When processing mail, the Royal Mail must adhere to national and international regulations, ensuring the mail is safe and cannot put the general public in danger. It must also comply with sanctions in place under UK or EU law.
Royal Mail has, therefore, restricted or prohibited certain items. It is up to you, as an individual or business, to check whether your package is restricted or prohibited.
What items are prohibited or restricted?
All items bearing consumer warning labels are prohibited unless they meet certain criteria. Other items are also prohibited, meaning they cannot be sent through the mail under any circumstance.
Some items are restricted, meaning they can be sent in certain circumstances and some items are restricted in both the UK and internationally. It is important to check the criteria against which restricted items might be sent prior to mailing, for example, how should the package be marked, or find alternatives, such as https://www.uk-tdl.com/same-day-delivery.html, who are a same day courier in Slough.
UK and international restricted items:
• Alcohol less than 24% alcohol by volume
• Batteries not connected/included with the equipment they are meant to power
• Counterfeit currency or postage stamps
• Christmas crackers
• Electronic devices with lithium batteries connected
• Guns used for sport
• Human or animal ashes
• Lighters
• Live creatures, insects and invertebrates
• Prescription medications
• Drugs for medical or scientific reasons, including vaccines
• Sharp objects
UK only restricted items (cannot be sent internationally):
• Aerosols, e.g. body sprays
• Alcohol between 24% and 70% alcohol by volume
• Asbestos set in resin, plastic or glass as a sample
• Balloons filled with non-flammable gases
• Category B biological substances
• Human or animal samples
• Non-dangerous liquids
• Nail polish
• Perfumes and aftershaves
• Perishable items
Prohibited items:
• Aerosols, e.g. paint or solvents
• Alcohol and liquids more than 70% alcohol by volume
• Ammunition
• Clinical and medical waste
• Corrosive materials
• Dry ice
• Environmental waste
• Explosives
• Flammable liquids and/or solids
• Frozen water
• Flammable, non-flammable, toxic or compressed gases
• Goods made in foreign prisons
• Hoverboards
• Infectious substances and pathogens
• Live animals and reptiles
• Non-UK lottery tickets
• Magnetised material
• Matches
• Obscene publications and unlawful images
• Oxidising materials or organic peroxides
• Solvent-based paints, varnishes and enamels
• Pesticides
• Poisons and toxic solids, gases or liquids
• Radioactive materials
• Waste, dirt, refuse or filth
• Weapons