How to ship a lost item abroad

Which items are prohibited for international shipping?

Some items frequently found in properties are always considered prohibited, in particular:

• Batteries
• Aerosols
• Deodorants
• Nail polish

These examples are only a small part of the items that cannot be shipped from France. When shipping a lost item abroad, the list of prohibited items may grow depending on the destination country. Here are the main categories of lost items refused by carriers that we regularly come across in our services:

• Dangerous or messy products: aerosols, deodorant, perfume, gas, lighters, nail polish, nail polish remover, over-the-counter medicines
• Lithium batteries and cells: batteries, cells, screens
• Cash: banknotes, coins
• Weapons: weapons, ammunition, any bladed item including collectors’ knives
• Miscellaneous: counterfeit goods, car parts such as windscreen wipers, candles

The detailed list, with the restrictions specific to certain countries, is in our guide Which items are prohibited in parcels?

What are the customs formalities?

When a lost item leaves the country, it has to go through customs if the destination country is not part of the European Union. To allow the parcel to be checked, additional documents are often needed for a successful international shipment:

• Issue a pro forma invoice in three copies declaring the value of the goods, to be presented to customs. Each copy must be signed by the sender.
• Some carriers ask for three copies of the shipping label when going through customs. Check with your carrier whether this is the case, as it can be grounds for the parcel being returned.
• An EORI number (the EU’s unique economic operator identification number) is also required at customs. It is mainly used to clear goods. In France, you can apply for an EORI number on the French customs website.

Rates and delivery times for a parcel sent abroad

The price of a parcel depends on:

• where it is shipped from,
• the destination country,
• its size and weight.

Some carriers offer insurance covering the shipping fees and the value of the goods (subject to the original purchase invoice being provided). It is therefore always difficult to determine a shipping rate in advance.

With the PeeK’in app, the owner of the item receives an email, an SMS or a WhatsApp message offering an economy rate (the cheapest) or an express rate (more expensive, but faster and more reliable). In both cases, they can add the SafeShip Option at checkout to be compensated in the event of a documented loss.

As with rates, delivery times also vary depending on the destination country. Shipping a lost item within the European Union will be faster than shipping to a country outside the EU. The coverage of the carrier’s network plays an important role in the quality and speed of delivery. Based on its experience, PeeK’in selects from its partner carriers the best coverage for the departure and destination countries, for the best value for money.