support
• Domestic Courier — Pan-India shipping; state-specific restrictions (alcohol, certain goods) navigated with experience
• Professional Packing Services — Correct packing for fragile, valuable, and specialist items
• Valuables & Antiques — Expert handling for high-value personal effects, art, and antiques with proper export documentation support
• Outsource Your Logistics — For businesses with recurring shipping needs, including specialist and regulated goods

Questions about a specific item or destination? Contact MBE Delhi before you pack. We’ll tell you exactly what applies to your shipment.

The Short Version

Most things people ship internationally — clothes, books, kitchen equipment, electronics, commercially packaged food, personal effects — travel without problems when they’re declared correctly and packed properly.

The items that cause problems fall into two categories: universal prohibitions that no carrier will move (loose batteries, flammable liquids, narcotics, weapons), and destination-specific restrictions that vary by country (Australia’s biosecurity rules, UAE’s alcohol and pork prohibitions, US agricultural restrictions). Understanding which category applies to your shipment is the work this guide has tried to do for you.

When in doubt about anything: ask before you pack. MBE Delhi is the fastest route to a correct answer for your specific shipment and destination.