Prohibited


What You Can Not Ship?

Prohibited and Restricted Articles

Can I ship it? This is the question often asked when shipping some items that qualify as prohibited and restricted items, which cannot be legally shipped due to customs laws or restrictions by the shipping carrier or airline. These items may vary depending on the country you are shipping to (refer to your country's lists of prohibited and restricted items), but in general you cannot ship the following internationally from the USA:

What things cannot be shipped internationally?

  • Non-prescription drugs, including dental and veterinary drugs
  • Non-prescription medical devices
  • Medical devices not approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration).
  • Prohormones, human growth hormones, stem cell treatments, steroids or synthetic versions.
  • Items that are not labeled in English or without FDA-approved labeling requirements.
  • Dietary supplements without import permit.
  • Cosmetics without import permits.
  • Foodstuffs without import permits.
  • Any food, supplement, drug or cosmetic that has been issued a Consumer Safety Advisory Warning.
  • Perishable products of any type.
  • Laboratory reagents, biologicals, cultures, medical samples.
  • Poisonous substances.
  • Toxic substances, including inhalation hazards.
  • Infectious substances.
  • Explosives, fireworks, gunpowder, flares or matches.
  • Gasoline, diesel or other fuels.
  • Lighters containing fuel.
  • Meals ready to eat (MRE).
  • Pesticides, herbicides, fungicides.
  • Radioactive elements or products.
  • Self-balancing boards (hoverboards).
  • Oxidizing agents.
  • Fire extinguishers.
  • Firearms, weapons and accessories, including replicas.
  • BB pellet/airsoft/paintball guns and projectiles, parts and projectiles.
  • Ammunition, magazines and bayonets.
  • Stunned tasers and electric rifles.
  • Tear gas, mace and pepper spray.
  • Gas masks and gas mask filters.
  • Handcuffs of any material, including plastic zipper restraints and straitjackets.
  • Body armor, helmets or personal protective equipment with kevlar or ballistic ratings.
  • Military/tactical/police shields.
  • Government, police or military uniforms, identification and badges (real or replica).
  • Military training equipment.
  • Military and/or dual-purpose flight helmets and flight suits.
  • Military and police equipment.
  • Thermal imaging, infrared or other night vision devices.
  • Rifle scopes, aiming devices and laser aiming for firearms.
  • Defense articles controlled on the U.S. Munitions List, as defined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
  • Self-propelled vehicles.

Other Products Not to Ship Internationally

  • Batteries damaged.
  • Any commercial or dual-use item controlled under the Commerce Control List (CCL) as defined in the Export Administration Regulations, where the control condition requires an export license approved by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).
  • Counterfeit products.
  • Contraband.
  • Lottery tickets.
  • Gaming devices and accessories.
  • Diamonds in the rough.
  • Animals or insects, dead or alive.
  • Human remains.
  • Coral.
  • Brazilian rosewood.
  • Skin or leather of snakes, alligators, crocodiles, manta rays and other reptiles or amphibians.
  • Fur, skin or hide of almost all animals, but especially wolves, bears, elephants, rhinoceroses and certain deer and foxes.
  • Sturgeon or Beluga caviar.
  • Agricultural products, including certain seeds, live or dead plants, unfinished or untreated wood and soil.
  • Articles containing animal products controlled under the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act or requiring a permit under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).

Important: This information contained herein is enunciative and exemplary, given in a general manner, is not exhaustive, and is not a substitute for consulting with the U.S. export regulations and import regulations of each destination country. As stated in the My Cargo US Terms and Conditions, as the importer of record in the destination country, you are responsible for ensuring that any and all items you export from the United States, Asia or any other country of export, using the services provided, must comply with the laws and regulations of these countries as well as the destination country. For additional information about the export or import regulations of these countries, please consult the regulatory authorities of each country, either on their web links, or by requesting the services of a customs broker specialized to your shipping requirements.