Forbidden Items and Those Requiring Special Handling

To ensure a safe and smooth shipment, it is crucial to know the items that are restricted or prohibited for transportation.

This list will help you identify items that cannot be shipped (along with their corresponding HS Codes), but remember that each destination country may have additional specific regulations.

Commonly Forbidden Items List

1. Monetary values and precious metals

• 7108: Gold bars
• 7106: Silver bars
• 7118: Commemorative coins and medals valued above $2,000 USD
• 4907: Cash, traveler’s checks, tax stamps, and financial products over $500,000 USD

2. High-value items

• 9701/9706: Antiques over $500,000 USD
• 9703: Artwork over $500,000 USD
• 7113: Jewelry, watches, and precious material items over $5,000 USD per item or $100,000 USD per shipment

3. Illegal and contraband products

• Counterfeit goods infringing intellectual property rights (HS Code depends on the item)
• 3004: Narcotics
• Hunting trophies and animal parts:
  • 0507: Ivory
  • 0508: Shark fins
• 3001: Human remains or ashes

4. Dangerous items

• 3604: Ammunition
• 3601: Gunpowder
• 3602: Detonators
• 3603: Pyrotechnic articles
• 3605: Rockets and flares
• 2844: Radioactive isotopes
• 2845: Nuclear fuel (highly restricted)
• 3606: Other explosive articles

5. Other forbidden items

• 0106: Live animals (mammals, reptiles, birds)
• 4301: Furs
• Loose gemstones:
  • 7102: Diamonds
  • 7103: Other gemstones
• 8507: Power banks
• 8506: Damaged or defective batteries
• 2208: Alcohol with restrictions in the EU

Items Requiring Special Handling (packaging or documentation)

These items can be transported but require specific packaging, documentation, or permissions:

1. Gases and Fuels

• 2801: Industrial gases (argon, helium)
• 2804: Oxygen, compressed nitrogen
• 2806: Hydrogen, liquefied gas
• 2811: Carbon dioxide
• 2903: Halogenated hydrocarbons
• 2707: Volatile oils
• 2853: Other inorganic gases
• 2710: Petroleum, gasoline, fuels

Handling: Approved cylinders, SDS, and DGD mandatory, along with hazard labels. Some substances require authorization for air transport.

2. Chemical Substances

• 2905: Alcohols (ethanol, methanol)
• 2909: Ethers (ethyl ether)
• 2910: Aldehydes and ketones
• 2915: Organic peroxides
• 2847: Inorganic peroxides
• 2930: Cyanides

Handling: Leak-proof containers; SDS, DGD, and specific certifications. Must be isolated from incompatible materials and labeled as flammable or toxic.

3. Agricultural Products

• 3808: Insecticides and pesticides

Handling: Containers that prevent leakage and contamination, SDS, and toxicity labels. Preferably transported at a controlled temperature and separated from other items.

4. Other Items

• 2904: Sulfur
• 3002: Infectious biological materials
• 8506: Lithium batteries
• 8507: Power accumulators
• 9022: Radiation-emitting devices

Handling: Specific packaging (e.g., heat protection for sulfur, radiation shielding). SDS, DGD, and compliance certificates required. “Hazardous Material” marking and regulatory authorization for radioactive devices.

To avoid issues in shipping, it is important to know the specific restrictions for each destination country.

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