How to ship a lost item abroad
Prohibited items, customs outside the EU, rates and delivery times: the rules and tips for returning a lost item to another country without the parcel coming back.
· 2 min read
Which items are prohibited in parcels?
Aerosols, batteries, cash, weapons: the list of frequently forgotten items that cannot be shipped in a parcel, and the restrictions specific to certain countries.
Published on · 3 min read · PeeK'in
Which items are prohibited in parcels?
The items prohibited in parcels differ according to the regulations in force. But most of the following items are refused by all carriers shipping from France. Yet they are frequently found among the items guests leave behind.
| Category | Items refused by carriers |
|---|---|
| Dangerous or messy products | Aerosols, deodorant, perfume, gas, lighters, nail polish, nail polish remover… Over-the-counter medicines |
| Lithium batteries and cells | Cells, batteries, screens… |
| Money (cash) | Banknotes, coins |
| Weapons | Weapons, ammunition, any bladed item including collectors’ knives |
| Miscellaneous | Counterfeit goods, car parts such as windscreen wipers, candles… |
You therefore need to check the items your guests leave behind carefully before shipping them. If you have to send a toiletry bag, for example, make sure you sort through it first.
These restrictions and regulations exist to limit the risks involved in transport. The aim is to protect the items being transported and to avoid endangering carriers if dangerous items are present.
Your carrier’s general terms and conditions provide more detailed information on shipping restrictions and prohibitions in France.
Additional restrictions to be aware of for certain countries
Other restrictions may apply depending on the destination country. Here are the most notable prohibitions for the destination countries most commonly served by our services:
| Country | Prohibited items |
|---|---|
| United States | Hoverboards, alcoholic beverages |
| Japan | Hoverboards, plant products without certificates |
| Switzerland | Agricultural products and plants |
| South Korea | Fabrics and wool, rice |
| Belgium | Products containing tobacco |
| India | Animal fats and materials, wood and wood products |
As you can see, additional restrictions are generally linked to the culture or specific production of the destination country.
A good description to prevent the parcel being refused
It is essential that the description attached to the parcel is detailed. This allows the carrier to make sure there is nothing dangerous inside.
For example:
- The description “make-up bag” would be refused because of the risk that it contains a dangerous item such as perfume or nail polish, which are prohibited.
- We therefore recommend a detailed description such as “blusher + lipstick + mascara”, depending on what the bag contains.
- If you enter the description “personal effects”, the parcel could contain anything.
- We therefore recommend stating the contents precisely, such as “children’s clothing”. This certifies that there is nothing dangerous inside.
What happens if you have shipped a prohibited item in a parcel?
- Case 1: the parcel description mentions a dangerous item or is not precise enough. In this case, the parcel may be refused by the carrier.
- Case 2: the parcel is accepted but gets held up during shipping. The carrier may then charge a surcharge for taking the risk of transporting a dangerous item.
- Case 3: the parcel is accepted but its contents are too dangerous. The parcel may be destroyed. Carriers offer no refund when dangerous goods are shipped.
- Case 4: the dangerous item causes material damage or injury during shipping. The sender is criminally liable, will have to pay for all the damage and may even face prison.
You now know which of the most frequently forgotten items are prohibited in parcels. Also check out our tips for shipping laptops, cosmetics, bank cards or cash.
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