Prohibited Items
Prohibited Items and Service Restrictions
The following items are prohibited from shipping to all countries served by UPS (except under special agreement):The following items are prohibited from shipping to all countries served by UPS (except under special agreement):
- alcoholic beverages;
- ivory and ivory products;
- live animals;
- particularly valuable items (e.g., works of art, antiques, gems, gold and silver);
- personal effects (except to certain countries when shipped in conjunction with transfer centers);
- jewelry and watches (excluding decorative jewelry and watches) valued at more than USD 500 or its local currency equivalent per package¹
- furs;
- perishable goods;
- wild animal skins;
- dangerous goods/hazardous materials (as defined by IATA and ADR);
- pornographic materials;
- money, securities and prepaid cards (e.g., gift cards);
- unaccompanied baggage;
- seeds;
- plants;
- tobacco and tobacco products;
- firearms.
Personal effects generally include items for personal use that have been in the shipper’s possession for at least 6 months. The exact definition of personal effects (based on applicable customs regulations) varies by country. For more information, please consult your local UPS call center. Unaccompanied baggage means suitcases, duffel bags, backpacks, briefcases and other such items, regardless of their contents (although they may be shipped empty, unlocked and packaged as specified in UPS’s instructions). In addition, goods moving under an ATA carnet and all temporary export and import goods are prohibited; goods moving under FCR (Freight Forwarder’s Receipt), FCT (Freight Forwarder’s Certificate of Consignment) and CAD (Cash Against Documents) transactions; shipments with a characteristic defect that is likely to stain, damage or injure people, goods and equipment; goods whose carriage is prohibited by law in the country of origin, transit or destination (e.g. ivory and ivory products); goods subject to excise duty (e.g. spirits) or requiring special equipment, precautions or permits. Under applicable law, certain goods may only be transported under prescribed conditions and certain goods are prohibited from being transported by air (e.g. liquids in glass containers).
Shipping Prohibited Items with UPS contract
Certain goods that are prohibited on the list may be accepted by UPS under contract for shippers who ship in regular quantities and are able to comply with applicable requirements. UPS has established an International Special Commodities (ISC) program that allows customers to ship restricted/prohibited goods to certain destinations (e.g. goods that require additional documentation or inspection or that are subject to spoilage). The following goods may be included in the ISC program:
- alcoholic beverages;
- biological substances, Category B, except diagnostic samples from animals or humans;
- plants;
- perishable goods (fish and meat);
- seeds; tobacco and tobacco products;
- exceptions.
Not all items can be shipped to all countries. This program requires an agreement. For more information, please call 666 4700 or contact your UPS representative.