Help & Advice

Dangerous &
Prohibited Items.

The restrictions below apply across all services on this site. Carriers may impose further limits, and every destination country has its own rules. If in doubt, contact our customer services team — better a quick call than a destroyed consignment.

Before you ship

Three things to check.

The lists below are the BDS-wide baseline. Carrier policies and country-specific rules can add further restrictions — always double-check both.

01

Verify your carrier

This list is the BDS-wide baseline. Each carrier may apply further restrictions of their own.

02

Check the destination

Every country has its own rules on acceptable imports — confirm with customs in the destination country before shipping.

03

Talk to us

Uncertain about a specific item? Reach out and our customer services team will advise — better a quick call than a destroyed consignment.

Dangerous & Hazardous

Never to be shipped.

If found within your consignment, items will be destroyed and you will be fined £100.
  • Adhesives
  • Aerosols
  • Airbags for Cars
  • Ammunition & Guns
  • Batteries
  • Camping Stove
  • Christmas Crackers
  • Cleaners & Solvents
  • Compressed Air & Gas Cylinders
  • Diesel, Fuel & Gasoline
  • Dry Ice
  • Fire Extinguishers
  • Fireworks
  • Hair Curlers
  • Infectious Substances
  • Insecticides
  • Life Jackets
  • Liquid Bleach & Chlorine
  • Magnets
  • Nail Varnish
  • Paint & Turpentine
  • Perfume & Aftershave
  • Radioactive Material
  • Safety Matches
  • Seat Belts
  • Thermometer
Prohibited Items

Not accepted by any carrier.

These goods are not accepted by any of the carriers we use.

  • Animals & Animal Products
  • Body Parts
  • Bullion
  • Replica Firearms / Guns
  • Illegal Drugs
  • Knives
  • Lab & Medical Samples
  • Mattresses
  • Money
  • Non-flat Pack Furniture
  • Personal Data
  • Perishable Foodstuffs
  • Pornography
  • Precious Metals
  • Printer Ink
  • Stamps
  • Tobacco
  • Televisions (32" +)
  • White Goods
Restricted Items

Carrier or destination dependent.

Limitations on these goods may differ by carrier or destination. Please call +44 (0) 333 0144 055 for more details.

  • Alcohol & Champagne
  • Credit or Debit Cards
  • Jewellery & Watches
  • Mobile Phones / Devices
No Compensation Items

Shipped at owner's risk.

No standard liability or damage cover is provided for these goods, though some items may be covered against loss.

  • Data
  • Glass
  • LCD Screens & Computer Monitors
  • Liquids
  • Pottery & Ceramics
  • Vouchers & Tickets
  • Works of Art

Further guidance: CAA Examples of Hazardous Goods (PDF)

Your Responsibility

The sender knows best.

Ensuring acceptable contents falls to the sender, since only that person knows what the package contains. By accepting the parcel, neither BDS nor the courier acknowledges the contents are acceptable.

Ask before you ship
Freight services

Cleared to ship.

If your goods are clear of the lists above, tell us where they're going and we'll quote — fast and transparent.

  • Carrier-approved shipments only
  • Customs handled by our specialists
  • Talk to us first if unsure about an item

Get your freight quote

Or call +44 (0) 333 0144 055 — we reply within one working day.